Sherin is a content and copywriter from Texas who specializes in writing for the legal tech, fintech, martech and cybersecurity sectors. She leverages the power of words to help meaningful brands inspire, inform and connect with their audience through impactful content.
Sherin Mamachen
Sherin is a content and copywriter from Texas who specializes in writing for the legal tech, fintech, martech and cybersecurity sectors. She leverages the power of words to help meaningful brands inspire, inform and connect with their audience through impactful content.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Reviewed
Jeffrey Johnson, J.D.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
There are six million people in Dallas, Texas who could potentially experience an injury in an accident—and then be in need of great personal injury attorney. Whether you’re simply curious or need to find representation, you’ve come to the right place.
To determine the best personal injury lawyers in Dallas, Texas, Forbes Advisor considered many options. Our editorial team uses a rubric that considers many factors, like years of experience, awards and honors, education and employment backgrounds and more. Find the best personal injury attorney for your case today.
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Show Summary
- Best Dallas Personal Injury Lawyers Of 2024
- Compare Our Top Dallas Personal Injury Attorneys
- Texas Personal Injury Laws
- How to Find the Best Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer
- How Dallas Statutes Affect Personal Injury Claims
- What is Covered by Personal Injury Law In Dallas?
- Do You Pay Taxes On Personal Injury Settlements In Dallas?
- How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Dallas?
- How Long Does it Take to Settle a Personal Injury Case in Dallas?
- Methodology For Finding The Best Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Best Dallas Personal Injury Lawyers Of 2024
Compare Our Top Dallas Personal Injury Attorneys
| Lawyer Name | TX Bar Association Status | Year Admitted to TX Bar | Law School Attended | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debbie Dudley Branson | Active | 1981 | University of Arkansas School of Law | View More | |
| Frank L. Branson | Active | 1969 | Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law | View More | |
| Russell W. Budd | Active | 1979 | University of Texas at Austin School of Law | View More | |
| Robert D. Crain | Active | 1994 | University of Texas at Austin School of Law | View More | |
| Jennifer Haltom Dean | Active | 1989 | University of Texas at Austin School of Law | View More | |
| Anne M. Johnson | Active | 1995 | University of Texas at Austin School of Law | View More | |
| Tim Newsom | Active | 1992 | Texas Tech University School of Law | View More | |
| Andrew L. Payne | Active | 1994 | Baylor Law | View More | |
| Todd Ramsey | Active | 1996 | Baylor Law | View More | |
| Linda Turley | Active | 1983 | University of Texas at Austin School of Law | View More |
Texas Personal Injury Laws
Texas personal injury laws aren’t the same as they are in every other state. If you need to file a personal injury lawsuit in the Lone Star State, you should contact a great personal injury lawyer—like those listed in this article—as soon as you can.
Waiting to talk to an attorney can mean missing out on any chance of recovery at all, as you only have two years to file a lawsuit. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to guide you through all the specifics of Texas law, but here are just a few ways that Texas laws are unique.
Statute of Limitations in Dallas
You’ve heard that everything’s bigger in Texas. Well, not statutes of limitations.
You must file a personal injury case within two years of the initial injury, or you can’t recover.
If you were injured by someone who worked for the government—including employees of Dallas or Fort Worth or any of the other towns, cities or counties around the Dallas area—you may have even less time. Some Texas cities require you to give notice within 45 days of the injury if it was caused by a city employee.
Determining Fault in Dallas
There are a few different rules used to decide fault. One of the most common is used in Texas, called “modified comparative negligence.”
This rule deals with how courts will award damages when both parties are partially to blame for the injury. Imagine a car accident with $10,000 of damages to your vehicle. At trial, you were found to be 10% at fault and the other driver 90% at fault. In Texas, you will be awarded only $9,000 (after reducing your award by the percent you were at fault).
Importantly, though, if the other driver countersued for $20,000 in damages to their car and the jury finds them more than 50% responsible for the accident, this bars them from recovering anything.
This is different from states that use the regular comparative negligence rule, where the other driver would be allowed to recover 10% of their damages, getting back $2,000 of the $9,000 they had to pay you.
Some states use a rule called contributory negligence that is even more strict. In these states, you are not allowed to sue for anything at all if you were even 1% responsible for the accident.
Caps on Medical Malpractice Awards in Texas
Texas has put caps on how much juries can award plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases. These caps only apply to non-economic damages, however. Any treatment costs or lost wages are capped, but non-economic damages like pain and suffering are capped at $250,000 per defendant.
There is also a cap on medical malpractice wrongful death. It was initially set at $500,000 and is indexed for inflation, making it currently around $2 million.
