Kelso Law has been serving Texas since 2012, pursuing full recovery for clients hurt in car accidents throughout Dallas.
If you have been hurt in a collision, a Dallas, TX car accident lawyer can deal with the insurance company while you focus on healing. We have represented injured clients across Texas since 2012, and we prepare every claim as though it will be decided by a jury. Reach out for a free consultation to talk through where you stand.
Car Accident Lawyer Dallas, TX
A car accident lawyer represents people who were injured in a wreck that someone else caused. The work goes well beyond filing paperwork. We investigate how the crash happened, collect the police report and medical records, identify every source of insurance coverage, and deal with adjusters trained to limit what they pay.
A claim in Texas rests on negligence, the legal principle that a driver who fails to use reasonable care answers for the harm that follows. When that negligence is documented and presented clearly, an injured person can recover money for medical care, lost earnings, and other losses. We also look past the obvious defendant, because a crash can involve more than one driver, an employer, or a vehicle owner whose insurance should answer for the harm. Our Dallas car accident attorneys manage that process from the first phone call through settlement or trial.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Dallas
No two crashes are alike, and the cause of a collision shapes how we build the claim. Our Dallas car accident lawyers represent people hurt in a wide range of motor vehicle wrecks. These are the matters we handle most often.
- Rear-end collisions. These crashes often leave drivers with neck and spine injuries that worsen over the following days. Adjusters like to call them minor, so we document the full medical picture, since some hidden injuries do not show up right away.
- T-bone crashes. Side-impact wrecks frequently happen when a driver runs a light or fails to yield. We pull signal timing, camera footage, and witness accounts to establish who had the right of way.
- Head-on collisions. These rank among the most violent wrecks on the road, and they tend to cause the most serious harm. We work with reconstruction professionals to show speed, lane position, and the point of impact.
- Impaired driving crashes. When an intoxicated driver injures someone, that conduct can support a claim for additional damages beyond ordinary negligence. We coordinate with the criminal matter while building the civil case.
- Distracted driving crashes. Phone use behind the wheel remains a leading cause of serious collisions. According to NHTSA crash data, distracted driving killed 3,208 people in 2024.
- Uber accidents. Rideshare claims involve layered insurance policies and a company that defends them aggressively. We sort out which coverage applies and whether the app was active at the time of the wreck.
- Lyft accidents. Lyft crashes raise the same coverage questions, and the answers often turn on the driver’s status in the app. We press for every policy that should respond to the loss.
- Uninsured driver crashes. Sometimes the driver who caused the wreck carries no insurance at all. We turn to your own coverage and explain your options when the at-fault driver can’t pay.
Why Choose Kelso Law as my Car Accident Lawyer in Dallas, TX?
Trial Experience and Plaintiff-Side Focus
Our founder, Rhiannon Kelso, has spent more than a decade representing injured plaintiffs, never insurance companies. She earned her law degree from the Pittsburgh School of Law, where she received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award, and she belongs to the Dallas Bar Association and the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. She is fluent in English and Spanish. She has tried more than 25 cases to jury verdict. That readiness to try a case matters, because insurers tend to offer more when they know a firm will stand in front of a jury.
Proven Results for Injured Clients
Over the past 13 years, we have recovered millions of dollars for our clients. Many people who come to us need help beyond a single crash, and our work as a personal injury lawyer in Dallas, TX reaches across the full range of injury claims. We bring the same preparation to every file, whether it resolves in negotiation or proceeds to trial. Insurance companies track which firms settle and which firms are willing to put a case in front of a jury, and that record shapes the offers our clients see. That steady, plaintiff-focused approach is what guides our work on each car accident claim we take.
What Is Important to Understand About a Car Accident Case?
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Car Accident Cases
Texas law allows an injured person to recover two broad categories of damages: economic and noneconomic. Economic damages cover measurable losses that carry a dollar figure, such as hospital charges and missed paychecks. Noneconomic damages cover harm that no receipt can capture, like the daily toll of living in pain.
Liability turns on negligence, and Texas applies a modified comparative fault standard. Under the state’s proportionate responsibility statute, an injured person can recover only when 50 percent or less at fault, and any award shrinks by that person’s share of the blame. Because fault drives the outcome, insurers often try to shift more of it onto you. A full accounting also looks forward, since a serious injury can mean surgery, therapy, or lost earning power for years after the file is opened.
- Medical expenses, both current and future
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage, including diminished value claims
- Pain, suffering, and physical impairment
- Loss of enjoyment of life
What Are Important Aspects of a Car Accident Case?
Much of what decides a claim is evidence that fades quickly after a wreck. Skid marks get washed away, vehicles get repaired, and surveillance footage gets recorded over. We move early to preserve it and to keep an insurer from framing the story first. Strong claims usually rest on a few core pieces.
