Skip to Main Content

Houston Car Accident Lawyers

Ryan Zehl - Car accident lawyer located in Houston, Texas

Were you injured in a car accident in Houston, TX? Was a negligent driver at fault for the crash? Our Undefeated Houston Car Accident Attorneys will make sure that you recover the full compensation and justice possible and receive the best medical care available. Call us today at (888) 603-3636.

Our undefeated, record-setting legal team has decades of combined legal experience. We have recovered billions, including some of the largest settlements and verdicts in state history.

Schedule a free initial consultation with one of our Texas car accident attorneys today. We are standing by to help with your specific situation and provide support.

Our Undefeated Houston Car Accident Attorneys At Zehl & Associates Set Records

Attorney Ryan Zehl in Houston car accident trial

Zehl & Associates is known for winning substantial, record-setting verdicts and settlements. We focus our practice exclusively on personal injury cases, providing us with the ability to take on the largest insurance companies and legal teams and not only win – but set records.

Our Houston personal injury lawyers have obtained billions in compensation for injured individuals and their families. We provide every one of our clients with their own legal team, immediately begin preparing their cases for court, and refuse to accept settlement offers unless they fully compensate our victims for all their specific injuries and damages.

We frequently recover seven and eight-figure verdicts in cases related to car, truck, and vehicle accidents in Texas.

Some of our most recent recoveries include:

  • $32M Settlement for clients struck by an 18-wheeler in West Texas.
  • $23.5M Settlement for wrongful death case involving a commercial vehicle.
  • $20M Settlement for a case involving a fatal truck accident.
  • $12.1M Settlement for client injured in a commercial truck accident.
  • $11M Settlement for clients injured in a bus collision.
  • $6M Settlement for a bus accident victim.

As our history of success confirms, we don’t just win – we set records and get justice. To hear what past clients have to say about their experience dealing with our firm, visit our client testimonials page here.  

Injury victims shouldn’t have to focus on dealing with the insurance company alone. If you or a loved one were injured in a car or truck accident, speak with one of our attorneys. Call us at 1-888-603-3636 to book a no-cost consultation to see how we can help secure your future, offer support, and maximize your outcome.

Table of Contents

Why Should I Hire a Houston Car Accident Lawyer?

Houston car accident law office near you
Ryan Zehl – Houston Car Accident Attorney Near You

A Houston car accident lawyer near you is your biggest asset during this challenging time.

Why? Because no matter how helpful they try to be, it is crucial to remember that the insurance company is not on your side. They will use whatever they find and everything you tell them and post on social media, along with their teams of attorneys, adjusters, and investigators, to dispute, deny, and minimize the value of your case. We’ve seen it over and over again, and we put an end to it.

You need a car accident attorney in Houston with proven results who can fight and look out for your best interests. Studies have shown that accident victims who work with a lawyer receive at least 3x more compensation for their accident claim than those who don’t use a lawyer.  

Zehl & Associates has a 100% success rate in Texas car accident cases. We have won billions against insurance companies and other large corporate defendants, arming us with years of experience and skills to recover the total compensation possible for you and your family.

We will increase the value of your case, provide you with access to the best medical care, and ensure you get the money you’re entitled to.

Reach out us to learn how our record-setting car accident law firm can help with various types of car accidents.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Houston?

How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Houston?

Most car accident attorneys in Houston work on a contingency fee basis. Under this arrangement, you do not pay any upfront fees or retainers to hire your lawyer.

Instead, you’re only responsible for paying attorney fees if your lawyer recovers a car accident injury award or verdict on your behalf. 

If your lawyer is unsuccessful, you will not owe any type of fees. Contingency fee arrangements provide you with access to the best legal representation without having to come out of pocket for the fees and expenses associated with your case.

During your inital consultation, we’ll answer most of the frequently asked questions, explain your rights, and make sure you have the information you need to decide what’s best.

Give Zehl & Associates a call to learn how we can help your Houston car accident claim and secure your future.

How Much Is My Houston Car Accident Injury Case Worth?

