1. Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C.
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Accident Representation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, workplace accidents
Background: Experienced personal injury law firm serving Garland and the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area. Track record of success reflected in numerous positive client reviews. The firm investigates accidents, gathers evidence, consults with medical professionals, and handles negotiations with insurance companies on behalf of clients.
Location: Serving Garland, TX and North Texas
Contact: (214) 999-9999 | https://www.kraftlaw.com
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation available
2. Chad Jones Law
Focus Area: Personal Injury Trial Litigation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, workplace injuries, wrongful death
Background: Over 80 years of combined experience among attorneys. Chad Jones is certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization as a Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, a distinction held by only 1% of the over 100,000 attorneys in Texas. Recent case example includes turning a $100,000 offer from a previous firm into a $900,000 settlement and helping a client remove a $400,000 medical lien.
Location: Serving Garland, TX and North Texas Region
Contact: (866) 462-5224 | https://chadjoneslaw.com
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation with Client First No Fee Guarantee
3. RTRLAW
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Accident Claims
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death
Background: Founded in Florida in 1988, RTRLAW has successfully represented tens of thousands of personal injury victims and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation. The firm maintains a local Garland office with attorneys who understand the community and Texas procedural regulations.
Location: 1919 S Shiloh Rd, Suite 530, Garland, TX 75042 (Harmony Bank Building)
Contact: (972) 521-8835 or toll-free 1-833-HIRE-RTR | https://rtrlaw.com
Consultation: Free case review; attorneys and investigators available to meet at your location
4. Mullen & Mullen Law Firm
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Motor Vehicle Accidents
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death
Background: Founded by Regis L. Mullen, who has 56 years of personal injury experience and was previously a Litigation Supervisor at Allstate Insurance Company. The firm has secured 43 placements in the Texas “Top 50” personal injury settlements over the past three years according to TopVerdict.com. Combined, the attorneys have over 95 years of expertise handling car accident cases. Named “Top Choice Injury Law Firm” by Top Choice Awards for six consecutive years from 2019 to 2024.
Location: Serving Garland, TX and Dallas-Fort Worth area
Contact: (214) 747-5240 | https://www.mullenandmullen.com
Consultation: Free consultation; no fees unless they win your case
5. Lucé Law, PC
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
Practice Areas: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, collections law
Background: Established Texas law firm with over 35 years of experience. Led by Joe Lucé, the firm provides personal injury, litigation, and wrongful death services to individuals in Garland and surrounding areas. Known for a diligent, results-driven approach that prioritizes client needs. Attorneys handle negotiations with insurance companies and represent clients against trucking companies.
Location: Serving Garland, TX and North Texas
Contact: (972) 632-1300 | https://www.lucelawpc.com
Consultation: Free legal consultation available
Personal Injury Laws in Texas
Statute of Limitations
Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. You must file a lawsuit within two years from the date of your injury. This deadline applies to car accidents, slip and fall incidents, and other negligence-based claims.
Wrongful death claims also have a two-year statute of limitations, but the clock begins on the date of death rather than the date of the injury. Medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years from when you discovered or should have discovered the injury. For minors, the statute of limitations is tolled until they turn 18, giving them until age 20 to file a claim.
Claims involving sexual assault have an extended five-year statute of limitations, and childhood sexual abuse survivors now have 30 years from their 18th birthday to file claims.
Negligence Rules
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, often called the “51% rule.” You can recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for your injuries. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you are found 30% at fault for a collision in Garland and your total damages are $100,000, you would receive $70,000. However, if you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages from the other party.
Damage Caps
Texas does not cap compensatory damages in most personal injury cases, but there are specific limitations in certain types of claims:
Medical Malpractice: Non-economic damages are capped at $250,000 per defendant (physician or healthcare provider) and $250,000 per healthcare institution, with a maximum of $500,000 total for institutions. These caps do not apply to economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages.
Government Claims: The Texas Tort Claims Act limits damages against the State of Texas to $250,000 per person and $500,000 per incident. Local government damage caps may vary.
Punitive Damages: Texas limits punitive damages under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.008.
Auto Insurance Requirements
Texas is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who causes an accident is financially responsible for the damages. Drivers must carry minimum liability insurance of 30/60/25:
Bodily Injury Liability: Minimum of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident. This coverage pays for injuries you cause to others when you are at fault.
Property Damage Liability: Minimum of $25,000 per accident. This covers damage to vehicles and other property.
Texas law requires insurance companies to offer personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, though drivers may reject these coverages in writing. PIP covers medical expenses and lost wages for the policyholder and passengers regardless of fault. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that approximately 20% of Texas drivers are uninsured.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident in Garland?
You have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas. This applies to collisions on major Garland roads like Interstate 30, Interstate 635, and local streets. If you miss this deadline, you will generally lose your right to seek compensation through the courts. Insurance claims may have even shorter reporting deadlines, sometimes as brief as 30 days, so prompt action is important.
How does Texas comparative negligence affect my accident claim in the Dallas-Fort Worth area?
Texas uses a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. If you are found partially at fault for an accident in Garland or elsewhere in the DFW area, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages. For example, if you were 25% at fault for a crash on I-30 and your damages totaled $80,000, you would receive $60,000.
Can I still recover compensation if I was hit by an uninsured driver in Garland?
Recovery depends on your own insurance coverage. If you carry uninsured motorist coverage, you can file a claim with your own insurer to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages caused by an uninsured at-fault driver. Texas requires insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage, but you may have rejected it in writing. With approximately 20% of Texas drivers lacking insurance, having this coverage provides important protection.
What damages can I pursue in a Texas personal injury case?
Texas allows recovery of both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses, future medical costs, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, disfigurement, and loss of consortium. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members can seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering.
Should I accept the insurance company’s first settlement offer after my Garland accident?
Insurance companies often make initial settlement offers that are lower than the full value of your claim. Before accepting any offer, consider the total extent of your injuries including future medical treatment you may need. In 2023, Garland saw 2,979 of the 69,173 car crashes in the Dallas-Rockwall-Collin Tri-County region. Consulting with a personal injury attorney can help you understand the true value of your claim and whether a settlement offer adequately compensates you for all current and future damages.