Houston Car Accident Lawyer

Are you looking for a Houston Car Accident Lawyer in Texas, with a 5-star rating? You have come to the right place! Remember, if you are in an accident, it is in the insurance company’s best interest to pay as little as possible if you file a claim yourself and not the amount of compensation you deserve! If you need an attorney, call for a free consultation and let our personal injury lawyers file a claim against the other driver’s insurance company. That is why you need an attorney and a legal team to provide legal representation if you are involved in a car accident.

Call our experienced car accident lawyer, Houston, today at 713-572-6446!

Car Accident
If you are a car accident victim and suffered car crash injuries these are the steps to take.

Chances are you will need an experienced attorney on your side because every 2 minutes and 3 seconds, someone is injured in a car accident on Texas roads. Accidents in Houston, Katy, Baytown, and surrounding areas happen frequently because of rapid unplanned growth. We have recovered millions for our clients and can help you too!

As a state with the second-highest car accident rates in the country, Texas roadways had over 561,582 crashes in 2019. From catastrophic accidents involving single-vehicle accidents, multi-car pile-ups to motorcyclists being swept off the road as a commercial truck changes lanes, motor vehicle collisions in the Lone Star State devastate families every day by causing serious injury or death. 

The city of Houston has seen tremendous growth over the years. Houston ranked third in the nation in population growth, and the Houston population is expected to exceed 7.1 million. This leads to more cars, traffic, and, unfortunately, more accidents. The pain and suffering caused by these accidents are often life-changing. Mounting medical bills, lost wages, and even loss of the ability to work in the future are consequences of these accidents. If the auto accident is someone else’s fault, you deserve to be compensated, so hire a Texas car accident lawyer.

Our Houston Car Accident Lawyers are available 24/7 in Austin, Victoria, Spring, Pasadena, Katy, Baytown, and Houston, Texas, so contact us today to schedule an initial free consultation with our caring team. We can discuss the specific details of your accident, the impacts that the crash has had on your life, the injuries you have suffered, and what we can do to get you maximum compensation. 

What To Do After An Accident In Houston, Texas

In case you have been in an accident, these are the steps to take after a car accident case:

1. Seek emergency medical services

2. Exchange contact information and the driver’s insurance policy information for all vehicles involved

3. Take photos

4. Document contacts of witnesses

5. Call the police

6. Visit your doctor

7. Contact your insurance company (do not give a recorded statement without a Houston car accident lawyer)

8. Call our car accident lawyer

Client calls lawyer after a car accident

Seek Emergency Medical Care

If anyone is hurt or may need medical care, do not hesitate to call 911 right away so they can obtain medical care. Every second does count, especially when it comes to severe injuries. Emergency medical assistance can mean the difference between life and death. If you have health insurance, do not hesitate to go to the hospital. If you go to the hospital or urgent care, the emergency room doctor can do diagnostic testing such as X-rays. Some emergency room physicians use CT scans and MRIs to rule out serious injuries.

No matter who is at fault for the accident, safety comes first. If you are in a position to check on the other driver or road user, please do so. Once life-threatening injuries have been addressed, you can proceed to the next step.

Exchange Information

Client’s vehicle catches fire after MVA

You will need to trade information with the other driver to start the insurance claims process. The details you need to 

capture include the following:

• Contact information of the people involved, including name, address, email, and phone number

• Driver’s license number

• Vehicle license plate number

• Vehicle registration details

• At-fault driver’s insurance policy information and auto insurance of all people involved.

Although many people forget, these details are required when you decide to pursue a car accident claim. Houston is a big city, and tracking down the other driver will be much easier if you have this information. A list of the most popular insurance companies can be found here.

What about a Houston car accident caused by a hit and run?

Unfortunately, there is an abundance of hit-and-run car accidents in Houston, and if you look at our client reviews, our clients believe we are the best car accident lawyer in Houston, TX. If it’s a hit-and-run, your dashboard camera recording might be of great help. Surveillance camera footage can also do the job if you don’t routinely record with your dashboard camera. You don’t have to be worried about that as we will ensure the other driver is identified and held responsible.

Take Pictures

Pictures can be irrefutable proof of who was at fault and the extent of the damage to your car.

