The sudden, violent jolt of a rear end collision leaves more than just a damaged bumper. The other driver might have even apologized at the scene, but fault and financial recovery in these cases are rarely that simple. A Texas rear end car accident lawyer from DFW Injury Lawyers protects your rights and manages your personal injury claim.
We handle the entire claims process so you can focus on your health and recovery. Contact DFW Injury Lawyers for a free consultation today at (972) 440-2320.
Why Choose DFW Injury Lawyers for Your Rear End Accident Claim
At DFW Injury Lawyers, we provide the focused, experienced representation you need to move forward. We build strong cases designed to achieve a complete financial recovery.
Client-Focused Approach
Your well-being is our primary measure of success. We handle the disruptive phone calls from insurance adjusters and manage the complex paperwork so you don’t have to.
Our goal is to lift the legal burden from your shoulders, giving you the space and peace of mind to concentrate entirely on your health and recovery.
DFW Roots, Statewide Reach
Our firm is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth community, and we have firsthand knowledge of unique challenges on local roadways, from rush hour on I-35E to busy intersections in Bishop Arts or near Klyde Warren Park.
While our roots are in the metroplex, we serve the entire Lone Star State. Our resources and experience give us a statewide reach, allowing us to represent clients anywhere from Amarillo to Beaumont to Laredo.
We Aren’t Afraid of Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters have a job to do, and that is to minimize the company’s payout on your claim. They often press for a quick settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries or request a recorded statement to find inconsistencies in your story.
Our job is to defend your case and fight back. We manage all communications with the insurance carriers, aligning all correspondence and evidence to present your claim in the strongest possible light and protecting you from these tactics.
Thorough Preparation
While most car accident claims settle out of court, we prepare every case from the start as if it’s going to trial. This rigorous preparation signals to the opposition that we’re serious and ready to fight for the compensation you need.
Our approach gives you leverage during settlement negotiations and fortifies your position throughout the legal process.
You get one chance to resolve your claim. Let us make it count. Call DFW Injury Lawyers at (972) 440-2320 for a free, no-obligation case review.
How a Texas Rear End Car Accident Lawyer Determines Liability
Texas law operates on a clear principle for most rear end crashes. The law presumes the driver in the back is at fault. This legal shortcut exists because every driver has a duty to maintain a safe following distance and be aware of traffic ahead.
However, this presumption isn’t absolute, and insurance companies often look for ways to shift blame. A Texas rear end car accident lawyer helps you present the facts to uphold the at-fault driver's responsibility.
The Presumption of Negligence
Negligence is the failure to use reasonable care. Following too closely, failing to pay attention to the road, and speeding are all examples of negligent behavior that lead to rear end accidents.
Our job is to collect the evidence that proves this negligence and prevents the other driver from evading responsibility.
When the Lead Driver May Share Fault
While the rear driver is usually at fault, there are some rare exceptions. Texas follows a rule of modified comparative negligence, which means you can still recover damages if you’re not found to be 51% or more at fault for the accident.
The other driver’s insurance company may try to argue that you contributed to the crash to reduce what they pay you.
Common arguments insurance companies use to shift blame include:
- Sudden Reversal: The lead driver unexpectedly put their car in reverse in the flow of traffic.
- Brake Checking: The lead driver intentionally and aggressively slammed on their brakes without a valid reason.
- Broken Brake Lights: The lead car had non-functional or faulty brake lights, which made it impossible to see that they were stopping.
- Unsafe Lane Change: The lead driver swerved into the lane directly in front of another driver without enough space.
- Illegal Stop: The driver stopped or parked illegally in an active lane of traffic where others would not expect a stopped vehicle.
Evidence Used To Reconstruct the Accident
To overcome these arguments and fortify your claim, we secure all available evidence to paint a clear picture of what happened. A thorough investigation is key to proving the other driver's fault.
Key pieces of evidence we gather:
- Police Accident Report: This official document provides the investigating officer’s initial impressions, citations issued, and a diagram of the scene.
- Photos and Videos: Your legal team analyzes pictures of the scene of vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Eyewitness Testimony: We identify and interview independent witnesses who can provide an unbiased account of the collision.
- Traffic Camera Footage: Your lawyer acts quickly to request and secure footage from nearby TXDOT traffic cameras or building surveillance systems before it’s erased.
Seeking Compensation With a Texas Rear End Car Accident Lawyer
In 2024, there were over 550,000 motor vehicle accidents on Texas roadways. Rear-end collisions account for 23% of all motor vehicle crashes. After being rear ended, you have the right to seek compensation for all your losses, not just the damage to your vehicle.
This compensation, called damages, is divided into two main categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover all the measurable financial costs related to your injuries and the accident. These are tangible losses with clear dollar amounts attached. We calculate these damages precisely using bills, receipts, and expert analysis.
