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McKinney Personal Injury Lawyers

Collin County reported 67 fatal crashes and 73 traffic deaths in 2024, along with another 319 wrecks that left people seriously injured, according to the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System (CRIS). The county logged 15,348 reportable crashes overall.

McKinney is the county seat of Collin County and one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau ranked McKinney the fourth-fastest-growing large city in the country between 2010 and 2019, and the city has more than doubled in population since 2004, climbing from about 86,000 people then to roughly 215,000 today. McKinney’s identity is anchored by a preserved historic Town Square that draws visitors from across north Texas, a diverse residential base built around top-rated schools, and a regional medical and corporate corridor along US 75. As county seat, McKinney is also where the Collin County Courthouse, the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, the county jail, and the Collin County District Clerk all physically sit.

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 Collin County, knows the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building on Bloomdale Road, and isn’t afraid to push back when an insurer won’t pay what your case is worth.

At DJC Law, our McKinney personal injury lawyers help accident victims and their families recover after serious injuries. If you were hurt in a wreck on US 75 (Central Expressway) or US 380, hit by a commercial truck on SH 121 (Sam Rayburn Tollway), struck while crossing Eldorado Parkway or Virginia Parkway, injured downtown around the Town Square, 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 McKinney, you may also be dealing with a national trucking carrier moving freight along US 75, US 380, or SH 121, a regional retail or hospitality company, a construction firm working on the constant new development across north Collin County, or a property management firm with its own in-house legal department. 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

McKinney has grown more diverse year over year. Hispanic residents now make up roughly 17% of the city, and about one in five McKinney residents 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.

Hometown Advantage at the Collin County Courthouse

McKinney is the county seat of Collin County, which means most personal injury cases filed in Collin County are heard right here, at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building on Bloomdale Road. We know the courthouse, we know the local civil rules, and we know the judges who hear these cases. We also know the federal courts in the Sherman Division of the Eastern District of Texas, which holds court in both Sherman (about 30 minutes north of McKinney) and Plano (about 20 minutes south).

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 Collin County jury.

Local Knowledge, Local Commitment

From the historic Town Square out to the US 75 corridor, from the SH 121 corporate frontage to the rural farm-to-market roads connecting McKinney to Anna, Melissa, Princeton, Prosper, and Celina, we work cases here regularly. We know the dangerous intersections. We know the trauma centers. We know how to put a case together in front of a Collin County jury.

Personal Injury in McKinney: By the Numbers

McKinney has roughly 215,000 residents and is the 15th-largest city in Texas, sitting entirely within Collin County. According to the Texas Department of Transportation and other public sources:

    • Collin County reported 67 fatal crashes and 73 traffic fatalities in 2024, along with 319 suspected serious injury crashes that left 375 people seriously hurt. The county logged 15,348 reportable crashes overall.
    • The U.S. Census Bureau ranked McKinney the fourth-fastest-growing large city in the country between 2010 and 2019. The city’s population has more than doubled since 2004, jumping from about 86,000 to roughly 215,000.
    • About 17% of McKinney residents are Hispanic, around 14% are Asian-American, and roughly 12% are Black. About 19% of residents were born outside the United States, a figure that has been rising year over year.
    • McKinney’s median household income is approximately $124,000, well above the state and national averages.
    • McKinney is the home of the Collin County Courthouse, the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, the Collin County Detention Facility, and the Collin County District Clerk. Personal injury cases for residents of McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Allen, Wylie, Prosper, Celina, Anna, Melissa, Princeton, and the rest of Collin County are filed and heard here.
    • McKinney has two Level II Trauma Centers inside city limits. Medical City McKinney is a 311-bed acute care hospital with a 37-bed emergency department, the first hospital in northern Collin County designated a Level II Trauma Center by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – McKinney, a 192-bed hospital that opened in 2012, earned its own Level II Trauma Center designation in March 2023, becoming one of only 26 Level II major trauma facilities in Texas. Methodist McKinney Hospital, a smaller specialty hospital, also operates in the city.
    • Major McKinney employers include Raytheon Texas, Tyler Technologies, Encore Wire, SRS Distribution, Globe Life, Independent Financial, and a deep base of healthcare, education, and municipal employers tied to county government.
    • McKinney National Airport (TKI), a city-owned general aviation airport on the east side of the city, is in the middle of a major expansion. Avelo Airlines signed a five-year Use and Lease Agreement in December 2025 to become the airport’s first commercial passenger carrier, with a four-gate terminal scheduled to open in late 2026. The airport is projected to start with about 200,000 passengers per year.

