After a car accident, you’re more vulnerable than ever, with medical bills piling up and a long road to recovery. The insurance companies are counting on this vulnerability, hoping that you’ll accept pennies on the dollar of what you truly deserve. An experienced Houston car accident lawyer can help protect you from predatory insurance practices.
At Thiessen Law Firm, we didn’t build our reputation by backing down from fights. Our personal injury practice has recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements since opening our doors in 2011.
Our Houston personal injury lawyers bring the same aggressive, results-driven approach to every case. Contact us today to schedule a free case review.
What Sets Our Houston Car Accident Lawyers Apart?
Not all car accident lawyers are the same. Some treat personal injury cases like assembly lines, churning through settlements as quickly as possible without fighting for maximum compensation. Others lack the trial experience to actually take your case to court when insurance companies refuse to play fair.
That approach might work fine when you have a simple case with a cooperative insurance company, but when you’re up against corporate giants with unlimited resources, you’ll want to work with an attorney who won’t just negotiate, but dominate.
Here’s what sets Thiessen Law Firm apart:
| We’re built for battle. |
| Our attorneys have spent decades in courtrooms across Texas, securing major victories in high-stakes litigation. We’re not lawyers chasing settlements who fold when insurance companies play hardball. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, and insurance adjusters know it. |
| We have insider knowledge. |
| Our team members spent years working inside the insurance industry, learning exactly how major carriers evaluate serious injury claims, minimize payouts, and pressure accident victims into accepting less than they deserve. Now we use that insider knowledge to dismantle their tactics and maximize results for our clients. |
| We’ve won millions for our clients. |
| From wrongful death cases to complex trucking accidents, we’ve secured financial compensation up to policy limits for injured Texans who needed someone to stand up to corporate America. Our track record speaks for itself. |
| We’re available 24/7. |
| Accidents don’t happen on a convenient schedule, and neither does the insurance company’s pressure campaign. When you work with Thiessen Law Firm, you’ll get direct access to your legal team whenever you need us, not just during business hours. |
The stakes in car accident cases are higher than most people realize. Beyond immediate medical bills, you’re facing potential long-term disability, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and pain that might never fully go away.
Accepting the insurance company’s first offer, or worse, trying to handle the claim yourself, can mean leaving an untold amount of money on the table.
For a free legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Houston, call (713) 864-9000
How We Fight Insurance Adjusters to Get What You Deserve
Insurance adjusters aren’t your friends, no matter how sympathetic they sound on the phone. Their job is to save their company money, and they’re trained in tactics designed to minimize your settlement or deny your claim entirely.
Insurance adjusters often call injury victims while they are still in pain and confused. Their aim is to take advantage of your vulnerable state to lock you into statements that hurt your case or pressure you into a quick settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
Here’s how Thiessen Law Firm levels the playing field:
- We take over all communication immediately: Once you hire us, the calls stop coming to you. Insurance adjusters can’t contact you directly and must instead go through us. This protects you from making statements that could be used against you and makes sure every interaction is handled by someone who knows the law inside and out.
- We look past the police report: Insurers rely on police reports and their own adjusters’ findings to lowball insurance claims. We’ll conduct an independent investigation, working with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and other specialists to build a case that proves the full extent of your damages and the other party’s liability.
- We document everything that matters: From medical records and wage loss statements to expert testimony and demonstrative evidence, we’ll build a case file that leaves no room for insurance companies to downplay your injuries or shift blame. When we demand policy limits, we back it up with evidence they can’t refute.
- We fight for full compensation, not quick settlements: Insurance companies count on accident victims being desperate for money and willing to settle fast. We’ll ensure the full value of your claim is known, including future medical expenses and long-term impacts on your quality of life. If they won’t pay fair value, we’ll take them to court.
In our experience, insurance companies are much more willing to pay when they’re facing attorneys with trial experience and a reputation for winning. They know we have a reputation for securing policy limits for clients fast, and they know we’re prepared to take cases all the way to verdict if necessary.
That reputation opens doors and gets our clients results that other firms can’t deliver. If the insurance company unfairly denies your claim, we can help you sue to get the money you need and deserve.
Houston Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (713) 864-9000
Proving Negligence After a Car Accident in Houston
When filing a personal injury lawsuit after suffering damages in a car accident in Houston, you will likely need to prove that the liable party acted negligently. To prove negligence, you must establish the presence of four elements:
Duty of Care
The first thing you need to demonstrate is that the liable party owed you a duty of care to protect your safety.
