Right now, before anything else
- Do not sign a release. Property damage releases often cover "all claims arising from the accident," which includes diminished value and loss of use. Have us read anything before you sign.
- Do not cash a diminished value check without understanding what it settles. Insurers sometimes issue a small 17c-formula payment hoping it closes the claim.
- Choose your own repair shop. You are not required to use the insurer's "preferred" shop. For a luxury or exotic vehicle, use a shop certified by the manufacturer.
- Keep everything. Estimate, supplements, final invoice, photos before and after, the police report, rental receipts and all adjuster correspondence.
Step 1: Free claim review
Use the form on the home page or call us. We ask about the vehicle, the accident, fault, the repair and the insurer. An attorney reviews it and tells you candidly whether the claim is worth pursuing. We decline claims where the vehicle value, the fault facts or the at-fault driver's policy limits mean the numbers do not work, and we tell you why.
Step 2: Engagement and records
If we take the case, you sign a written contingency fee agreement and a limited authorization that lets us deal with the insurer and the shop. We obtain the crash report, the at-fault carrier's claim number and adjuster, the complete repair file including supplements, photos and parts invoices, and your CARFAX or AutoCheck report showing what has been reported.
Step 3: Independent appraisal
A licensed, independent appraiser values your vehicle before the accident, inspects the repair, and measures the post-repair value using comparable sales and market data specific to your model. On high-value vehicles the appraisal frequently includes direct dealer inquiries about what they would pay for your car with and without the accident history. The appraisal also identifies repair-related loss where the work fell short of manufacturer standards.
Step 4: Demand and negotiation
We send the at-fault insurer a demand package: the appraisal, the repair record, the history report, the loss-of-use calculation with rental quotes, and a letter that explains the Texas law and the deadline. The adjuster will usually respond with a 17c-formula number or their own desk appraisal. We negotiate from the evidence, and most claims resolve at this stage.
Step 5: Lawsuit, if the insurer refuses
When the final offer is unreasonably below the appraised loss, we file suit against the at-fault driver in the appropriate Texas court. The insurer retains defense counsel and remains responsible for any judgment or settlement within its limits. Litigation involves written discovery, the appraiser's expert testimony and, in most cases, mediation before trial. The fee moves to 40% only at this point, and you are part of that decision.
Step 6: Recovery
Settlement funds are paid to our trust account, the fee and any case expenses are deducted as set out in your agreement, and the balance is paid to you with a written settlement statement.
How long it takes
A pre-suit claim typically takes a few months from engagement to payment, driven mostly by how quickly the repair is completed and how the insurer responds. Litigated claims take longer, and the timeline depends on the county's docket. Throughout, the two-year filing deadline is calendared and protected.