Legally Reviewed by Dale R. Rose on October 26, 2026
A collision on US-75, State Highway 5, or FM 121 may leave you with a damaged vehicle, mounting medical bills, and an insurance adjuster asking for details before you are ready to give them. What you say and when you seek treatment in the first days may shape the outcome of your claim.
Rose Knows Law represents injured drivers and passengers as a Van Alstyne personal injury lawyer and car accident lawyer, led by Dale R. Rose, who has 27 years of experience and has tried more than 165 first-chair jury trials in over 54 Texas counties. Clients work directly with Dale, not a case manager, from the first call to the final resolution.
⚠ Time-Sensitive Texas Filing Deadline
Texas law gives you two years from the date of the collision to file a personal injury lawsuit.
More than 165 first-chair jury trials. Free consultations. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
How a Car Wreck Claim Works in Texas
Texas is a comparative liability state, so fault may be shared between drivers. Under Texas law, you may still recover compensation if you are found 50 percent or less at fault, although your recovery is reduced by your share of responsibility. Many claims are resolved through negotiation, and when they are not, Dale prepares every case with a possible lawsuit in mind.
Because Van Alstyne is mostly in Grayson County and partly in Collin County, the county where the collision happened may affect which court hears a lawsuit. Grayson County cases are generally heard in Sherman, and Collin County cases in McKinney.
Proving Negligence After a Collision
To recover compensation, an injured driver or passenger generally has to show that another person’s negligence caused the harm. That usually comes down to four questions.
Duty
Every driver owes others on the road a duty to use reasonable care.
Breach
The other driver failed to use that care, for example by speeding, texting, or running a light.
Causation
That failure caused the collision and your injuries.
Damages
You suffered real losses, such as medical bills, lost income, or pain.
Common Causes of Car Wrecks
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas recorded 14,905 serious injury crashes in 2024, and 4,150 people died in crashes statewide. Many collisions trace back to distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield, impaired driving, or following too closely. Drivers here share US-75, State Highway 5, and FM 121 with traffic moving between Grayson and Collin counties, and wet roads or heavy traffic may add to the risk.
Types of Collisions That Raise Different Questions
| Type of Collision | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Rear-end | Fault often falls on the trailing driver, but sudden stops and shared fault arguments may still arise. |
| Intersection | Disputes over who had the right of way or the signal often depend on witnesses and video. |
| Hit-and-run | Finding the driver may be difficult, and your own policy may become important. |
| Uninsured or underinsured driver | Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may help when the other driver has little or no insurance. |
| Multi-vehicle | More than one driver may share fault, and each may have a different insurer. |
Who May Be Liable After a Collision
Responsibility often rests with the other driver, but it may extend further depending on the facts. Identifying every responsible party matters because each one may carry its own insurance.
| Possible Responsible Party | When It May Matter |
|---|---|
| The other driver | Most collisions involve a driver who was distracted, speeding, impaired, or failed to yield. |
| A vehicle owner | An owner who lets an unsafe or unlicensed driver use a vehicle may share responsibility. |
| An employer | A driver who was working at the time of the collision may have been acting for a business. |
| A manufacturer | A defective part, such as faulty brakes or tires, may have contributed to the crash. |
Special rules may apply when a government entity is involved, so it is important to raise that possibility early.
Evidence That May Support Your Claim
Evidence is easiest to collect right after a collision, and some of it disappears quickly. Strong claims are usually built from several sources working together.
Police report
An official record of the scene, the drivers, and any citations issued.
Photos and video
Images of the vehicles, the road, and your injuries, along with nearby camera or dash camera footage.
Witness statements
Accounts from people who saw the collision and have no stake in the outcome.
Medical records
Documentation that connects your injuries to the collision and shows the treatment you needed.
Vehicle data, such as information stored in a car’s event data recorder, may also help show speed and braking before impact.
Injuries Often Seen After a Collision
Harm from a crash is not always obvious at the scene. Injuries commonly associated with car wrecks include the following.
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Cuts, burns, and other soft tissue injuries
This list is general information and does not diagnose or establish the cause of any injury. A medical professional should evaluate any symptoms you notice after a wreck.
