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Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyers

Tarrant County reported 189 fatal crashes and 201 traffic deaths in 2024, along with another 860 wrecks that left people seriously injured, according to the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System (CRIS). The county logged 28,074 reportable crashes overall, the fourth-highest total in Texas behind Harris, Bexar, and Dallas. Drunk driving played a role in 32 of those fatal wrecks, killing 37 people. Inside the city of Fort Worth, the same TxDOT data set recorded 12,865 crashes and 116 deaths.

Fort Worth recently crossed one million residents, making it one of the dozen largest cities in the United States. Tarrant County is the third-largest county in Texas. The city is home to Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter production line, Bell Textron’s helicopter manufacturing, and Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, which hosts active-duty and reserve units from the Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Texas Army National Guard. Add the Fort Worth Stockyards, Texas Christian University, the Cultural District, and a freeway grid centered on I-35W, I-30, I-20, and Loop 820, and the result is a dense, fast-moving city where the wrong wreck can put you in a hospital for weeks.

You shouldn’t have to take an insurance company’s first offer just because medical bills are piling up. You deserve an attorney who knows Tarrant County, knows the 1895 Old Courthouse and the Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building, and isn’t afraid to push back when an insurer won’t pay what your case is worth.

At DJC Law, our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers help accident victims and their families recover after serious injuries. If you were hurt in a wreck on I-35W or Loop 820, hit by a commercial truck on I-30 or I-20, struck while crossing East Lancaster Avenue or McCart Avenue, injured at work on a construction site or a manufacturing floor, or harmed in any other accident caused by someone else’s negligence, we can help.

We work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win. Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Hablamos español.

What Is Personal Injury Law?

Personal injury law lets people who’ve been hurt by someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct seek financial compensation for their losses. These are civil claims, separate from any criminal charges. They hold the responsible party accountable and help injured victims recover the money they need for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Most personal injury cases come down to negligence. To win a negligence claim, you have to prove four things: that the defendant owed you a duty of care, that they breached that duty, that the breach caused your injuries, and that you suffered actual damages.

That sounds simple enough on paper. In practice, insurance companies spend a lot of time and money working to deny, delay, and minimize claims. In Fort Worth, you may also be dealing with a major aerospace or defense contractor, a federal employer connected to NAS Joint Reserve Base, an oil and gas operator with deep pockets and aggressive defense counsel, or a national trucking carrier moving freight along the I-35W corridor. Each comes with its own defense team. An experienced personal injury attorney can level the conversation and improve your chances of a fair recovery.

Why Choose DJC Law

Not every personal injury firm is the same. Here’s what sets DJC Law apart.

You Pay Nothing Unless We Win

We take personal injury cases on contingency. There are no upfront fees, and you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our payment comes out of your settlement or verdict, so we only get paid when you do.

Personal Attention From Your Attorney

You won’t get handed off to a paralegal or left wondering what’s going on with your case. Our attorneys stay involved at every stage. We return calls. When you have a question, you’ll get an answer from the lawyer actually handling your case.

Bilingual Representation

About 35% of Fort Worth residents are Hispanic, and roughly one in six was born outside the United States. Your attorney should never be a barrier to understanding your own case. Our team works in English and Spanish, so you can ask questions and make decisions in the language you’re most comfortable with.

Experience With Aviation, Defense, and Federal Cases

Fort Worth is one of the largest aviation and defense manufacturing hubs in the country. Lockheed Martin assembles the F-35 here. Bell Textron builds helicopters here. NAS Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base hosts active and reserve units from four service branches. When a case involves a federal employee acting in the scope of employment, an injury on a federal installation, an accident inside a defense plant, or care provided at a federal medical facility, the case may need to be brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act rather than ordinary Texas tort law. The deadlines, the procedural rules, and the immunity questions are all different. We help Fort Worth military families, defense industry workers, and federal employees figure out which framework applies and pursue every available avenue of recovery.