No two cases, incidents, or people are the same. What your particular case is worth will depend on a variety of different variables, including:

  • The cost of your medical bills and health care (past and future)
  • The income you’ve lost
  • Whether you’ve suffered diminished earning potential in the future
  • The harm you’ve experienced
  • Available insurance policy
  • Whether you share fault for the accident
  • Whether the person that caused the crash was driving a commercial or personal vehicle
How Much Is My Houston Car Accident Injury Case Worth?

The best way to get an idea of your car accident claim’s value is to consult one of our Undefeated Houston Car Accident Lawyers.

Zehl & Associates provides free consultations. We have an unparalleled track record in catastrophic car accident cases and will devote whatever is necessary to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible.

Speak with us to learn more about your options, rights, and how we can win for you.

When Should I Hire a Houston Car Accident Attorney?

Zehl & Associates car accident law firm in Houston, TX

Not every type of injury case requires help from a lawyer. For example, if your crash involves no injuries and only minor property damage (like a light scratch to the body of your vehicle), you may be able to file a claim on your own.

If you’re injured, however, it is critical to choose an experienced attorney as soon as possible after your crash. Your accident injury attorney will:

  • Navigate the personal injury claims process and ensure you don’t make mistakes early on in the legal process that could reduce the value of your case.
  • Provide you with the type of access you need to the best doctors, medical providers, and health care so that you can focus on your recovery.
  • Reconstruct the accident with our team of engineers to prove what happened and how the crash could and should have been prevented
  • Take the driver’s deposition and any other parties involved to prove that they were at fault for the crash
  • Send a demand letter to the insurance company that explains the nature and severity of your injuries, why they are liable for the crash, and how much they need to pay to avoid going to court.
  • If the insurance company refuses to offer a settlement that fully compensates you for all your injuries and losses, we’ll take the case to trial, where we remain undefeated.

We have a 100% success rate. Contact our Houston, Texas car accident attorneys to schedule your free case review.

Should I Accept an Insurance Company Settlement Offer After a Car Crash in Houston?

Should I Accept an Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer After a Car Crash in Houston?

Not without taking the time to get legal advice first. Remember that the insurance company wants to deny or settle your car accident claim for as little as possible.

As a result, their offer is, in all likelihood, much less than what your claim is actually worth.

It often takes time, multiple depositions, rounds of negotiations, and sometimes, a trial, to arrive at a settlement that fully compensates you for all of your losses, both economic and non-economic. Insurance adjusters are trained and skilled negotiators, and they will use whatever tactics available to them to limit their liability and pay you as little as possible. 

That all changes when you contact Zehl & Associates. Having successfully represented thousands of people across Houston and Texas, we understand how the insurance companies work and what it takes to not only win for our clients – but set records.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Houston?

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Houston?

The time after a car accident injury can be overwhelming. However, it is important to remain calm at the scene and avoid doing or saying anything that could damage your potential case.

After a motor vehicle accident, you should take the following actions:

  • Remain near the accident scene and move to safety. Make sure you are safe and out of the way of outcoming traffic. Check yourself for injuries and check on the people in the other vehicle if possible.
  • Call 911. State law requires drivers to report the accident to 911 if it involves injury, death, or significant property damage. When you call 911, a dispatcher will send law enforcement officers and EMS (if necessary for medical care) to the scene. A police officer will complete an investigation and accident report containing details about the crash. This police report is very important and will be used as evidence in your car wreck lawsuit.
  • Exchange contact information. Exchange contact and insurance policy information with the other driver while you wait for the investigating officers to arrive on the scene. You will also want the license plate numbers of the cars involved. You will need this information when you file your injury claim. You should also exchange contact information with any witnesses.
  • Do not accept blame for the crash or talk to the other party’s insurance company without consulting a lawyer first.
  • Seek medical attention. It is a good idea to seek prompt medical treatment in the immediate hours after your accident — even if you don’t think you are hurt. You may have injuries that don’t seem serious at first, but, if left untreated, could quickly become worse over time. You can visit the hospital in an ambulance or follow up with your healthcare provider. Seeking quick medical treatment will put you on the path to the quickest recovery and prevent insurance companies from claiming your injuries aren’t serious.
  • Contact our Undefeated Houston Car Accident Lawyers for a free case review. We’ll answer your questions, explain the process of filing a lawsuit, and provide you with the information you need to do what’s best for you and your family.