Dangerous Roads and Locations in McKinney

If your wreck happened on one of these corridors, you’re not alone. They show up in TxDOT crash data, McKinney Police Department reports, and the city’s traffic safety reviews year after year:

    • U.S. 75 (Central Expressway): The major north-south spine through McKinney, connecting Plano and Dallas to the south with Anna, Melissa, and Sherman to the north. US 75 is one of the highest-volume freeways in north Texas and a known fatal-crash corridor through Collin County. Recurring hotspots include the US 75 / Eldorado Parkway interchange, US 75 / Virginia Parkway, US 75 / Wilmeth Road, and US 75 / FM 543. Heavy commuter traffic, dense trucking, and ongoing construction zones produce hundreds of crashes a year through McKinney alone.
    • U.S. 380 (University Drive): The east-west corridor across north McKinney. US 380 is the most contested highway in the county. The North Central Texas Council of Governments has been studying a US 380 bypass for years, and city resolutions have repeatedly opposed widen-in-place options because the existing US 380 cannot keep up with current and projected traffic. The US 75 / US 380 intersection in McKinney is one of the most crash-prone interchanges in Collin County. East of US 75, US 380 carries commuter, freight, and rural traffic out toward Princeton, Farmersville, and Greenville.
    • SH 121 (Sam Rayburn Tollway): The east-west tollway that clips the southern edge of McKinney before continuing to Plano, Allen, and DFW International Airport. Heavy freight traffic, frequent lane changes near major interchanges, and the speed differential between toll lanes and frontage roads produce regular wrecks. A proposed SH 121 extension northeast from US 75 in McKinney to US 380 in Princeton has been studied as a future six-lane freeway to relieve US 75 congestion.
    • SH 5 (McDonald Street / Greenville Road): The historic north-south arterial running parallel to US 75, lined with older businesses, residential frontage, and pedestrian activity through downtown McKinney and out toward Anna and Melissa.
    • Virginia Parkway: A major east-west arterial connecting US 75 to the western neighborhoods around Stonebridge Ranch. Virginia Parkway shows up regularly in McKinney Police Department crash reports.
    • Eldorado Parkway: A heavily traveled east-west corridor crossing the city. Eldorado Parkway carries commuter, school, and retail traffic through some of the most populated parts of McKinney.
    • Custer Road: A major north-south arterial running from Plano up through west McKinney, then continuing into the rapidly developing areas around Prosper. Custer Road has been called out in local crash analyses as a recurring hotspot for fatal crashes.
    • Stonebridge Drive, Lake Forest Drive, Ridge Road, and Hardin Boulevard: Major arterials running through the western and northern residential areas of McKinney. All show up in city crash data, particularly during morning and afternoon school commutes.
    • The historic Town Square and downtown McKinney: The Town Square brings tourists, restaurant traffic, festival attendees, and pedestrians into a compact downtown grid that wasn’t designed for the volume it now carries. McKinney hosts large downtown events throughout the year, including Krewe of Barkus, Arts in Bloom, the McKinney International Festival, and seasonal Christmas activities. Pedestrian and parking-lot incidents pick up around these events.
    • FM 546, FM 543, FM 1827, and other rural farm-to-market roads: The rural roads connecting McKinney to Anna, Melissa, Princeton, Celina, and Prosper carry more traffic than they were designed for. Two-lane roads with limited shoulders, deep drainage ditches, and minimal lighting produce a disproportionate share of fatal head-on and run-off-road wrecks in north Collin County.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