Trial-Ready Representation

Insurance companies and corporate defendants pay attention to which firms actually take cases to court. When they know we’re prepared to try a case, they’re a lot more willing to settle for a fair number. If they aren’t willing, we’re ready to put your case in front of a Tarrant County jury.

Local Knowledge, Local Commitment

We know the Tarrant County District Courts at the Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building, the Tim Curry Justice Center, and the historic 1895 Old Courthouse, the federal courts at the Eldon B. Mahon US Courthouse, the judges who hear these cases, and the roads where these crashes keep happening. From the Stockyards north of downtown to TCU on the south side, from inside Loop 820 out to Crowley and Burleson, we work cases here regularly.

Personal Injury in Fort Worth: By the Numbers

Fort Worth crossed the one-million resident mark in recent years, making it one of the dozen largest cities in the United States. Tarrant County has more than 2.2 million residents. According to the Texas Department of Transportation and other public sources:

  • Tarrant County reported 189 fatal crashes and 201 traffic fatalities in 2024, along with 860 suspected serious injury crashes that left 983 people seriously hurt.
  • The county logged 28,074 reportable crashes overall in 2024, the fourth-highest county total in Texas. That includes 4,990 minor injury wrecks and 4,824 possible-injury crashes.
  • Inside Fort Worth city limits, the same TxDOT data set recorded 12,865 crashes and 116 traffic deaths in 2024.
  • Drunk driving played a role in 32 fatal Tarrant County crashes, killing 37 people, with another 83 alcohol-involved wrecks producing serious injuries countywide. Tarrant County recorded 1,425 DUI-involved crashes in 2024.
  • Distracted driving was a factor in 17 Tarrant fatal crashes and 174 serious injury crashes, with 6,794 distracted-driving wrecks countywide.
  • The City of Fort Worth adopted Vision Zero in 2019 and announced an updated Vision Zero Action Plan in 2024. The city has been mapping a “High Injury Network” of corridors where serious and fatal crashes are most concentrated. Recent NBC 5 Investigates analyses identified McCart Avenue as one of the most deadly streets in the city.
  • Fort Worth has three verified Level I trauma centers: John Peter Smith Hospital (the Tarrant County public hospital, originally designated Level I in 2009 and most recently re-verified in 2022), Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth (upgraded from Level II to Level I in March 2023), and Cook Children’s Medical Center (pediatric Level I).

Dangerous Roads and Locations in Fort Worth

If your wreck happened on one of these corridors, you’re not alone. They show up in TxDOT crash data, Fort Worth Police Department reports, and the city’s High Injury Network analyses year after year:

