Out here in West Texas, we’re raised to be tough. We don’t complain. We don’t make a big deal out of being hurt. So after a wreck, a lot of folks walk away saying they’re fine even when they’re not.
The problem is that adrenaline hides injuries. And insurance companies know that.
Their adjusters are trained to reach you fast — sometimes within hours to get a recorded statement while adrenaline is still masking your pain. If you wait even a few days to see a doctor, that gap in your timeline becomes a weapon. “Why didn’t you go to the doctor sooner?” Suddenly, the reason you delayed care becomes the center of their defense.
If you were hit by a car in West Texas, do one thing right now: get checked out by a doctor. Your body may be hiding something serious and the longer you wait, the harder your case becomes to prove.
Hidden injuries can surface days after an accident. Our Abilene car accident lawyers are ready to fight for your compensation—call now at (325) 480-8100 or book a free consultation.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Car Accident – Even If You Feel Fine
When your body goes through a traumatic event, it floods your system with adrenaline. That’s biology, not toughness. This response temporarily suppresses pain and gives you the sense that you can walk it off. Most people do. And that’s exactly what insurance companies are counting on.
If you skip the doctor, you hand them an easy argument: if the injury was real, you would have gone to the hospital. It doesn’t matter how much pain you’re in three days later. Their question will be: why did you wait? Don’t let your West Texas toughness become their best defense.
Adrenaline suppresses pain and gives you the sense that you can walk it off. Most people do. That's exactly what insurance companies are counting on.
Common delayed-onset injuries after a car accident:
- Whiplash: Neck stiffness, headaches, and dizziness may appear days later.
- Concussions and brain injuries: Symptoms like confusion, nausea, and memory problems can take time to surface.
- Internal bleeding: Bruising, fainting, or abdominal pain may indicate a hidden injury.
- Soft tissue injuries: Torn ligaments or muscle damage may not cause pain immediately.
No cut. No bruise. No immediate pain. The force of a collision can damage blood vessels and organs with no visible wound at all.
- Deep purple bruising that spreads over time
- Dizziness or fainting
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Nausea or vomiting
You don't have to hit your head. The sudden stop shakes your brain inside the skull, causing damage at the cellular level.
- Headaches that get worse over time
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Irritability, anxiety, or depression
Vertebrae fracture, discs herniate, nerves get compressed — all without immediate pain, because the surrounding inflammation takes time to develop.
- Back pain or stiffness that doesn't improve
- Tingling, numbness, or weakness in arms or legs
- Difficulty walking or keeping balance
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
Your head snaps forward and back faster than your muscles can react. You walk away fine. The next morning you can barely turn your head.
- Stiffness or pain in the neck and shoulders
- Headaches starting at the base of the skull
- Dizziness or blurred vision
- Difficulty moving your neck
A gap between the crash and your first visit becomes their whole defense. The connection between your accident and your injury is easier to establish the sooner you get treatment — and no amount of pain three days later answers the question "why did you wait?"
Statute of Limitations for Texas Pedestrian Accidents
In Texas, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. This deadline is set under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003 and applies to:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Other accident-related damages
Two years sounds like plenty of time until you understand what building a solid case actually requires. Medical records need to be gathered, expert witnesses may need to be retained, and witnesses must be reached while their memories are still clear.
For injuries with delayed onset, that distinction is everything. Don't wait until the pain becomes serious to take action.
Common Delayed Injuries After a Car Accident
After a crash, some injuries don’t announce themselves right away. They develop over hours and days — long after the adrenaline has faded and you’ve told everyone you’re fine. Here’s what to watch for.
Whiplash and Soft Tissue Damage
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries we handle and one of the most commonly dismissed. The impact sends your head snapping forward and back faster than your muscles can react, straining or tearing the soft tissues in your neck and upper back. You walk away feeling fine. Then the next morning, you can barely turn your head.
Watch for:
- Stiffness or pain in the neck and shoulders
- Headaches starting at the base of the skull
- Dizziness or blurred vision
- Difficulty moving your neck
Apply ice to reduce swelling and see a doctor as soon as possible. A timely medical record is one of the most valuable pieces of evidence in a personal injury case.
Our guide on the average settlement for car accident back and neck injuries covers what you may be entitled to. You can also find more detail in our guide to average whiplash settlements.
Internal Bleeding
This is the delayed injury that concerns us most, because by the time symptoms appear, it can already be life-threatening.
