Interstate 35 FAQ’s

If you’ve been involved in an accident on I-35, prioritize safety and follow these steps:

• Call 911 immediately if there are injuries or if vehicles are blocking traffic.
• Alert local police or state highway patrol to file an official crash report.
• Exchange contact, license, and insurance information with all involved drivers.
• Document license plates and vehicle registration numbers.
• Get contact details from any eyewitnesses.
• Take photographs and videos of the crash scene, vehicle damage, and surroundings if it is safe to do so.
• Notify your insurance company about the accident.

State patrol agencies that commonly respond to I-35 crashes include the Texas Department of Public Safety, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Kansas Highway Patrol, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Iowa State Patrol, and Minnesota State Patrol.

After getting medical attention, you should consult with a personal injury attorney who practices in the state where the accident occurred. A lawyer can help you secure compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and other damages by holding the responsible parties accountable.

You are not legally required to hire a lawyer, but doing so can make a substantial difference in your outcome, especially if the accident caused injuries, significant vehicle damage, or insurance disputes. Attorneys know how to value claims, handle insurance adjusters, and build strong legal cases to maximize compensation.

Most lawyers offer free consultations and work on contingency, meaning they don’t get paid unless you win.

An experienced attorney will:

• Investigate the crash thoroughly and gather evidence.
• Review police reports, medical records, and witness statements.
• Identify liable parties and applicable insurance policies.
• Handle all communications and negotiations with insurers.
• Estimate and document all economic and non-economic losses.
• File lawsuits when needed and represent you in court.

Whether your crash happened in Texas or Minnesota, a lawyer licensed in that state can walk you through the legal process.

You should reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible. Early legal involvement helps preserve evidence, protect your rights, and avoid costly mistakes. Attorneys can also help prevent you from accepting lowball offers from insurance companies.

Each state has deadlines (statutes of limitations) that affect how long you have to file a claim. Don’t wait to get legal advice.

If you were injured in a crash on Interstate 35 due to another driver’s negligence, recklessness, or misconduct, you have the legal right to pursue compensation. However, your ability to file a personal injury claim is governed by each state’s statute of limitations, which sets a strict time limit for taking legal action. Failing to file within the allotted time can permanently bar you from recovering damages.

Below is a breakdown of the statutes of limitations for personal injury claims along the I-35 corridor:

Texas: Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003 states that you must file a personal injury claim within two years from the date of the accident. This deadline applies to all injury claims based on negligence, including auto accidents, premises liability, and product liability.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma law also imposes a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims, beginning on the date of the injury. This includes claims arising from car accidents, slips and falls, or wrongful death.

Kansas: Kansas Statutes Annotated § 60-513 provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits, including those resulting from motor vehicle accidents.

Missouri: Missouri provides one of the longest windows for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120, the statute of limitations is five years from the date of injury.

Iowa: In Iowa, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including vehicle accidents, is two years, according to Iowa Code § 614.1.

Minnesota: Minnesota allows two years to file a personal injury claim based on negligence, such as a car crash on I-35, under Minnesota Statutes § 541.07.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an I-35 accident, don’t wait to speak with an attorney. Every day that passes brings you closer to the deadline, and delays can hurt your case. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help ensure your claim is filed on time and properly prepared to pursue the full compensation you deserve.

Fortunately, most car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay anything upfront. The lawyer only gets paid if they successfully recover money for you through a settlement or court judgment.

This structure allows people from all income levels to get quality legal representation.

With a contingency fee agreement, the attorney’s payment is a percentage of your final compensation, usually between 25% and 40%. If your case is unsuccessful, you won’t owe any legal fees for their time or effort.

The exact percentage depends on the complexity of the case, whether a lawsuit was filed, and the state where your case is handled.

The value of your claim depends on multiple factors, including:

• The severity of your injuries
• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Vehicle damage and other property losses
• Emotional pain and suffering

A local personal injury attorney can provide a free case evaluation to estimate your claim’s value.