How to Find the Best Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer
There are many types of personal injury lawyers. Some specialize in car accidents, while others specialize in workers’ compensation or class action lawsuit injuries. As you shop to find a personal injury lawyer in Dallas, you want to make sure that you choose a lawyer who has the experience for your accident type. You’ll also want a lawyer who’s professional, affordable and well-respected.
Most personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation. Here’s a list of what you should be asking.
What Type of Experience Do They Have?
Before you go any further in a consultation, ask the attorney about their experience with your type of injury. If you were in a car accident, you want a lawyer specializing in car accidents. If you were injured at work, get a lawyer with experience in workers’ compensation claims and labor laws. If you were hurt when a product malfunctioned, you want a lawyer with experience in product liability cases. Finding someone who has the experience means they will understand what needs to happen with your case. They’ll be able to navigate legal hurdles, medical access and insurance coverage on your behalf.
How Do They Communicate With Clients?
When you are injured in an accident, you can feel left out on an island alone with a lot of frustration and confusion. Good communication helps you feel like the process is working and that you have a team on your side. Talk to the lawyer about their communication process. Because personal injury cases can take a long time, look for an attorney with a regular schedule of communication with you when progress is slow. Of course, you want a lawyer to communicate with you quickly when there are timely notices that you need to review and address.
How Expensive Are They?
Personal injury attorneys usually work on contingency rather than charging an hourly fee. This means they get a percentage of your settlement and don’t get anything if you don’t get a dime. When it comes to their fee, look for someone who falls within the normal range of contingency fees. Dallas personal injury lawyers usually charge between 33% and 40%. For a lawyer with a lot of experience, the higher contingency fee may be worth it since they typically negotiate a higher settlement.
What Percentage of Their Business Comes From Attorney Referrals?
This is not an obvious question, but it’s an important one. You want a lawyer who is respected by their peers. Being referred to by other lawyers who are willing to stake their own reputation on how good a personal injury attorney performs is a good indication of skill. Good attorneys will also give you references to talk to that will help you set better expectations about the process and success rate of the lawyer.
How Professional Is Their Office?
This isn’t a question you’ll ask the lawyer but is, instead, a sense that you get at your first consultation. You want someone who comes across as organized and on top of all the details of their clients’ cases. A tidy, well-run office is a good sign that the lawyer is not only competent and capable, but has the bandwidth to take on another client.
How Dallas Statutes Affect Personal Injury Claims
Dallas statutes have a significant impact on personal injury claims. Here are a few examples of how they can affect your personal injury claim:
- Texas Statute of Limitations. Although there are some exceptions, the deadline for filing a lawsuit in the state is typically two years from the injury date.
- Tolling of the Statute of Limitations. The statute of limitations may be paused in cases involving minors, incapacitated plaintiffs or defendants who have fled the state.
- Statutes of Repose. Texas Statutes of Repose may bar you from filing a lawsuit after a certain time, even if you did not discover your injury until much later. In Texas, such claims usually involve defective products.
Texas statutes could also impact your personal injury claim in other ways, so it is crucial to consult a Dallas personal injury lawyer to protect your rights.
What is Covered by Personal Injury Law In Dallas?
Personal injury law covers many accidents and incidents in which victims could be compensated. For example, if you were injured or sustained property damage due to another’s recklessness or negligence, you could file a lawsuit and receive compensation. Here is a run-down of some of the most common personal injury claims in Dallas:
- Car Accidents. In Dallas’ busy and congested traffic, car accidents occur daily. If another caused your crash, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and more.
- Premises Liability. Property owners must maintain a reasonably safe environment. Premises liability claims can arise in slips and falls, assaults, dog bites and other incidents.
- Medical Malpractice. You could have a medical malpractice claim if a medical professional, such as a doctor or nurse, provides substandard care, resulting in an injury. Common medical errors include misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, medication errors and birth injuries.
- Work Accidents: Workplace accidents can include falls, getting caught in machinery and exposure to toxic substances.
If you’re injured in any kind of incident due to another’s fault, seek the guidance of an experienced personal injury lawyer in Dallas. They can walk you through the legal process and help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Do You Pay Taxes On Personal Injury Settlements In Dallas?
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you don’t have to pay income tax on a personal injury settlement as the funds are intended to compensate you for losses. However, there can be exceptions. For example, punitive damages may be taxable as they are meant to punish the defendant and don’t reimburse you for damages. Consulting a tax professional can provide clarity if you are concerned about your tax situation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Dallas?
