Personal Injury Lawyer Dallas

Hurt in a crash or fall in Dallas? This mobile-friendly local guide points you to official Dallas and Texas resources—what to do in the first 24 hours, where cases are filed, how to get your police report, nearby hospitals and the City Auto Pound, typical deadlines and fees, and practical FAQs. It’s plain English, not legal advice.

First 24 Hours in Dallas

Safety & Medical

Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies. If injuries seem minor, get checked anyway—adrenaline can hide symptoms. Urgent care can work for minor, stable injuries; emergency rooms are best for head/neck trauma, severe pain, heavy bleeding, trouble breathing, fractures, or anytime you’re unsure. For non-emergency police assistance in Dallas (not in progress), call 214-744-4444. For general city services after the fact, use Dallas 311.

Evidence Checklist

  • Photograph vehicles, plates/VINs, damage, debris, skid marks, fluids, the intersection, signals, weather, and your visible injuries.
  • Exchange driver’s license and insurance information; note the other vehicle’s VIN if safe.
  • Get witness names and mobile numbers. Ask nearby businesses about exterior cameras; save dashcam clips immediately.
  • Write down the officer’s name/ID and the service/case number.
  • Back up photos/videos to cloud/email; avoid posting details publicly. Keep damaged items (helmet, clothing, child seat). Delay car repairs until documented.
  • Start a simple symptom and missed-work log in your notes app.

Reporting an Accident

If police respond, ask for the service number. Dallas allows online reporting for certain non-emergencies via the Dallas Online Reporting System (DORS). Still call 911 for crashes with injuries, road blockages, or suspected impairment. Texas no longer accepts the driver “blue form” self-report to TxDOT; officer reports are filed by law enforcement. To purchase an official crash report once available, use TxDOT’s CRIS portal.

Where Cases Happen Here (Courts & Venues)

Most Dallas personal-injury lawsuits are filed in Dallas County’s civil trial courts:

Venue basics: Cases are usually filed in the county where the crash happened or where a defendant resides. Attorneys must e-file; self-represented people can use eFileTexas or the guided Self-Help tools.

How to Get Your Police Report in Dallas

Which agency? If Dallas Police investigated, request through DPD’s Records Section. If the Dallas County Sheriff investigated (unincorporated areas), follow the Sheriff’s process. For most Texas crashes investigated by any agency, you can purchase the officer’s report from TxDOT.

  1. Dallas Police Department (DPD) — Request in person/by mail. Have the service number, names, date, or location. Typical availability: about 5–7 business days. Fee: $6. Info: DPD Records & Reports
  2. Dallas County Sheriff’s Department — For Sheriff-handled crashes. Info: Sheriff Accident Reports
  3. TxDOT CRIS (statewide) — Buy crash reports online: $6 regular, $8 certified. Reports often post within 7–10 days. Order via TxDOT Crash Reports

Tip: Keep your email confirmation and download promptly—many portals expire links within a short window.

Hospitals & Clinics Near Dallas

Reputable options locals use after accidents (call 911 for true emergencies):

High-Risk Areas & Local Crash Patterns

Dallas’ Vision Zero “High Injury Network” (HIN) pinpoints corridors where severe crashes cluster. Use extra caution along parts of Buckner Blvd/Loop 12 (near Great Trinity Forest Way/Forney Rd), Northwest Hwy (SH-12), Harry Hines Blvd, Second Ave/MLK Jr. Blvd, and freeway interchanges around downtown (I-35E/I-30 “Mixmaster”) and I-635. Expect sudden stops during summer storms and rare winter ice.

Explore local data: Dallas Crash Data Dashboard • Vision Zero Action Plan (PDF)

Deadlines (Plain-English Overview)

  • General personal injury: usually 2 years from the injury (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003).
  • Medical malpractice: generally 2 years (with a 10-year statute of repose and special rules for course-of-treatment). See §74.251.
  • Claims against government entities: written notice typically due within 6 months (some local charters require earlier notice). See §101.101.
  • Minors/discovery rule: certain exceptions can change timelines.

Important: Deadlines are strict and fact-specific. Talk to a Texas-licensed attorney about your exact dates and documents.

Costs & Fees (How It Typically Works)

Most Dallas personal-injury firms use a contingency fee—the attorney’s fee is a percentage of the recovery and is paid only if the case settles or wins at trial. Case costs (records, experts, filing fees, depositions, mediators, exhibits) are separate; many firms advance them and are reimbursed from the recovery. Ask for a written agreement that states the percentage at each stage (pre-suit, litigation, trial), how costs are handled, and what happens if you change firms or there’s no recovery.

