# Do I Have to Go to Court After a Car Accident in Houston? | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. Auto Insurance Requirements in Texas 2. What To Do If You Receive a Complaint and Court Summons  3. Suing for Monetary Damages After a Car Accident  4. Settlement Negotiations Before Trial 5. When Will I Have To Go To Court After a Houston Car Accident? 6. Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help ![Do I Have To Go To Court After a Car Accident in Houston?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Do-I-Have-To-Go-To-Court-After-a-Car-Accident-in-Houston-300x200.jpg) If you are unsure whether you have to go to court after a [car accident in Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/), TX, you are not alone. Drivers and victims of collisions are oftentimes uncertain about what steps they are obligated to take after the crash. When police and insurance providers become involved, people can feel overwhelmed quickly.  If you are involved in an auto accident, the issue of whether or not you will have to appear in court is dependent upon many different factors. However, the most likely outcome is that you’ll settle out of court. Continue reading to learn more.  ## Auto Insurance Requirements in Texas In [Texas](https://www.texas.gov/), personal injury protection coverage, or [PIP](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-is-pip/), pays for you and your passengers if a car accident you are involved with results in injuries – regardless of who is at fault. This [coverage is included in all Texas car insurance policies](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer/cb020.html), but you can choose to opt out of it.  Texas law requires that you carry at least $30,000 of liability coverage for injuries per person, up to a total of $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 worth of coverage for potential [property damage](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/property-damage/). This breakdown of insurance is known as 30/60/25 coverage.  Most car accident claims start with insurance. Depending on who was at fault for the collision and the types of coverage available, it may be your own PIP coverage or a [third party’s](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/who-is-a-third-party-in-a-personal-injury-case/) liability coverage. It’s best to speak with an experienced Houston car accident attorney to determine the best path forward and to allow them to negotiate on your behalf.  For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## What To Do If You Receive a Complaint and Court Summons  You may receive a complaint and summons initiating a personal injury lawsuit against you following a car accident you were involved in, even if you were not at fault for it. Another driver may attempt to hold you liable and bring suit as a proactive way to do this.  It is always in your best interest to hire an attorney following a car accident in the event that a claim is brought against you. An attorney will file the required pleadings on your behalf and attempt to negotiate a settlement without involving the court. If the accident wasn’t your fault, your attorney will gather evidence proving who is liable. ## Suing for Monetary Damages After a Car Accident  If you were not liable for the car accident, you can bring a claim to ensure that you are financially compensated for any injuries you have suffered. You can recover for a multitude of [damages](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/types-of-damages-available-in-personal-injury-cases/), including lost wages, [pain and suffering](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/how-are-pain-and-suffering-damages-calculated/), and emotional distress.  Hiring an attorney is extremely helpful if you need to file a personal injury lawsuit. They will help you calculate the full extent of your damages and argue on your behalf to ensure you take home fair compensation. [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ## Settlement Negotiations Before Trial Just because you file a lawsuit does not mean you will find yourself appearing in court. Filing an action is often the force victims need to convince the other party that they should negotiate with you to reach a settlement. Usually, car accident claims settle via [negotiations](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/negotiation-in-personal-injury-cases/).  Your attorney will create a convincing case and argument to present to your opposition to reach a fair out-of-court financial settlement. Going to court results in high costs to both sides, so you will likely be able to settle before your case escalates to trial.  Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Now ## When Will I Have To Go To Court After a Houston Car Accident? If you are unable to reach a settlement with the at-fault driver or the insurance company, you may need to go to court. Likewise, if your opposition fails to follow the proper procedures to resolve your claim, it may be necessary to bring the case to court.  For example, an insurance provider who fails to handle your claim in a timely manner may be attempting to run out the [statute of limitations](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.16.htm), which would ruin your chances of recovery.  Additionally, the case may proceed to trial if settlement talks are unsuccessful. That may happen if the case is particularly complex, multiple parties are involved, your injuries are severe, or [liability](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/whats-liability/) is at issue. If you have been involved in a car accident and are interested in pursuing a claim, contact an experienced Houston car accident attorney today.  ## Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) --- ### About the Author Brian White ![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg) [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a [Board-Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) Personal Injury Trial Lawyer. Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and [community initiatives](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/). [Client testimonials](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/testimonials/) highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents. [Avvo](https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/77098-tx-brian-white-74113.html) / [Justia](https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/brian-elliott-white-201630) / [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/attorney-brian-white-378410166) Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Car Accidents Blog Posts: [![Neurological Issues From a Car Accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Neurological-Issues-From-a-Car-Accident-1-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/neurological-issues-from-a-car-accident/) [Neurological Issues From a Car Accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/neurological-issues-from-a-car-accident/) Many injuries are immediately apparent after a car accident. Victims are immediately aware of broken bones, burns, [![What if the Auto Collision Happened on the Job?](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/7WaERvvQ-300x200.jpeg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/how-tailgating-causes-accidents-and-how-to-stop-it/) [How Tailgating Causes Accidents and How to Stop It](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/how-tailgating-causes-accidents-and-how-to-stop-it/) Every year, more than one million rear-end car accidents occur in the United States. In those car accidents, thousands [![Window Tint Laws in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Window-Tint-Laws-in-Texas-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/window-tint-laws-in-texas/) [Window Tint Laws in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/window-tint-laws-in-texas/) Many vehicles on the road have some type of tint on the windows. Tinting vehicle windows helps protect them from heat [![Uber Insurance Policy Limits](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Uber-Insurance-Policy-Limits-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/uber-insurance-policy-limits/) [Uber Insurance Policy Limits](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/uber-insurance-policy-limits/) If you get into an Uber accident, who pays for your medical bills and other damages? The insurance company for the --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/do-i-have-to-go-to-court-after-a-car-accident-in-houston/