In most personal injury cases, you must file a lawsuit two years from the accident date. However, you may have longer in certain circumstances, including when the defendant leaves the state, to avoid legal proceedings or your injury was not discovered during the two years.
Missing the deadline to file a lawsuit could bar you from recovering compensation. If you file too late, the court could simply dismiss your case. Therefore, consult an experienced Dallas personal injury lawyer to understand your legal rights and obligations.
How Long Does it Take to Settle a Personal Injury Case in Dallas?
Every personal injury case is unique, with no average time to settle. How long it takes to resolve your case can depend on various circumstances, including:
- The scope and permanence of your injuries
- The damages you seek
- The willingness of the other side to agree to a fair settlement
- Whether you have some fault in the accident
While a claim with moderate injuries and low value may settle in two months or so, a contested claim with high damages could take years to conclude.
Methodology For Finding The Best Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer
To come up with the Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Dallas in 2024, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical analysis considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses and certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education and employment background
- Scholarly lectures and writings
- Awards and honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds, but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What percentage do most personal injury lawyers take?
Generally, personal injury lawyers who work on contingency get about one-third of whatever payment they get for you. This amount can vary depending on how far in the process the case is resolved and is usually between 20% and 40%.
Here’s an example of how a lawyer might structure their fee:
• 20% of settlement if reached before filing
• 25% of settlement if reached after filing but before trial begins
• 33% of settlement if reached after trial begins
• 40% of amount awarded by jury
Make sure you understand the fee structure before agreeing to representation.
Why do most personal injury cases settle?
Most cases settle because it’s in both parties’ interests. The plaintiff wants to settle to be able to pay for the costs of recovering from the injury and to move on with their life. The defendant wants to settle because going to trial will cost a lot and a settlement keeps the case out of the public eye.
The court also wants the parties to settle because settlements mean that the courts’ resources can be spent on other cases.
Do I have to accept a personal injury settlement?
No. Your attorney is not allowed to accept a settlement offer without your consent, so whether you represent yourself or have a lawyer, you don’t have to accept any offer you don’t want.
What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Dallas?
The non-emergency contact number for the Dallas Police Department is (214) 744-4444. You can use this number to report an incident to the police. You can also obtain instructions regarding filing a police report or obtaining a car accident report. However, if you experience an emergency, such as a car crash with injuries or an assault, dial 911 for immediate assistance.
How much does an average Dallas personal injury lawyer cost?
Discussing attorney’s fees before hiring a Dallas personal injury lawyer can be essential to avoid unexpected bills. Most attorneys charge on a contingency basis, meaning the attorney only gets paid when you get paid. Their fee will be a percentage of your settlement, usually around a third of the final payout.
However, not all personal injury lawyers work on contingency. Some charge an upfront retainer before they start working on your case, which could be several thousand dollars. Others prefer to bill hourly. Working with a contingency agreement can be advantageous as you don’t have financial risks.
What happens if I miss the deadline for filing my Dallas personal injury lawsuit?
Unfortunately, if you miss the deadline for filing your personal injury lawsuit in Dallas, you may lose your chance to seek compensation. The deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Texas is generally two years from the date of the injury. However, there can be rare exceptions, such as if you were a minor or incapacitated during the two years. An attorney can help you understand whether you could sue even after missing the deadline.
Are there extensions for the Dallas personal injury statute of limitations?
Yes, extensions may be available for the Texas personal injury statute of limitations in some limited circumstances. Here are some scenarios in which the statute could be tolled (paused):
• Discovery. An underlying injury is sometimes not immediately apparent and is discovered much later. In such cases, the statute of limitations may begin to run on the date of injury discovery rather than the date of the accident or incident.
• Minority. If the injured person was a minor during the accident, the statute of limitations may start when the minor reaches 18.
• Incapacitation. The statute may be tolled if the injured person is incapacitated or mentally incompetent and unable to bring a lawsuit within two years.
• Defendant Out of State. If the defendant is out of state or incarcerated, the statute of limitations may be extended until they return or are released.
What is the average personal injury settlement in Dallas?
Personal injury settlements are case-specific and depend on various factors, such as your injury, the damages you seek and the circumstances of your case. Therefore, a settlement amount can range from a few thousand dollars to millions. The best way to determine your case’s worth is to speak to a Dallas personal injury lawyer who can assess your damages.
Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my personal injury case in Dallas?
You can obtain a copy of a police report from the Dallas Police Open Records Unit by mail or in person at the customer service window located at 1400 Botham Jean, Dallas, Texas 75215. Depending on the type of report and information requested, you may be required to pay a fee.
