If you were injured in an intersection accident in Fort Worth, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Texas law allows accident victims to hold negligent drivers accountable by filing a personal injury claim, and you pay nothing unless your attorney recovers money for you.
At Varghese Summersett, our personal injury team has recovered significant compensation for clients hurt in car accidents, truck wrecks, and intersection collisions across the Fort Worth area. With more than 100 years of combined legal experience, a team of 70+ professionals, and four offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, and Southlake, we have the resources and trial-tested skill to take on the insurance companies and win.
Our personal injury division is led by Partner Ty Stimpson, a former prosecutor at both the Dallas County and Tarrant County District Attorney’s Offices who has built a reputation for exceptional negotiation and trial skills. Senior Counsel Katie Steele, also a former Tarrant County prosecutor, brings an additional edge: she previously represented insurance companies, giving her insider knowledge of how they evaluate claims and build defenses. Founding Partner Benson Varghese, a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist who has tried more than 100 cases before Texas juries, focuses on serious personal injury cases headed to trial. Before law school, Benson worked as an insurance adjuster and interned for an insurance defense firm, which means he knows exactly how the other side operates.
Our attorneys have been recognized as Super Lawyers, Top Attorneys by Fort Worth Magazine, 360 West, and Southlake Style, and Ty Stimpson was named Young Professional of the Year by the Fort Worth Chamber and one of Fort Worth Inc.’s 40 Under 40. When your future is on the line after an intersection crash, you deserve a team with this level of experience and recognition fighting for you.
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Common Questions After a Fort Worth Intersection Accident
Intersection crashes happen fast, but the aftermath can last for months or even years. If you were recently hurt in an intersection collision, you likely have questions. Who pays for your medical treatment? What if the other driver says it was your fault? How long do you have to take legal action? Below, we address these concerns and explain the legal framework that governs intersection accident claims in Texas.
What You Must Prove in an Intersection Accident Claim
To recover compensation after an intersection accident in Fort Worth, the injured party (the plaintiff) must prove four elements by a preponderance of the evidence, which means it is more likely than not that the defendant’s negligence caused your injuries. The burden of proof is on you, the plaintiff, but your attorney handles the heavy lifting of gathering evidence and building your case.
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, the four elements of a negligence claim are:
- Duty: The at-fault driver owed you a duty of care. Every driver on Fort Worth roads has a legal obligation to obey traffic laws, yield the right of way, and drive safely.
- Breach: The at-fault driver breached that duty. Running a red light, failing to yield at a stop sign, making an unsafe left turn, or texting while driving are all common breaches at intersections.
- Causation: The breach directly caused the collision and your injuries. You must show a clear connection between the driver’s negligent act and the harm you suffered.
- Damages: You suffered actual, measurable losses as a result of the accident, such as medical bills, lost income, physical pain, or emotional distress.
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under CP § 33.003. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault, and if you are found more than 50% at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation. For example, if you suffered $100,000 in damages but were found 20% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000. Understanding how fault is determined in a car accident is a key part of building a strong claim.
Types of Compensation Available After an Intersection Crash
Texas law allows intersection accident victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and the degree of the other driver’s fault.
Economic Damages
These are the measurable financial losses tied to your accident. They include past and future medical expenses (emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, medication), lost wages and reduced earning capacity, property damage to your vehicle, and out-of-pocket costs such as transportation to medical appointments or home modifications needed because of a disability.
Non-Economic Damages
These compensate for losses that do not have a specific dollar amount attached. They include physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement or scarring, and loss of consortium (the impact on your relationship with your spouse).
Punitive Damages
In rare cases involving extreme recklessness, such as a drunk driver who ran a red light, the court may award punitive damages to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in the future.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of the intersection accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a loved one was killed in the crash, the family also has two years to bring a wrongful death claim.
Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to seek compensation. While two years may seem like a long time, evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and the insurance company uses every day of delay to strengthen its defense. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better your chances of preserving key evidence. For more details, read our guide on the statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Texas.
What Is Your Fort Worth Intersection Accident Case Worth?
Every case is different, and no attorney can guarantee a specific dollar amount. The value of your claim depends on several factors, including the severity and permanence of your injuries, the total amount of your medical bills, how much work you have missed (and whether you can return to your job), the strength of the evidence proving the other driver’s fault, and the available insurance coverage.
Minor soft-tissue injuries like whiplash typically result in lower settlements, while catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or amputations can result in significant six- and seven-figure recoveries. An experienced injury lawyer will assess all current and future costs tied to your injuries before negotiating with the insurance company.
The Legal Process: What to Expect
Understanding the legal process can ease the uncertainty that follows a serious intersection accident. Here is a general overview of how a Fort Worth intersection accident claim moves forward:
- Free Consultation: You meet with an attorney to discuss the facts of your case. The attorney evaluates whether you have a viable claim and explains your legal options. You pay nothing for this meeting.
- Investigation: Your legal team gathers evidence, including the police report, traffic camera footage, witness statements, photos from the scene, and your medical records. If needed, accident reconstruction experts may be brought in.
- Medical Treatment: You focus on getting better. Your attorney tracks your treatment and expenses to build the strongest possible damages claim.
