Who Is at Fault for My Houston Car Accident?

Were you injured in a car accident in Houston, TX? Are you wondering who is at fault? Call the undefeated Houston car accident lawyers at Zehl & Associates for help identifying the at-fault parties and holding them fully responsible for your medical bills and other damages. We offer free consultations. Contact us at (888) 603-3636 to schedule a free consultation.

Our nationally recognized Houston personal injury attorneys have recovered billions of dollars for injured victims. We are undefeated in court against the largest insurance companies and corporations in the country. If you were injured in a crash, determining fault is the first step toward compensation. 

Table of Contents

• Why Choose Zehl & Associates to Handle Your Car Accident Claim in Houston?
• Texas Is an At-Fault State for Car Accidents
• Modified Comparative Fault Laws in Texas
• Common Defendants in Houston Car Accident Cases
• Contact Zehl & Associates After a Car Accident in Houston

Why Choose Zehl & Associates to Handle Your Car Accident Claim in Houston?

After a serious car accident in Houston, you need more than just a lawyer — you need a trial team with the resources, experience, and results to uncover the truth and force those responsible to pay. Insurance companies will look for every opportunity to shift blame, question your injuries, and reduce what they owe you. We don’t let them.

Zehl & Associates is undefeated at trial. We have secured some of the largest verdicts and settlements in Houston and throughout Texas by proving what really happened — even when insurers and corporate defendants claimed it couldn’t be done.

What sets our undefeated Houston personal injury lawyers apart:

• Undefeated trial lawyers who have never lost against major insurance companies or corporate defendants
• Billions recovered for crash victims, including record-setting car and truck accident verdicts and settlements in Texas and U.S. history
• An elite network of investigators, engineers, and accident reconstruction experts who work with us to prove exactly how the crash occurred — and how it could have been prevented
• Immediate access to top medical specialists, round-the-clock support and guidance, and help ensuring your bills and reasonable living expenses are covered while your case is pending
• A refusal to settle for less than full compensation, with every case prepared for trial so defendants take you seriously from day one
• No upfront costs — ever. We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win

Insurance companies know exactly who we are. And they know what happens when we take a case to court. Reach out to our record-setting Houston car accident attorneys today for help understanding more about your case. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about fault in Houston car accidents.

Texas Is an At-Fault State for Car Accidents

Texas follows an at-fault insurance system, which means the driver who causes the crash is financially responsible for the damage.

After an accident, victims may pursue compensation through:

• A claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company
• Their own insurance coverage (if applicable)
• A personal injury lawsuit occurs when insurers refuse to pay fairly

Texas requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage. This includes $30,000 of coverage per person for injuries, up to a total of $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 of coverage for property damage per accident. 

These limits are often woefully inadequate in serious crashes. When insurance coverage falls short, identifying every liable party becomes critical to recovering full compensation.

Modified Comparative Fault Laws in Texas

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. Each party involved in a crash may be assigned a percentage of fault, including the victim. If you share partial fault, you may typically still recover compensation as long as you are 50% or less responsible for the accident. However, your compensation will usually be reduced by the percentage of fault you bear.

For example, if damages total $1,000,000 and you are found 20% responsible, your recovery can be reduced to $800,000. Once your percentage of fault reaches 51% or more, you cannot recover any damages.

Insurance companies exploit this system by placing blame on victims. It’s often untrue. At Zehl & Associates, we will push back against any illegitimate attempts to assign blame and seek full compensation for your injuries. 

Common Defendants in Houston Car Accident Cases

Car accident claims often involve more than just the driver who caused the crash. Identifying every responsible party is critical to maximizing your recovery, especially in serious injury cases.

Common defendants include:

• Negligent drivers who cause crashes due to speeding, distraction, intoxication, etc.
• Commercial drivers and trucking companies 
• Employers, if a driver was working at the time of the crash
• Vehicle manufacturers when defective parts contribute to the accident
• Auto repair or maintenance shops, if poor repairs played a role
• Bars and restaurants that overserve alcohol to visibly intoxicated drivers (dram shop cases)

If these or other parties contributed to your accident, they can be held liable for their portion of damages. A thorough investigation can reveal additional defendants and additional insurance coverage that may be available to you. An experienced personal injury law firm can help you uncover all defendants and sources of compensation in your case.

Contact Zehl & Associates After a Car Accident in Houston

Fault decides everything after a car accident: who pays, how much you recover, and whether justice is served. Insurance companies know this, which is why they fight so hard to deny responsibility or shift blame onto victims.

You don’t have to accept that. At Zehl & Associates, we have built our reputation by proving fault when others couldn’t and forcing insurance companies to pay what they owe. Our firm is undefeated and trusted nationwide for delivering results in the most serious and high-stakes injury cases.

Call our Houston car accident lawyers today to schedule your free consultation. We will identify every liable party, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve.