The insurance adjuster assigned to your car accident claim in Abilene often evaluates it based on internal company guidelines designed to minimize payouts.
An Abilene car accident lawyer at the Law Offices of David M. White works to build a case that pushes past that initial valuation, one based on your actual medical costs, lost income, and the impact the crash has had on your life.
We represent injured drivers and passengers in Taylor County on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call 325-437-3311 to find out what your claim may be worth.
How We Handle Car Accident Cases in the Abilene Area
We take a limited number of car accident cases so that each one gets the preparation it needs. Attorney David M. White personally reviews the accident report, the medical records, and the insurance policy information before recommending a strategy.
What Happens When You Hire Us
We open your file by collecting the crash report from the Abilene Police Department or the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS), depending on which agency responded.
We then contact the at-fault driver's insurance company and typically take over all communication so the adjuster directs inquiries to our office rather than to you.
From there, we track your medical treatment, gather documentation of lost wages, and build the demand package that presents the full value of your claim.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount, we file a lawsuit in the appropriate Taylor County court and prepare for trial.
Se habla español. Call 325-437-3311 if you need to speak with a car accident attorney in Abilene, TX.
What Compensation May You Recover After a Car Accident in Abilene?
Texas personal injury law allows car accident victims to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses caused by another driver's negligence.
The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, and the impact the crash has had on your ability to work and live your daily life.
Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages
The table below breaks down what falls into each category under Texas law.
| Damage Category | What It Covers |
| Economic Damages | Emergency room and hospital bills, surgery costs, physical therapy, prescription medications, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, vehicle repair or replacement, out-of-pocket transportation costs |
| Non-Economic Damages | Physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, scarring or disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of activities, loss of companionship in wrongful death cases |
Insurance adjusters typically acknowledge economic damages because receipts and pay stubs back them up. Non-economic damages are where the fight happens.
Adjusters minimize pain, downplay mental anguish, and argue your injuries are not as serious as your medical records suggest.
A car accident lawyer in Abilene builds the evidence that counters those arguments.
How Does Texas Comparative Fault Affect Your Car Accident Claim?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Section 33.001 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
If you share some of the blame for the crash, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If your share exceeds 50%, you recover nothing.
How Adjusters Use Comparative Fault Against You
Insurance companies in Abilene car accident cases routinely argue that the injured driver shares fault. The adjuster builds that argument using specific tactics.
- Pointing to the crash report narrative if the responding officer noted any contributing factor on your side
- Citing your speed, lane position, or following distance based on witness statements or dashcam footage
- Arguing that you failed to brake, signal, or take evasive action before the collision
- Claiming a pre-existing medical condition accounts for part of your injuries rather than the crash itself
Every percentage point of fault the adjuster pins on you reduces your recovery dollar for dollar.
We counter these arguments with physical evidence, accident reconstruction analysis when the facts warrant it, and documentation that ties your injuries directly to the crash rather than prior conditions.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
Texas gives you two years from the date of the car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Section 16.003 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code sets that deadline. Missing it eliminates your right to file, regardless of how strong your claim is.
Why the Two-Year Window Moves Faster Than You Think
Two years sounds generous until you account for how long medical treatment lasts, how slowly insurance adjusters respond, and how much time pre-litigation negotiation consumes.
Many car accident victims in the Abilene area spend months in physical therapy before reaching a point where their doctor provides a final prognosis.
Filing a lawsuit does not mean going to trial immediately. It preserves your legal rights while negotiations continue.
An Abilene car accident attorney monitors the statute of limitations for every case we handle and files suit before the deadline closes if the insurance company has not offered fair value.
What Steps Protect Your Claim After a Car Accident in Abilene?
The actions you take in the days and weeks after a car accident directly affect the value of your claim. By the time you are home and processing what happened, several time-sensitive steps help protect your right to recover compensation.
Actions That Strengthen a Car Accident Claim
After you have received initial medical attention and returned home from the scene, the following steps preserve evidence and support the value of your case.
- Follow up with your doctor promptly and attend every scheduled appointment, because gaps in treatment give the adjuster an excuse to argue your injuries are not serious
- Keep a written log of your pain levels, physical limitations, and how the injuries affect your daily activities and sleep
- Save every receipt and document related to the accident, including medical bills, pharmacy costs, towing invoices, and rental car expenses
- Do not post about the accident, your injuries, or your recovery on social media, since adjusters monitor online activity
- Do not give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurance company without speaking to an attorney first
A strong claim depends on documentation. The more thoroughly you record your treatment, your expenses, and your daily limitations, the harder it becomes for the adjuster to argue that your injuries are minor or unrelated to the crash.
What Types of Car Accidents Does Our Abilene Firm Handle?
We handle car accident cases across the full range of crash types that occur in the Abilene area. Major highways and busy intersections across the Abilene area generate a steady volume of car accident cases.
Loop 322 and US-83 see heavy commuter volume during peak hours. Intersections along South 14th Street, Buffalo Gap Road, and Judge Ely Boulevard generate a consistent share of collision reports.
Crash Types We Take On
The type of collision affects the injuries involved, the evidence available, and the defense strategies the insurance company uses. We represent clients injured in the following types of car accidents in Taylor County.
- Rear-end collisions, which commonly produce whiplash, disc injuries, and concussions
- Intersection crashes caused by red light runners, left-turn violations, or failure to yield
- Head-on collisions on two-lane roads, which tend to produce the most severe injuries
- Side-impact (T-bone) crashes at intersections along major Abilene corridors
- Hit-and-run accidents where the at-fault driver fled the scene, requiring uninsured motorist coverage claims
Each crash type raises different liability questions and produces different medical documentation needs.
An Abilene car accident lawyer reviews the police report, the physical evidence, and your medical records to build a claim specific to your type of collision.
Ask the Law Offices of David M. White
The other driver's insurance company called me. What do I say?
You may choose to limit your statements to confirming the accident occurred and providing basic policy information.
Do not describe your injuries, accept fault, or agree to a recorded statement before speaking with an attorney.
Tell the adjuster you have retained a lawyer and give them our office number. Everything you say to the adjuster becomes part of their file and may be used to reduce your claim.
How much does a car accident lawyer in Abilene cost?
We take car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront fees, and we collect a percentage of the recovery only if we win.
If there is no recovery, you owe us nothing. Call 325-437-3311 and we explain the fee structure during your free consultation.
What if I was not wearing a seatbelt during the crash?
Failing to wear a seatbelt does not automatically bar you from filing a car accident claim in Texas. However, the insurance company may try to argue that seatbelt non-use contributed to the severity of your injuries.
Whether that evidence matters depends on the facts of the case, the injuries involved, and whether the insurer connects the non-use to the specific damages being claimed.
FAQs for Abilene Car Accident Lawyers
Do I need a lawyer if the insurance company already offered me money?
Generally yes. Early offers from insurance companies rarely reflect the full value of a car accident claim.
Adjusters make these offers before your medical treatment is complete and before the long-term impact of your injuries is clear. Accepting an early offer closes your claim permanently.
How long does a car accident case take in Abilene?
It depends on the injuries and the insurance company's willingness to negotiate. A straightforward soft tissue case may settle in a few months.
Cases involving surgery, disputed liability, or uncooperative insurers often take a year or longer, especially if litigation in Taylor County becomes necessary.
What if the other driver did not have insurance?
You may still recover compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage if your policy includes it.
Texas law does not require UM/UIM coverage, but many policies include it. Your attorney reviews your policy and files the claim against your own carrier on your behalf.
What if my car accident injuries showed up days after the crash?
Delayed symptoms are common in car accidents, particularly for soft tissue injuries, concussions, and herniated discs.
Seeking medical attention as soon as symptoms appear creates a documented connection between the crash and the injury. The delay does not eliminate your claim, but prompt follow-up strengthens it.
What documents do I need to give my car accident lawyer?
Bring the crash report, your insurance policy declarations page, all medical records and bills from treatment related to the accident, photos of the vehicles and the scene, and any correspondence from the other driver's insurance company.
The more documentation you provide at the start, the faster we build your case.
Get Your Abilene Car Accident Claim Moving in the Right Direction
The insurance company is already building its case against your claim. Every week you wait gives the adjuster more time to lock in a low valuation while your medical bills continue to grow.
An Abilene car accident lawyer at the Law Offices of David M. White takes over that fight, handles every conversation with the insurance company, and builds the evidence package that positions your claim for the strongest possible outcome.
Your consultation is free, and you owe nothing unless we recover for you. Call 325-437-3311 and let us look at what you are dealing with.