Use your smartphone to take photos at the scene of the accident. Ensure you cover the following in your photographs:

• The positioning of the vehicles

• The extent of damage to your car

• Skid marks on the road

• All identification such as driver’s license, license plate, insurance information.

Most of these details will be covered by the police report; however, you also need to have this crucial evidence. The photographs will give you some leverage during settlement negotiations. 

Picture taking on phone

Document Contacts Of Witnesses

More often than not, there will be one or more witnesses of an accident, and witnesses can help support your version of events, which strengthens your case. Ensure you write down the names and contact details of any witnesses at the scene of the accident. 

You may come across individuals who are not willing to serve as witnesses of the accident. Explain why you need their input and how that input helps hold the other driver responsible. 

Nevertheless, ensure the witnesses you recruit are willing to help. Most people want to help you, so that will not be too hard for you. 

Call The Local Police Department

You must report the accident to the local police department or sheriff’s office. A law enforcement officer will be sent to the scene right away, and a report filled out by the officer serves as a crucial piece of evidence that will improve the chances of you being compensated. 

It is not uncommon for a driver to admit fault at the scene and change their version of events later. Many people are trustworthy, but it’s not fair to accident victims who have suffered auto accidents injuries for an insurance adjuster to deny a claim because someone in a car wreck changes their mind and decides not to move forward and tell the truth.

In many cases, and many types of auto accidents, 911 should be called so paramedics can treat auto accident injuries at the scene where the accident occurred.

The local police office or sheriff’s office will send a police officer to document the statements of all the drivers involved. Document the auto accident victims, showing whether there were any traffic laws violated. The accident report may indicate who was at fault for the auto accident, the property damage, insurance policies, how many people were involved in the accident, when and where the accident occurred, weather conditions, if there was an injured person, and whether they received medical care. Driving while intoxicated will also be captured in the report. 

The accident report can deter the insurance claims handler from requesting a recorded statement for your insurance claim, and without the report, the insurance company may deny your injury claim. Sometimes, the adjuster may request a recorded statement if there are conflicts in the accident report.

Therefore, an accident report by the police will make it easier for you to be compensated fully. The other driver will be more willing to take responsibility and settle once a police report shows they were clearly in the wrong. If the case proceeds to trial, the police report will serve as vital evidence that will sway the court in your favor.

Writing down information

6. Visit Your Doctor Or Go To The Emergency Room Or Urgent Care

First responders treat injured victim at the scene

No matter how trivial your injuries, ensure you see your doctor within two to three days. A complete examination to ensure you are in the clear in terms of your health is highly recommended by all accident lawyers in Houston, Texas. 

Here are the reasons why.

First of all, some injuries may take a while before the symptoms develop. At this point, the outcome may not be that favorable for you and may result in a long recovery process and mounting medical bills. You would rather have these injuries detected and managed at the earliest time possible.

Secondly, seeing a doctor early is of great importance to your accident claim. Documentation that the injuries were due to the Houston auto accident and other testing such as Xrays, CT scans, and MRIs will help your pursuit to recover compensation fully.

7. Contact Your Own Insurance Company

When in an accident, you are legally obligated to inform your insurance companies in time. Failure to inform your own insurance company in a timely manner may result in the loss of your legibility for compensation.  Even if it’s under your own insurance company’s policy, Houston car wreck lawyers can help you with your car insurance claim.

When accidents happen, you must call your insurer, ensure you answer all their questions honestly. Give a clear description of what happened and the severity of the outcome. 

However, do not under any circumstances admit fault. Similarly, don’t sign any waivers or statements without speaking to a trial lawyer. The driver’s insurance company will always look for ways to minimize the compensation you receive and, therefore, employ all possible means to ensure that happens. 

8. Call Us Today, Your Car Accident Attorney In Houston, TX

Luckily, we are ready to ensure that doesn’t happen. If you are injured in a serious car accident in Texas, you are entitled to a free consultation when you call our Houston car accident lawyers. Our law firm is well-equipped to ensure your Houston car accident claim results in the highest possible compensation for your damages. Houston car accident lawyers often mean the difference between adequate compensation and the lowest possible compensation.

