Houston Car Accident Lawyers

If you were just in a wreck in Houston, you are probably dealing with pain, a totaled car, and an insurance adjuster who is already calling. Here is what you need to know first.

What Should You Do After a Houston Car Accident?

The steps you take in the first days after a crash can significantly affect what you recover. Get medical care right away, even if you feel okay, because gaps in treatment are one of the first things insurers use to devalue a claim. Photograph the scene and the vehicles if you can, keep every bill and record, and do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before talking to a lawyer. We walk through each step in our guide on what to do after a car accident.

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 16, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing that deadline typically means losing your right to compensation entirely.

Insurance companies often move quickly to minimize their payouts. They may contact you within days offering a settlement that seems generous but falls far short of covering your actual damages. Having a lawyer handle those conversations protects you from saying something that gets used against you later.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Houston Car Accident?

Texas personal injury law allows accident victims to seek both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover quantifiable losses like medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

These losses add up fast. Medical bills after a serious wreck can reach tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, and many victims need months of rehabilitation or ongoing care. More than 42,000 Houston accidents in 2023 also involved property damage, leaving families paying to repair or replace vehicles they depend on.

In cases involving drunk driving or extreme recklessness, Texas law may also allow punitive damages to punish the at-fault driver. What your case is worth depends on the severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence, and the available insurance coverage. That is why the investigation matters so much.

How Our Houston Car Accident Lawyers Build Your Case

Our approach starts with a thorough investigation. We gather and preserve evidence before it disappears, document your injuries with your medical providers, interview witnesses, and build a demand that accounts for current bills, future expenses, and the impact on your quality of life. When the insurer will not pay fair value, we prepare the case for trial.

Our Houston team works out of our office on Briarpark Drive and handles claims across Harris County and Fort Bend County. Firmwide, Varghese Summersett has more than 70 attorneys and legal professionals, and we handle every personal injury case on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front, and we only get paid if we recover money for you.

Watch: Why Houston Drivers Need to Know Their Rights

Why Is Houston the Most Dangerous City to Drive in Texas?

Houston recorded approximately 67,600 car accidents in 2023, killing nearly 300 people and injuring more than 22,000 others. That is about 185 crashes every single day. Harris County as a whole saw more than 530 traffic deaths that year. To put it in perspective, more people died in Houston car wrecks in 2023 than were killed in homicides.

Houston’s crash totals dwarf those of other major Texas cities:

• Houston: 67,600 accidents
• San Antonio: 39,355 accidents
• Dallas: 33,980 accidents
• Fort Worth: 13,401 accidents
• Austin: 12,768 accidents

Massive Traffic Volume

Harris County has 3.5 million licensed drivers, and the greater Houston area has more than 5.5 million registered vehicles. Roughly one in five Texas crashes happens in Harris County alone.

Deadly Highway Design

Interstate 45 ranks as the deadliest highway in the United States. Other high-risk corridors include I-10, US-59, and the 610 Loop. These wide freeways encourage aggressive driving that puts everyone at risk.

Speeding

Speed remains the leading cause of crashes in Texas. In Harris County alone, speeding was linked to more than 38,000 wrecks in 2023 and caused well over 170 deaths. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, excessive speed continues to be the top contributing factor in Texas crashes year after year.

Drunk Driving

Harris County recorded more than 3,300 DUI-related crashes in 2023, killing approximately 160 people. Drunk driving accounts for roughly 24% of all traffic fatalities in Texas.

Distracted Driving

Inattentive drivers caused more than 10,000 crashes in Harris County in 2023, resulting in dozens of fatalities. Texting, phone calls, and other distractions pull attention from the road at exactly the wrong moments.

What Types of Crashes Cause the Most Serious Injuries in Houston?

In 2023, Houston recorded about 1,360 suspected serious injury crashes, producing around 1,600 people with severe injuries. Another 5,400 crashes resulted in more than 7,500 people with minor injuries.

Commercial Truck Accidents

Large trucks and commercial vehicles were involved in more than 6,100 crashes in Harris County in 2023. These collisions killed at least 40 people and caused well over 100 serious injuries. Trucks cause outsized fatal and catastrophic injury risk due to their size and weight. If you were hurt by an 18-wheeler, our Houston truck accident lawyers can help you understand your options.

Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents

Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists make up a small share of road users but a disproportionate share of deaths. Harris County consistently ranks near the top of Texas counties for pedestrian and cyclist fatalities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Houston Car Accidents

How much does a Houston car accident lawyer cost?

Nothing up front. We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means our fee comes out of what we recover for you. If we do not win, you do not pay us.

How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Texas?

Under Texas law, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline applies to most car accident cases, though exceptions may apply in certain circumstances.

Should I talk to the insurance company after a car accident?

You should be cautious about speaking with insurance companies before consulting an attorney. Insurers often try to minimize payouts and may use your statements against you. Having legal representation helps protect your interests during these conversations.

How many car accidents happen in Houston each year?

Houston recorded approximately 67,600 car accidents in 2023, making it the most crash-prone city in Texas. This averages to about 185 crashes every single day within city limits.

What is the deadliest road in Houston?

Interstate 45 ranks as the deadliest highway in America, not just Houston. Other particularly dangerous Houston roads include I-10, US-59, and the 610 Loop.

What causes most car accidents in Houston?

Speeding is the leading cause of crashes in Houston and throughout Texas. Distracted driving and drunk driving are also major contributors. In Harris County, speed-related crashes alone caused more than 170 deaths in 2023.

Contact a Houston Car Accident Lawyer Today

The sooner you reach out, the better positioned we are to preserve evidence, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact Varghese Summersett today at (281) 805-2220 for a free consultation. We will evaluate your case, explain your options, and help you understand the best path forward.