Unlike cuts or bruises, internal bleeding has no outward sign. The force of a collision can damage blood vessels and organs with no visible wound and no immediate pain. Watch for:
- Deep purple bruising that spreads over time
- Dizziness or fainting
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Nausea or vomiting
If any of these symptoms appear after an accident, go to the emergency room immediately. Do not drive yourself if you feel dizzy. Call 911. Internal bleeding can become life-threatening within hours and often requires surgery.
Concussions & Brain Injuries
You don’t have to hit your head to suffer a brain injury. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result from the force of impact alone — the sudden stop shakes your brain inside the skull, causing damage at the cellular level with no visible wound.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, TBIs are a leading cause of injury-related death and disability in the United States. Even non-fatal TBIs can significantly affect a person’s ability to work, think, and function day to day.
Watch for these signs in the hours and days after an accident:
- Headaches that get worse over time
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Mood changes — irritability, anxiety, or depression
If you notice any of these symptoms, avoid physical activity and seek a medical evaluation right away. An untreated concussion can lead to long-term cognitive problems that affect your ability to work and live normally.
Spinal Injuries & Nerve Damage
The spine absorbs enormous force in a pedestrian accident. Vertebrae can fracture, discs can herniate, and nerves can be compressed all without immediate pain, because the surrounding inflammation takes time to fully develop.
Watch for:
- Persistent back pain or stiffness that doesn’t improve
- Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs
- Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
- Loss of bladder or bowel control in severe cases
Hypothetical scenario:
A West Texas oilfield worker gets hit at an intersection near Midland. He waves off the responding officer and drives himself home. Three days later, he can’t feel his left foot. An MRI shows a herniated disc pressing on a nerve root. Because he didn’t see a doctor right away, the insurance company argues the injury existed before the accident.
This scenario plays out regularly across West Texas. The connection between your accident and your injury is easier to establish the sooner you get treatment. Spinal injuries need prompt attention both for your recovery and for your claim.
What to Do If You Were Hit by a Car in Texas
Being hit by a vehicle is one of the most traumatic experiences a person can go through. Here are the steps that protect both your health and your legal rights. For a more detailed breakdown, check out our guide on what to do after a car accident that wasn’t your fault.
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention ASAP
Even if you feel fine, go to a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries, like concussions or internal bleeding, may not show symptoms right away. A medical exam creates a record of your condition, which can be important if symptoms develop later.
Step 2: Document Everything
After an accident, details can become blurry. Gather as much evidence as possible, including:
- Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any injuries
- Contact information for the driver, witnesses, and responding officers
- Copies of medical reports, receipts, and treatment plans
The more documentation you have, the stronger your case will be if you need to file an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Step 3: Report the Accident
Under Texas law, you must report an accident to law enforcement if there are injuries or significant property damage. Texas Transportation Code § 550.023 requires all parties to exchange information and provide aid. A police report is a foundational piece of evidence in any injury claim.
If the driver left without stopping, report it immediately.
The Texas Department of Transportation and local law enforcement take hit-and-run cases seriously. Reporting quickly improves the chances of identifying the responsible driver.
Step 4: Contact our Lawyer for Legal Guidance
Insurance adjusters are trained to reach you fast — often the same day to get a recorded statement before you fully understand what’s happened. Don’t talk to them before talking to us.
We’ll protect your rights from day one. Call us at 325-225-0143 for a free consultation — we’ll take it from there.
Do I Need a Lawyer After Getting Hit by a Car in Texas?
Out here in West Texas, we’re a self-reliant bunch. We figure things out on our own. But there’s a difference between being self-reliant and going up against a billion-dollar insurance company without any help.
Their team of adjusters, investigators, and defense lawyers is already working on minimizing your payout. Here’s how to know if you need someone working just as hard on your side.
When You Can Handle a Claim Alone
In cases where the injuries are minor, liability is clear, and the insurance company is cooperative, you may not need a lawyer. Situations where you might manage your claim independently include:
- The driver admitted fault, and their insurance is covering your medical bills.
- You only suffered minor bruises or scrapes, requiring little to no medical treatment.
- There are no long-term injuries, lost wages, or disputes over damages.
If you decide to handle your claim alone, document everything carefully and don’t accept a settlement without ensuring it fully covers your expenses.