You may be eligible to recover both economic and non-economic damages:

Economic Damages:

• Emergency room and hospital costs
• Future medical care
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Lost wages
• Vehicle repair or replacement
• Travel costs for medical appointments

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement or disability

Most insurance companies and lawyers use the multiplier method or a per diem method:

• Multiplier method: Multiply your total economic damages by a factor (usually 1.5 to 5), depending on injury severity.
• Per diem method: Assign a daily dollar value to your pain and suffering and multiply it by the number of recovery days.

The method used may depend on your state’s laws, the insurer, and the unique facts of your case.

The length of time to resolve your case depends on:

• The extent of your injuries
• Complexity of the accident
• Whether liability is clear or disputed
• Insurance company cooperation
• Whether a lawsuit is required

Some cases settle in a few months, while others take a year or more. Your attorney will balance speed with getting you full and fair compensation.

No. Never give a recorded statement without speaking to an attorney first. Insurance adjusters may try to get you to say something that weakens your claim or shifts blame onto you. A lawyer can guide you on what to say or speak on your behalf.

A fatal crash on Interstate 35 can devastate a family. Each state along the I-35 corridor has its own rules regarding who may file a wrongful death claim and how those claims are handled. Below is a breakdown of the relevant laws by state:

Texas: Under Texas law, the following individuals may file a wrongful death claim: the surviving spouse, children (including adult and legally adopted children), and parents of the deceased. If none of these parties bring a claim within three months, the executor or personal representative of the estate may file the suit instead, unless all eligible family members request otherwise.

Texas allows the recovery of both economic and non-economic damages, including mental anguish, loss of companionship, and loss of inheritance.

Oklahoma: In Oklahoma, only the personal representative (executor) of the deceased’s estate may file a wrongful death lawsuit. However, damages are awarded to the surviving family members. Beneficiaries may include the surviving spouse, children, and parents, as well as next of kin.

Oklahoma allows recovery for medical and burial expenses, pain and suffering of the deceased, lost income, and grief suffered by survivors.

Kansas: Kansas allows any “heir at law” of the deceased to bring a wrongful death claim. This typically includes spouses, children, parents, and sometimes siblings, depending on the family structure.

Unlike some states, Kansas does not require the personal representative of the estate to be the plaintiff, and more than one heir may be involved.

There is a cap on non-economic damages in Kansas, currently set at $250,000.

Missouri: Missouri law permits certain individuals to bring a wrongful death claim in tiers. The first tier includes the surviving spouse, children (including adopted), or parents of the deceased. If none exist, the claim can be brought by siblings or their descendants.

If no eligible relatives are available, the court may appoint a “plaintiff ad litem.”

Damages in Missouri may include funeral expenses, lost companionship, lost wages, and the value of services the deceased provided.

Iowa: Only the executor or administrator of the estate may file a wrongful death claim in Iowa. That person may be named in the will or appointed by the court.

Damages may go to the spouse, children, and parents of the deceased and may include loss of support, services, companionship, and mental anguish.

Iowa also allows claims for the deceased’s pre-death pain and suffering and medical expenses incurred before passing.

Minnesota: In Minnesota, a wrongful death claim must be filed by a court-appointed trustee on behalf of surviving family members. Eligible beneficiaries include the spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings.

The trustee files the claim, but the damages recovered are distributed to the next of kin as determined by the court.

Minnesota law allows compensation for both pecuniary loss (such as loss of income or household services) and funeral expenses.

We understand how overwhelming and painful it is to lose a loved one in a traffic accident, especially when it could have been prevented. Navigating legal matters during a time of grief is the last thing most families want to do. That’s why it’s important to consult with a compassionate attorney familiar with the wrongful death laws of the specific state where the crash occurred along I-35.

They can help you understand your rights, evaluate your claim, and pursue full compensation on your family’s behalf.

We created this resource to provide accident updates and legal information for drivers, passengers, and families affected by crashes on Interstate 35. Our goal is to raise awareness of highway safety and to help injury victims understand their rights and legal options in each of the six I-35 states.

We partner with experienced attorneys licensed in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota to help accident victims. If you need to meet with an attorney because you were injured in an accident on I-35, reach out to us today to schedule your free case review.