Establishing the existence of a duty of care is often straightforward in auto accident cases, as all drivers owe a duty of care to everyone else on the road to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner.
Breach of Duty
The next step is showing that the at-fault party breached their duty of care.
When pursuing a claim against a negligent driver after an auto accident, you may be able to establish a breach of duty by showing that they were driving under the influence, speeding, texting while driving, or otherwise operating their vehicle in an unsafe manner.
Causation
The next step is showing how all the dots connect. An experienced car accident attorney serving Houston can help demonstrate how the damages you sustained were the direct result of the liable party breaching the duty of care that they owed to you.
Damages
Lastly, you will need to prove that you incurred damages as a result of your motor vehicle accident. Your repair bills and medical bills are typically enough to establish that you suffered damages.
Click to contact our Personal Injury Lawyers in Houston today
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?
What may seem like a minor accident often results in significant injuries and complications that don’t become apparent until days or weeks later. What starts as some soreness and stiffness can develop into chronic pain, herniated discs, or soft tissue injuries requiring extensive treatment.
Meanwhile, if you’ve already accepted a settlement from the insurance company, you’ve signed away your right to additional compensation, even if your medical care ends up costing ten times what you expected.
Here’s when you should consult a car accident attorney, even if the auto accident seems minor:
- You’re experiencing any pain, discomfort, or symptoms.
- The other driver is pressuring you to settle without involving insurance.
- The insurance adjuster is offering a quick settlement.
- There is any dispute about who was at fault.
- You have pre-existing injuries that might complicate your claim.
- The accident involved a commercial vehicle, rideshare driver, or uninsured motorist.
- You’re facing a property damage claim or dispute about vehicle valuation.
Remember that consultations with our Houston car accident lawyers are free, which means there’s no downside to getting a professional opinion on your case.
We can review the facts, explain what your claim might be worth, and help explain your options before you make any decisions that could limit your financial recovery.
Modified Comparative Negligence in Texas
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident, as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault.
Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you’re not automatically barred from recovery just because you made a mistake.
Here’s how it works in practice:
| Your fault percentage | Can you still recover? |
| 0–50% | Yes, reduced by fault percentage |
| 51%+ | No |
While this seems pretty straightforward, insurance companies make it complicated. They may try to inflate your percentage of fault to reduce their payout, combing through police reports, witness statements, and even your social media, looking for anything they can use to shift blame onto you.
If there’s even a small chance that you bear some responsibility, you should call a car accident attorney now. Our Houston car accident lawyers can work with accident reconstruction experts to establish the true facts of what happened and fight back against insurance companies that try to unfairly assign fault.
The Cost of Hiring a Personal Injury Law Firm After Suffering Injuries in a Car Accident in Houston
Most car accident attorneys in the city of Houston work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if you recover compensation. If your attorney is unable to get you money for your losses, you won’t owe any legal fees.
Here’s what you need to know about contingency fees:
- You pay nothing upfront: There are no retainer fees, hourly rates, or out-of-pocket costs when you hire us. We advance all case expenses, from expert witnesses to filing fees, and only get reimbursed if we win your case.
- You only pay if we win: If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing. You can be sure that your interests are our interests, and that we’re motivated to fight for maximum recovery.
- You likely won’t get the maximum on your own: Clients who work with skilled attorneys generally get higher settlements than those who don’t. Even after attorney fees, hiring a lawyer means you will likely end up with more money in your pocket.
- Complex cases require more resources: Cases involving commercial truck accidents, catastrophic injuries, or wrongful death may require extensive investigation, expert testimony, and litigation experience. If you want to get what you deserve, you’ll want to work with a firm that can match the insurance company’s significant resources.
At Thiessen Law Firm, we’ll explain exactly what percentage we charge, what case expenses might be involved, and what you can expect to net from various settlement scenarios.
There are never hidden fees or surprise charges, just honest representation and aggressive advocacy for your recovery and compensation.
How Hard Is It To Win a Car Accident Lawsuit?
Winning a car accident lawsuit is tough, but it’s next-to-impossible without an experienced and aggressive attorney to lead the fight. Insurance companies count on auto accident victims being intimidated by the litigation process and settling for less rather than facing the uncertainty of a trial.
The reality is that most personal injury claims settle before trial because insurance companies know when they’re facing attorneys who can actually win at trial.
When we demand policy limits backed by compelling evidence and expert testimony, insurance adjusters understand that taking the case to court would likely cost them even more. Our reputation for securing major victories means insurance companies take our demands seriously.