  • Interstate 35W: The major north-south corridor through downtown Fort Worth, connecting the city south to Burleson and north to Denton. The stretch between I-30 downtown and Loop 820 carries enormous commercial truck volume, with merging traffic, ongoing construction zones, and high speeds producing some of the busiest crash counts in North Texas. The I-35W North Tarrant Express project introduced managed toll lanes that have helped flow but added their own merge-point hazards.
  • Loop 820 (I-820): The beltway around Fort Worth, with some of the highest traffic volumes in Tarrant County. Recent crash analyses have flagged a four-mile stretch from SH 180 (East Lancaster Avenue) to Sun Valley Drive as one of the deadliest stretches of highway anywhere in Texas. The Loop 820 / I-35W and Loop 820 / I-20 interchanges are major recurring trouble spots.
  • Interstate 30: The east-west spine connecting Fort Worth to Dallas, passing AT&T Stadium, the Texas Live entertainment district, and Globe Life Field in Arlington along the way. Heavy congestion, abrupt lane changes, and the speed differential between commuter traffic and long-haul trucks produce a steady volume of multi-vehicle wrecks. Big game days and concert nights add tourist traffic from out of state.
  • Interstate 20: Connecting the southern portion of Fort Worth to Arlington and points east. Notorious for high-speed rear-end collisions during rush hour, especially around the I-20 / Loop 820 interchange and the I-20 / U.S. 287 split.
  • U.S. 287: The major southeast corridor from Fort Worth to Waxahachie and beyond, carrying heavy truck freight to and from the southern parts of the Metroplex.
  • SH 121 / SH 183 (Airport Freeway): The northeast corridor connecting Fort Worth to DFW International Airport, the Mid-Cities, and the Sam Rayburn Tollway out to Plano and Frisco. Heavy airport traffic, hotel and rental car shuttles, and rideshare drivers all share the same lanes.
  • SH 199 (Jacksboro Highway): The northwest corridor running out toward Lake Worth and Azle, with a long history of speeding-related and DUI-related crashes.
  • McCart Avenue: Identified by NBC 5 Investigates as one of the most deadly streets in the city based on TxDOT crash data, with multiple stretches appearing on the city’s High Injury list. The intersection of McCart Avenue and Altamesa Boulevard is the focus of ongoing Vision Zero safety work.
  • East Lancaster Avenue: One of the most dangerous urban streets in Fort Worth, with a mix of pedestrian traffic, commercial activity, and frequent speeding. The corridor sees regular pedestrian fatalities and serious injury wrecks.
  • Stockyards, Sundance Square, and Cultural District: The downtown core, the Stockyards National Historic District north of downtown, and the Cultural District west of downtown produce frequent rideshare, pedestrian, and parking-lot incidents, especially during major events at Dickies Arena, the Will Rogers Memorial Center, and the Fort Worth Convention Center.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

Our Fort Worth personal injury attorneys take on a wide range of cases. If you’ve been hurt because of someone else’s negligence, we can help.

Car accidents are the single most common cause of serious injury in Fort Worth. Distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, and fatigue cause tens of thousands of crashes in Tarrant County every year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identifies all four as leading contributors to fatal crashes nationwide. [internal-link: car-accidents]

Truck accidents involving 18-wheelers, tanker trucks, and other commercial vehicles are a major part of our practice in Tarrant County. The DFW Metroplex is one of the largest logistics and distribution hubs in the country, and the I-35W, I-30, I-20, and U.S. 287 corridors carry enormous freight volume. These cases are governed in part by federal regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), including hours-of-service rules, drug and alcohol testing, hazmat handling rules, and maintenance standards. There are usually multiple parties who can be held liable, including the driver, the motor carrier, brokers, shippers, and maintenance providers. [internal-link: truck-accidents]

Motorcycle accidents tend to leave riders with severe injuries because they don’t have the protection of an enclosed vehicle. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has long reported that motorcyclists are killed at far higher rates than passenger-vehicle occupants per mile traveled. Insurance companies often try to use that risk against riders, and we push back hard. [internal-link: motorcycle-accidents]

Pedestrian accidents are a serious problem in Fort Worth, particularly along East Lancaster Avenue, McCart Avenue, and other High Injury Network corridors. Drivers have a duty to watch for pedestrians, and we hold them responsible when they don’t. [internal-link: pedestrian-accidents]

Bicycle accidents can cause serious harm to cyclists who share the road with much larger vehicles. We represent injured cyclists and pursue full compensation under Texas law. [internal-link: bicycle-accidents]

Bus accidents, including crashes involving Trinity Metro buses, school buses, charter buses, and tour operators, come with their own complications. Public transit cases can run into governmental immunity issues and shorter notice deadlines, and bus operators are held to a higher common-carrier duty of care. [internal-link: bus-accidents]

Rideshare accidents involving Uber, Lyft, and other transportation network companies are common around Sundance Square, the Stockyards, the West 7th entertainment district, and the TCU campus area. These cases can involve overlapping insurance coverage that depends on whether the driver was logged into the app, en route to a passenger, or actively transporting one. We help injured riders, drivers, and third parties figure out which policy applies and pursue full recovery. [internal-link: rideshare-accidents]