We offer free consultations for your case, allowing our accident lawyers to assess your claim and discuss the options available. Additionally, we will develop the best possible approach that ensures you get a fair settlement as soon as possible. 

Our personal injury law firm will carefully investigate your accident to gather all the available evidence when you decide to work with us. Once our car accident law firm has all the necessary evidence, we will build a strong case to get you the best outcome. 

Recover Compensation For People Injured In Car Accidents

Being in an accident can potentially result in extensive physical and emotional injuries. The financial burden and impact on your current and future earning capacity can be overwhelming. You deserve total compensation for all that. 

Here are the damages available for car accident victims:

• Current and future medical expenses

• Rehabilitation costs

• Disfigurement

• Disability

• Lost wages and income

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Property damage to your vehicle

• Loss of quality of life 

• Wrongful death

We understand that you are going through one of the most challenging times in your life, and if you searched for auto accident attorneys, you are lucky you found us. Therefore, our car accident law firm is ready to pursue compensation on your behalf. Filing a personal injury lawsuit may look complicated, but our law firm is here to ensure it is seamless for you. 

Life for you might never be the same again after the accident; however, it will be much easier if you get fully compensated for the damages. Getting financially back on your feet can help you get back your life as close to normal as before the accident. You can always count on us to have your back in this tough legal battle for fair compensation that will get you back on your feet. 

Common Causes Or Types Of Car Accidents In Houston

Car accident cases happen when you least expect them. Your life can get changed forever within a split of a second. The following have been identified as the most common causes of car injury cases in the Houston area. 

• Distracted driving

• Drunk driving

Reckless behavior

• Defective equipment

• Unsafe road conditions

• Other road users

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car collisions. Did you know that currently, one out of four car accidents is caused by the use of mobile phones while driving? According to the National Safety Council, this shocking revelation shows how phones pose a significant danger to other road users. But despite knowing the danger posed, most people still use their phones while driving. 

Distracted drivers using the phone, together with other forms of distracted driving and not paying attention, were among the leading causes of crashes in Texas in 2019.  These drivers often cause head on collisions and severe car collisions.

The following are some of the most typical causes of distraction that are common causes of car accidents:

• Talking on the phone

• Texting

• Eating or drinking

• Operating a GPS device and other navigation systems on the dashboard

• Chatting with a passenger

• Adjusting an iPod and the music system

• Applying make-up using the rearview mirror

• Reading maps or directions

Young woman with lipstick and cell phone in the car

Crashed Cars

Talking On The Phone

According to the US National Highway Safety Administration, you are four times more likely to get into a car accident when driving while talking on the phone. As your brain concentrates on the conversation, its focus on the road is highly diminished. 

Statistics show that using a phone while driving reduces driving-related brain activity by as much as 37%. 

And it doesn’t matter whether you are holding your phone or using it hands-free as there is no difference in the outcome.

Texting

Advancements in technology have meant more and more options when it comes to instant messaging. Most people fail to overcome the urge to reply to a text even when driving. Typing a quick short reply won’t hurt, right?

Yes, it will.

Your risk of a car accident is increased by 23 times when you text while driving, according to the National Highway Safety Administration

Here is how the high likelihood of crashing comes about when you text while driving. It takes about 5 seconds to send a text. At 55mph on the highway, that is enough time to cover the length of a football field. You can only imagine how many things can go wrong; thus, speed is a significant factor in highway car accidents.

Drunk man driving his car and drinking alcohol

Drunk Driving

One of the most dangerous causes of car accidents is getting behind the wheel after drinking alcoholic beverages and driving under the influence. In 2016, a drunk driver resulted in 38.1% of car accident fatalities. A negligent driver that causes accidents should be held responsible for discouraging this behavior.

Under Texas law, having a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher while driving is classified as driving while intoxicated. It only takes two to three drinks within an hour to surpass that threshold BAC. A negligent driver is also considered intoxicated when impaired in any way regardless of the BAC. 

You can find out more from a Houston DWI Attorney, but the first and two drunk driving charges are handled as misdemeanors. The third driving under influence charge results in a fine as high as $10,000 and a possible driving license suspension. 

Houston has been called “ground zero” when it comes to drunk driving. It seems like we can turn on the news and see a needless rear-end crash or head-on collision caused by someone having a “few” too many alcoholic beverages and drinking and driving behind the wheel. Our experienced car accident lawyers can get the best outcome for impaired driving accident claims. He will take advantage of the following factors to ensure you are fully compensated:

• Presence of a criminal conviction

• Punitive damages inclusion

Dram Shop Liability

If a bar or restaurant serves drinks to a visibly intoxicated person who then gets behind the wheel and causes a motor vehicle accident, they can, at times, be held liable for these motor vehicle collisions. Our trial lawyers can help by holding such a bar or restaurant accountable by establishing the sequence of events before the accident.

Criminal Conviction of the Negligent Driver

Sometimes, the accused driver might be charged with a crime. Such a criminal conviction often proves advantageous for your Houston car accident claim. When you choose to work with us, our accident injury law firm will ensure we make the best of this provision.

Punitive Damages Inclusion

Awarding of further compensation may be done to punish the accused drunk driver and deter future offenses. It often means better monetary recovery for you as the victim.

Reckless Behavior

Although every driver is expected to drive carefully, it’s relatively easy to spot reckless behavior on your daily commute. Lack of caution while driving contributes to the high number of accidents in Houston, TX, and the entire United States. 

Driving recklessly not only puts the driver in danger but also other road users. Some drivers may be lucky enough to get away with the mistake. In other cases, it may lead to accidents that can be severe enough to result in severe injuries, including death.

Examples of reckless behavior on the roads include:

• Speeding

• Making unsafe turns or failing to yield the right of way

• Trying to beat the red lights by racing through the intersection

• Not wearing a seatbelt

Unsafe Road Conditions

Although the State of Texas and the City of Houston have made many efforts to improve the infrastructure, it is still not adequate. You may come across outdated designs, areas under construction, or even potholes. These unsafe roads may result in auto accidents in some cases.

If that happens to you, our law firm is here to help. 

We will carefully assess your case to establish whether the unsafe road is responsible for your accident. Once the accident injury law firm can solidly show that as the case, we will pursue compensation from the city or state for your damages. 

It is often challenging to pursue such compensation, but our experienced car accident attorney can help with the right approach to such personal injury claims. 

Common Car Accident Injuries

Accidents often result in bodily injuries ranging from mild to severe life-threatening injuries requiring serious medical care and treatment. Some of the common injuries suffered by car accident victims include:

Broken bones

• Back injury and spinal cord injuries

• Burns

• Traumatic brain injuries

• Head injuries

• Concussion

• Internal bleeding

• Soft tissue damage

• Neck injury or paralysis

• Whiplash

• Wrongful death

The type of injury determines how long it will take to recover and the overall impact on your quality of life, especially if a traumatic brain injury or other catastrophic injuries are involved. Therefore, you should ensure you get checked up early so that you get the necessary help. Spinal cord injuries are common, and damage to your back and spinal cord should always be taken seriously. These are all personal injuries in car accident cases and do not include compensation you could recover for car accident cases in Houston and other cities leading to a wrongful death.

Sounds obvious, right?

Client with cast suffered a broken arm in Houston car accident

But it is never that obvious. Most drivers will choose to ignore any injuries after a minor collision. However, even “minor” automobile accidents don’t always mean minor injuries. They could result in severe injuries days after the accident occurred, which might not be overt at the time of the accident. When your body is in shock, you may not fully perceive the gravity of the injuries you have sustained. 

Many of the injuries are often long-lasting, especially injuries to your spinal cord. Your daily life and work-life might get impacted. That calls for holding accountable those responsible for the accident. 

When it comes to our law firm, every case is as important no matter the size. Our accident injury law firm will help you get compensated for injuries ranging from trivial ones to severe ones. 

Texas Car Accident Laws

Several laws come into play when it comes to compensation for car wreck victims. Some of these laws are relatively complex. Houston car accident lawyers with experience in personal injury law can guide you when you are involved in a car collision.

Some of the Texas laws that you need to understand include:

• Modified comparative negligence

• Statute of limitations

• Liability insurance coverage

Here is where injury lawyers can guide you regarding these laws means involved in a car collision.

Modified Comparative Negligence

If you have been hesitant to pursue compensation because you feel you are partly at fault for the accident, you will be glad to know that you can still qualify. 

Yes, that is possible.  While many people give up when the insurance adjuster decides to deny your claim, you should talk to an experienced auto accident attorney, especially if you have suffered serious personal injuries.

However, your compensation for damages will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you. This provision is enshrined in the modified comparative negligence doctrine. Believe it or not, if you don’t have a good car wreck lawyer, even for a head on or rear-end collision, insurance companies may still try to deny your claim.

As an example, if your damages amount to $200,000 and you are found to be 40% at fault, you will receive a compensation of $120,000. Therefore, you shouldn’t shy away from seeking recovery for the damages you incur as a result of an accident. Our accident lawyers are more than willing to help you. But there is a limit. You will not be eligible for a settlement if you are more than 50% at fault. Therefore, it is critical to prove that the person predominantly at fault for the accident was the other driver.

And the other driver, their attorney, and the insurance company will do everything in their power to shift the blame on you so that you cross the 50% threshold. 

That is where our accident injury law firm comes in, to examine every detail of the accident to prove that the other driver was the one majorly at fault. Our goal is to ensure you get the maximum compensation, and we achieve it by ensuring the percentage of fault attributed to you is as low as possible. 

real client we represented had teeth knocked out in MVA

Statute Of Limitations

You will need to focus on recovery after the horrific experience of being in an accident. Once your health is restored, you can file a personal injury claim if the insurance company doesn’t pay to settle. However, you don’t have forever. 

For a motor vehicle accident, car accident injuries, and property damage, the parties involved have two years for your Houston car accident lawyers to file a lawsuit. A personal injury lawsuit must be filed no later than two years from the car crash date. After two years elapses, auto accident lawyers can no longer pursue recovery of the damages incurred in a motor vehicle accident, and you will have no legal options. That means if you think you are owed money for your car crash, including money owed for your accident injuries and property damage, and you fail to take action and file a lawsuit, your claims are barred forever.

At our injury law firm, we understand that you are going through a hard time, and we will let you focus on your recovery while our law firm handles all the legal aspects. We are ready to seek the maximum allowable compensation for you whenever you are ready. Our experienced Houston car accident lawyers can help, so you don’t jeopardize your ability to seek compensation.

Liability Insurance Coverage

In Texas, there are minimum levels of Texas auto insurance liability insurance coverage that insurance companies sell required by law as follows:

• Bodily injury liability- $30,000 per person per motor vehicle accident

• Bodily injury liability- $60,000 motor vehicle total per accident

• Property damage liability- $25,000 per motor vehicle accident

However, most accidents often result in damages that exceed these Texas auto insurance minimum policy limits, especially in motor vehicle accidents, including more than two vehicles leaving the injured victim with medical expenses and property damage to fix. In such a case, the accused driver will have to cover the remaining amount if they are not judgment proof.  This is why 18 wheeler, delivery truck accidents, and company vehicle collisions become more valuable; there are higher policy limits of insurance. This is also the case for accidents caused by Uber and Lyft drivers while on a rideshare.

Because of the growing amount of Houston car accidents in and around the Houston, Texas area, purchasing higher auto insurance coverage levels is highly recommended to ensure you don’t get an extra financial setback if you are the one at fault. It will give you peace of mind in car accident cases involving severe injury or death. 

Uninsured Or Underinsured Motorists And Your Houston Car Accident

It may seem a surprise, but many motorists in Houston do not carry the required insurance coverage. According to the Insurance Research Council, one in every eight drivers in the US doesn’t have auto insurance.  That figure is even higher in Texas.

You can imagine how many uninsured and underinsured drivers are on the road during your daily commute, given the high rate. The saddening part about it is that most of them get away with it.

Everything seems okay until you are involved in a collision with an uninsured motorist. Getting compensated for your injuries by an uninsured motorist can be challenging. The struggle is still the same when it comes to car crashes that involve underinsured motorists. Often, they may be unable to raise the extra amount to compensate you for the damages fully. 

Based on the figures, there is at least a one out of eight chance that if you got into an accident, it would be with an uninsured or underinsured motorist. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage does come in handy in case that happens. 