Towing & Vehicle Storage in Dallas

Many police-ordered tows in Dallas go to the City’s Auto Pound at 1955 Vilbig Rd. To retrieve a vehicle, bring government photo ID, proof of ownership/registration, and proof of insurance. Confirm hours, fees, and accepted payment types before you go; vehicles generally release 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily. If your car was towed from a highway/toll road, also contact the investigating agency or the towing operator listed on your roadside receipt.

Links: Dallas Police Auto Pound — General Info • Phone: 214-670-5116

Working With a Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer

  • Communication: Expect updates via phone/email/text or a client portal. Ask about response times and your main point of contact.
  • Access: Many firms offer bilingual staff (Spanish common), virtual consults, and home/hospital visits when mobility is an issue.
  • Medical coordination: Firms help request records/bills, schedule follow-ups, and address liens/subrogation at settlement so more money stays with you.
  • Insurance calls: Cooperate with your own insurer; be cautious about recorded statements to other insurers until you understand your rights.

FAQs

1) Do you offer free consultations? How soon can I speak with an attorney?

Most Dallas injury firms offer free, no-obligation consultations. After a quick intake, many can connect you with an attorney the same day—especially for serious injuries or hospitalizations. If you’re at the ER or Auto Pound, say so; firms often arrange urgent calls or video meetings. Bring the police service number, insurance details, and photos so the conversation is productive.

2) How do contingency fees and case costs usually work in Texas?

The attorney’s fee is a percentage of the recovery, paid at the end. If there’s no recovery, you generally owe no fee. Case costs (records, experts, filing, depositions) are separate—some firms advance them. Ask whether the fee changes if a lawsuit is filed or a trial starts, and when costs are deducted (before or after the fee calculation).

3) How long do most cases take in Dallas and what affects the timeline?

Simple claims can settle in a few months once treatment stabilizes and records are in. Lawsuits often take a year or more. Timing depends on medical recovery, disputed liability, insurance limits, court schedules, and whether experts are needed. Dallas County civil dockets are busy; early mediation and organized documentation can help.

4) Should I give the insurance company a recorded statement?

Be cautious. You must cooperate with your own insurer, but you don’t have to give a recorded statement to another driver’s insurer before you understand your rights. It’s reasonable to request time to review the police report and speak with counsel first.

5) What if I was partly at fault under Texas law?

Texas uses proportionate responsibility. If you’re more than 50% at fault, you can’t recover; if 50% or less, any award can be reduced by your percentage. Fault is fact-specific—photos, witnesses, vehicle data, scene measurements, and roadway design can matter.

6) How are medical bills handled during the case?

You remain responsible for your bills as they come due. Options include health insurance, PIP/MedPay, hospital/provider liens, or letters of protection (where appropriate). At settlement, liens and subrogation are typically resolved from the recovery. Keep every bill and Explanation of Benefits.

7) Will my case go to trial or settle?

Most cases settle, but some require litigation or trial—especially when fault or injuries are disputed. Your lawyer may file suit in the Dallas County civil courts and engage in discovery and mediation. Many lawsuits still settle before trial.

8) What should I bring to the first meeting?

Police service number or crash report, driver/insurance info, photos/videos, witness contacts, medical records and discharge papers, a list of providers, work-absence documentation, and any towing/impound receipts. A short, dated symptom timeline helps your lawyer spot key issues and deadlines.

Printable Checklist — What To Do After an Accident in Dallas

  • Move to safety; call 911 if anyone is hurt or lanes are blocked.
  • Get medical care now; tell providers every area that hurts.
  • Exchange info and photograph vehicles, plates, injuries, scene, and skid marks.
  • Gather witness names and mobile numbers.
  • Look for nearby cameras (stores, homes, dashcams, traffic cams).
  • Request the police service/report number; set a reminder to obtain the report.
  • Preserve evidence (keep damaged items; delay repairs until documented).
  • Notify your insurer; avoid recorded statements to others until you understand your rights.
  • Track symptoms, missed work, mileage, and expenses in one place.
  • Consider a consult with a Dallas attorney about timelines and options.

Local Links & Resources

Sources

General information only, not legal advice. Laws change and vary. Talk to a licensed attorney about your situation.