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Abilene Personal Injury Lawyer | Taylor County (and small parts of Jones County) Attorney | The Longhorn Law Firm
★ West Central Texas / Big Country · Taylor County (and small parts of Jones County)

Abilene personal injury lawyer.

Personal injury attorneys serving Abilene, Taylor County (and small parts of Jones County), and the West Central Texas / Big Country region. Car accidents, truck crashes, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death. No fee unless we win.

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Why work with an attorney who knows Abilene?

Abilene is the largest city in the Big Country region of West Central Texas. Home to three universities (Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, McMurry University) and Dyess Air Force Base (home to B-1 bombers and C-130 transport aircraft), Abilene combines university-town demographics with a substantial military community. The city has a deep ranching and oil heritage, with the surrounding region producing significant cattle and petroleum. Hendrick Medical Center is the Level III trauma center for a vast region of West Texas, making Abilene the medical destination for serious injuries from surrounding rural counties.

Abilene — local context

Population: 125,000 (city), 175,000+ (MSA).

Major highways: I-20, US-83, US-84, US-277, US-180, Loop 322.

Neighborhoods served: Downtown Abilene, Sayles Boulevard, Hardin-Simmons area, ACU area, Wylie, Elmwood, College Heights, Buffalo Gap Road area, Treadaway corridor.

Why local experience matters

Abilene has unique legal considerations: (1) Dyess Air Force Base personnel and family members face military-specific legal issues — Feres doctrine, FTCA, TRICARE, SCRA tolling; (2) I-20 through Taylor County sees substantial commercial trucking with serious crashes; (3) Three university populations (ACU 5,000+, Hardin-Simmons 2,500+, McMurry 1,000+) create student-specific case patterns; (4) Taylor County juries trend conservative; (5) Hendrick being the regional Level III trauma center means cases from surrounding rural counties concentrate here; (6) Oilfield work in the region generates significant industrial injury caseload.

Courts and jurisdiction

Most cases are filed in the Taylor County District Courts, located at 300 Oak St, Abilene, TX 79602. Primary civil district courts include the 42nd, 104th, 326th, 350th Judicial District Courts. Federal cases (diversity jurisdiction or claims against the federal government) are filed in the appropriate U.S. District Court.

Cases we handle in Abilene

  • Car accidents — Crashes on I-20 and local roads
  • Commercial truck accidents — Cases involving federal FMCSA regulations
  • Motorcycle crashes — Often severe injuries, comparative fault considerations
  • Pedestrian and bicycle accidents — Particularly in school zones and downtown areas
  • Uber/Lyft accidents — Complex coverage tier analysis
  • Catastrophic injuries — TBI, spinal cord, amputations
  • Wrongful death — Supporting families through their hardest moments
  • Dog bites — Texas premises liability standards
  • Slip and fall — Property owner negligence
  • Insurance bad faith — When insurers refuse to pay what they owe

Top practice areas in Abilene

01
Military Family Injuries (Dyess AFB)
Active-duty personnel, dependents, retirees, DoD civilians — Feres doctrine and military case considerations.
02
I-20 Trucking Crashes
Major east-west commercial corridor — federal FMCSA regulations apply.
03
Oilfield Injuries
West Texas petroleum industry — workplace injury and wrongful death claims.
04
University Student Cases
Pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle accidents involving ACU, Hardin-Simmons, McMurry students.
05
Catastrophic Injuries
Hendrick Medical Center serves a vast region — serious injury cases from across the Big Country.
06
Wrongful Death
Compassionate representation for Taylor County families.

Abilene hospitals and trauma centers

If you were seriously injured in Abilene, you were likely treated at one of these facilities. We work with all of them on medical lien negotiation routinely.

Hendrick Medical Center
Level III Trauma Center — primary regional trauma facility serving West Central Texas.
Abilene Regional Medical Center
Major hospital with full emergency services.
Hendrick Children's Hospital
Pediatric trauma and specialty care for the Big Country region.
Hendrick Hospice Care
Specialty care for serious injury patients in end-of-life situations.
Dyess Air Force Base Medical Clinic
Federal medical facility for active-duty personnel and dependents.
VA Medical Center (Big Spring)
Federal medical facility for veterans throughout the Big Country region.

Injured in Abilene? Call us today.

Free consultation. We'll listen to your story, explain your options honestly, and tell you whether you have a case worth pursuing.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a personal injury lawyer specifically in Abilene?
Not necessarily. Most personal injury work happens via phone, email, video calls, and document exchange — so the attorney doesn't need to be physically in Abilene. What matters is that they're licensed in Texas, familiar with Taylor County (and small parts of Jones County) courts, and experienced in cases like yours. We represent clients throughout Texas and New Mexico, including Abilene, with the same dedication regardless of distance.
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost in Abilene?
You pay nothing upfront. We work on contingency — typically 33.33% of the recovery before a lawsuit is filed, 40% after litigation begins. Case expenses (expert witnesses, court filing fees, depositions) are separate and only paid from recovery. If we don't win, you owe nothing.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Abilene?
Texas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, starting from the date of the accident. After 2 years, your claim is generally barred forever. But practically, you should act much sooner — evidence disappears within weeks (surveillance video, witness memories, vehicle data). Aim to consult an attorney within the first 30 days.
What kinds of cases do you handle in Abilene?
Car accidents, truck accidents (18-wheelers), motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall, dog bites, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries (TBI, spinal cord), workplace injuries, Uber/Lyft accidents, insurance bad faith claims, and negligent security cases. We handle the full range of Texas personal injury law.
Will you be the lead attorney on my Abilene case?
Yes — one of our two attorneys (Shawn Barnett or Jeff Barnett) personally handles every case we accept. You won't be passed off to a junior associate or paralegal. We deliberately keep our caseload manageable so each client gets actual attorney attention.
What if my accident involves a commercial trucking company in Abilene?
Texas commercial trucking accidents typically involve Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations in addition to standard state personal injury law. We have experience with these cases including spoliation letters to preserve truck black box data, hours-of-service violations, and multi-party liability (driver, trucking company, broker, shipper).
Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for my Abilene accident?
Yes — Texas uses modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar rule. As long as you were 50% or less at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 51%+ at fault, you cannot recover. This is why insurance companies aggressively try to shift blame to victims — to push you over the 51% threshold.
What should I do immediately after an accident in Abilene?
(1) Get to safety; (2) Call 911 even for seemingly minor accidents; (3) Get medical care within 24 hours, even if you feel okay; (4) Photograph everything; (5) Get witness contact info; (6) Don't give recorded statements to the other driver's insurance company; (7) Contact a personal injury attorney before signing anything. See our complete First 7 Days After an Accident guide for detailed day-by-day steps.