Premises liability cases come up when a dangerous condition on someone else’s property causes an injury. That includes slip and falls at retail stores, restaurants, hotels, apartment complexes, and gas stations, plus inadequate security at bars, clubs, and parking garages, and swimming pool incidents at apartment complexes. Texas premises liability law is governed in part by Chapter 95 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code for certain property owners, along with case law that draws distinctions between invitees, licensees, and trespassers. [internal-link: premises-liability]

Construction and workplace accidents happen across Fort Worth’s massive ongoing build-out, the long-running TxDOT projects on I-35W and Loop 820, and the steady stream of warehouse and distribution center construction in the surrounding area. Industrial workplaces are a particular concern in Fort Worth given the size of the local aerospace, defense, and oil and gas sectors. Many of these cases involve violations of OSHA workplace safety standards, third-party contractor liability under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 95, and equipment manufacturer claims. [internal-link: construction-accidents]

Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) cases are a real category in Fort Worth because of NAS Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, the large defense industry presence, and the federal employees and contractors who travel local roads every day. Wrecks involving military vehicles operating off base, civilian wrecks on federal roads or installation entry points, injuries on federal property, and certain medical care claims involving federal facilities can fall under the FTCA. These claims have their own administrative procedures, deadlines, and limits on damages, and they have to be filed with the appropriate federal agency before any lawsuit can begin. We help injured clients identify when an FTCA claim is required and walk through the procedures correctly.

Dog bites can cause serious physical injuries and lasting emotional trauma. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, with hundreds of thousands needing emergency care. We help victims pursue full compensation under Texas dog bite law. [internal-link: dog-bites]

Product liability cases involve injuries caused by defective or dangerous products. That includes vehicle defects (which can sometimes be tracked through NHTSA’s recall database), defective industrial equipment, and dangerous consumer goods regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. [internal-link: product-liability]

Wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to seek compensation when a loved one is killed because of another party’s negligence or misconduct. These claims are governed by Chapter 71 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, with federal law applying when the death occurred on federal property or involved federal employees acting in the scope of employment. [internal-link: wrongful-death]

If your situation isn’t on this list, call us anyway. Personal injury law covers a lot of ground, and we’d rather hear about your case and tell you straight whether we can help.

Common Injuries in Personal Injury Cases

Accidents can cause anything from temporary pain to permanent disability. We represent clients who have suffered:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Back, neck, and whiplash injuries
  • Herniated discs and soft tissue damage
  • Internal organ damage
  • Burns and scarring
  • Amputation and loss of limbs
  • Knee, shoulder, and joint injuries
  • Cuts, lacerations, and disfigurement
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological injuries

Some injuries are obvious right away. Others, like concussions, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage, can take days or even weeks to fully show up. That’s why getting medical attention as soon as possible after an accident matters. It protects your health, and it documents your injuries early. Fort Worth has three verified Level I trauma centers. John Peter Smith Hospital at 1500 South Main Street is the 573-bed public hospital of the Tarrant County Hospital District, originally designated a Level I trauma center in 2009, and home to Tarrant County’s only psychiatric emergency center. Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth at 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue was upgraded from Level II to Level I in March 2023, becoming Tarrant County’s second adult Level I trauma facility. Cook Children’s Medical Center is the city’s pediatric Level I trauma center. Other major hospitals serving Fort Worth include Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center, Texas Health Harris Methodist Southwest, and Medical City Fort Worth.

Compensation Available in a Texas Personal Injury Case

Texas law lets injured victims recover both economic and non-economic damages. Depending on the case, punitive damages may also be available. Federal Tort Claims Act cases follow their own damages rules, which are generally narrower than Texas state law allows.

