Plano Car Accident Lawyers

Car Accident Statistics in Plano, TX and the Surrounding Area

Every motor vehicle accident that occurs in Texas is tracked by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) by compiling crash reports across the state into its Crash Records Information System (CRIS). In 2021 in Plano, TX, TxDOT data shows there were 4,363 motor vehicle crashes (one crash every 2 hours) that included:

• Fatality crashes:  9 crashes which led to the deaths of 9 people
• Serious injury crashes:  78 crashes that led to 89 people sustaining serious injuries
• Minor injury crashes:  631 crashes that led to 809 people sustaining minor injuries
• Possible injury crashes:  684 crashes that led to 1,039 people sustaining possible injures
• No injury crashes:  2,874 crashes that led to 9,444 people sustaining no injuries
• Unknown severity crashes:  87 crashes that led to unknown injuries to 510 people

Collin County Car Accidents Statistics

Plano is located in Collin and Denton Counties, so our Plano car accident lawyers included crash statistics in the greater Plano area to highlight the risks we face on roads we travel every day. In Collin County in 2021 there were 12,204 crashes that included:

• Fatality crashes:  51 crashes which led to the deaths of 52 people
• Serious injury crashes:  335 crashes that led to 412 people sustaining serious injuries
• Minor injury crashes:  1,671 crashes that led to 2,220 people sustaining minor injuries
• Possible injury crashes:  2,124 crashes that led to 3,269 people sustaining possible injuries
• No injury crashes:  7,739 crashes that led to 25,279 people sustaining no injuries
• Unknown severity crashes:  284 crashes that led to unknown injuries to 1,397 people

Denton County Car Accident Statistics

In Denton County in 2021, in 2021 there were 11,380 crashes that included:

• Fatality crashes:  59 crashes that led to the deaths of 68 people
• Serious injury crashes:  289 crashes that led to 349 people sustaining serious injuries
• Minor injury crashes:  1,241 crashes that led to 1,601 people sustaining minor injuries
• Possible injury crashes:  1,707 crashes that led to 2,493 people sustaining possible injuries
• No injury crashes:  7,728 crashes that led to 23,928 people sustaining no injuries
• Unknown severity crashes:  356 crashes that led to unknown injuries to 1,521 people

Sources:  Crashes and Injuries by Cities and Towns; Crashes and Injuries by County.

Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Plano, TX

The most common causes of car accidents reported by the Plano Police Department in 2021 were:

1. Speeding:  1,084 collisions were caused by drivers exceeding the speed limit, which was a contributing factor to 23.2% of all motor vehicle accidents in Plano in 2021.
2. Driver inattention:  549 collisions were caused by inattentive drivers, which represented 11.75% of Plano auto accidents.
3. Changed lane when unsafe:  511 collisions were caused by unsafe lane changes, which represented 10.9% of auto accidents.
4. Failed to yield right of way when turning left:  436 collisions were caused by unsafe left turns, which represented 9.3% of auto accidents.
5. Ignored stop and go signal:  350 collisions were caused by drivers running red lights, which represented 7.5% of auto accidents.
6. Failed to drive in a single lane:  221 collisions were caused by drivers using multiple lanes of traffic simultaneously, which represented 4.7% of auto accidents.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

Being in an accident is a frightening and potentially dangerous experience, so it is important to know what you should do after a crash to protect your vehicle, health, and right to compensation following an injury accident.

1. Stay at the Accident Scene:  Texas law (Texas Transportation Code § 550.022) states that any individual involved in an accident involving damage to a vehicle must stop at the scene or close to the scene without obstructing traffic more than necessary. Failure to do so is a Class C misdemeanor if damage to all vehicles is less than $200, which is rarely the case in an auto accident, or Class B misdemeanor is damage to all vehicles is $200 or more.
2. Check for Injuries:  After a car accident, adrenaline levels typically run very high. This adrenaline can mask even significant injuries, so it is important to protect the health of all parties involved by checking for injuries. Further, Texas Transportation Code § 550.023 requires you exchange information with and render aid to any injured parties to a motor vehicle accident.
3. Protect Your Vehicle, Your Passengers, and Yourself:  If you and the other party can move your vehicles, Texas law states you should do so to minimize traffic and prevent secondary collisions. If you are not able to move your vehicle, our Plano car accident lawyers suggest that you turn off the engine, turn on your hazard lights, and put out flares if you have them in an emergency flare kit.
4. Report the Accident to the Police:  Every auto accident in Texas involving injuries or property damage must be reported to the local police department for the area in which the accident occurred (Texas Transportation Code § 550.026). If the accident involves property damage in excess of $1,000 or injuries to any parties, the police may choose to investigate the accident, assess liability for the accident, and file justifiable charges related to the accident (Texas Transportation Code § 550.04 1).
   • In addition to abiding by the law, reporting the accident to the police will allow them to protect your safety by redirecting traffic, call emergency services to get necessary medical attention, and produce a Plano crash report. Our Plano car accident lawyers suggest that you be the one to call the police, as it will allow you to give your statement of events first, and typically the person calling the police is viewed as not at-fault.
5. Provide a Statement to the Police:  Take some time before the police arrive to gather your thoughts related to how the accident occurred, so you can be definitive in your statement to them. In accidents with no witnesses, video evidence, and conflicting statements, often the police will rely on the believability of your statement when assessing fault for the accident.
   • DO NOT admit fault for the accident even if you think you may be, as traffic laws in Texas can be complex. Allow the police, your insurance company, and our Plano car accident lawyers to help argue who was at fault for the accident. Also, DO NOT definitively state that you are not injured, even if you think you are okay. Many car accident injuries are not evident until adrenaline wears off and inflammation sets in, and you do not want a definitive statement that you are not hurt getting back to the insurance company.
6. Exchange Information and Take Photos:  As mentioned above, per Texas Transportation Code § 550.023 you have a duty to exchange information after an accident. Our Plano car accident lawyers suggest you obtain photos of the other driver’s: 1) driver’s license, 2) insurance card, 3) license plate, 4) contact information, and 5) vehicle identification number (VIN). Further, gather contact information for all passengers involved in the accident.
   • Our Plano car accident lawyers also strongly suggest taking pictures of all vehicles involved in the accident. These pictures will serve as evidence related to fault for the accident and will also provide proof for a mechanism of injury related to the accident. Take photos of property damage from up close and far away, as well as photos of the area in which the accident occurred.
7. Look for Witnesses:  If drivers in nearby cars witnessed the accident, our Plano car accident lawyers suggest asking for their contact information and if they would be willing to serve as a witness. Further, look for video evidence that may exist in the form of a dash camera or cameras at nearby businesses.
8. Get a Medical Check-Up:  Even if you are not sure that you are injured, it is a good idea to get a medical check-up with a physician. As mentioned above, car accident injuries often become evident as time passes by after an accident and inflammation sets in. Insurance companies will try to deny your claim if you wait to see a physician and argue that your injuries were pre-existing or caused by something other than the accident. Thus, it is good to have any health complaints quickly documented in your medical records.
9. Call Our Plano Car Accident Lawyers:  We offer FREE CONSULTATIONS and charge NO FEE unless we are able to obtain a settlement for your injuries on your behalf. Even if you are unsure of your injuries, having a free legal consultation can protect you from getting taken advantage of by the insurance companies later. While many people think they may be able to handle an accident claim on their own, insurance adjusters will often try to delay, deny, or drag out claims handled without the supervision of an accident attorney.