At our law firm, we recommend adding this option to your insurance policy. The financial protection it provides can give you much-needed peace of mind as you ply the roads. Perhaps an even more interesting aspect is that it will only increase your premium minimally. But it will be worth it. 

You will get compensated for the following damages:

• Medical expenses

• Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy, or chiropractic care

• Lost wages

• Future earning capacity loss

• Pain and suffering

Insurance Company Tactics

In addition to dealing with such underinsured and dishonest drivers, you need a Houston auto accident lawyer on your side so that insurance companies don’t take advantage of you with their sly practices. These insurance companies have their own Houston car accident lawyers to provide them legal counsel and fight you to ensure you take the lowest settlement offer.  If you are injured, you need your own Houston car accident attorney so you know all your legal options and protect your rights.

Many Houston car crash victims become overwhelmed and take home far less financial compensation than they deserve.

But don’t worry about that because your Houston car wreck attorney will ensure that it doesn’t happen. Our law firm knows all the insurance company’s tactics and will not relent until we get the insurance to cover your personal injury claim and the adjuster pays you the compensation you deserve. Our experienced Houston car accident attorney knows how to build a concrete case where the insurance companies have no option other than to settle or risk losing it when it proceeds to trial.

We Are An Authority When It Comes To A Car Accident In Texas

We wrote the book when it comes to dealing with  a car accident scene and other types of accidents. We didn’t write the book, but one of our car accident attorneys was asked by the Texas Bar to write an article for consumers before seeking legal representation. The article was published in the Texas Bar Journal and can be read here. While every car accident is different depending on the type of car accident including, rear-end impacts, head-on collisions, running a stop sign, or other car accidents resulting in an injury, they all can be severe. If you suffered injuries, our brilliant team of Houston car accident lawyers can help.

Statistics Of Car Accidents

It’s shocking just how many car accidents happen in Houston, Texas, and chances are that you or a loved one will need an experienced Houston auto accident attorney.     

2019

According to the 2019 report by the Texas Department of Transportation, a person was killed every 2 hours and 26 minutes. It translates to 3610 deaths due to car accidents. That is not just a number; it represents incredibly stressful and overwhelming experiences caused by car accidents, especially for those victims who have lost a loved one or suffered a life-altering injury.

Motor vehicle accidents were reported every 56 seconds, and a total of 256,338 people were injured in road traffic accidents in Texas alone. Out of this number, 12,897 were serious injury crashes.  According to the Houston Chronicle, Houston’s roads and drivers are among the country’s most deadly.   We drive by crashes daily, and 640 people die a year on Houston-area roads and 2,850 more are seriously injured.

We know that accidents happen, but these numbers will keep rising unless those responsible for car accidents are held accountable. When you are injured in a car collision, and it is not your fault, it is important to hire personal injury lawyers to seek compensation. It assists in your medical and financial recovery and makes the roads safer.

2020

Although the amount of road traffic was cut down 80% in Harris County and surrounding counties such as Brazoria, Galveston, Montgomery, and Fort Bend Counties took similar hits during the Coronavirus pandemic, the drop in the number of car accidents in Houston was not significant. November 7th, 2020, marked 20 years of at least one fatal car collision on Texas roads every day. 

At our Houston law firm, you are not just a number in the statistics but an individual whose life has been unexpectedly interrupted. Our law firm is committed to representing clients injured in Houston car accidents recover compensation for all damages, including economic damages, and make a complete medical and financial recovery.

Efforts To Reduce Car Accidents

The State of Texas recognizes vehicle accidents as a significant problem, and therefore, a lot of effort has been put into reducing the rates of car accidents. Some of these efforts include enacting laws that foster safer usage of roads.

Some of these laws include:

1. No Refusal Weekends

One of the solutions to curb the causes of car accidents due to drunk driving is No Refusal Weekends. During that period, the local police department will have magistrates on the phone all day and night to authorize the withdrawal of blood to test for alcohol levels in suspected drivers.

The number of accidents due to intoxication during such weeks or weekends is usually the lowest. 

Impaired and intoxicated driving is also speculated to be generally declining due to this practice.

2. Prevention Of Texting And Driving

Experts say that texting and driving is just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Some even argue that it might be more dangerous. That’s why measures have been put into place to curb this behavior.  In 2017, the Texas legislature officially made it illegal to text while driving. It means no texting — and no communicating with others through emails and apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and Whatsapp — while driving.

