If you were hurt in a car accident in Texas, you may be wondering whether you can take legal action beyond filing an insurance claim. The simple answer is yes. In many cases a lawsuit is the most effective way to recover the full compensation you deserve.
At The Karam Law Office, we help accident victims in Sugar Land and throughout Texas navigate the litigation process from start to finish. Call us at (281) 302-5272 to talk through your options.
Can You Sue Someone After a Car Accident in Texas?
Yes, you can sue the at-fault driver after a car accident in Texas, and sometimes it is the only way to get what you are truly owed. Insurance companies are not on your side. Their first offer is rarely their best, and when injuries are serious, it almost never covers what you have actually lost.
An insurance claim can be faster, but it puts you at the mercy of an adjuster whose job is to minimize the payout. A lawsuit gives you formal legal tools to compel evidence, depose witnesses, and ultimately put your case in front of a jury if necessary.
When Should You File a Lawsuit?
Not every accident requires litigation, but a lawsuit is often the right move when:
- The insurance company's settlement offer is too low to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
- Liability is disputed and the insurer is refusing to accept fault on behalf of their driver.
- Your injuries are catastrophic and the long-term costs far exceed the policy limits being offered.
- The at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured.
Who Can You Sue After a Car Accident?
Depending on the circumstances of the crash, more than one party may bear legal responsibility. Potential parties include:
- The at-fault driver, who is the most common defendant in any car accident lawsuit.
- The driver's employer, if they were operating a vehicle in the course of their employment at the time of the crash.
- A vehicle manufacturer, if a defective part such as faulty brakes or a malfunctioning airbag contributed to the accident or worsened your injuries, which may give rise to a product liability claim.
- A rideshare company or its insurer, if the crash involved an Uber or Lyft driver depending on the driver's status at the time of the collision.
Identifying every liable party is one of the most important steps in securing your recovery. At The Karam Law Office, our attorneys are well-versed in handling personal injury and product liability claims. Contact us at (281) 302-5272 to get started.
How to Sue After a Car Accident: Steps to Success
Understanding the litigation process takes some of the uncertainty out of it. Here is how a Texas car accident lawsuit typically unfolds.
Step 1: Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney
Everything starts here. An attorney evaluates your case, identifies liable parties, and advises you on whether a lawsuit is your best path forward. This consultation costs you nothing at The Karam Law Office.
Step 2: Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Your attorney collects the foundation of your case, including police reports, witness statements, medical records, accident scene photographs, surveillance footage, and any expert opinions needed to establish fault and document your injuries.
Step 3: Filing the Complaint
This is the formal step that initiates your lawsuit. Your attorney drafts and files a legal complaint in the appropriate Texas civil court, outlining your allegations and the damages you are seeking.
Step 4: Discovery Phase
Both sides exchange evidence and information. This includes written questions (interrogatories), document requests, and depositions of witnesses and parties. Discovery often reveals information that strengthens your position at the negotiating table.
Step 5: Mediation and Trial
Most car accident cases settle before trial, often during mediation, where both sides attempt to reach an agreement with the help of a neutral mediator. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your case goes to a jury. Having a seasoned trial attorney prepared to go the distance gives you significantly more leverage throughout the entire process.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Texas Lawsuit?
Texas law allows injury victims to recover two broad categories of damages.
Economic damages cover your quantifiable financial losses, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury
Non-economic damages cover the less tangible but equally real consequences of your injury, including pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium for the impact on your relationship with a spouse.
In cases involving the most serious harm, such as spinal cord injuries, amputations, or permanent disability, a catastrophic injury claim may warrant significantly higher non-economic damages.
Wrongful Death Damages
If a loved one died as a result of the accident, Texas law allows eligible family members to pursue a wrongful death claim for damages including funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and mental anguish. The Sugar Land wrongful death lawyers at The Karam Law Office handle these cases with the care and seriousness they deserve.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Sue After a Car Accident?
Technically, you can represent yourself in a Texas civil lawsuit. In practice, going up against an insurance company's legal team without an attorney puts you at a big disadvantage. Insurers count on unrepresented claimants accepting less than their case is worth.
The Karam Law Office brings local knowledge of Sugar Land and the surrounding Texas courts, a proven record of high-value settlements, and the litigation experience to take a case to trial when that is what it takes. As a Sugar Land personal injury law firm, we know this community and we know how to fight for the people in it.
How The Karam Law Office Can Help You
From your first call to final resolution, we handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on recovery. That means investigating the crash, dealing with insurance companies on your behalf, building the strongest possible evidence record, and negotiating aggressively for a settlement that reflects your actual losses. If the other side will not offer what your case is worth, we are prepared to take it to trial.
Whether your accident involved a drunk driver, a commercial truck, or a defective auto part, our team has the experience to handle it.
Ready to find out what your case is worth? Contact The Karam Law Office at (281) 302-5272 today to schedule your free consultation. We are available 24/7 and there is no fee unless we secure compensation for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Suing for Car Accidents
How long do you have after an accident to sue?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to sue entirely, so it is important not to wait.
How much does it cost to sue someone?
Nothing upfront. The Karam Law Office works on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. There are no out-of-pocket legal fees to get started.
What if the at-fault driver doesn't have insurance?
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to pursue compensation through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. In some cases, it is also possible to pursue the driver's personal assets. An attorney can help you understand all available avenues in your specific situation.
How long do car accident lawsuits take?
It depends on the complexity of the case, the court's schedule, and how willing the other side is to negotiate in good faith. Some cases settle within months. Others involving disputed liability or catastrophic injuries can take a year or more. What we can tell you is that rushing into a low settlement to avoid the process almost always costs you money in the long run.