Examples of economic damages include:
- Current Medical Bills: Compensation covers all costs for your treatment to date, including the emergency room, ambulance fees, hospital stays, doctor visits, and diagnostic imaging.
- Future Medical Care: You may receive payment for the projected expenses for ongoing physical therapy, pain management, future surgeries, and prescription medication.
- Lost Wages: If you were unable to work while recovering from your injuries, you may pursue compensation for the income you lost.
- Diminished Earning Capacity: You may receive compensation if your injuries permanently affect your ability to perform your job or earn the same level of income as before the accident.
- Property Damage: You may recover payment to cover the complete costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the intangible, personal losses you suffer. These injuries don’t have a simple price tag but are just as real and devastating as financial costs. Our Texas car accident lawyers know how to build a case that demonstrates the extent of this personal harm.
Non-economic damages address:
- Pain and Suffering: This compensation is for the physical pain, discomfort, and general suffering your injuries caused.
- Mental Anguish: You may recover damages for the emotional toll of the accident, including fear, anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness.
- Physical Impairment: You may pursue compensation if your injuries limit your ability to participate in activities you once enjoyed, from hobbies to daily tasks.
- Disfigurement: Your claim may include damages to address permanent scarring or other visible physical alterations.
Common Delayed-Onset Injuries in Rear End Accidents
The force of a rear end impact often causes injuries that aren’t immediately apparent. Adrenaline can mask pain at the scene; some conditions take hours or even days to develop.
It’s a mistake to assume you’re uninjured just because you feel "fine" right after the crash. Seek medical help immediately following a rear end collision.
Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries
Whiplash occurs when your head violently snaps backward and then forward, stretching and tearing your neck's muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The symptoms of whiplash might not appear for 24-48 hours.
Watch for neck pain and stiffness, persistent headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, or pain in the shoulders and upper back.
Herniated Discs
The impact of a rear end crash can exert immense pressure on your spine. This force can cause the rubbery discs that cushion your vertebrae to rupture or shift out of place, known as a herniated disc.
A herniated disc in the neck or back can press on spinal nerves, causing sharp, radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or legs. These symptoms may not develop immediately after the accident.
Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
You don’t have to hit your head on a window or steering wheel to sustain a brain injury. The same whiplash motion that injures your neck can cause your brain to strike the inside of your skull. This can lead to a concussion or a more serious traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Symptoms of a mild TBI include confusion, difficulty concentrating, memory issues, sensitivity to light, and irritability. Always report any of these symptoms to a doctor.
FAQ for Texas Rear End Car Accident Lawyer
What Should I Do Immediately After a Rear End Collision in Texas?
Follow all treatment plans and instructions from your doctor. Organize the information you collected at the scene, including the police report number and the other driver's details. Start a daily journal to document your pain levels and how your injuries impact your daily activities.
Report the accident to your own insurance company, sticking only to the basic facts. If the other driver’s insurer contacts you, politely decline to give a recorded statement until you have spoken with an attorney.
Is Texas a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?
No, Texas is an at-fault state. This means the person who is legally responsible for causing the accident is also responsible for paying for the damages. You must prove the other driver was at fault to recover compensation from their insurance company.
This is different from no-fault states, where you first turn to your own insurance regardless of who caused the crash.
The Other Driver's Insurance Adjuster Called Me. What Should I Do?
You’re not obligated to provide a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company. You can politely decline their request and inform them that your attorney will be in contact with them.
You can provide basic information like your name and contact details, but do not discuss the accident or your injuries in detail. It’s safest to let your lawyer handle all communications with adjusters.
How Does a Texas Rear End Car Crash Attorney Value My Claim?
Your attorney adds up your economic damages—such as medical bills, property damage, and all lost income—and uses their experience in similar cases to value your non-economic damages, including pain, suffering, and mental anguish.
The severity of your injuries influences the final amount, the long-term prognosis for your recovery, the clarity of the other driver's fault, and the amount of available insurance coverage.
Do I Need a Texas Rear End Car Accident Lawyer if the Other Driver Admitted Fault?
Yes, it’s still highly advisable to have a lawyer. An admission of fault at the scene doesn’t prevent the insurance company from later denying your claim or arguing that your injuries aren't as severe as you state.
Their goal remains to pay out as little as possible. A lawyer documents and pursues all your current and future damages to restore your financial health.
We’ll Fight for Your Compensation
After the shock of a crash, your life can feel like a set of disjointed pieces. Our purpose is to realign your path forward. We take the fragmented evidence, medical reports, and legal principles and structure them into a coherent and powerful claim for recovery.
Take the first step toward stability and justice. Contact a Texas personal injury attorney at DFW Injury Lawyers for a free, comprehensive review of your case at (972) 440-2320.