Houston Car Accident Lawyer
Hit in a Houston crash? You'll talk to the attorney, not a call center.
Chapter 1
What to do after a car accident in Houston
The steps you take in the first week decide how strong your claim is. Here is what matters in Houston.
- Call 911 and get the crash report number. Houston police and Harris County deputies file a Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report (form CR-3). Once it is filed, you can buy a copy through the Texas Department of Transportation's online crash report system. Allen pulls it for every client.
- Photograph everything before the cars move, if it is safe. Both vehicles from every side, license plates, the road, skid marks, traffic signals, the weather and your visible injuries.
- Get names and phone numbers of witnesses. Crash reports often leave witnesses out. Businesses along Westheimer, Bellaire or the Katy Freeway feeder roads often have camera footage that is overwritten within days.
- See a doctor within 24 hours. An emergency room, urgent care or your own doctor. Gaps in treatment are the first thing an adjuster uses to argue you were not really hurt.
- Report the crash to your own insurer, briefly. Give the date, the location and the other driver's information. Don't guess at fault or describe your injuries in detail yet.
- Call a car accident lawyer before you talk to the other insurance company. From that point on, the adjuster calls Allen, not you.
If the crash was in the last few days
DO THESE THREE THINGS BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE
Get checked by a doctor today
Whiplash, concussions and internal injuries often show up a day or more later. A same-day visit protects your health and ties the injury to the crash.
Don't give a recorded statement
The other driver's adjuster will call and sound friendly. Anything you say can be used to shift fault onto you. You are not required to talk to them.
Call Allen before you sign anything
Early settlement offers come before the full cost of your injuries is known. Once you sign a release, the claim is closed for good.
Chapter 2
Who pays for your injuries after a Houston crash
Texas is an at-fault state. The driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, is responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, and pain and suffering. But Texas only requires drivers to carry $30,000 per person and $60,000 per crash in injury coverage, and a single hospital stay can go past that. That is why Allen looks at every available source of recovery, not just the other driver's policy.
Sources of recovery Allen checks on every case
- The at-fault driver's liability policy. The starting point, and often too small.
- Your own personal injury protection (PIP). Texas auto policies include it unless you turned it down in writing. It pays covered medical bills and lost income up to its limit, no matter who was at fault.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). Included in Texas auto policies unless you turned it down in writing. It covers you when the other driver has no insurance or too little. If a hit-and-run driver can't be identified, Texas requires that their vehicle actually hit you or your property, such as your car.
- Commercial policies. If the other driver was working, delivering or driving a company vehicle, the employer's policy may apply, often with much higher limits.
- Medical payments coverage and health insurance. Used carefully, so that liens do not eat into your settlement.
Chapter 3
What Texas law says about your claim
- 2 yearsDeadline to file suit
- Most car accident injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash, or the claim is gone no matter how strong it is. Claims against a government can need written notice much sooner: a sworn, notarized claim within 90 days for the City of Houston, and generally six months for the state.
- 51%Shared fault
- You can recover as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault. Your award is reduced by your share, which is why insurers work so hard to pin fault on you.
- 30 / 60 / 25Texas minimum coverage
- $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per crash and $25,000 for property damage. Serious injuries pass these limits fast, so your own UM/UIM coverage matters.
- Full damagesWhat you can recover
- Medical bills, future care, lost wages and earning capacity, physical pain, mental anguish and disfigurement can all be part of a car accident claim when the evidence supports them.
Chapter 4
Where Houston crashes happen
Many serious Houston collisions happen on the same few corridors. The crash location often points to the evidence that wins the case, such as TxDOT cameras, toll-road records or business footage.
Chapter 5
What Allen does on a car accident case
At big firms your file often goes to a case manager. Allen's cases run differently.
- Investigation in the first week. Crash report, scene photos, witness calls, and letters asking businesses and trucking companies to keep their footage before it is erased.
- All insurer contact goes through Allen. You never give a recorded statement. Adjusters get his number, not yours.
- Your medical care stays on track. Allen makes sure your treatment is documented so every injury is counted.