Economic Damages

These are the financial losses you can document with bills, pay stubs, and receipts:

  • Medical expenses: Past and future treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, rehab, and home care
  • Lost wages: Income you couldn’t earn while recovering
  • Loss of earning capacity: Reduced ability to earn in the future because of permanent impairments
  • Property damage: Repair or replacement of your vehicle and other damaged belongings
  • Out-of-pocket expenses: Transportation to medical appointments, home modifications, and other accident-related costs

Non-Economic Damages

These are losses that don’t come with a receipt but are just as real:

  • Pain and suffering: Physical pain caused by your injuries and their treatment
  • Mental anguish: Emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and psychological trauma
  • Disfigurement: Permanent scarring or physical changes to your appearance
  • Loss of enjoyment of life: Inability to take part in activities and hobbies you used to enjoy
  • Loss of consortium: The impact your injuries have had on your relationship with your spouse
  • Physical impairment: Limitations on your physical abilities and daily activities

In cases that involve gross negligence or intentional misconduct, you may also be entitled to exemplary (punitive) damages under Chapter 41 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. These are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct. Texas caps them in most cases at the greater of (1) two times economic damages plus non-economic damages up to $750,000, or (2) $200,000. Punitive damages are not available against the federal government in FTCA cases.

How Texas Negligence Law Works

Understanding the basics of Texas negligence law helps you understand your case. Here are the key ideas.

Proving Negligence

To win a personal injury case, you have to prove four things:

Duty of care. The defendant had a legal obligation to act reasonably to avoid causing harm. Drivers have to operate their vehicles safely. Property owners have to keep their property in safe condition. Manufacturers have to produce safe products.

Breach of duty. The defendant didn’t live up to that duty. Running a red light, texting while driving (which is prohibited statewide under Texas Transportation Code § 545.4251), or ignoring a known hazard are all examples of a breach.

Causation. The breach actually caused your injuries. There has to be a clear connection between what the defendant did wrong and the harm you suffered.

Damages. You suffered real losses as a result. That can mean medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other categories of harm.

Modified Comparative Negligence (the 51% Bar Rule)

Texas follows what’s called “modified comparative negligence,” set out in Chapter 33 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. In plain terms, you can still recover compensation if you were partially at fault for the accident, as long as your share of responsibility is 50% or less.

If you’re found partly at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you’re 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you’d recover $80,000.

If you’re found more than 50% responsible, you don’t recover anything. That’s why insurance companies work so hard to push fault onto victims. Even a few percentage points can knock you across that 51% line. Our attorneys fight to keep that from happening.

The Personal Injury Claims Process

Every case is a little different, but most personal injury claims follow a similar path.

Investigation and evidence gathering. We dig into how the accident happened. That includes police reports (Fort Worth Police Department crash reports can be requested through the Records Division at the Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex at 505 W. Felix Street, by phone at (817) 392-4160, or directly from the TxDOT C.R.I.S. portal), medical records, witness statements, photographs, and any other evidence that supports your claim. Downtown crashes near Sundance Square, the Convention Center, and Dickies Arena often involve hotel and venue security camera footage, which can be lost in days if no one preserves it.

Medical treatment documentation. We work to make sure your injuries are fully documented by medical professionals. Solid documentation is what proves the value of your damages later.

Demand and negotiation. Once we know the full extent of your damages, we send a demand to the insurance company and negotiate for fair compensation.

Filing a lawsuit. If the insurer won’t make a fair offer, we file suit. Most personal injury cases involving Tarrant County residents are filed in the Tarrant County District Courts, which are housed across several downtown facilities including the historic 1895 Tarrant County Courthouse, the Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building, the Tim Curry Justice Center (criminal), and the Family Courts Center. The Tarrant County District Clerk’s Office (Thomas A. Wilder) sits on the south side of the second floor of the Old Courthouse. Federal cases involving Tarrant County are filed in the Fort Worth Division of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, which sits at the Eldon B. Mahon U.S. Courthouse downtown.

Discovery. Both sides exchange information, take depositions, and gather more evidence under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure or the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, depending on the court.

Mediation or settlement. A lot of cases settle during litigation, often through mediation. Mediation is a structured negotiation with a neutral third party who helps both sides find common ground.

Trial. If the case doesn’t settle, we present it to a jury and ask for the verdict your case deserves.

