Car Accident Lawyers in Abilene, TX

Texas Car Accident Laws

Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001). This means an injured driver can recover damages as long as they are found to be less than 51% at fault for the crash — though any compensation awarded is reduced by their percentage of fault. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto the victim to reduce a payout, which is one reason having an experienced Abilene car accident attorney on your side matters.

Texas also enforces a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from car accidents (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003). Missing this deadline generally bars you from recovering compensation altogether, so it's critical to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after a crash.

Additionally, Texas requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but many crashes involve underinsured or uninsured motorists — making it essential to review your own policy's UM/UIM coverage with an attorney who understands how to maximize every available source of recovery.

Car Crash Hotspots in Abilene

Some roads and intersections in Abilene see far more than their share of collisions. Understanding these hotspots can help drivers stay alert — and helps our legal team quickly identify liability patterns.

• US 83 & Southwest Drive — One of the most dangerous intersections in the city, with dozens of documented crashes in a single recent year, fueled by heavy traffic generated by the Mall of Abilene, Abilene Christian University, and Hendrick Medical Center.
• Loop 322 & TX-36 — Near Abilene Regional Airport, this interchange mixes highway-speed traffic with merging vehicles unfamiliar with the area, leading to frequent rear-end and sideswipe collisions
• Buffalo Gap Road & Antilley Road — Heavy retail and residential traffic makes this intersection a recurring trouble spot, especially during peak commuting hours.
• I-20 near Pine Street — High-speed traffic and a heavy presence of commercial trucks make this stretch particularly hazardous.
• US 277, Treadaway Boulevard, and South 1st Street are also frequently cited among Abilene's higher-risk corridors.

If your crash happened at one of these locations — or anywhere else in Abilene — Hilliard Law can investigate the scene, pull traffic and TxDOT data, and build the strongest possible case on your behalf.

Common Types of Car Accidents

• Rear-end collisions
• T-bone (side-impact) crashes
• Head-on collisions
• Sideswipe accidents
• Multi-vehicle pileups
• Single-vehicle accidents caused by road defects or vehicle malfunction
• Hit-and-run accidents
• Accidents involving commercial trucks or 18-wheelers

Common Causes of Car Accidents

• Distracted driving (texting, phone use, in-car distractions)
• Speeding and reckless driving
• Drunk or impaired driving
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Improper lane changes and merging
• Fatigued driving, especially on long highway stretches like I-20
• Poor weather and road conditions
• Mechanical failures and vehicle defects

Common Car Accident Injuries

Even a seemingly minor collision can cause injuries that take days or weeks to fully surface. Common injuries our clients experience include:

• Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
• Whiplash and soft-tissue injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Broken bones and fractures
• Internal organ damage
• Lacerations from broken glass or debris
• Post-traumatic stress and psychological trauma
• Wrongful death

Compensation Available for Injured Motorists

Texas law allows injured motorists to pursue both economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Property damage and vehicle repair or replacement costs
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of consortium
• Punitive damages in cases involving gross negligence
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members