Auto Accident Claims in Wichita Falls, TX: Steps to Take After a Crash

Mike Markey, Attorney at Law • October 24, 2026

Auto Accident Claims in Wichita Falls, TX: Steps to Take After a Crash

Motor vehicle accidents in Wichita Falls, TX happen quickly, but the decisions you make in the hours and days after a crash can directly affect your ability to recover compensation for your injuries.

What Happens to Your Claim If You Wait Too Long?

Delaying action after an auto accident can cause evidence to disappear and legal deadlines to pass, weakening your ability to pursue a claim.

Texas law sets a statute of limitations on personal injury claims, meaning you have a limited window to file. Physical evidence from the crash scene, such as skid marks, vehicle damage, and surveillance footage, can be lost or overwritten within days. Witness memories also fade quickly, making early documentation critical to building a strong case.

Medical records created close to the time of the accident carry more weight in establishing the connection between the crash and your injuries. Gaps in treatment can be used by insurance adjusters to argue that your injuries were not serious or were caused by something else entirely.

How Does Fault Affect Your Auto Accident Case in Texas?

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, so your compensation can be reduced if you are found partially responsible for the accident.

Under this rule, you can still recover damages as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault. However, your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20 percent responsible, your total compensation is reduced by 20 percent. This makes it important to have representation that can accurately document what happened and counter attempts to shift blame onto you.

Insurance companies often investigate accidents quickly and may contact you before you have legal guidance. Statements made early in the process can be used to assign you a higher share of fault, which directly reduces what you can recover. Knowing how to respond to those contacts is one area where having an attorney makes a measurable difference.

If you are looking to find auto accident help in Wichita Falls, understanding how fault is calculated in Texas is one of the first things worth reviewing with a legal professional.

Which Damages Can You Pursue After a Motor Vehicle Accident?

Injured drivers and passengers may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage.

Economic damages cover costs you can document, including hospital bills, rehabilitation, and wages lost while you were unable to work. Non-economic damages address the physical pain and emotional impact of the injury, which are harder to quantify but still recognized under Texas law. In cases involving serious or permanent injuries, these non-economic damages can represent a significant portion of the total claim.

Property damage to your vehicle is typically handled separately from your bodily injury claim, though both may be part of the same overall case. An attorney can help you understand how each category of loss applies to your specific situation rather than relying on an insurance company's initial assessment.

What Makes Auto Accident Cases in Wichita Falls, TX Distinct?

Wichita Falls sits along several major state highways and sees significant commercial truck traffic, which increases the likelihood of serious multi-vehicle collisions in the area.

Crashes involving commercial vehicles or large trucks introduce additional layers of liability, including the trucking company, cargo loaders, and maintenance contractors. These cases often require a different investigative approach than standard two-car accidents. Local road conditions, including construction zones and high-traffic intersections near Loop 11 and US-287, also contribute to accident patterns that an attorney familiar with the area will recognize.

When you are ready to explore your options, working with a local personal injury attorney in Wichita Falls who handles motor vehicle cases can help you understand what your claim may be worth before you accept any settlement offer.

Taking the right steps early gives you the best chance of a fair outcome. Schedule a conversation with Mike Markey, Attorney at Law to discuss what happened and learn what legal options may be available to you.

How to Choose the Best Car Accident Lawyer in Wichita Falls: What to Look for Before You Hire

By Mike Markey, Attorney • August 20, 2026
Find out what makes a car accident lawyer right for a Wichita Falls case — local courts, Texas fault rules, contingency fees, and red flags to avoid.

UNINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE

April 16, 2025
Uninsured motorist coverage is an a very important coverage. This is a coverage that protects you if you are involved in an accident with someone who has no insurance or who has low policy limits that are inadequate to compensate the person who were injured in the accident. The best part of all is that it is not expensive. In many states including Texas and Oklahoma insurance companies are required to offer this coverage to you when you buy your insurance policy. Unfortunately we find that many people reject this converge most likely because they do not understand what it is. Do not be one of these people. Check your policy to make sure you have the coverage. If you do not have it call your agent or the company representative and ask that the coverage be added to your policy. It does seem that despite state laws making liability auto insurance a requirement there are many people out there driving with no insurance. If you get hit by one of these people and you do not carry uninsured motorist, you will most likely be left with no way to be compensated for your bodily injuries. The small cost increase that you will incur by purchasing uninsured motorist coverage is well worth it.
Two cars are parked next to each other on the side of the road

