Losing a loved one in a crash in Mineral Wells creates pain that never fully fades. Families often find themselves trying to make sense of what happened while also handling unexpected expenses and future uncertainties. When another driver’s negligence caused the wreck, pursuing legal action provides a way to hold the responsible party accountable. A Mineral Wells fatal car accident lawyer can guide your family through this process with care and skill.
At Stephens Law, we represent families who want justice for their loved ones. Our team listens, investigates, and takes action against drivers, trucking companies, or insurers who contributed to a fatal collision. A free consultation gives you the opportunity to learn about your options without risk.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways About Deadly Car Wrecks in Mineral Wells
- Fatal car accidents in Texas require immediate legal action due to the state’s two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims
- Surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, and pain and suffering under Texas wrongful death law
- Texas follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning compensation can be reduced if the deceased was partially at fault for the accident
- Proper documentation and evidence collection is crucial for building a strong wrongful death case in Texas
- An experienced wrongful death attorney can help navigate complex insurance negotiations and ensure fair compensation for grieving families
What Makes Fatal Car Accidents Different from Other Personal Injury Cases?
Fatal car accidents involve unique laws and procedures that set them apart from other injury claims. These cases focus not only on the immediate harm caused by the crash but also on the long-term consequences to surviving family members. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help families navigate the legal process and pursue the justice and compensation they deserve.
Texas Wrongful Death Statute Requirements
Texas law allows family members to bring a wrongful death action when a loved one dies due to another person’s negligence. Negligence means someone acted carelessly or failed to act responsibly, leading to harm.
- Negligence: Failing to use reasonable care, such as texting while driving.
- Causation: Showing the careless action directly caused the death.
- Damages: Losses suffered by the surviving family due to the death.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas
The law limits who can bring a wrongful death claim. Typically, this includes:
- Spouse: A husband or wife of the deceased.
- Children: Both biological and legally adopted children.
- Parents: Either mother or father.
Siblings and extended relatives generally cannot file unless appointed as estate representatives under certain circumstances.
Damages Available Under Texas Law
Wrongful death damages cover both financial and personal losses. These may include:
- Medical bills: Costs tied to treatment before the passing.
- Funeral expenses: Burial and memorial costs.
- Lost earning capacity: Wages the deceased would have provided.
- Loss of companionship: The absence of love, care, and support.
Statute of Limitations for Fatal Accident Claims
Texas enforces a two-year time limit from the date of death for filing a wrongful death claim. Missing this deadline typically means losing the chance to pursue legal relief. Early action helps preserve evidence and ensures your claim moves forward.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in Mineral Wells?
Drivers in Mineral Wells face risks that sometimes lead to deadly crashes. Certain behaviors and conditions appear again and again in police reports and court cases.
Drunk Driving and Intoxication-Related Crashes
Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs slows reaction time and impairs judgment. Collisions on Highway 180 have occurred because impaired drivers crossed lanes or failed to yield.
Distracted Driving and Cell Phone Use
Even a brief glance at a phone can cause a crash. In busy areas like near Mineral Wells High School, distraction has played a role in deadly incidents.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to stop in time. On rural roads surrounding Lake Mineral Wells, high-speed crashes have had deadly outcomes.
Commercial Vehicle and Truck Accidents
Tractor-trailers and delivery trucks present added risks due to their size and weight. Accidents on Interstate 20 sometimes involve commercial vehicles that failed to follow safety rules.
Weather-Related and Road Condition Factors
Fog, rain, or poorly maintained roads can contribute to wrecks. Fatal collisions have happened when drivers failed to adjust to slick conditions on Farm-to-Market Road 1195.
How Does Texas Law Determine Fault in Fatal Car Accidents?
Establishing fault matters in every fatal accident claim. Texas law sets specific rules for assigning responsibility.
Texas Modified Comparative Fault Rule
Texas uses a modified comparative fault system. This means:
- Families can recover damages if their loved one was less than 51 percent at fault.
- The amount awarded decreases in proportion to the fault assigned.
For example, if a jury finds that the deceased was 20 percent responsible for speeding but another driver was 80 percent at fault for running a red light, the family could recover
damages reduced by 20 percent.
Evidence Used to Establish Liability
Evidence strengthens a wrongful death claim. This may include:
- Witness testimony: Statements from people who saw the accident.
- Surveillance footage: Video from traffic or security cameras.
- Vehicle data: Speed and braking details from onboard systems.
In some cases, skid marks, debris patterns, and damage to guardrails also provide valuable clues. Attorneys often work with engineers who measure and analyze these details to show how the collision occurred.
Role of Police Reports and Accident Reconstruction
Police reports provide a starting point for fault analysis. Accident reconstruction experts may then recreate the crash using physics and vehicle data to clarify how it happened. These reconstructions often prove useful in disputes with insurers who downplay their driver’s role. Visual animations sometimes help juries understand what the deceased experienced in their final moments.
Insurance Company Investigations
Insurance adjusters often attempt to minimize payouts. They may claim the deceased contributed more to the crash than evidence supports. Families benefit from legal counsel that pushes back against unfair findings. Without representation, grieving families may face pressure to accept low settlements that fail to reflect the true losses suffered.
What Compensation Is Available for Fatal Car Accident Victims’ Families?