Taking these precautionary measures can help protect your safety while giving you some peace of mind during a difficult time.

DOs and DON'Ts After an Auto Accident

Since some people are more visual learners, our Plano car accident lawyers also put together the guide below to help you understand the DOs and DON’Ts after an auto accident. This guide can help direct you through the immediate post-accident process, and can be saved to your phone for future reference.

Why Should I Hire a Plano Car Accident Lawyer?

Personal injury is a complex area. While some people are tempted to take their lawsuits into their own hands, it’s always best to leave your case to a seasoned professional. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash in Plano, call us today for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Our Plano auto accident attorneys will help you:

• Argue and establish fault and prove negligence for the accident
• Collect evidence to prove your case, such as your Plano crash report and medical records
• Stand up against scare tactics or pushy strategies from the insurance company
• Avoid making statements or taking actions that will damage your case
• Calculate your compensation based off cases similar to yours
• Keep you from settling too soon for too little money
• Negotiate down any liens or medical bills to put more money in your pocket
• If necessary, file a lawsuit and take your case all the way to court

We understand the many complicated factors of an auto injury case. Our Plano personal injury lawyers can help determine current and future medical costs, wages lost during recovery and the emotional cost of your pain and suffering. Our Plano car accident lawyers will help make sure your lawsuit is sufficient for your damages. It’s our job to help you navigate the legal system and obtain a fair settlement so you can focus on recovery.

Common Car Accident Injuries

After a car crash, you can sustain injuries to any part of the body. Collisions do a number on the musculoskeletal system and elsewhere– from broken wrists to airbag injuries to whiplash and traumatic brain injury. Auto accident injuries can lead to huge medical bills and time away from your job and the activities you love.

Common Plano car accident injuries include:

• Injuries to the Head and Neck
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI), such as a concussion
  • Whiplash injury
• Injuries to the Spinal Column
  • Paralysis (e.g., paraplegia, quadriplegia)
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Back injury
  • Facet joint injury
  • Nerve damage
• Injuries to Internal Organs
  • Ruptured spleen
  • Heart contusion
  • Lacerated liver
  • Internal bleeding
• Injuries to Joints and Extremities (typically involving damage to cartilage and ligaments)
  • Amputation injury
  • Knee injury, commonly meniscus and posterior cruciate ligament tears
  • Hip injury, most commonly a torn labrum
  • Shoulder injury, most commonly a torn rotator cuff
  • Wrist injury
  • Hand injury
  • Sprains and strains
• Fractured bones
• Injuries to the Skin
  • Burn injury, often from airbag deployment
  • Puncture wounds
  • Abrasions, bruising, and lacerations

If you were in a car crash, you might have sustained damage to multiple parts of your body. Your medical care plan might include long-term rehabilitation, ongoing care, or time away from work. Injury and suffering not only cost money, but they also cause you to lose out on essential wages as well.

When car accident injuries result from someone else’s negligence, a personal injury lawyer can help. The team of Plano car accident lawyers at Thompson Law can get to work building a case that seeks compensation for your injuries, losses, and suffering.

Get a FREE CONSULTATION with Our Plano Car Accident Lawyers

Call Thompson Law’s Plano Car Accident Lawyers Today!

If you’re asking yourself when is the right time to contact a personal injury attorney after an auto accident, the answer is NOW! Our Plano car accident lawyers offer FREE CONSULTATIONS. Further, we charge NO FEE unless we win.

You will not incur any attorney fees, court costs, legal expenses, or any other costs unless we recover money on your behalf. If we do obtain a settlement for you, our fee will only come out of a portion of the settlement. When you have been injured, you need Plano car accident lawyers that are recognized as champions for their clients.

The statute of limitations in Texas is 2 years in most injury accidents. If you have been injured in an accident, call our experienced Plano car accident lawyers today for a ZERO COST, NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION. The sooner you know your options, the faster you’ll be on the path to recovery.