Most Common Causes of Car Accidents 

According to statistics from TxDOT, the following are the most common contributing factors of statewide motor vehicle accidents: 

Distracted and drunk driving account for some of the leading causes of deaths in Texas collisions. Read on to learn more about car accident fatalities in Houston, TX.

Is Texas an At-Fault or No-Fault State for Car Accidents?

Is Texas an At-Fault or No-Fault State for Car Accidents?

Most states have either “at-fault” or “no-fault” systems for car accidents. 

In a “no-fault” system, drivers must generally turn to their own insurance coverage for needed compensation. There are exceptions, but usually only for accidents leading to serious injuries.

Conversely, in an “at-fault” system, injured motorists can proceed with legal action against the person liable for their accident (normally, by filing a third-party insurance claim). This can be done regardless of how severe or minor the collision was.

Texas is an “at-fault” state. That means that after an accident, you have the right to pursue compensation directly from the responsible party’s insurance company. You also have the option of filing a lawsuit against them if they refuse to fully compensate you for your injuries, property damage, and financial losses.

Can I Recover Damages if I Was Partly at Fault for My Houston Car Accident?

Can I Recover Damages if I Was Partly at Fault for My Houston Car Accident?

Under the state’s modified comparative negligence law, people who share partial blame are assigned a percentage of fault.

In Texas, if you are less than 51% at fault for causing the crash, you can seek damages from the other driver (and their insurance company). Your recovery, however, will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, assume that the jury awarded you $500,000 and decides you’re 40% to blame for an auto accident. Your total damages would be reduced by 40% (or $200,000) for a net recovery of $300,000.

It is common for insurers and at-fault drivers to try to blame you for the crash, even if they can’t prove it. They do this to minimize the amount of compensation you’re able to recover from them. It’s critical to contact an experienced Houston car accident lawyer as soon after the crash as possible so that your lawyer can go to the scene, obtain all the relevant evidence, and prove exactly how the crash occurred – and why you share no fault in causing it.

Do I Have To Prove Negligence if I File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Houston?

Do I Have To Prove Negligence if I File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Houston?

Yes. All car crash lawsuits are based on negligence. A person is negligent when they violate an applicable duty of care by, for example, running a red light and end up injuring someone.

If you file a suit based on negligence, you (as the injured victim) will be the plaintiff in the case. As the plaintiff, you will have to prove the following four elements to win and recover damages:

  • Duty: the defendant owed you a duty of care (everyone must obey state and local driving laws).
  • Breach: the at-fault party failed to act reasonably and breached that duty (they ran a red light or were driving while distracted).
  • Causation: the driver’s unsafe actions were the cause of your injuries (you were t-boned at a traffic light because the other driver ran the light).
  • Damages: you were injured and, due to your injuries, incurred medical expenses and lost wages and suffered physical harm, impairment, and other physical and financial damages.

To win your case, you will need to prove each of the four elements of negligence “by a preponderance of the evidence” – which simply requires you to prove that each element is “more likely true than not true.”

Evidence that may be important for proving your negligence case include:

  • Medical records
  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Testimony from the investigating police officer
  • The Police Report
  • Expert witness testimony
  • Payroll documents from your employer
  • Pictures and video footage of the crash and damage to the vehicles

How Long Do I Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Houston?

How Long Do I Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Houston?

Texas law typically gives you two years to initiate a car accident suit, with some exceptions. The clock starts running on the date of the collision (or the date of death if you’re filing a wrongful death claim after a loved one was killed in a fatal crash).

It’s important to speak with an experienced Houston car accident attorney near you as soon as possible to file your claim before the statute of limitations expires. Important evidence, like skid marks and debris at the crash scene, disappears quickly. If you don’t immediately take steps to preserve it and put the at-fault driver on notice of your claim, the statute of limitations may run. Also, evidence will disappear over time or get destroyed, which will make it substantially more difficult to win your case.

What Types of Damages Are Available After a Car Accident in Texas?

If you have a car accident case in Houston Texas, you’re entitled to various forms of compensation, depending on the circumstances of your collision. The at-fault driver may be responsible for paying for both the financial and non-financial consequences related to your crash, which are referred to as “economic” and “non-economic” damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are financial damages that are directly related to the auto accident and your injuries, such as: 

  • Your medical bills
  • Medical care in the future
  • Medical equipment
  • Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
  • Lost income
  • Diminished earning capacity
  • Property damage to your vehicle and personal belongings

They are typically provable using receipts, a statement, and other documentation. However, calculating future medical costs and lost wages will require an expert witness, like a life care planner and economist.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are the human physical and emotional losses. These damages aren’t as easily quantifiable because they are highly unique to each person. They include:

  • Mental anguish
  • PTSD
  • Pain and suffering
  • Physical impairment or disability
  • Physical disfigurement
  • Diminished ability to work and quality of life due to your injuries

These damages account for the personal, intangible harms that continue to effect you after an auto accident.

How Do Courts in Texas Evaluate Pain and Suffering Damages?

Pain and suffering damages are an important component of what you can be awarded for your case and one of the major categories of non-economic damages

Because non-economic damages are unique to each person, Texas courts are not required to use any particular method for evaluating them. In general, most will likely utilize one of the following two methods:

  • Multiplier Method: With this framework, the court will select a multiplier between 1.5 and up to 25, based on the severity of your injuries. From there, the court will multiply your economic damages number by the chosen figure. 
  • Per Diem (Per Day) Method: Under this approach, a dollar value is selected to represent the pain experienced on an average day, minute, or second. From there, this amount is multiplied by the total number of days, minutes, or seconds that you’ve experienced pain and will continue to be in pain in the future.

Punitive Damages

A Texas court may also decide that punitive (or exemplary) damages are warranted in your case. These serve to punish the defendant for particularly malicious or grossly negligent conduct (such as drunk driving, texting, or driving double the speed limit).

Zehl & Associates will always pursue full compensation for each element of damage and loss. It’s why we have recovered billions and our firm continues to obtain record-setting verdicts and settlements.

Contact our car crash attorneys near you today. Billions won for car accident victims across Texas.

Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle

Zehl & Associates has successfully represented accident victims in connection with car, bus, and truck accidents across Houston and the State of Texas.

Some of the cases we regularly deal with include:

Rollover Car Accidents

A rollover accident often involves SUVs, trucks, and other top-heavy vehicles. Our Houston rollover crash lawyers will deploy our team of engineers and safety experts to inspect the vehicles and the scene to determine who’s responsible for your damages, whether it’s another driver or the manufacturer of a defectively designed automobile.

Rear-End Car Accidents

Rear-end accidents have the potential to cause severe injuries, especially when high speeds are involved. Most times, these dangerous wrecks result from tailgating, distracted driving, or unsafe speeds. Our Houston rear-end crash lawyers can help you hold the at-fault driver accountable for your crash.

Fatal Car Accidents

A fatal car crash causes a lifetime of grief, emotional trauma, and financial strain for family members and loved ones. A lawsuit is often the only way to hold the at-fault person accountable and ensure that your family has the financial resources to carry on in your loved one’s absence.

With the largest wrongful death recoveries in history, Zehl & Associates has the experience to ensure that the wrongdoer is held responsible and that you and your family are financially secure for the rest of your lives.

Head-On Car Accidents

Whether on a freeway or a residential street, people involved in head-on crashes have often sustained permanent, catastrophic injuries with life-altering effects. If someone else caused your accident, our Houston head-on crash lawyers will hold them accountable for the full extent of your damages.

Highway Accidents

Many dangerous highways and freeways cross through the city of Houston, including I-10, I-45, and US-290. Accidents on these and other high-speed roads can lead to devastating destruction and harm. Our Houston highway crash lawyers will investigate your collision, find evidence, prove the other driver’s fault, and make sure you are fully compensated for all your injuries and losses.

We also deal with all types of auto accident cases:

  • Self-driving car accidents
  • Houston intersection collisions
  • Houston left-turn car accidents
  • Red and yellow light accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Houston parking lot accidents
  • Uninsured motorist accidents
  • Houston seatbelt injuries
  • Single automobile accidents
  • Houston lane change crashes
  • Houston hit and runs accidents
  • Frontal collisions

Will My Car Crash Case Go To Trial?