Families may seek compensation that addresses both financial losses and the emotional impact of losing a loved one.
Economic Damages Under Texas Law
Economic damages cover measurable financial costs, including:
- Hospital bills leading up to death.
- Funeral and burial expenses.
- Loss of income or benefits the deceased would have provided.
Families often underestimate the long-term impact of lost income. A parent who supported a household may have provided decades of wages, retirement benefits, and insurance coverage that now vanish. Calculating these losses requires reviewing work history, education, and career trajectory.
Non-Economic Damages for Pain and Suffering
Non-economic damages reflect harder-to-measure losses such as:
- Emotional suffering of surviving family members.
- Loss of love, care, and household guidance.
Courts recognize that no dollar amount can replace a person’s presence in the family. Still, financial acknowledgment of these losses helps create accountability and provide resources for counseling, childcare, or other adjustments.
Punitive Damages in Cases of Gross Negligence
Punitive damages punish reckless conduct, such as drunk driving at extreme speeds. These damages go beyond compensation and serve as a deterrent. Courts apply them sparingly, but they may play a role in cases where conduct shocks the conscience, such as a trucking company knowingly allowing a driver with multiple DUI convictions to continue operating large vehicles.
Survival Action Claims vs. Wrongful Death Claims
Texas allows two types of claims:
- Wrongful death claim: Filed by family for their own losses.
- Survival action claim: Filed on behalf of the deceased’s estate to recover damages the person could have claimed had they survived.
For example, if a victim lived for several days after a crash, their estate may pursue survival action damages for pain, suffering, and medical expenses. Wrongful death damages, on the other hand, belong to the family members directly. Together, these claims often move forward in one combined case.
What Should You Do After a Fatal Car Accident in Mineral Wells?
Taking the right steps immediately after a fatal crash helps protect your legal rights and strengthens your case.
Immediate Steps at the Scene
Call 911, request police and medical help, and cooperate with investigators. Gather information from witnesses if possible. Families should avoid speculation at the scene that could later be used against them. If safe, take photographs of vehicles, skid marks, and traffic signals.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance representatives may call quickly. Avoid giving detailed statements without legal advice. Their goal often centers on reducing payouts. Even seemingly harmless comments about speed, weather, or distractions can be twisted into admissions of fault. Referring insurers to your attorney keeps you from saying something that could weaken your case.
Preserving Evidence and Documentation
Save medical records, funeral receipts, photos of the scene, and correspondence with insurers. This documentation builds the foundation of a strong case. Families should also keep a journal of how the loss impacts daily life, including emotional struggles, childcare challenges, or household responsibilities that shifted after the death.
When to Contact a Wrongful Death Attorney
Early contact with an attorney ensures your family doesn’t lose valuable time. Legal representation helps preserve evidence, handle insurers, and guide you through deadlines.
Attorneys often send investigators to the crash site, issue preservation letters to keep trucking companies from discarding records, and file early motions to protect your interests.
How Our Attorneys Can Help
Stephens Law approaches wrongful death cases with both determination and compassion. Our role extends beyond paperwork and courtroom appearances.
Thorough Investigation and Evidence Gathering
We collect police reports, interview witnesses, and review vehicle data to uncover the truth about what happened. Our team often visits the crash site in Mineral Wells to take photos, measure skid marks, and speak with locals who may have seen something.
Expert Witness Coordination and Accident Reconstruction
We work with medical professionals and accident reconstruction experts who explain technical issues in clear terms for juries. These experts often testify about the speed of impact, cause of death, and what safety measures could have prevented the tragedy.
Insurance Negotiation and Settlement Advocacy
We deal directly with insurers who try to reduce claim values. Our car accident attorneys push for fair outcomes based on documented losses. We prepare every case as if it may go to trial, which encourages insurers to treat families with more respect during settlement discussions.
Trial Representation and Courtroom Experience
If insurers refuse reasonable settlement offers, we present your case in front of a judge or jury with skill and preparation. We explain evidence clearly, question witnesses effectively, and ensure the jury hears your loved one’s story in a way that resonates.
Compassionate Support Throughout the Legal Process
Our firm recognizes the grief you carry. We provide consistent communication and treat your case with the respect it deserves. From the first meeting to the final resolution, we remain available to answer questions, update you on progress, and support your family through one of life’s hardest times.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fatal Car Crash Claims
Can I still recover compensation if my loved one was partially at fault?
Yes, as long as the deceased was less than 51 percent responsible. However, compensation decreases based on their percentage of fault.
What if the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured?
You may still have options, such as claims under your loved one’s uninsured motorist policy or pursuing personal assets of the driver.
How much does it cost to hire a wrongful death attorney?
Stephens Law handles wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay upfront legal fees, and fees come from any recovery secured.
What happens if there are multiple family members who want to file a claim?
Texas law allows certain family members to join together in one claim. If disagreements arise, the court may help determine how damages are shared.
Contact Our Fatal Car Crash Accident Attorneys in Mineral Wells Now
Time matters after a fatal crash. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and legal deadlines expire. Taking action today helps protect your family’s rights. Stephens Law has the experience and compassion to handle your wrongful death claim with care.
Call (817) 420-7000 for a free, no-obligation consultation with our Mineral Wells fatal accident attorneys. We’re ready to listen, review your case, and stand by your side through every step.
