Car Accident Lawyer Greenville, TX

If you got hurt in a car wreck in Greenville, the accident attorneys at Smith & Lee are here to help. While we’re based in Rockwall, we’re staunch advocates for people in Hunt County and other nearby communities throughout Northeast Texas.

During a free case review, you can receive honest advice from our proven legal team without any obligation. It’s just one of many ways we do right by our neighbors and their families.

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

Per Texas Civil Practice & Protocol Code § 16.003, Texans usually have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Once that two-year statute of limitations has elapsed, you won’t be able to file a legal claim.

There are some exceptions to the two-year deadline to file a claim, so it’s in your best interests to speak with a personal injury attorney serving Greenville as soon as possible.

During your free consultation, our lawyers can evaluate what happened, let you know if you have a car wreck lawsuit worth pursuing, and what steps to take next.

Can I Still File a Lawsuit If I Was Partly at Fault for the Car Wreck?

Yes, so long as you are not mostly to blame for the crash. This is why it’s worth speaking to our car accident lawyers about what happened.

Texas is a modified comparative fault state, which is sometimes referred to as modified comparative negligence. This means you can still collect legal damages if you were 50% or less at fault. Your percentage of liability is deducted from the total jury award.

For example, if you were in a car wreck with damages totaling $100,000 but were found to be 25% at fault, you would receive $75,000.

Why Hire Smith & Lee for Your Car Accident Lawsuit

Accident attorneys G. David Smith and Ryan K. Lee have more than 55 years of combined experience practicing law. Based in Rockwall County, they are staunch advocates for people who’ve been injured in communities throughout Northeast Texas.

Proven Legal Professionals in Northeast Texas

Both David and Ryan are well-respected members of the legal community in Northeast Texas. David is a former president of the Rockwall Bar Association and is a director of the Rockwall Bar Foundation. Ryan is a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and also serves as an Associate Municipal Court Judge in the city of Rockwall, holding people accountable when they break state and local laws.

We Focus on Accountability and Personal Responsibility

Whenever we present a case in court, we help the jury look at the big picture. You were injured in a car crash, but it could have been a child, a neighbor, or someone else in Greenville. Jury members can imagine how your experience would affect them, and why the negligent driver who caused your injuries needs to be held accountable for the harm they caused the community.

A Client-Focused Approach to Personal Injury Law

When we know who our clients are, we know how to present their case. At Smith & Lee, we will take time to listen to you. We’ll return your calls instead of leaving you hanging. At our best, we are a customer service business that practices personal injury law, and we always want to do right by you.

Strong Ties to the People of Northeast Texas

Both David and Ryan have deep connections to Northeast Texas, and they want to make it a better and safer 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.

Get a Free Case Review with Our Car Accident Attorneys Serving Greenville, TX

If you or a loved one got seriously injured in a crash, you can rely on our car wreck lawyers for legal help. To discuss your collision with experienced car accident attorneys serving Greenville, contact the lawyers at Smith & Lee. You can also reach our law office by phone at (972) 787-1047.

How Common Are Car Crashes in Texas?

According to numbers from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), there were 559,329 motor vehicle accidents in the state in 2023. These auto accidents resulted in 18,752 serious injuries and 4,283 deaths.

To help put all of these numbers into perspective, that means in 2023:

• 1 auto accident happened in Texas every 56 seconds
• 1 person in Texas was injured in an auto accident every 126 seconds
• 1 person in Texas was killed in an auto accident every 123 minutes

Auto Accident Numbers in Greenville and Hunt County

According to city and town crash data from TxDOT, there were 589 total auto accidents in Greenville in 2023. These collisions caused 157 serious or minor injuries and 6 fatalities.

As for county crash numbers from TxDOT, there were 1,713 total crashes in Hunt County in 2023. Of that number, there were more than 826 injuries or possible injuries, 124 potential serious injuries, and 35 fatalities.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

There are many different reasons why car wrecks happen, but below are some of the most common causes of auto collisions we hear about at our law firm.

Driver Inattention and Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is when a driver diverts their attention from traffic or takes one or both hands off the wheel. Some of the most common examples of driver distraction include:

• Texting while driving
• Checking or looking up directions
• Making calls without a hands-free kit
• Using a phone or tablet
• Eating while driving
• Rubbernecking

Our car wreck lawyers can hold inattentive drivers liable for causing serious injuries and endangering other people on the road.

Reckless and Aggressive Driving

Some of the most common examples of reckless and aggressive driving include:

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

When a reckless driver causes a car accident, our lawyers want to make sure they face consequences for their disregard for others.

Drugs and Alcohol: Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)

Drinking and driving is never permitted, and yet many Texans still endanger themselves and others on our roads. According to collision factor data from the TxDOT, alcohol contributed to 15,775 crashes in 2023. Drug use played a role in 2,226 collisions during that year.

If you or a family member got injured in a collision because of a drunk driver in Greenville, our DWI car accident lawyers will make sure the drunk driver is held accountable for the harm they’ve caused.