When You NEED a Lawyer
For anything more complex, having legal representation can be the difference between full compensation and far less than you deserve:
Situation | Why it matters |
Fault is disputed | Proving liability without legal expertise is difficult — especially when the other driver claims you were at fault. |
Serious injuries, surgery, or long-term rehabilitation | Future damages — ongoing care costs, lost earning capacity — must be accurately calculated, not guessed. |
Low settlement offer or claim denial | Insurance companies regularly lowball. A denial is rarely final. An experienced attorney knows how to push back. |
Hit-and-run or uninsured driver | Texas uninsured motorist claims involve complex rules. Getting this wrong can cost you your full recovery. |
Delayed-onset injuries | Connecting injuries that appeared days later to the original accident requires careful legal and medical documentation. |
How our Lawyer Helps Your Case
Our team has handled over 500 trials across West Texas. Here’s what we do from day one:
- Investigate the accident: We gather surveillance footage, witness statements, and police reports to establish exactly what happened and who was at fault.
- Handle all communications: You focus on your recovery. We deal with the insurance company so you don’t say something that undermines your case.
- Calculate the full value of your claim: Not just current medical bills — future care, lost earning capacity, and the long-term impact on your quality of life.
- Take it to court if necessary: We’re trial lawyers. We don’t back down from a fight. If the insurance company won’t settle fairly, we’ll see them in front of a jury.
Don't Close Your Case Before You Hit This Milestone (MMI)
There’s one concept most injury victims never hear about until it’s too late: MMI.
MMI stands for Maximum Medical Improvement. It’s the point at which your condition has stabilized — either you’ve fully recovered, or you’ve improved as much as your physician believes you will. Your doctor makes this determination. Not the insurance company.
Bills start. So does the pressure to close the file.
Nobody knows yet what your recovery actually costs — including you.
Fully recovered, or improved as much as your physician believes you will.
- Future therapy, injections, or surgery come out of your pocket
- Lasting limitations aren't priced in because nobody knows them yet
- Mounting bills make a low offer feel like relief
- Once you sign a release, your case is almost always over
- Past medical bills and documented future care
- Time missed from work and reduced earning capacity
- Lasting limitations your doctor has actually identified
- The full impact of the injury — not an estimate of it
Insurance companies know that an injured person dealing with mounting bills and a slow recovery is more likely to accept an offer that's less than fair, just to get some money in the door.
Ask yourself one question: have I reached MMI yet? If the answer is no — or you're not sure — call (325) 225-0143 first.
Here’s why this matters for your case: your settlement is supposed to account for the full impact of your injury — past medical bills, ongoing treatment, future care, time missed from work, and any lasting limitations.
If you settle before reaching MMI, you’re guessing. And if you later need more therapy, injections, or surgery, you may be stuck paying for it yourself. Once you sign a release, your case is almost always over.
The pressure to settle quickly is real. Insurance companies know that an injured person dealing with mounting bills and a slow recovery is more likely to accept an offer that’s less than fair, just to get some money in the door.
If someone is pushing you to close your case quickly, stop and ask yourself:
Have I reached MMI yet? If the answer is no or if you’re not sure call us at 325-225-0143 before you sign anything.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
Texas law allows accident victims to recover compensation for both the financial and personal impact of their injuries. Here’s what you may be entitled to:
Category | What it covers |
Medical expenses | Hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications, and future treatment costs |
Lost wages and future earnings | Income lost during recovery, reduced earning capacity, and compensation for any career changes caused by permanent disability |
Pain and suffering | Physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life |
Punitive damages | Awarded in cases of gross negligence — such as drunk driving. Intended to punish the at-fault driver and deter similar behavior in the future |
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. If you were found to be partially at fault for the accident, your compensation can be reduced proportionally or eliminated entirely if you’re more than 51% at fault. This is one of the most common tactics insurance companies use to reduce payouts. An experienced attorney knows how to counter those arguments.
Contact Our Texas Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you were hit by a car in West Texas, don’t wait. The longer you wait to take action, the harder your case becomes to prove and the more leverage you hand to the insurance company.
At Lorfing Law, we fight for hard-working West Texans every day. We know these communities. We know the courts. And we know how insurance companies operate, because Managing Partner Russell Lorfing spent years as a federal prosecutor watching how the other side builds its case.
We didn’t build our practice in Dallas or Houston. We stayed in West Texas, because this is home, and these are our people. With over 75 years of combined experience and more than 500 jury trials behind us, you can count on us to level the playing field.
Call us now at (325) 480-8100 or contact us online for a free consultation. Let’s discuss your case and protect your rights.
