1. Francis Injury Law
Focus Area: Board Certified personal injury trial representation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Background: Michael Francis holds Board Certification in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction earned by fewer than 2% of Texas personal injury attorneys. He has been selected among the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and received recognition from Lawyers of Distinction in 2024. Named a Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine for 2025 and 2026. The firm builds every case for trial from day one, which insurance companies recognize during negotiations. Many cases come through referrals from other attorneys throughout Texas.
Location: Fort Worth, TX (serving Dallas, Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Plano, Denton, Weatherford, Southlake)
Contact: Available on website | https://francisinjury.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available.
2. Varghese Summersett
Focus Area: Comprehensive personal injury and wrongful death advocacy
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, product liability, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Background: The firm has secured over $12 million for clients in the current year alone after expenses and obtained one of the largest personal injury settlements in Texas in the previous year. Founding attorney Benson Varghese has tried over 100 jury trials in Texas state and federal courts. The firm works with a network of financial planners, counselors, crash analysts, private investigators, and medical professionals to build comprehensive cases.
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Contact: Available on website | https://versustexas.com/personal-injury/
Consultation: Free consultation. No legal fee unless recovery is obtained.
3. The Wilhite Law Firm
Focus Area: Award-winning personal injury representation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall, dog bites, wrongful death, drunk driving accidents
Background: The legal team includes board-certified attorneys with a proven track record in personal injury trial law. The founding attorney has extensive experience handling injury cases throughout Fort Worth and Tarrant County. The firm maintains deep knowledge of local laws and monitors Texas accident statistics to understand accident patterns in the community.
Location: 2601 Scott Ave Suite 204, Fort Worth, TX 76103
Contact: (817) 904-3867 | https://www.wilhitelawfirm.com/fort-worth/
Consultation: Free case evaluation with attorneys ready to explain legal options.
4. Coby L. Wooten, P.C.
Focus Area: Experienced personal injury litigation with extensive trial background
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, workplace accidents
Background: Coby Wooten brings over 30 years of experience practicing personal injury litigation in Texas. He has been named to Fort Worth magazine’s Top Attorney list seven times, including recognition in the Personal Injury category. Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, reserved for attorneys who have obtained significant verdicts or settlements. Named a 2014 and 2015 Litigator Award Winner by the Trial Lawyers Board of Regents LLC. Maintains a 10.0 Superb rating on Avvo.
Location: Fort Worth, TX (serving Dallas, Arlington, Irving, Grapevine)
Contact: Available on website | https://www.cobywootenlaw.com/
Consultation: Contingency fee arrangement with fee only upon successful recovery.
5. Barrow Law PLLC
Focus Area: Board certified representation in truck accident and personal injury law
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, animal attacks, slip and fall, defective products, wrongful death
Background: Lead attorney Wade Austin Barrow holds Board Certification from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in personal injury trial law and serves as president of the Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association. The firm also holds board certification in truck accident law and civil trial law. Barrow Law has handled complex personal injury cases involving predatory abuse, commercial vehicle accidents, and long-term insurance disputes. The attorneys take a personalized approach to each case.
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Contact: (817) 617-7797 | https://www.barrow-law.com/
Consultation: Free appointment and case consultation. Contingency fee basis with no payment unless the case is won.
Personal Injury Laws in Texas
Statute of Limitations
Texas law under Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 establishes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. The deadline begins on the date of injury. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period runs from the date of death. Medical malpractice claims also follow the two-year rule, with a 10-year statute of repose serving as an absolute outer limit. Claims against Texas government entities require written notice within six months of the injury.
Modified Comparative Negligence (51% Bar Rule)
Texas applies a modified comparative negligence standard under Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. An injured party may recover compensation only if their share of fault is 50% or less. Any fault exceeding 50% bars the injured party from recovering any damages. When fault is shared at or below the threshold, the damages award is reduced by the injured party’s percentage of responsibility. Insurance companies frequently attempt to shift as much blame as possible onto injured parties to reduce or eliminate liability.
Damage Caps
Texas does not limit economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages in standard personal injury cases. Medical malpractice claims face caps on non-economic damages: $250,000 per physician defendant and $250,000 per healthcare institution, with a total cap of $500,000 per case. Punitive damages are subject to a cap equal to the greater of $200,000 or two times economic damages plus non-economic damages, not to exceed $750,000 total. The Texas Tort Claims Act limits recovery against government entities to $250,000 per person and $500,000 per incident.
Auto Insurance Requirements
Texas requires drivers to carry liability insurance with minimum limits of 30/60/25: $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage. Texas operates as an at-fault state, meaning the driver who causes an accident bears financial responsibility for resulting damages. Insurance companies are required to offer Personal Injury Protection (PIP) with at least $2,500 in coverage, though drivers may decline this coverage in writing.
At-Fault Insurance System
As an at-fault state, Texas places responsibility for accident damages on the negligent party. When an accident occurs, insurance adjusters investigate to determine fault by examining police reports, witness statements, physical evidence, and expert analysis. The at-fault driver’s liability insurance covers the injured party’s damages up to policy limits. If damages exceed these limits, the at-fault driver may face personal liability for the difference, exposing their assets to potential lawsuits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a car accident in Fort Worth?
Seek medical attention even if you feel uninjured, as some injuries manifest hours or days later. Document the scene by photographing vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Exchange insurance information with other drivers and obtain contact information from witnesses. Report the accident to police to create an official record. Notify your insurance company promptly per your policy requirements, but avoid providing recorded statements to the other driver’s insurer before consulting with an attorney.
How does Texas handle cases involving commercial trucks and 18-wheelers differently?
Commercial truck accidents involve federal regulations governing driver hours, vehicle maintenance, cargo loading, and driver qualifications. Multiple parties may bear liability: the driver, trucking company, cargo loader, or vehicle manufacturer. Trucking companies typically have larger insurance policies and experienced legal teams prepared to minimize their exposure. These cases often require accident reconstruction experts, analysis of driver logs and electronic data recorders, and investigation into company hiring and training practices.
Can I still file a claim if the at-fault driver fled the scene in Fort Worth?
Hit-and-run victims can pursue compensation through their own uninsured motorist coverage if they carry it. Texas requires insurers to offer uninsured motorist coverage, though drivers can reject it in writing. Filing a police report immediately after a hit-and-run is essential, as uninsured motorist coverage will not pay for damages without a police report on file. An attorney can help identify the fleeing driver through investigation of traffic cameras, nearby business surveillance footage, and witness statements.
How long does a personal injury case typically take to resolve in Tarrant County?
Case duration varies significantly based on injury severity, liability disputes, and whether the case settles or proceeds to trial. Simple cases with clear liability and documented injuries may settle within several months. Complex cases involving severe injuries, disputed fault, or multiple defendants can take one to three years or longer. If settlement negotiations fail, court scheduling and trial preparation add additional time. An experienced local attorney understands Tarrant County court timelines and can provide realistic expectations.
What compensation can I recover beyond medical bills in a Texas personal injury case?
Texas personal injury claims allow recovery for economic damages including medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, disfigurement, and loss of consortium for family members. In cases involving intentional misconduct or gross negligence, punitive damages may be available to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct, though these face statutory caps.