Texas Car Accident Lawyer — Kent Starr
If a drunk driver, a distracted driver, or a careless driver hurt you on a Texas road, the insurance company on the other side has one job: pay you as little as possible. Kent's job — for 30 years — has been making sure that doesn't happen.
No fee unless we win. Available 24/7. Same-day response.
What to do right after a car accident in Texas
- 1
Get medical attention. Today.
Even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks injuries. ER triage notes from the day of the crash are some of the most important records in your case — gaps in treatment let insurance adjusters argue your injury wasn't real.
- 2
Document the scene.
Photos of the vehicles, the road, skid marks, debris, traffic signals, and your visible injuries. If there are witnesses, get their names and numbers. Texas police reports take 5–10 days to become available — your photos won't.
- 3
Get the other driver's insurance and ID.
Name, address, phone, license number, plate, insurance carrier, and policy number. Texas requires you to exchange this information. Don't admit fault — even saying 'I'm sorry' can be twisted later.
- 4
Do not give a recorded statement to the other side.
The other driver's insurance company will call within 24–48 hours, very politely, asking for a 'quick recorded statement.' Don't. Anything you say will be used to reduce your settlement.
- 5
Call Kent before you sign anything.
Initial consultations are free. We will tell you straight whether you have a case worth pursuing or whether you should just file a claim with your own insurance and move on.
What Texas car-accident law actually says
Texas auto-accident claims are governed by a few specific rules that out-of-state lawyers and inexperienced firms get wrong all the time. Here's what matters for your case:
-
Two-year statute of limitations
You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas (Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003). After that, the case is gone — even if liability is crystal clear.
-
Modified comparative fault, 51% bar
Texas reduces your recovery by your share of fault. If you're 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. If you're 50% or less, you still recover — just reduced. Insurance companies routinely try to push your fault percentage above 50%.
-
Minimum liability coverage: 30/60/25
Texas drivers must carry $30K per person / $60K per accident / $25K property damage. Many serious injuries blow past those limits — that's where uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy becomes critical.
-
No-pay / no-play does not apply in Texas
Some states bar uninsured drivers from recovering pain-and-suffering damages. Texas does not — but driving uninsured creates other problems for your case. We'll walk you through it.
Why Kent for your car accident case
Most car accident firms file the demand letter, accept the first reasonable offer, and move you off the desk. Kent prepares every case as if it's going to a jury — because the only way to make insurance companies pay fair value is to credibly demonstrate you'll take them to verdict if they don't.
30 years of jury trials
Insurance adjusters know which lawyers settle for whatever's offered and which ones will actually pick a jury. That difference shows up in the offer.
You talk to Kent
Not an intake clerk, not a paralegal, not a junior associate. From the first call through the moment your check clears, Kent is your lawyer.
We front the costs
Medical record requests, accident reconstruction, expert witnesses, deposition fees — we cover them while the case is pending. You pay nothing out of pocket.
Talk to Kent about your car accidents case.
Free consultation. No fee unless we win. Same-day response.
Car Accidents — frequently asked questions
-
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Texas?
Two years from the date of the accident under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003. Wrongful-death cases also have a two-year limit, but the clock starts on the date of death. Don't wait — evidence disappears and witnesses move.
-
What if the other driver was uninsured?
Your own auto policy almost certainly has Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. We'll review your declarations page and pursue your UM/UIM carrier. Texas requires insurers to offer UM/UIM, and most policies include it.
-
How much is my car accident case worth?
Anyone who quotes a number on the first call is guessing. Real value depends on medical bills, lost wages, future treatment needs, the at-fault driver's policy limits, your pain and suffering, and the strength of liability. Kent will give you a realistic range after he reviews the police report and your medical records.
-
What if I was partially at fault?
Under Texas's modified comparative fault rule, you can recover as long as you're 50% or less responsible. Your recovery is reduced by your fault percentage. We've handled many cases where the insurance company tried to over-blame the client — that's exactly the fight we're built for.
-
Do I have to go to court?
Probably not — about 95% of car accident claims settle. But the credible threat of trial is what makes settlements fair. Insurance companies pay more when they know your lawyer is willing and able to actually try the case.