Our McKinney 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 McKinney. Distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, and fatigue cause thousands of crashes in Collin 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 regular part of our practice. The DFW Metroplex is one of the largest logistics and distribution hubs in the country, and the US 75, US 380, and SH 121 corridors through McKinney carry significant 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 concern in McKinney, particularly around the historic Town Square, the major event corridors downtown, the wide arterials like Eldorado Parkway and Virginia Parkway, and the residential streets near McKinney ISD schools. 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 school buses, charter buses, and tour operators, come with their own complications. McKinney ISD covers about two-thirds of the city, with the remaining third served by Frisco ISD, Prosper ISD, Allen ISD, Melissa ISD, Lovejoy ISD, and Celina ISD. Public school district 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 the historic Town Square, the entertainment districts off US 75, and the corporate corridor along SH 121. 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. McKinney’s mix of historic downtown properties (some of them more than a century old), modern retail along US 75 and SH 121, and high-density multifamily inventory all generate steady premises liability claims. 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 McKinney’s constant new development. The expansion at McKinney National Airport, the ongoing US 380 corridor work, the new master-planned communities filling the western and northern parts of the city, and the continuing build-out around the Sam Rayburn Tollway all generate construction injuries. 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]

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. [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:

    • 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. McKinney has unusually strong trauma capacity for a suburban city. Medical City McKinney is a 311-bed acute care hospital and a Level II Trauma Center, the first one designated in northern Collin County. Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – McKinney earned its own Level II Trauma Center designation in March 2023. Methodist McKinney Hospital, a smaller specialty hospital, also operates in the city. Patients with the most severe traumatic injuries may be transported to Medical City Plano, the only Level I trauma center in Collin County, about 20 minutes south.

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.

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.

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 (McKinney Police Department crash reports can be requested through the records process at the police headquarters at 2200 Taylor Burk Drive, by phone, or directly from the TxDOT C.R.I.S. portal), medical records, witness statements, photographs, and any other evidence that supports your claim. Crashes on the Sam Rayburn Tollway often involve North Texas Tollway Authority camera footage, which can be lost in days if no one preserves it. Wrecks downtown around the historic Town Square may have private security camera coverage from venue operators or surrounding retailers, which has its own short retention windows.

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 McKinney residents are filed right here in town, in the Collin County District Courts at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building, 2100 Bloomdale Road, McKinney, TX 75071. The Collin County District Clerk’s Office (Mike Gould) handles civil filings, with eFiling through the statewide eFileTexas system. Federal cases involving McKinney residents are filed in the Sherman Division of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, which holds court in both Sherman (about 30 minutes north) and Plano (about 20 minutes south).

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.

Claims against government entities, like the City of McKinney, Collin County, the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), the Texas Department of Transportation, McKinney ISD, or any of the other school districts that serve parts of the city, typically require formal written notice within six months or less under the Texas Tort Claims Act. The City of McKinney charter and certain interlocal agreements can require 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 McKinney

