Houston Personal Injury Lawyers / Houston Car Accident Lawyers
A car wreck can turn your life upside down in seconds. Figuring out who’s going to help you through the aftermath shouldn’t add to that stress.
Known as The Texas Hammer® and El Martillo Tejano®, Jim Adler & Associates has represented injured Texans for 50 years, recovering more than $1 billion for clients across the state.
Our Houston car accident attorneys are members of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and Houston Bar Association, credentials that show we take every case seriously.
Houston drivers trust us, and our reviews show it: we hold a 4.6 out of 5 rating from thousands of Google reviews.
Our Houston car accident lawyers have spent years in local courts, so we know how local judges, juries, and insurance adjusters tend to handle a claim.
That local knowledge helps when your accident happens somewhere familiar.
Car accident victims come to us with many pieces: repair estimates, medical bills, and insurance adjusters who want to close their claim fast and pay them less than they deserve.
We deal with those adjusters every day, so we know their tactics and how to push back with solid proof of injuries and losses.
Talking to us costs nothing. We offer a free consultation and with our risk free guarantee, you don’t pay anything unless you win. Always $0 upfront costs!
Our fee comes out of the compensation we recover for you, so a car accident doesn’t put an extra financial burden on you and your family.
Hiring a Houston car accident lawyer that you can trust shouldn’t add another bill to a situation that’s already expensive.
At Jim Adler & Associates, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay zero upfront costs or out-of-pocket fees to get your case moving.
We only get paid if we successfully recover financial compensation for you.
Houston sees nearly 185 crashes a day.
Car wrecks are especially common around the 610 Loop, I-45, and other parts of Houston’s High Injury Network, a small portion of streets responsible for over half of the city’s serious crashes.
We handle a wide range of car accident cases, from rear-end collisions and head-on crashes to multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, hit-and-run incidents, truck accidents, and more.
These accidents can cause different injuries, from minor sprains, cuts, and concussions to herniated discs, paralysis, and traumatic brain injuries that are expensive to treat and can affect your life for years to come.
Proving who’s at fault isn’t always straightforward.
We dig into police reports, witness statements, and driver history to prove distraction, impairment, or recklessness, even when the other driver or their insurance company tries to shift the blame.
Some of our success stories include:
Every case is different, and past results don’t guarantee a similar outcome in yours. What they do show is the tenacity and commitment our car accident lawyers bring to every case we take on.
Texas is an at-fault state, which means the driver who caused the accident, or their insurer, is generally responsible for covering the damage.
To determine fault, the state looks at who acted carelessly and caused the crash, a legal concept known as negligence.
In plain terms, negligence means someone failed to follow the rules on the road, whether that’s running a red light, following too closely, or texting behind the wheel.
Evidence Used To Prove Fault
To build a strong fault case, you need solid proof, such as:
The more of this evidence you have, the stronger your position when an insurance company tries to dispute what happened.
When two or three vehicles are involved, responsibility can be split among them based on how each of them contributed to the collision.
For example, a driver who was speeding might share blame with another who ran a stop sign. As per Texas law, fault can be divided, and each driver’s share affects how much they, or their insurer, ultimately owe.
If a company car, work van, or delivery van hit you in Houston, the business behind that vehicle may be responsible for your injuries, not just the driver. Texas law generally holds employers responsible for crashes their employees cause while on the job, and businesses usually carry commercial insurance with higher limits than a personal auto policy. That can make a major difference in what you’re able to recover.
Jim Adler & Associates investigates the driver, the company, and every contractor involved, so no responsible party is left out of your claim.
More than one party is often liable when a work vehicle causes a crash. Depending on the facts, your claim may include:
Companies often point at each other to avoid paying. Our job is to sort through the contracts, insurance policies, and employment records so the right parties answer for what happened.
Company vehicles include sales cars, service vans, plumbing and electrical trucks, cable and utility trucks, pickups, and fleet vehicles of every kind. The first question in these cases is whether the driver was working when the crash happened. A driver heading to a job site or making a service call is usually on the clock. A driver running a personal errand in the company pickup truck may not be.
If the driver was using their own car for work, such as food delivery or another gig job, coverage gets more complicated. The driver’s personal policy may exclude business use, and the company’s or app’s policy may apply only during certain activities. We track down every policy that could pay.
Commercial vehicles include box trucks, dump trucks, tow trucks, cement mixers, garbage trucks, shuttle buses, and other heavy vehicles used for business. Their size and weight cause far more damage than a passenger car, and the injuries are often severe: traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones that need surgery, and internal injuries.
Many commercial vehicles must follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules on driver qualifications, hours of service, inspections, and maintenance, along with Texas safety rules. Breaking those rules can be strong evidence of negligence. For crashes involving 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers, see our Houston 18-wheeler accident lawyer page.