Through all of this, we keep you in the loop. You’ll always know what’s happening and what your options are.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

After an accident, you’ll probably hear from an insurance adjuster who sounds friendly and concerned. Don’t read too much into the tone. The adjuster’s job is to keep their company from paying any more than it has to. The Texas Department of Insurance publishes consumer guides and complaint procedures if you ever feel an insurer is treating you unfairly.

Common insurance company tactics include:

  • Asking for a recorded statement they can later use against you
  • Requesting broad medical authorizations so they can dig for pre-existing conditions
  • Pushing a quick settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries
  • Disputing how serious your injuries are or claiming they aren’t related to the accident
  • Dragging things out, hoping you’ll accept less out of financial pressure
  • Trying to shift fault onto you to push you over the 51% comparative fault bar

Before you talk to any insurance company, talk to an attorney first. Once we’re involved, we handle communications with insurers for you. Trucking companies, rideshare carriers, hotel chains, and other large defendants all have dedicated claims handlers and rapid-response teams that show up at the scene of major incidents to start collecting statements and lining up favorable witnesses. The same advice applies.

Statute of Limitations: How Long You Have to File

Texas sets strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Miss that deadline and you usually lose your right to recover, period.

Some situations have different deadlines.

Federal Tort Claims Act claims against the United States, including claims involving NAS Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base personnel, federal vehicles, federal employees acting in the scope of employment, or care at a federal medical facility, generally require a written administrative claim filed with the appropriate federal agency within two years of the incident. The agency then has six months to respond before suit can be filed. The procedural rules are unforgiving and getting the claim form wrong can be fatal to the case.

Claims against government entities, like the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Trinity Metro, the Texas Department of Transportation, or any school district, typically require formal written notice within six months or less under the Texas Tort Claims Act. The City of Fort Worth charter requires notice even sooner in some cases.

Medical malpractice claims have additional procedural rules under Chapter 74 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, including a 60-day pre-suit notice requirement and an expert report requirement.

Claims involving minors may have extended deadlines under Texas tolling rules.

Don’t sit on your case waiting to see if your injuries get better. Even if you’re not ready to file a lawsuit, talking to a lawyer early makes sure you understand your deadlines.

Steps to Take After an Accident in Fort Worth

If you’ve been hurt in any kind of accident, the steps you take afterward can protect both your health and your legal rights.

  1. Get medical attention right away. Call 911 if anyone is seriously hurt. Fort Worth has three Level I trauma centers: John Peter Smith Hospital at 1500 South Main Street (the Tarrant County public hospital and the only psychiatric emergency facility in the county), Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth at 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, and Cook Children’s Medical Center for pediatric trauma. Other major hospitals include Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center, Texas Health Harris Methodist Southwest, and Medical City Fort Worth.
  2. Report the accident. If the crash happened inside Fort Worth city limits, call 911 to get an officer to the scene. The Fort Worth Police Department non-emergency line is (817) 392-4222. Crashes in unincorporated parts of Tarrant County are handled by the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Bill E. Waybourn at 200 Taylor Street, (817) 884-3099. Crashes on I-35W, I-30, I-20, and Loop 820 are sometimes worked by the Texas Department of Public Safety. If the crash happened on NAS Fort Worth JRB property or involved a military vehicle, military police and federal investigators may also respond, which makes Federal Tort Claims Act notice deadlines especially important.
  3. Document everything. Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, property damage, road conditions, and traffic signs. Note the time of day, the weather, and the direction you were traveling.
  4. Get witness information. Collect names, phone numbers, and email addresses from anyone who saw what happened. For Stockyards or downtown wrecks during a major event, witnesses may be from out of state, so get their contact information before they leave.
  5. Request your crash report. Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Reports (Form CR-3) are usually available 7 to 14 days after the wreck through the TxDOT C.R.I.S. public portal for $6 (or $8 certified). Fort Worth Police Department reports can also be requested through the Records Division at the Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex, 505 W. Felix Street, Fort Worth, TX 76115, by phone at (817) 392-4160.
  6. Keep records. Save all medical bills, prescription receipts, mileage logs to and from appointments, and pay stubs that show the work you missed.
  7. For trucking and commercial cases, act fast. These defendants typically have rapid-response teams that arrive at the scene within hours. Evidence like driver logs, ECM (engine control module) data, surveillance footage, and maintenance records can be lost or overwritten in days. A spoliation letter from your lawyer puts the company on notice to preserve that evidence.
  8. Don’t give a recorded statement. If the other driver’s insurance company asks for one, politely say no until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
  9. Don’t sign anything. Insurance companies sometimes hand over releases or settlements that look routine but quietly waive your rights. Have a lawyer look at it first.
  10. Call a personal injury attorney. The sooner you have legal representation, the better protected your case is.