Compensation That May Be Available
Texas law allows injured people to seek compensation for the losses a collision causes. The value of any claim depends on the facts, the injuries, and the documentation.
| Type of Compensation | What It May Cover |
|---|---|
| Medical expenses | Emergency care, hospital stays, therapy, medication, and future treatment. |
| Lost wages | Income missed while you recover. |
| Reduced earning capacity | A lasting loss of the ability to earn at the same level. |
| Pain and mental anguish | Physical pain and the emotional distress that follows a serious crash. |
| Property damage | Repair or replacement of your vehicle and personal items. |
Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Wreck
Adjusters may call within days of a collision, often before the full extent of your injuries is clear. Giving a recorded statement, accepting a quick offer, or signing a release may limit what you recover later. Insurers may also point to gaps in treatment or to your own share of fault to reduce a claim. Speaking with an attorney first may help you avoid these problems.
What to Do After a Car Wreck
Call 911 and get medical care first, then protect the evidence.
1. Call 911
Report the collision and accept medical evaluation even if you feel fine.
2. Document everything
Photograph the vehicles, the scene, road conditions, and your injuries.
3. Exchange information
Collect the other driver’s name, insurance details, and plate number, along with witness contacts.
4. Keep records
Save every medical record and bill, and note each missed day of work.
5. Pause before giving statements
Avoid a recorded statement to any insurer before speaking with an attorney.
Different collisions raise different legal questions. Anyone hurt in a commercial truck wreck may find more on our Van Alstyne truck accident lawyer page.
Statute of Limitations for Car Wreck Claims
Under Texas law, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of the collision, with limited exceptions. In a wrongful death case, the two years begin on the date of death. Missing the deadline may permanently bar your claim, no matter how strong the evidence is. You may review the statute on the Texas Legislature’s website.
If a family member died in a wreck, a wrongful death claim may be available. Speaking with an attorney promptly protects both the deadline and the evidence.
How Rose Knows Law Approaches Your Case
We start by reviewing the police report, photographs, medical records, and insurance information to understand who may be responsible. Dale then documents your losses, presents your claim, and negotiates toward a fair resolution. If one is not offered, he is prepared to take the case to trial.
You may learn more about the firm on our about page. Consultations are free, and our fee is contingent on a recovery.
Getting to Our Office
Our nearest office is in McKinney, roughly 25 minutes from Van Alstyne via US-75. From Van Alstyne, head south on US-75, take the University Drive (US-380) exit and turn left, then turn right onto N. Tennessee Street toward downtown McKinney.
Rose Knows Law, McKinney Office
201 W Virginia St, Suite 204
McKinney, TX 75069
(972) 634-ROSE (7673)
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from people hurt in car wrecks in Van Alstyne and the surrounding area.
Do I have a valid car wreck case in Van Alstyne?
You may if another driver’s negligence caused your injuries and you suffered measurable harm, such as medical bills or lost income. A free consultation allows us to review the facts and explain your options.
What is the deadline to file a car wreck lawsuit in Texas?
Texas law requires a personal injury lawsuit to be filed within two years of the date of the collision, with limited exceptions. For wrongful death, the two years begin on the date of death.
How much does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer?
Consultations are free, and Rose Knows Law handles car wreck cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
May a family member file a claim if someone died in a car wreck?
Certain surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim under Texas law. Because the filing deadline is strict, it is important to speak with an attorney promptly.
May I work with your firm if I live in Van Alstyne?
Yes. Rose Knows Law represents injured drivers and passengers in Van Alstyne from our McKinney office, roughly 25 minutes away via US-75. Call (972) 634-ROSE (7673) to discuss your collision.
What if the other driver does not have insurance?
Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy may apply, depending on its terms. An attorney may review your policy and the facts to explain which coverage may be available.
Contact Rose Knows Law for a Free Consultation
Dale R. Rose has 27 years of experience and has tried more than 165 first-chair jury trials in over 54 Texas counties. Rose Knows Law is a boutique firm, which means you work directly with Dale on every part of your case.
Consultations are free, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. If you were hurt in a car wreck in Van Alstyne, contact our office to schedule your free consultation.