- A demand package built to be paid. Records, bills, proof of lost wages, photos, and the legal basis for every dollar.
- Negotiation with a lawsuit ready. Insurers take lawyers who are ready to file more seriously. If the offer is not fair, Allen files suit.
- You hear from Allen, not an assistant. Calls and texts are returned by the attorney handling your case. Clients mention it in their reviews more than anything else.
Questions
Houston car accident questions, answered
How much does a Houston car accident lawyer cost?
Nothing up front. Mousavi & Associates works on a contingency fee: the attorney's fee is a percentage of the money recovered for you. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney's fees and no case expenses. Allen walks you through the written agreement before you sign.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Texas?
Generally, a lawsuit must be filed within two years of the crash; different rules can apply to children. Claims against a government need written notice much sooner; for the City of Houston, a sworn, notarized written claim within 90 days. Evidence disappears long before the deadline, so the practical answer is: call this week.
What if I was partly at fault?
You can still recover as long as you were not more than 50 percent responsible. Texas reduces your compensation by your share of fault, so an adjuster who pins 30 percent on you is cutting your recovery by 30 percent. That is the main reason not to give a recorded statement without a lawyer.
What if the other driver had no insurance or left the scene?
Your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may pay; Texas policies include it unless you rejected it in writing. If the driver left the scene and can't be identified, their vehicle must have actually hit you or your property, such as your car. Personal injury protection on your policy can cover early medical bills and lost income regardless of fault, up to its limit. Allen reviews your policy on the first call.
Should I talk to the other driver's insurance company?
Not before you talk to a lawyer. Adjusters are trained to get recorded statements and quick, low settlements in the first days after a crash. Once you sign a release, the claim is over even if injuries show up later.
Will I have to go to court?
Most car accident cases settle without a trial. Allen prepares every case as if it will be tried, because insurers take attorneys who are ready to file more seriously. If a fair offer never comes, he files suit and tells you what to expect at each step.
"I was in a really bad accident this past January. My car was totaled. I was not at fault. Mr Mousavi took my case and worked diligently on my behalf. The insurance company of the other party wanted to settle way less than what the policy allowed. He advised me not settle but to be steadfast. He informed me that we will have to do go court and it can take from 12 to 18 months to settle. Well it only took 8 months! He really fought for me! We did not have to go to court after all! And I received the maximum amount that was owed to me. He was always professional, honest and always always returned my calls or texts. Highly recommend Mousavi and Associates. You will not be disappointed! He will fight for you!"
"When a family member was badly injured in a car accident, Allen Mousavi was an incredible help throughout our case. From the very beginning, he was compassionate, professional, and always kept us informed without us having to constantly reach out for updates. He handled our case efficiently and fought hard to make sure we received the compensation our family deserved. During such a difficult time, it meant so much to have someone we could trust who genuinely cared about our situation. We truly appreciate everything Allen did for us and couldn’t be more grateful for his dedication and support. I highly recommend him to anyone who needs an attorney who will stand by you and get results. We’ll definitely be recommending him to our friends and family. Thank you again, Allen!"
"I highly recommend Mousavi & Associates, Allan Mousavi. He handled my son’s accident case with exceptional professionalism from beginning to end. He was knowledgeable, responsive, and always kept us informed so we fully understood each step of the process. Everything was managed smoothly and efficiently, which gave our family real peace of mind during a difficult time. I’m truly grateful for his dedication, honesty, and the respectful way he treated us throughout the case. Thank you, Allan, for your outstanding work and support."
Injured in a Houston car accident?
THE ADJUSTER ALREADY HAS A LAWYER. NOW YOU DO TOO.
The other driver's insurer has already assigned an adjuster to pay you as little as possible. Allen Mousavi handles your car accident case himself, from the first call to the last check. Free case review, and you owe no attorney's fee unless we recover money for you.
Allen Mousavi, Attorney at LawFounder, Mousavi & Associates · Houston, Texas
Serving: Houston · Harris County · Katy · Sugar Land · Pasadena · The Woodlands