Efforts have been made to make the identification and reporting of drivers using their phones while driving easier. The penalties have also been heightened in case one is found guilty. 

Despite these efforts and several others, the chances of getting in a car accident is still high. It could just be replying to that one text by the other driver that leaves you stuck in a wheelchair. We think our lawyer is among the best Houston car accident attorneys, and our clients agree, so let us help you get the compensation you deserve.

your lawyer in Houston, TX, should know the car accident laws in texas

Texas Car Accident Laws

Several laws come into play when it comes to compensation for Houston car crash victims. Some of these laws are relatively complex, especially in the context of car accident lawsuits or personal injury lawsuits. A Houston car accident lawyer with experience in personal injury cases can guide you when involved in a collision. 

Some of the Texas laws that you need to understand include:

• Modified comparative negligence

• Statute of limitations

• Liability insurance coverage

Here is where injury lawyers can guide you regarding these laws means involved in a collision.

Modified Comparative Negligence

If you have been hesitant to pursue compensation because you feel you are partly at fault for the accident, you will be glad to know that you can still qualify. 

Yes, that is possible. 

However, your compensation for damages will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you. This provision is enshrined in the modified comparative negligence doctrine.

As an example, if your damages amount to $200,000 and you are found to be 40% at fault, you will receive a compensation of $120,000. Therefore, you shouldn’t shy away from seeking recovery for the damages you incur as a result of an accident. Our accident lawyers are more than willing to help you. But there is a limit. You will not be eligible for financial recovery if you are more than 50% at fault. Therefore, it is critical to prove that the person predominantly at fault for the accident was the other driver.

And the other driver, their attorney, and the insurance company will do everything in their power to shift the blame on you so that you cross the 50% threshold. 

That is where we come in to examine every detail of the accident to prove that the other driver was the one majorly at fault. Our goal is to ensure you get the maximum compensation, and we achieve it by ensuring the percentage of fault attributed to you is as low as possible.

Statute Of Limitations

You will need to focus on recovery after the horrific experience of being involved in an accident. Once your health is restored, you can file a lawsuit if the insurance company doesn’t pay to settle. However, you don’t have forever.

The statute of limitations requires that your Houston car accident attorney file a lawsuit no later than two years from the accident date. Once this period elapses, you can no longer pursue recovery of the damages incurred. 

At our law firm, we understand that you are going through a hard time, and we will let you focus on your recovery while we handle all the legal aspects. Our injury accident lawyers are here to seek the maximum allowable compensation for you whenever you are ready. Our Houston car accident lawyer will work with you at a comfortable pace while ensuring you don’t jeopardize your ability to seek compensation with respect to personal injury law.

Liability Insurance Coverage

In Texas, there are minimum levels of liability insurance coverage required by law as follows:

• Bodily injury liability- $30,000 per person per accident

• Bodily injury liability- $60,000 total per accident

• Property damages liability- $25,000 per accident

However, most accidents often result in damages that exceed these minimum limits. In such a case, the accused driver will have to cover the remaining amount if they are not judgment proof. Purchasing higher coverage levels is highly recommended to ensure you don’t get an extra financial setback if you are at fault. It will give you peace of mind if you get involved in an accident.

Uninsured Or Underinsured Motorists And Your Houston Car Accident

It may seem a surprise, but many motorists do not carry the required insurance coverage for the car accidents they cause. According to the Insurance Research Council, one in every eight drivers in the US doesn’t have car insurance.  According to the Texas Department of Insurance, that figure is even higher in Texas.

You can imagine how many uninsured and underinsured drivers are on the road during your daily commute, given the high rate. The saddening part about it is that most of them get away with it.

Everything seems okay until you are involved in a collision with an uninsured motorist. Getting compensated for your injuries by an uninsured motorist can be challenging. The struggle is still the same when it comes to a Houston car crash that involves underinsured motorists. Because Texas is considered a debtor’s state with liberal judgment exemptions, these uninsured or underinsured motorists often cannot raise any significant amount of money to adequately compensate you for the damages and sometimes do not have enough to even pay for the property damage. 