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. McKinney has two Level II Trauma Centers in city limits: Medical City McKinney, with a 37-bed emergency department on its main campus, and Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – McKinney. Patients with the most severe traumatic injuries are typically transferred to Medical City Plano, the only Level I trauma center in Collin County.
    2. Report the accident. If the crash happened inside McKinney city limits, call 911 to get an officer to the scene. The McKinney Police Department non-emergency line is (972) 547-2700. Crashes in unincorporated parts of Collin County are handled by the Collin County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Jim Skinner at 4300 Community Avenue, McKinney, (972) 547-5100. Crashes on US 75, US 380, and SH 121 are sometimes worked by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
    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. Crashes near the historic Town Square or during downtown events often have out-of-area witnesses, 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). McKinney Police Department reports can also be requested through the city at 2200 Taylor Burk Drive, McKinney, TX 75071.
    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. NTTA toll camera footage on the Sam Rayburn Tollway is also subject to retention limits.
    8. For rural-road wrecks, secure the scene quickly. Crashes on FM 543, FM 546, FM 1827, and other county-maintained farm-to-market roads connecting McKinney to Anna, Melissa, Princeton, Celina, and Prosper often involve limited witnesses, no nearby cameras, and physical evidence that won’t last long after the next rain. Photograph everything before the scene gets cleared.
    9. 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.
    10. 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.
    11. Call a personal injury attorney. The sooner you have legal representation, the better protected your case is.

How Our McKinney 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 McKinney Personal Injury Cases

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

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. Claims against the City of McKinney, Collin County, the North Texas Tollway Authority, McKinney ISD, 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 happened at the US 75 and US 380 intersection. Why does that matter?

The US 75 / US 380 intersection in McKinney has been studied for years as one of the most congested and crash-prone interchanges in Collin County. Local officials have actively pursued a US 380 bypass and a possible SH 121 extension to relieve it. Wrecks at this intersection often involve multiple vehicles, high speeds, and chain-reaction collisions, which means more potentially responsible parties and more available insurance coverage. Establishing fault when several vehicles are involved takes a careful reconstruction, including TxDOT camera footage and eyewitness accounts. We move quickly to lock those down.

My wreck happened on a rural farm-to-market road in north Collin County. Is that case any different?

It can be. Rural roads in north Collin County (FM 546, FM 543, FM 1827, FM 455, and others) carry significantly more traffic than they were originally designed for. Two-lane roadways, limited shoulders, deep ditches, no street lighting, and obstructed sightlines from agricultural land contribute to disproportionately serious wrecks. There’s also less surveillance camera coverage, fewer witnesses, and less police presence than in the city. We work with accident reconstruction experts to use physical evidence, vehicle damage patterns, and ECM downloads to rebuild what happened.

My crash happened in McKinney but the at-fault driver lives in Frisco (or Plano, or Allen, or Anna). Where do I file?

Generally either the county where the wreck happened or the county where the at-fault driver lives will be a proper venue under Texas’s general venue statute. The at-fault driver in your case may live in any of the rapidly growing cities around McKinney, including Frisco, Plano, Allen, Wylie, Prosper, Celina, Anna, or Melissa. Most of these cities sit entirely in Collin County, which means cases stay here in McKinney at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building. We talk through venue strategy early in the case.

I was hit by an 18-wheeler on US 75 or US 380. 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 injured at a downtown McKinney event. Can I sue the city or the event organizer?

It depends on the facts. The City of McKinney puts on or hosts a number of major events around the historic Town Square each year, including Krewe of Barkus, Arts in Bloom, the McKinney International Festival, and seasonal Christmas activities. Claims against the city itself face Texas Tort Claims Act limitations, including notice deadlines as short as six months and damage caps. Claims against private event organizers, vendors, security contractors, food and beverage operators, and surrounding property owners aren’t subject to the same governmental immunity rules. The right defendant depends on what specifically caused your injury. Get a lawyer involved as soon as possible to make sure the right notices go out before deadlines run.

I was hit by an Uber or Lyft driver near the Town Square or downtown McKinney. 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 or tollway 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, or commercial defendants generally 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 McKinney accident report?

You can request your crash report online through the TxDOT Crash Report Online Purchase System or through the McKinney Police Department at 2200 Taylor Burk Drive, McKinney, TX 75071. 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 McKinney and Texas Resources

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

    • Medical City Plano. The only Level I trauma center in Collin County, about 20 minutes south of McKinney, where the most severely injured patients are typically transferred.

Contact Our McKinney 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 McKinney 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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