How Our Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyers Help

Trying to handle a personal injury claim while you’re still recovering from a serious injury is exhausting. Our team takes the legal work off your plate so you can focus on getting better.

We investigate the accident, gather the evidence we need to prove liability and damages, and handle every conversation with the insurance companies. When a case calls for it, we bring in medical experts, accident reconstructionists, biomechanical engineers, vocational economists, and life-care planners to help build it.

We also calculate the full value of your losses, including future expenses and the kinds of non-economic damages that are easy to undercount. Then we negotiate hard for fair compensation. We also prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, because the cases that look ready for trial almost always settle for more.

If the insurance company won’t pay what your case is worth, we go to court.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Worth Personal Injury Cases

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer in Fort Worth?

Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, which means we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Our fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or verdict. If we don’t win, you don’t pay. The consultation is free.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas?

Generally two years from the date of injury under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003. Federal Tort Claims Act cases involving NAS Fort Worth JRB or other federal defendants have a two-year administrative filing deadline. Claims against the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Trinity Metro, or other government entities have notice deadlines as short as six months under the Texas Tort Claims Act, sometimes shorter under city charter. Don’t assume your deadline based on the general rule. Have an attorney confirm it.

My wreck involved a Naval Air Station Fort Worth JRB vehicle or a federal contractor. What’s different?

A lot. When the at-fault driver was a federal employee acting within the scope of employment, the wreck happened on federal property, or the case involves a federal contractor’s federal-job activity, your claim may fall under the Federal Tort Claims Act rather than ordinary Texas tort law. The FTCA requires you to file an administrative claim with the appropriate federal agency before you can file a lawsuit. Damages are capped, jury trials are not available against the United States, and certain claims (like those by active-duty service members for in-service injuries) are barred entirely under the Feres doctrine. The procedural rules are strict and a missed step can end the case before it starts. We help Fort Worth military families, defense industry workers, and federal employees walk through the process.

My crash happened on I-30 between Fort Worth and Dallas. Where do I file?

Generally either Tarrant County (where the wreck happened, if it was inside the Tarrant line) or the county where the at-fault driver lives will be a proper venue under Texas’s general venue statute. The choice can matter, because Tarrant County juries and Dallas County juries don’t always look at the same case the same way. We talk through venue strategy early in the case.

I was hit by an 18-wheeler on I-35W or Loop 820. What’s different about a truck case?

A lot. Commercial trucks are governed by federal regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that don’t apply to passenger vehicles, including hours-of-service rules, driver qualification files, drug and alcohol testing, and equipment inspection requirements. There are also typically multiple potentially responsible parties, including the driver, the trucking company, the freight broker, the shipper, and any maintenance contractor. Liability and insurance coverage in a truck case are usually much larger than in a typical car wreck, and the trucking company will have a defense team on the scene fast. We move just as fast to preserve evidence like ECM downloads, driver logs, dispatch records, and dashcam footage.

I was hurt in a workplace accident at a Lockheed Martin or Bell facility. Can I still sue?

It depends. If your direct employer carries Texas workers’ compensation insurance, your remedy against your employer is generally limited to the workers’ comp system. But Texas allows third-party liability claims against parties other than your employer, like equipment manufacturers, contractors working alongside you, premises owners under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 95, or negligent drivers. If a federal entity is involved, FTCA rules may apply. We help injured industrial workers identify every recovery avenue that’s actually available to them.