Driver Fatigue and Drowsy Driving

Long hours commuting can cause you to feel tired. In extreme cases, this driver fatigue could lead to someone falling asleep behind the wheel. When driver fatigue happens, it can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Our car accident attorneys can review what happened in your collision and let you know if the driver can be held liable for driving while drowsy or severely fatigued.

Car Crashes with Big Rig Trucks

The work that truckers do is essential. Many truck drivers are safe and attentive whenever they’re on the road. When crashes happen, the damage that 18-wheelers can do is often severe. Our lawyers can evaluate the causes of semi-truck and tractor-trailer accidents and hold negligent truck drivers or trucking companies accountable for causing serious injuries.

Car Crashes with Motorcyclists

There’s a thrill to riding a motorcycle, but you still have a personal responsibility to look out for yourself and others. When a motorcyclist disobeys or disregards speed limits and other traffic laws, the consequences could be deadly. Our attorneys can determine the causes and contributing factors in motorcycle accidents, holding negligent parties accountable for injuries and property damage.

Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers Serving Greenville, TX

During a free case review with our attorneys, you can discuss what happened in your crash. We’ll listen closely, let you know if you have a case, and do right by you. To set up a free consultation with skilled and trusted car accident lawyers serving Greenville, contact the attorneys at Smith & Lee. You can also call our law firm at (972) 787-1047.

Car Wrecks Involving Defective Vehicles or Parts

Sometimes crashes aren’t caused by unsafe or irresponsible drivers. Automakers and the makers of auto parts could be to blame. In these situations, a poorly designed vehicle is put on the road without sufficient testing, or a company allows shoddy tires, brake pads, or other parts on the market. If vehicle or part defects played a role in your collision, our accident lawyers can hold these companies accountable.

Car Wrecks Involving Poor Road and Weather Conditions

Rain, snow, and other adverse weather conditions can make driving extremely treacherous. There’s also the matter of potholes, poor signage, and hazards in the road that haven’t been cleared away. Drivers need to be cautious during these hazardous situations, but Greenville authorities could be held liable if they did not repair flaws in the roadway or deal with dangerous road conditions in a timely manner.

Catastrophic Injuries from Motor Vehicle Accidents

Catastrophic injuries are any kind of physical trauma that affects your mobility and overall quality of life. This includes any injuries that lead to long-term and permanent disability after a collision.

• Loss of Vision or Hearing – A major car wreck could cause hearing loss or vision loss, which will have a profound effect on your personal and professional life.
• Loss of Limbs – Some car accidents will be so severe that they claim a limb, or a limb may be so compromised from a crash that it needs to be surgically amputated.
• Back, Neck, and Spine Injuries – Physical trauma to the back, neck, or spinal cord can cause problems with mobility, motor skills, and overall use of limbs and extremities.
• Second-Degree and Third-Degree Burns – Thermal burns and electrical fires can cause physical disfigurement as well as damage to nerves and muscles.
• Severe Head Trauma and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – A strong blow to the head can cause a concussion or brain contusion, which can alter many aspects of daily life.

Compensation in a Car Accident Case

Compensation in a collision case helps accident survivors cover the losses they experienced in the crash itself and its aftermath. Whenever our attorneys negotiate a pre-trial settlement or present a case to a jury, we make sure the full effect of the accident on your life is understood.

• Current Medical Bills – Compensation after a car wreck can cover the cost of hospitalization, emergency care, and any visits with doctors and specialists. 
• Future Health Care Needs – Compensation can also address any expenses related to physical therapy, occupational therapy, and any ongoing or future medical treatments.
• Lost Pay and Wages – If you took time off from work or had to take a pay cut because of your car accident, compensation can cover this loss of income.
• Diminished Earning Potential – If you suffered a catastrophic injury or became disabled, compensation will make up for loss of future earnings and career goals.
• Damage to Property and Belongings – Compensation can be used to pay vehicle repair bills as well as any costs related to damaged phones, electronics, and other belongings.

Modified Comparative Fault and Compensation

Remember that if you were partly at fault in a crash, modified comparative fault will reduce the total amount you can receive in a jury trial.

Our attorneys will consider this when negotiating a settlement with the insurance company. You can potentially earn more in some situations by accepting a settlement offer than going all the way to court for damages.

Compensation for Fatal Car Accidents

If a loved one is killed in an auto collision, our attorneys will help you file a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death lawsuits will help compensate you for the above losses as well as funeral expenses, grief counseling, and the lasting effects of your loved one’s wrongful death on your household.

Speak with Our Car Accident Attorneys Serving Greenville, TX

Attorneys G. David Smith and Ryan K. Lee are ready to fight for car wreck survivors and surviving family members throughout Northeast Texas. We want to make sure negligent drivers are held responsible for the damage they’ve done. To request a free consultation with experienced attorneys serving Greenville, contact the lawyers at Smith & Lee. You can also reach us by phone at (972) 787-1047.