Delivery traffic on Houston streets has grown fast, and so have crashes involving delivery vans and trucks. Whether the vehicle carried an Amazon, FedEx, UPS, or local company logo, delivery drivers work under tight schedules that lead to speeding, rolling stops, illegal U-turns, double parking, and backing up on residential streets. Pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers are all at risk, from the Heights to Sugar Land.
Many retailers and shippers hire independent companies to run their delivery routes. The name on the van isn’t always the company that employs the driver, so we review the contracts to identify who is legally responsible and which insurance policies apply.
Crashes with U.S. Postal Service vehicles follow different rules. Claims against the federal government require a written administrative claim before any lawsuit, and missing that step can end your case. Call us right away if a postal vehicle hit you.
Work vehicles create evidence that a personal car doesn’t, and much of it can be erased within days or weeks. As soon as we take your case, we send the company a letter demanding it preserve:
Securing this evidence early can be the difference between a disputed claim and a clear one.
GPS, dashcam, and delivery app data can be erased within days. Call 1-800-505-1414 now so we can demand the company preserve it.
Businesses typically carry commercial auto policies with much higher limits than the Texas personal minimum of $30,000 per injured person. Some crashes involve several policies at once: the driver’s, the employer’s, a contractor’s, and an umbrella policy. Commercial insurers also employ experienced adjusters and defense lawyers who move quickly to limit what they pay. Don’t give a recorded statement to the company or its insurer before you talk to a lawyer.
Commercial and delivery traffic is heaviest on the corridors that connect the Port of Houston, distribution centers, and neighborhoods: I-10 (the Katy and East freeways), the 610 Loop, I-45, US-290, Beltway 8 and the Sam Houston Tollway, and SH 225 along the Ship Channel. Delivery vans also crowd busy streets like Westheimer Road and residential neighborhoods across Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties.
Our Houston office on the West Loop near the Galleria handles work-vehicle cases across the metro area, including Katy, Pasadena, Channelview, Baytown, Pearland, Sugar Land, and The Woodlands.
Along with the steps above, take these extra steps when a company or delivery vehicle is involved:
Hit by a company car, work truck, or delivery van in Houston? Talk to a Houston work-vehicle accident lawyer today. Your consultation is free, you pay nothing upfront, and we’re only paid if we recover compensation for you.
Yes, and this surprises a lot of people. Texas follows a modified comparative fault law, which means you can still recover money as long as you’re not more than 50% responsible for the accident.
Here’s how it works: if you’re found 30% at fault, you can still recover 70% of your total damages and use them for your medical bills, car repairs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Don’t assume you’re out of options just because you might’ve been partly to blame.
Let a knowledgeable Houston car accident lawyer review your case. Our team at Jim Adler & Associates has helped many clients recover compensation even when they were partially responsible for a crash.
If you’ve been injured in a crash and the other driver was at fault, you’ll typically file a claim against their insurance.
Here’s how the process works.
We start with a free consultation where you walk us through the crash, and we ask questions to understand the full picture.
Then, we give you an honest read on whether you have a case worth pursuing. There is no cost and no obligation.
Once we take your case, we open our own investigation, pulling the police report, tracking witnesses while their memories are fresh, and reviewing photos or videos from the scene.
We also gather:
With the evidence in hand, we calculate what your claim is actually worth. That includes all economic and non-economic damages that make up the full amount we’ll be pursuing.
We send the insurance company a formal demand that sums up the facts, plus the evidence, and the compensation we believe you’re owed.
This is often the first time the insurance company sees the full weight of your case.
The at-fault driver’s insurer runs its own assessment to decide whether their driver caused the crash.
Insurance adjusters rarely accept the first demand. They may argue you were partly at fault or argue your injuries aren’t as serious as you say.
They may also stop responding or drag things out for months.
We counter these tactics and stay at the table until you’re offered what you deserve.
If the insurance company doesn’t offer a fair settlement, we file a lawsuit. This doesn’t mean your case will go to trial. Many lawsuits can be settled once the other side sees you’re prepared to fight for your rights in front of a jury.
Most car accident claims settle before reaching a courtroom. But when an insurer refuses to budge, we’re ready to take your case to trial. Then, a jury decides how much your personal injury case is worth.
Our Houston attorneys deal with insurance companies every day. We know their tactics and how to fight back, so you don’t get shortchanged.
Injured in a crash? Book a free consultation.
If you were injured in a crash and your fault doesn’t exceed 50%, you may have the right to pursue compensation for:
If you’re unsure whether you have a case, call our Houston car accident lawyers for a free consultation.
An insurance adjuster’s job is to protect their company’s interests.
Shortly after your accident, they may ask to record your statement about the accident.
Although they may sound friendly and frame this as a routine task, they’re often looking for anything they can use to minimize your compensation later.
They may often use tactics like:
They may also be fast to offer a settlement, sometimes before you’ve finished treatment or know the full extent of your injuries.
Once you accept, you typically can’t ask for more later, even if your injuries turn out to be worse than expected.
You’re not obligated to talk to them, and it’s worth talking to a car accident attorney in Houston first.