I was hurt as a tourist in the Stockyards or at a Cultural District event. Can I still sue if I don’t live in Texas?

Yes. You don’t have to be a Texas resident to bring a personal injury claim for an injury that happened in Texas. Texas courts have jurisdiction over wrecks, falls, hotel incidents, and other injuries that occur inside the state. We work with out-of-state clients regularly. Most of the case can be handled remotely, and we coordinate medical records, deposition scheduling, and other case events around your travel schedule.

I was hit by an Uber or Lyft driver downtown or near TCU. Whose insurance covers me?

It depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the wreck. If the rideshare app was off, the driver’s personal auto policy applies (and rideshare drivers often have policies that exclude coverage when driving for hire, which can leave a gap). If the app was on but the driver hadn’t accepted a ride, Uber and Lyft typically provide limited contingent coverage. If the driver had accepted a ride or had a passenger in the car, the rideshare company’s $1 million liability policy usually applies. We work through the layers and identify all available coverage.

Is Texas a no-fault state for car accidents?

No. Texas is an at-fault (or “tort”) state. The driver who caused the wreck, and that driver’s insurance company, is responsible for the damages. That’s different from no-fault states, where each driver typically files with their own insurer regardless of who caused the wreck. In Texas, fault investigation and the police crash report often shape the outcome of your case.

What is the minimum auto insurance required in Texas?

According to the Texas Department of Insurance, drivers have to carry at least 30/60/25 liability coverage. That’s $30,000 per injured person, up to $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. These minimums often aren’t enough to cover serious injuries from a freeway wreck, which is why uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage matters so much.

How long will my case take?

It depends. Some cases settle within months. Others take a year or more, especially if litigation is needed. Cases with disputed liability, severe injuries, federal defendants, or commercial trucking can take longer. We work to resolve your case as quickly as we reasonably can without rushing it past a fair result.

What if I was partially at fault for my accident?

You can still recover compensation as long as your share of fault is 50% or less. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.

Should I accept the insurance company’s settlement offer?

Not without talking to an attorney first. Initial offers are almost always far below what your case is worth. Once you sign a release, you can’t reopen the claim, even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than you thought. Have a lawyer review any offer before you sign anything.

How much is my case worth?

Every case is different. Value depends on the severity of your injuries, your past and future medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, the strength of the evidence, and the available insurance coverage. We can give you a more accurate range after we review the specifics of your case in a free consultation.

Are personal injury settlements taxable in Texas?

According to IRS Publication 4345, the part of a personal injury settlement that compensates you for physical injuries or physical sickness is generally not taxable. Portions allocated to lost wages, interest, or punitive damages can be taxable. Texas itself has no state income tax, but you should always confirm tax treatment with a CPA.

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

You may still have options. Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may apply. Other parties, like an employer if the at-fault driver was on the job, may share liability. We look at every angle for compensation, including stacking applicable policies where Texas law allows.

Where do I get my Fort Worth accident report?

You can request your crash report online through the TxDOT Crash Report Online Purchase System or in person at the Fort Worth Police Department Records Division at the Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex, 505 W. Felix Street, Fort Worth, TX 76115. The Records office can be reached at (817) 392-4160. Standard reports cost $6, with $8 for certified copies. If we represent you, we’ll handle getting the report as part of our investigation.

Helpful Fort Worth and Texas Resources

If you’ve been hurt in an accident in Fort Worth, these public resources may be useful:

Contact Our Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorneys Today

If you’ve been hurt because of someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to take on the insurance companies on your own. The Fort Worth personal injury lawyers at DJC Law have the experience and the resources to go to bat for you.

Reach out for a free consultation. We’ll listen to your story, walk you through your options, and help you figure out what to do next. There’s no obligation, and you don’t pay us anything unless we win. Hablamos español.

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