- The police crash report and any citations the officer issued
- Photographs of the vehicles, the scene, and visible injuries
- Medical records that connect each injury to the collision
- Witness names and contact information, gathered before memories blur
We also handle communication with insurance adjusters, so an early recorded statement does not come back to undercut the value of your claim.
What Is The Car Accident Case Timeline?
No two claims move at the same speed, though most follow a familiar sequence. The pace depends on how serious the injuries are, how clearly fault is established, and whether the insurer negotiates in good faith. Texas generally gives injury victims two years from the date of the crash to file suit under the statute of limitations, and waiting too long can end a claim before it starts.
- Medical treatment until you reach maximum recovery
- Investigation and collection of records and evidence
- A demand to the insurer, followed by negotiation
- A lawsuit filed when the offer falls short
- Discovery, mediation, and trial if a fair resolution does not come
What Should You Bring to Your Car Accident Consultation?
The first meeting moves faster when you bring what you already have. Do not worry if some of it is missing, because we can request records on your behalf.
- The crash report and any insurance information you collected
- Photos from the scene and of your injuries
- Medical bills and records you have received so far
- Letters or emails from any insurance company
During that first conversation, we review the facts, answer your questions, and explain how we would approach the case. There is no charge for the consultation. We also help clients make sense of their medical bills, which often contain errors that affect what a claim is worth.
What Are Important Texas Legal Resources for Car Accident Cases?
A few official sources let Dallas clients see the rules for themselves and gather what they need after a crash. None of these replaces legal advice, but each is a reliable place to start.
- Texas drivers can request the official crash report and review statewide crash data through Texas crash reports maintained by the state.
- For plain-language explanations of filing deadlines and civil negligence claims, Texas Law Help is a dependable starting point.
- The Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code sets out the statutes that govern limitations, negligence, and damages
Reach Out to Kelso Law to Schedule a Consultation
If a crash has left you injured, the sooner we begin, the more evidence we can protect. Contact us to set up a free consultation with a Dallas car accident attorney. We will listen to what happened, explain your options in plain terms, and tell you honestly whether we can help. The first conversation costs nothing, and what you share with us stays confidential.
Car Accident Statistics in Dallas
Dallas sits at the center of one of the busiest highway networks in Texas, and the crash numbers reflect that volume. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 4,150 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes across Texas in 2024, and a reportable crash occurred somewhere in the state every 57 seconds. Dallas County records more crashes than almost any other county in the state, a product of dense traffic, high speeds, and constant construction. Speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving remain leading causes of the most serious wrecks, and national research from NHTSA shows how sharply excess speed raises the risk of death or lasting injury. For an injured driver, those numbers are a reminder that a strong claim begins with the crash record itself.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Dallas?
The choices you make right after a crash can shape both your health and your claim. A few steps protect both, and this is what we advise Dallas drivers to do after a collision.
- Call 911 and check for injuries. Report the crash and request medical help for anyone who is hurt. Texas officers must document collisions that cause injury or serious property damage, and that report becomes a central piece of evidence.
- Move to safety when you can. If the vehicles are drivable and it is safe to do so, move them out of the lanes to avoid a second collision. If they cannot be moved, turn on your hazard lights and stay well clear of moving traffic.
- Give the officer a careful account. Tell the officer what happened factually, without guessing or accepting blame. What you say at the scene can surface again later, so stay with what you actually know.
- Document everything you can. Photograph the vehicles, the damage, the roadway, the traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Note the time, the location, and the weather conditions while the details are fresh.
- Exchange information. Collect the other driver’s name, license, insurance, and plate number, along with the names and phone numbers of any witnesses before they leave the scene.
- See a doctor promptly. Some injuries, including whiplash and concussions, do not announce themselves right away. A prompt medical visit protects your health and connects your injuries to the crash.
- Be cautious with insurers. Report the crash to your own insurer, but take care with recorded statements or quick settlement offers from the other driver’s company before you understand what your claim is worth.
- Keep your records together. Save the crash report, medical bills, repair estimates, and any letters or emails from an insurer. Speaking with a Dallas car accident attorney early helps you avoid the missteps that quietly reduce a claim.
Dallas Car Accident Lawyer FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a Dallas car accident lawyer?
We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee, which means you pay no attorney fees up front and nothing at all unless we recover money for you. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, agreed in writing before we begin the work. That structure lets injured people hire experienced representation without any out-of-pocket cost, and it keeps our interests aligned with yours. We are paid when you are, so we have every reason to pursue the full value of your claim.
Is the first consultation really free?