Will My Houston Car Accident Case Go To Trial?

Many car crash cases are settled in mediation. However, if the insurance company refuses to fully compensate you for all your injuries and financial losses, we won’t hesitate to take your case to trial, where our team remains undefeated.

When the insurance company sees that Zehl & Associates is involved, they are going to take your case more seriously, because they know that we regularly go to trial – and not only win, but set records. 

Contact our Houston car accident attorneys near you for a Free Consultation. Billions won for car accident victims across Texas.

Who Could Be Liable for My Injuries Resulting From a Car Wreck?

In Texas, any party who causes your injuries resulting from a car crash can be held accountable for the resulting financial fallout.

The following parties could be named as defendants in your case: 

  • Drivers
  • A Passenger
  • Bicyclists
  • Pedestrians 
  • Employers of negligent drivers 
  • Transit companies 
  • Trucking companies 
  • City or state governmental agencies
  • Motorcyclists 

Common Car Accident Injuries

Common Car Accident Injuries in Houston

All types of car accidents, including hit and runs and sideswipes, can have devastating long term consequences, including life-altering injuries for pedestrians, motorists, cyclists, and passengers. 

The most common types of injuries include the following: 

  • Broken bone or bones 
  • Whiplash 
  • Head and neck injuries 
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Brain injuries 
  • Lacerations 
  • Burn injuries
  • Chest injuries
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Organ damage
  • Amputation
  • Internal bleeding

If you are involved in a car wreck in or around Houston, seek medical care immediately. Doing so can help prevent your condition from worsening, avoid long term issues, and help with a subsequent accident injury claim.  

Our law office has years of experience handling all types of claims involving all kinds of injuries. We have won hundreds of record-setting verdicts and settlements for catastrophic injury cases. If you’ve been injured in a car crash, contact us for help.

Contact Our Undefeated Houston Car Accident Lawyers Near You Today for a Free Consultation

Contact Our car accident attorneys in Houston

If you or a loved one were injured in a Houston car accident, you deserve to be compensated. You also deserve top-notch legal representation that can help you recover the maximum compensation possible.

Our undefeated Houston car accident lawyers have recovered billions of dollars in compensation, including the #1 largest accident verdicts and settlements in Texas.

All consultations are free, and because we work on a contingent fee, we only get paid if we secure compensation for you.

Contact us today by reaching out online or giving us a call at (888) 603-3636.

What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I’m so very grateful for the help of Zehl and Associates! Ashley, Vanessa and and Attorney Justin Warner were all very caring, compassionate and professional in every conversation I had with them. I HIGHLY recommend Zehl and Associates to anyone involved in a car accident.

Carlos Crespin – March 2024

Read more of our Google Reviews.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/cyUsut35bao8Fdhz5

Areas We Serve In Houston, TX

NorthsideIndependence HeightsCentral NorthwestGreater Fifth WardEast DowntownCentral Business DistrictSouth Central HoustonGreater OST/South UnionSouthwest HoustonSpring Branch EastThe Memorial VillagesBriarforestChinatownMission BendEnergy CorridorNorthwest HoustonAcres HomesAldineEast AldineEast HoustonJacinto CityGaleana ParkDeer ParkSoutheast HoustonSouth ParkGreater Hobby AreaHyde ParkFourth WardRice MilitaryBellaireSouth MainSecond WardMagnolia ParkPearlandFriendswoodLeague CityDickinsonLa MarqueTexas CityHumbleShady AcresJersey VillagePasadena.

Local Auto Repair Shops

  • Uptown Car Care Center – 5215 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77056
  • Chimney Rock Car Care – 2839 Chimney Rock Rd, Houston, TX 77056
  • Memorial Car Care Center – 8605 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77024
  • Houston Mobile Mechanic & Diesel Repair – 2404 Yorktown St, Houston, TX 77056
  • Sal’s Auto Repair – 5704 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057

Houston Car Crash Resources

Texas Auto Accident Resources and Information

Latest Blog Posts

Car Accident Infographic