- Demand and Negotiation: Once you have reached maximum medical improvement (or a point where future treatment costs can be estimated), your attorney sends a demand letter to the at-fault driver’s insurance company outlining your losses and the compensation sought.
- Litigation (If Necessary): If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your attorney files a lawsuit in the Tarrant County District Courts and begins formal discovery. Many cases settle during this phase, but your legal team should be fully prepared for trial.
- Resolution: Your case ends through a negotiated settlement, mediation, or a jury verdict. You receive your compensation after legal fees and case costs are deducted.
Why Insurance Companies Fight Intersection Accident Claims
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their goal is to pay out as little as possible on every claim. After a Fort Worth intersection accident, the other driver’s insurer may use a number of strategies to reduce or deny your claim.
One of the most common tactics is disputing fault. The insurer may argue that you failed to yield, ran a yellow light, or were distracted. Texas’s comparative fault rule means that even shifting a small percentage of blame onto you can save the insurance company thousands of dollars. They may also question whether your injuries are as serious as you claim, request unnecessary medical examinations, or pressure you to give a recorded statement before you have spoken with a lawyer.
Another tactic is the fast, lowball settlement offer. Within days of the crash, an adjuster may call with what sounds like a generous offer. In most cases, that initial offer is a fraction of what your claim is actually worth. Once you accept it, you give up your right to seek additional compensation, even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than initially thought.
Having an experienced Fort Worth car accident lawyer on your side levels the playing field. Your attorney handles all communication with the insurer, preserves evidence, and fights to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Local Fort Worth Resources
If you have been involved in an intersection accident in Fort Worth, the following local resources may be helpful:
- John Peter Smith Hospital (JPS Health Network) – Tarrant County’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, located at 1500 S. Main St., Fort Worth, TX 76104. If you suffered serious injuries in an intersection crash, JPS has the region’s most advanced emergency care.
- Fort Worth Police Department – To obtain a copy of your crash report, contact the FWPD Records Division or request it online through the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Report Online Purchase System (CRIS).
- Tarrant County Courts – Personal injury lawsuits in Fort Worth are filed in the Tarrant County District Courts, located at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center and the Tarrant County Courthouse.
- Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth – A major hospital in the Fort Worth medical district providing emergency and surgical care for accident victims.
What to Expect From Varghese Summersett
When you hire Varghese Summersett to handle your Fort Worth intersection accident case, you get a team that treats your case like it is going to trial from day one. That mindset matters because insurance companies know which firms actually take cases to verdict and which ones will accept a lowball offer to avoid the courtroom.
Our personal injury attorneys are former prosecutors who know how to present compelling cases, cross-examine witnesses, and win in front of juries. Several members of our team have also worked on the insurance defense side, giving them insider knowledge of how insurers evaluate claims and build strategies to minimize payouts.
From the moment you contact us, you will have a dedicated legal team handling every aspect of your case. We investigate the crash, gather evidence, hire experts when needed, deal with the insurance company, and keep you informed at every step. You focus on healing while we focus on recovering every dollar you are owed.
We handle intersection accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. There is zero financial risk to you. To speak with a Fort Worth intersection accident lawyer, call us at (817) 203-2220.
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What to Do After a Car Accident in Texas
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Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Worth Intersection Accidents
Who is at fault in a Fort Worth intersection accident?
Fault depends on the specific circumstances of the crash. The driver who violated a traffic law, such as running a red light, failing to yield while making a left turn, or rolling through a stop sign, is typically at fault. However, both drivers may share some degree of responsibility. Police reports, traffic camera footage, witness statements, and accident reconstruction analysis all play a role in determining fault. Under Texas law, you can still recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% at fault.
What are the most common causes of intersection accidents in Fort Worth?
The leading causes include running red lights or stop signs, failing to yield the right of way when turning left, distracted driving (texting, adjusting a GPS, eating), speeding through yellow lights, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Fort Worth’s rapid growth has increased traffic volume at many intersections, making these crashes more frequent.
Should I accept the insurance company’s first settlement offer?
In almost every case, no. Initial settlement offers from insurance companies are typically far below the true value of your claim. The insurer is hoping you will accept quickly, before you fully understand the extent of your injuries and future medical needs. Once you accept a settlement, you cannot go back and ask for more money, even if your condition worsens. Always consult with a personal injury lawyer before accepting any offer.
How much does it cost to hire a Fort Worth intersection accident lawyer?
At Varghese Summersett, we handle intersection accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is free, and there is no financial risk to you.
What if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured?
Texas has a high rate of uninsured drivers. If the at-fault driver does not have insurance or does not have enough coverage to pay for your damages, you may still have options. Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can help fill the gap. Our attorneys can review your policy and identify every available source of recovery. Learn more about uninsured motorist claims in Texas.
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Hurt in an Intersection Accident? Let Us Fight for You.
An intersection accident can change your life in an instant. Mounting medical bills, time away from work, and the physical pain of recovery can feel overwhelming. You do not have to face it alone. The personal injury lawyers at Varghese Summersett are ready to investigate your case, handle the insurance company, and pursue the full compensation you deserve. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win. Call (817) 203-2220 today to speak with a Fort Worth intersection accident lawyer.