Yes. The initial consultation costs nothing, and there is no obligation to hire us afterward. We use that meeting to learn what happened, answer your questions, and give you an honest assessment of whether you have a claim worth pursuing. If we are not the right fit for your situation, we will tell you plainly. You can arrange a free consultation by phone or through our contact page, and we are glad to meet in English or Spanish.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Texas?
Texas generally gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. Miss that deadline and a court will likely refuse to hear the case, however strong it may be. A few narrow situations can shorten or extend the window, so it is wise to speak with a lawyer early rather than assume you have time. Acting early also protects evidence, since footage is recorded over and vehicles are repaired within weeks.
What if I was partly at fault for the crash?
You can still recover in Texas as long as you were no more than 50 percent responsible. The state follows a modified comparative fault rule, so any award is reduced by your share of the blame. Because insurers routinely try to shift fault onto injured drivers to cut what they pay, the way fault is documented and argued affects the outcome. We place responsibility where the evidence puts it, not where an adjuster prefers.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
Be careful. Adjusters for the other driver often call early and ask for a recorded statement or offer a fast, low settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known. You are not required to give that statement, and an early word taken out of context can be used to reduce your claim later. It is reasonable to refer their calls to your lawyer, so nothing you say is turned against you later.
What if the driver who hit me had no insurance?
You may still have a path to recovery through your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, which many Texas drivers carry. We identify every policy that could respond, including your own, and pursue the full value of your losses. When the at-fault driver cannot pay, that coverage often becomes the main source of compensation. We handle the claim against your own carrier with the same preparation we bring to any other.
How much is my Dallas car accident claim worth?
No honest lawyer can name a figure at the first meeting. Value depends on the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical care, your lost income, the lasting effect on your life, and the insurance available to pay. A minor soft-tissue claim and a serious injury from a head-on collision or T-bone crash sit far apart. We build the full picture, current and future, so the number reflects the real harm rather than an insurer’s opening offer.
Do I really need a lawyer for a minor crash?
Not every fender-bender requires one, but “minor” is often how an insurer describes a crash that later proves serious. Injuries like whiplash and concussions, common in rear-end collisions, can worsen over the following days, and modest vehicle damage can still accompany real harm. A free consultation costs nothing and helps you understand whether a claim is worth pursuing. If the matter is genuinely small and you do not need a lawyer, we will tell you that honestly.
Local Information for Dallas Car Accident Cases
Most Dangerous Roads for Car Accidents in Dallas
Drivers in Dallas face the greatest risk on the high-volume corridors that move traffic through and around the city. These routes combine heavy congestion, high speeds, and frequent lane changes, and that mix produces some of the area’s most serious collisions.
- I-635 (LBJ Freeway), particularly near the High Five interchange with US-75, where heavy merging traffic drives up crashes.
- I-35E (Stemmons Freeway), a congested north-south artery marked by stop-and-go traffic.
- US-75 (Central Expressway), a busy commuter route running through the heart of the city.
- I-30 and I-45, major freeways that carry heavy volume and see high-speed wrecks.
- Loop 12 and the Mixmaster at I-30 and I-35E, interchanges known for congestion and complicated merges.
What Are Important Local Resources for Dallas Car Accident Cases?
After a crash, a few local and state resources can help you report the collision, get care, and sort out insurance. We provide these for convenience only. Listing an organization here is not an endorsement of it or its services.
- Dallas Police Department, 214-744-4444. Responds to collisions within the city and is a starting point for obtaining a Dallas crash report.
- Parkland Health, 214-590-8000. Home to the Level I trauma center that serves Dallas County for the most serious injuries.
- Texas Department of Insurance, 1-800-252-3439. Answers questions and takes complaints about auto insurance claims and coverage.
About Kelso Law
Kelso Law is a plaintiff-side personal injury and immigration firm based in Dallas. Founding attorney Rhiannon Kelso is admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas and belongs to the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association. She built the firm on a straightforward belief, that every injured person deserves an advocate willing to protect their Seventh Amendment right to a civil jury trial. Across its matters, the firm has recovered more than $20 million for injured clients.
What Our Clients Say
★★★★★
“I was involved in a bad motor vehicle accident. The other driver tried to blame me for it so I hired Ms. Kelso to fight for my case. I highly recommend Ms. Kelso for any personal injury case. She is very experienced, dedicated and obtained the best outcome for me.”
Felix C.
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Contact Kelso Law
If a car crash has left you injured, we are ready to help you understand your options and pursue what you are owed. Kelso Law represents injured people across Dallas on a contingency basis, so there are no fees unless we recover for you. In a free consultation, we will listen to what happened, explain how a car accident claim works in plain terms, and set out the next steps. Our office responds to calls and messages promptly, in English and Spanish. Contact us to schedule your free consultation.