Car Accident Lawyer Rockwall, TX

As Northeast Texas continues to grow, we all face a higher risk of auto accidents. If you’re hurt in a car wreck, you may wonder who you can trust for advice and legal guidance. Smith & Lee can do right by you.

With more than five decades of combined legal experience, our Rockwall County car accident lawyers can explain your legal options in a language you can understand. Our goal is 1) to get you compensated for your injuries and financial losses and 2) to make sure that the negligent driver is held responsible for the trouble they’ve caused you and the community.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Texas?

Per Texas Civil Practice & Protocol Code § 16.003, you typically have two years from the date of the car accident to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Once that two-year deadline has passed, you won’t be able to file a lawsuit.

Keep in mind that there are some exceptions to that two-year statute-of-limitations, so it’s in your best interests to speak with the attorneys at Smith & Lee as soon as possible.

During a free consultation, we can discuss if you have a car wreck claim worth pursuing and what steps you need to take as we start working on your case.

Can I File a Lawsuit If I Was Partly Responsible for the Crash?

Yes, which is why it’s worth reaching out to an attorney about your car wreck.

Texas is a modified comparative fault state. Also known as modified comparative negligence, this means you can collect damages in a case if you were 50% or less at fault. Your percentage of fault is deducted from the jury award.

For example, if you were in a car accident with damages totaling $100,000 but were found to be 30% at fault, you would receive $70,000.

When discussing your situation with our car accident attorneys, we can consider your potential fault. We tell you if your case would be worth more in a settlement offer than proceeding to a civil trial.

Why Hire Smith & Lee for Your Car Wreck Case

Attorneys G. David Smith and Ryan K. Lee have more than 55 years of combined legal experience. They have each built excellent reputations among colleagues and have long records of success here in Texas.

Proven Legal Professionals in the State of Texas

Both David and Ryan have established themselves in the Northeast Texas legal community. David is a past president of the Rockwall Bar Association and is a director of the Rockwall Bar Foundation. A Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, Ryan also serves as an Associate Municipal Court Judge in the city of Rockwall, making sure people are held accountable for violating state and local laws.

We Focus on Accountability and Personal Responsibility

When we build your case, the team at Smith & Lee considers what happened to you and your household as well as the bigger picture of the negligent person’s actions. You may have been hurt in a car wreck, but it could have your child, a neighbor, or someone else from the community. We give the jury perspective so they can think about how your experience would affect their lives, and why it’s important to hold people accountable when they hurt others.

A Client-Focused Approach to Personal Injury Law

If we know who our clients are, we know how to present their case. It’s something we all believe here, which is why we take time to connect with people who come to our law firm. Smith & Lee strives to be a customer service business that practices law, which means we’ll look out for your needs and make sure to return your call as soon as we are able.

Strong Ties to the People of Rockwall

Both David and Ryan have spent decades living and working here in Rockwall. They both encounter clients, colleagues, and old friends whenever they’re in the community, and they want to make it a better place for everyone. David serves on the Board for the Rockwall Grace Clinic, which provides uninsured people with medical help, and Ryan is President of the Rockwall Board for the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Texas.

Request a Free Consultation with Our Rockwall Car Accident Attorneys

Your first consultation with Smith & Lee is free of charge and carries no obligation. We’ll listen and do right. To discuss your crash with experienced car accident lawyers near you, contact our law office in Rockwall, TX. You can also reach our attorneys at (972) 787-1047.

How Common Are Car Crashes in Texas?

According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), there were 559,329 total crashes in the state during 2023.

Compiled crash facts from the TxDOT noted that there were 15,219 serious injury crashes in Texas in 2023, with 18,752 people sustaining a serious injury. Fatal accident data from the TxDOT found that there were 3,867 deadly crashes in 2023, which caused 4,283 fatalities.

Putting These Collision Numbers Into Perspective

Based on total number of reportable crashes throughout Texas in 2023:

• 1 person in Texas was killed in a crash every 123 minutes
• 1 person in Texas was injured in a crash every 126 seconds
• 1 reportable crash occurred in Texas every 56 seconds

Auto Accident Numbers in Rockwall County

Focusing on our part of the state, 2023 county data from the TxDOT recorded 2,112 total crashes that year, which includes more than 800 injuries or possible injuries, 52 confirmed serious injuries, and 12 fatalities.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Car wrecks can happen for all kinds of reasons, but the ones our law firm sees most often involve the following:

Collisions with Distracted Drivers

A driver is considered distracted when they take their hands off the wheel and/or divert their attention away from the road. Examples of distracted driving include:

• Checking phones
• Texting while driving
• Looking up directions
• Making calls without a hands-free kit
• Eating while driving
• Rubbernecking

If you get hurt in a crash caused by a distracted driver, our lawyers will hold the inattentive motorist accountable for their actions.

Accidents Due to Reckless Driving

Reckless driving covers a wide range of irresponsible behaviors that jeopardize public safety, including:

• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Running red lights
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Failing to signal
• Failing to yield

Crashes Caused by Drunk Drivers

If someone is driving while intoxicated (DWI), that driver can easily lose focus while they are behind the wheel. There are also issues with decision-making and coordination that affect the safety of others sharing the road. If you or a family member got hit by a drunk driver in Rockwall, our accident lawyers will help you seek damages so the drunk driver is held accountable for what they did.