Why You Should Work With an Auto Accident Attorney

April 4, 2023
Hiring an auto accident attorney is one of the best decisions you can make when you're involved in a crash. An attorney will be able to help protect your rights, advise you on the best course of action, and represent you in any legal proceedings that may arise from the accident. An experienced auto accident attorney can help guide you toward the justice and settlement you deserve. Below are some of the many reasons you should hire a lawyer as soon as you have an accident. Prove Someone Else at Fault According to National Safety Council, 90% of car accidents are due to human error. If your accident was caused by the negligence or recklessness of someone else, you have grounds to sue. It's important that you have an attorney who can gather evidence and prove that someone else was at fault. An attorney can interview witnesses, examine accident reports, review medical records, and more. All of these things will help to provide a strong case for you. Negotiate a Fair Settlement Working with an auto accident attorney can also help you get the most out of your settlement. Insurance companies are typically more willing to offer higher settlements when they're dealing with a lawyer. An attorney will be able to negotiate a settlement that covers all of your expenses, including medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. Handle All Legal Proceedings If you decide to pursue a lawsuit against the person responsible for your accident, you need an attorney to help with the legal proceedings. Your attorney can manage any paperwork and filings required by the court in addition to representing you in court when the time comes. An attorney will also be able to answer any questions you may have and provide additional insight into the legal process. Unfortunately, even simple mistakes like filing late or missing deadlines can affect the outcome of your case, so having an attorney on your side is essential. When it comes to car accidents, you can never be too prepared. Working with an experienced auto accident attorney will help ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. In addition, an attorney can provide you with the legal guidance and support you need. If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, don't hesitate to contact Mike Markey, Attorney at Law today to get help from an auto accident attorney.
A close up of a judge 's gavel on a black table.

4 Questions to Ask Your Personal Injury Attorney

November 4, 2022
According to the United States Department of Transportation, the U.S. economy sustains a loss of about $250 billion as a result of auto accidents. This is a huge number, even for the world's largest and most robust economy. It's no wonder insurance companies use every trick in the book to pay as little personal injury compensation as possible. However, the good news is that you can hire a personal injury attorney to get you the best possible compensation. But before you hire one, consider asking them the following questions, just to be sure you are dealing with a competent injury attorney. 1. What Are Your Rates? While it's important to ask this question, it's not the most crucial, since an attorney works on the basis of a contingency fee. You only pay them after you have been compensated for the injuries. Nonetheless, they take a fee of between 25% and 40%, according to the American Bar Association. This is critical information, since the upper rate may not sit well with some people. Nevertheless, in agreeing to pay a lower fee, consider the fact that one attorney may be more qualified for the job than most, hence deserving a higher fee. 2. Will I Be Charged for the Costs of the Case if I Lose? In some cases, you will be charged for case-related costs besides the contingency fee. It's important to be clear with your personal injury attorney as to who will bear these costs, which are also referred to as “out-of-pocket” expenses, should the suit flunk. 3. Do You Have Experience Trying Personal Injury Cases Like Mine? Just because a lawyer deals with personal injury suits doesn't mean they have handled cases similar to yours. Ask them about their experience and what the results were. For instance, if you are suing for slip-and-fall compensation, an injury attorney specializing in car accident injuries may not be the best for you. On the other hand, you are safer hiring a lawyer with experience litigating car accident personal injury cases as opposed to hiring one who has only dealt with workers' compensation cases. 4. How Long Will My Case Take? Your goal when asking this question is to establish the approximate duration your case will take. Several factors could affect the time it takes to resolve a case like yours. Nonetheless, if the personal injury attorney has the requisite experience, they should at least give you a rough estimate. You want to be certain they are committed to seeing your case through within the shortest time possible. Before you hire a personal injury attorney, make sure you are comfortable with their experience handling cases like yours. Establishing how much they charge is also important, as well as who will pay for the costs of the case should it fall through. If you need a trusted injury attorney, turn to Mike Markey, Attorney At Law.