Your Accident Claim Timeline From Crash Report to Settlement Offer
Having a detailed breakdown of what to expect during your accident claim can help reduce the pain and uncertainty that are inevitable after a car accident. At Thiessen Law Firm, we’ll walk you through every step so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries. While each case is different, a general timeline may look like this:
| Phase | Timeline | What Happens |
| Aftermath | First week | Police report filed, insurance notified, initial medical treatment. |
| Investigation | Weeks 1–4 | Attorney reviews police reports, medical records, witness statements, video footage. |
| Medical treatment | Early months | Continue treatment until maximum medical improvement. Build comprehensive medical documentation. |
| Demand and negotiation | Months 2–6 | Attorney prepares demand package with medical records, wage loss documentation, expert opinions, damages calculation. |
| Settlement or litigation | Months 3 and on | If reasonable offer: settlement within months. If lowball/denial: file lawsuit and begin litigation process. |
Don’t Delay When Pursuing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Houston
You need to act quickly after a car accident in Houston, as Texas has a two–year statute of limitations for most car accident claims. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you must file a lawsuit within two years of the accident date or lose your right to recover compensation. Some exceptions apply.
Don’t wait until the Texas statute of limitations deadline approaches to take action. Over time, evidence deteriorates, witnesses forget details, and negotiations with insurance companies become even more difficult.
When To Accept a Settlement Offer and When To Go to Court
One of the most important decisions you will need to make after a car accident in Houston is whether to settle or take your case to trial. In most cases, an out-of-court settlement is going to be the best option, as settlements provide a much quicker and easier option for recovering damages than going to court.
While a settlement might be the best option, that does not mean you should rush to accept the first settlement offer you receive. The first offer from an insurance company will likely be for far less than your case is worth.
Even as we negotiate for a settlement on your behalf, we will prepare your case as though it will go to trial. Our trial lawyers have a reputation for success, and showing a readiness to take a case to court gives us added leverage in settlement negotiations. Furthermore, thorough preparation ensures we are ready if settlement negotiations fail.
Damages Available in Car Accident Claims
When you’re injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, Texas law allows you to recover compensation for both economic and non–economic damages. Many of these damages will not be on the table in the insurance company’s initial offers, which is why hiring an attorney may be important.
Economic damages include measurable financial losses, like:
- All past and future medical expenses, including emergency room treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, prescription medications, and medical equipment
- Lost wages for time missed from work due to your injuries
- Loss of earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous occupation or limit your ability to work
- Property damage to your vehicle and personal property
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to your recovery, including transportation to medical appointments, home modifications, and assistance with daily activities
Non-economic damages are intended to compensate you for less-quantifiable impacts on your life and may include:
- Physical pain and suffering, both past and future
- Mental anguish, anxiety, depression, and PTSD resulting from the accident
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement and scarring
Punitive damages, while rare, may be available when the defendant’s conduct was grossly negligent or involved malice, fraud, or intentional wrongdoing. These damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct, not to compensate you for your losses.
The value of your claim will depend on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the clarity of liability, and the available insurance coverage.
Insurance companies may try to minimize every category of damages by questioning medical necessity, disputing causation, and downplaying the impact on your life. Our job is to document and prove every dollar the liable party owes you, backed by evidence that makes your damages undeniable.
Pursuing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Car Accident
If your loved one was killed in a car accident due to the negligence of another party, you may have grounds for pursuing a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim can help surviving spouses and other family members recover compensation following the tragic death of a loved one.
A wrongful death claim is generally available in any situation where the deceased would have had grounds for filing a personal injury claim if they had survived the accident.
While no amount of money can replace the life that was lost, fair compensation can help cover the expenses created by the death and any lost income resulting from the accident. Compensatory damages in a wrongful death claim may include:
- Funeral costs
- Burial expenses
- Medical expenses incurred prior to death
- Lost wages the deceased would likely have earned over the course of their life
- Loss of companionship and emotional support
We can review the details of your case and pursue compensation for the loss of your loved one to help you rebuild your life and attempt to move forward.
Get Help From Our Car Accident Attorneys in Houston Today
Insurance companies want you to believe they’re too big to fight. They want you to feel overwhelmed, intimidated, and desperate enough to accept whatever lowball offer they throw your way. They’re counting on you not knowing your rights, not understanding your claim’s true value, and definitely not hiring an attorney who knows how to beat them.
At Thiessen Law Firm, we fight giants. Taking on corporate America isn’t just what we do; it’s who we are. With over 90 years of combined legal experience, we are ready to fight for your rights and compensation.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team and get legal advice about your situation.