Car Wrecks Caused by Driver Fatigue

If you spend long hours on the road, you may start to feel extremely tired. This is known as driver fatigue, and it could lead to someone falling asleep behind the wheel. Driver fatigue can be just as dangerous as drunk driving, so it’s important to be well rested while on the road. If driver fatigue played a role in a crash, our attorneys can let you know if you should file a lawsuit.

Car Accidents Involving Semi-Trucks

Tractor-trailers are essential for our economy, but they can be major dangers on surface streets, highways, and the interstate. In addition to wide turns and the threat of multi-lane jackknife crashes, big rigs have major blind spots. Drivers of 18-wheelers often experience severe fatigue as well. Our semi-truck accident lawyers can help you hold negligent truckers or trucking companies accountable when their negligence leads to a wreck.

Car Accidents Involving Motorcyclists

Riding a motorcycle can feel thrilling. However, if you aren’t cautious, there’s a high risk of severe injuries even if you’re wearing a helmet and proper protective gear. Our car accident attorneys can help clients who were hit by negligent motorcyclists here in Northeast Texas. We can also help injured motorcyclists who were hit by drivers who were not acting responsibly.

Car Accidents Involving Bicyclists and Pedestrians

Bicyclists and pedestrians are extremely vulnerable to injuries. This is especially true of children who may be around parks, schools, and school zones. If you or your child were hit by a car while running errands or riding your bikes, our injury lawyers can hold the negligent driver accountable for their actions. This is one of many ways our firm practices personal injury law to help protect people of all ages in Rockwall County.

Discuss Your Car Accident with Our Lawyers in Rockwall, TX

At Smith & Lee, we believe in personal responsibility. If a driver’s reckless or irresponsible actions lead to a crash, that driver should face consequences. Our law firm can help you get compensation to pull through and move forward. For a free case review with experienced car wreck attorneys near you, contact our law office in Rockwall, TX. You can also reach our accident lawyers at (972) 787-1047.

Car Accidents Involving Vehicle or Part Defects

Poor vehicle design could make crashes more likely. Faulty auto parts could also make driving a car, truck, or SUV potentially deadly. It’s also worth considering how injuries could have been prevented had certain safety features worked properly. Any kind of failure or craftsmanship issue affecting a vehicle or its parts could be grounds for filing a lawsuit against the auto company or parts manufacturer.

Car Accidents Involving Road and Weather Conditions

Heavy rain and other harsh weather conditions can impact a driver’s visibility and a vehicle’s handling. Along with these, potholes and other road hazards can make it tough for a motorist to drive safely. Regardless, a driver must consider the weather and road conditions when they travel—if they do not, they can get into an accident and be held responsible for it. Local road authorities could also be held liable if they failed to repair or address dangerous road conditions.

Catastrophic Injuries from an Auto Collision

Catastrophic injuries in a car wreck refer to physical trauma that causes permanent disability or other long-term changes to a person’s quality of life. Some examples of collision-related catastrophic injuries include:

• Severe Burns – Second-degree and third-degree burns can cause extreme soft tissue damage as well as lasting physical disfigurement.
• Loss of Limbs – Losing an arm or leg in a car wreck will significantly change the way you perform tasks at your job and around the home.
• Head Trauma and Brain Injuries (TBI) – Concussions and other types of brain damage can lead to issues with cognition, mood, mental health, and motor skills.
• Neck and Spine Injuries – Severe damage to the neck and spinal cord could lead to partial paralysis, paraplegia (loss of use of the lower limbs), or quadriplegia (total loss of use of all limbs).
• Hearing or Vision Loss – Severe head injuries could cause you to lose your hearing or your eyesight, changing every aspect of your personal and professional life.

Compensation in a Car Accident Case

When negotiating a settlement or seeking damages in court, our Rockwall car wreck attorneys will consider the full value of your claim. We’ll note the following losses that stemmed from your collision:

• Medical Expenses – We can seek compensation for hospitalization, emergency care, and follow-up visits with doctors and other medical specialists.
• Future Health Needs – Long-term recovery may require reconstructive surgery, ongoing physical or occupational therapy, and other medical treatments.
• Lost Wages – If you need to take time off from work, go on extended leave, or take a pay cut, we’ll make sure you are properly compensated.
• Diminished Earning Potential – If you are no longer able to do your job, we can seek compensation for job retraining or courses to pursue a new career.
• Damaged Property – Any repair or replacement of your car, pickup, or SUV will be accounted for as well as damage to belongings in the vehicle.

Compensation for Fatal Auto Collisions

If you lose a loved one in a fatal car accident, our lawyers will help you file a wrongful death lawsuit. In addition to the above losses, wrongful death claims seek compensation for funeral expenses, grief counseling, and the long-term effects of your loved one’s absence on your life and the state of your household.

Get a Free Case Review with Our Accident Attorneys in Rockwall

Whether you were seriously injured in a collision or lost a family member in a fatal crash, Smith & Lee is here to provide sound counsel and honest legal advice. We’re ready for your call, and we’ll do right by you. To speak with trusted car accident attorneys near you, contact our Rockwall, TX law office. You can also reach our car wreck lawyers at (972) 787-1047.