Dallas’s extensive road network sees many types of crashes, each with distinct injury patterns and legal issues. Our attorneys have handled every major accident category throughout Dallas County.
Rear-End Collisions on Dallas Freeways
Stop-and-go traffic on the Central Expressway and LBJ Freeway frequently results in rear-end crashes. Distracted driving—texting, eating, adjusting navigation systems—causes many of these collisions. Texas law prohibits reading, writing, or sending electronic messages while driving statewide under Texas Transportation Code § 545.4251, but does not currently ban handheld phone calls for adult drivers, except in active school zones, construction zones, and for drivers younger than 18.
A first offense for texting while driving carries a fine of $25–$99, while subsequent violations may result in fines up to $200. If texting while driving leads to serious injury or death, the offense may be prosecuted as a Class A misdemeanor with possible jail time and a fine up to $4,000.
T-Bone Crashes at Dallas Intersections
It’s scary how often side-impact collisions happen at Dallas intersections when drivers blow through red lights or don’t yield while turning left. Think about busy spots like Mockingbird Lane and Greenville Avenue near SMU—they see a lot of crashes. Unfortunately, these wrecks can cause really bad injuries because car doors just don’t offer the same protection as the front or back of the car.
Multi-Vehicle Highway Pile-Ups
Dallas’s high-speed freeways create conditions that can lead to devastating multi-vehicle crashes during sudden weather changes. Fog near the Trinity River bottoms and ice on elevated sections of I-35E create particularly dangerous conditions.
Texas’s Move Over/Slow Down law under Texas Transportation Code § 545.157 requires drivers to either vacate the lane closest to stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights or slow down by 20 mph below the posted speed limit. Violations are punishable by a $500–$1,250 fine; $1,000–$2,000 for a second offense within five years; Class A misdemeanor if the offense results in bodily injury; and a state jail felony for a second or subsequent offense involving bodily injury.
Intersection Collisions in Entertainment Districts
Busy Dallas intersections along Greenville Avenue, in Lower Greenville, and throughout Deep Ellum see frequent collisions involving pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. Texas law bars all wireless device use by drivers under age 18 and bans any handheld device use by any driver in school zones under Texas Transportation Code § 545.425.
Rideshare Vehicle Accidents
Because so many people in Dallas use Uber and Lyft, we see a lot of unique accident cases with complicated insurance issues. Figuring out if the rideshare driver was waiting for a ride, on the way to pick someone up, or already driving a passenger changes which insurance company has to pay.
Pedestrian Accidents Near Transit Areas
Dallas’s car-centric design makes pedestrian accidents common where walkability and traffic mix—near DART stations, in Uptown, and around Victory Park. These accidents often cause catastrophic injuries due to the vulnerability of pedestrians struck by vehicles.