A Houston car accident lawyer changes the dynamic, handling all communication with the adjuster on your behalf and protecting your rights.
Texas requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but many drivers on Houston roads don’t, and others carry only the state minimum of $30,000 per injured person. If the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may pay. Texas insurers must offer this coverage, and it’s included in your policy unless you turned it down in writing.
Personal injury protection (PIP), which Texas insurers must also offer, can pay medical bills and lost wages no matter who caused the crash. We review every policy that might apply: yours, your household’s, the other driver’s, and any employer’s.
Hit-and-run crashes. If the other driver fled, report the crash to police right away. Your UM coverage may still pay when the other vehicle made contact with yours, and our team looks for traffic camera, business security, and dashcam footage to identify the driver.
In Texas, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including car accidents, is two years from the date of the collision.
Some exceptions include:
It is critical to consult with a lawyer early, as missing this window can permanently bar you from seeking compensation in Harris County courts.
Waiting too much can also affect the outcome of your case due to lost evidence, harder-to-find witnesses, and memories that grow less reliable over time.
Jim Adler has represented injured Houstonians for more than 50 years from the firm’s headquarters on the West Loop near the Galleria. Our car accident attorneys handle cases in Harris County courts every day, and our team includes Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff who can guide you through every step in your language.
We also handle:
Start with a FREE case review.
Call 1-800-505-1414 now or click here to get started online.
Our client was driving on a congested Houston highway when traffic came to a stop. Unfortunately, the driver behind her failed to slow down and slammed into her vehicle at high speed. The violent rear-end collision pushed her car into a concrete barrier and caused severe, life-threatening injuries.
She suffered a traumatic brain injury, including an epidural hemorrhage and concussion, along with a burst fracture in her thoracic spine. Emergency fusion surgery stabilized her spine, but she was left with permanent hardware, limited mobility, and chronic pain. On top of the physical trauma, she also experienced severe emotional distress, including flashbacks and ongoing insomnia.
Verdict: $2,250,000
Call 911, get medical care, photograph the scene and vehicles, exchange insurance information, and get witnesses’ contact details. Don’t admit fault or give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer. Then talk to a Houston car accident lawyer before accepting any offer.
It depends on your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, the long-term effects of your injuries, and how much insurance is available. Every case is different, and past results don’t guarantee a similar outcome. A free case review can give you a realistic picture.
You don’t have to. Adjusters often ask for recorded statements to find reasons to reduce or deny your claim. Let your lawyer handle all communication with the other driver’s insurer.
Your own PIP or MedPay coverage, if you have it, can pay early bills regardless of fault, and health insurance may also pay. The at-fault driver’s insurer typically pays as part of a settlement. If you don’t have insurance, a letter of protection may let you get treatment now.
Many cases settle within a few months after treatment ends. Cases with serious injuries or disputed fault can take a year or longer, especially if a lawsuit is filed. We don’t recommend settling until your doctors understand your long-term needs.
Most Texas crash reports (CR-3) can be bought online through TxDOT’s Crash Report Online Purchase System, usually 7 to 14 days after the crash. You’ll need the crash date and county or the report number. Your lawyer can also request it for you.
In Texas, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including car accidents, is two years from the date of the collision. It is critical to consult with a Houston car accident lawyer early, as missing the deadline may mean you cannot seek compensation for your injuries.
Be extremely cautious. Insurance companies often use lowball offers to settle claims before a victim understands the full extent of their medical needs or future recovery costs. Never sign a document without having an experienced attorney at Jim Adler & Associates review the offer first.
No. At Jim Adler & Associates, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay zero upfront costs or out-of-pocket fees to get your case moving; we only get paid if we successfully recover financial compensation for you.
Texas follows a “modified comparative fault” rule. You may still be able to recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. We work to gather evidence, such as police reports, traffic camera footage, and witness statements, to protect your rights and hold the negligent party accountable.
Navigating Harris County’s complex court system and dealing with local insurance adjusters requires specific knowledge of regional legal precedents. Our team has decades of experience fighting for Houstonians, from downtown traffic corridors to the surrounding suburbs like Katy, Sugar Land, and Pasadena, ensuring your claim is handled with local expertise.
Yes. Under Texas law, an employer is generally responsible for crashes its employees cause while doing their jobs. You may also have a claim against the company for its own negligence, such as hiring a driver with a bad record or failing to maintain the vehicle.
Usually the commercial insurance policy of the company that employs the driver, and sometimes policies held by the retailer, the delivery contractor, or the vehicle’s owner. Commercial policies typically have much higher limits than personal auto insurance.
Claims involving government vehicles have special rules and much shorter notice deadlines than the two-year limit for most Texas car accident claims. Federal claims, such as those involving the Postal Service, require a written administrative claim before you can sue. Call a lawyer as soon as possible.
Hurt in an accident? Tell us what happened. We’ll give you straight answers — fast, free, and with no strings attached.*