After The Car Accident

You will need to take both short-term and long-term actions after a car accident to make sure that you are protected, both financially and physically. While the following information is not intended to be fully comprehensive, it gives you a general idea of what to expect for both the immediate and upcoming things you will need to address if you are involved in a Houston car accident.

Short-Term Requirements

Immediately after a car accident, the most important things to do are the things that will get you out of harm’s way. If you are seriously injured, and an ambulance ride is needed to the emergency room, do not hesitate. Get the medical attention you need! Not only is this true for brain injuries, head injuries, and broken bones, but it is also essential to seek medical attention for soft tissue injuries. If you are in an automobile collision and not seriously injured, take a deep breath and think safety first. You should try to move your vehicle out of oncoming traffic, which may be tough if you have extensive property damage.

It is essential for you and your passengers to the side of the road, such as a median strip, sidewalk, parking lot, front yard, or somewhere else that will keep you out of the way of additional accidents. However, if someone in your car has suffered severe injuries, or if you suspect that they have injured their spine or neck, it is important that you keep them still until medical help has arrived.

Call the police and once the emergency responders have arrived, make sure that all injuries are addressed by the EMTs. Additionally, speak with the police on the scene about any important details, such as whether or not the other driver was texting while driving, speeding, or running a red light. Do not admit fault or accept responsibility for anything or even apologize since that can cause severe complications during the claims or lawsuit process. Unfortunately, an apology will be used as evidence that you caused the accident, even if you were simply trying to do what felt right. 

Seek medical attention as soon as possible, whether taking an ambulance to an emergency room or seeing your primary care physician within the next few days. Many different injuries after a car accident may take some time to show their severity, such as bruising, hematomas, or whiplash. Seeing a doctor is the best way to get an idea of all of the injuries you have suffered and start taking immediate steps to reduce the long-term impacts of all of these problems. In addition, seeing a doctor will establish a paper trail that will be exceptionally helpful during the claims process.

Houston man in a hospital bed after being injured in a car crash

Long-Term Steps

To start planning for the long term, your best bet is to start working with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You can take this step now by contacting our Houston car accident lawyer and scheduling an initial consultation so that we can get a better understanding of how we will work together, what your case may look like moving forward and how to obtain the medical treatment you may need including diagnostic studies such as an MRI or CT Scan. Since the long-term steps are so specific to each situation, we will help you determine what to do more as we begin to work together.

make sure to get the name and policy number for the insurance company of the at-fault driver

Dealing With The Insurance Company

Dealing with an insurance company after an accident is never a pleasant experience, but it can be especially frustrating when you know that your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses are piling up due to the accident that their client caused. Insurance companies rely on this feeling of urgency to settle with you for an unreasonably low amount. Rarely, if ever, will someone who has been injured in an accident get the amount that they truly deserve from an insurance company without enduring a fairly strenuous negotiations process, if not a full lawsuit.

When you are working with a car accident lawyer, you can focus on your medical treatment, recovering from your injuries, and getting your life back to normal with the confidence that a legal professional is fighting on your behalf. When the insurance company realizes you are hiring a lawyer an insurance claims are immediately reassigned to a more experienced team of insurance adjusters because they immediately know that you intend to handle this situation the right way and to get the settlement offer you deserve instead of the “low ball” settlement offer they intended to give you. It’s essential to retain an experienced personal injury trial lawyer who will file a lawsuit on car accident cases when the settlement offer is too low. personal injury lawsuit as experienced personal injury attorneys

Contact Us Now

Dealing with an insurance company can be tough! Many other things go into a comprehensive claims process that is intended to get you all of the money that you deserve. We will talk to you about all of these steps and how we can guide you through them during our initial consultation. The sooner you give us a call, and we begin working together, the more time we will have to build your case, gather evidence and information, and develop a strong strategy to get you what you deserve. The insurance company keeps track of the car accident lawyer, who will file a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of their clients if they don’t compensate them for their client’s car accident injuries. Our car accident lawyer work on a contingency fee, so you pay us nothing until the case is resolved, and you pay nothing out of your pocket.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Since My Car Accident, I Am Experiencing Pain And Suffering. Can I Be Compensated For This?

Absolutely. In most car accidents, insurance companies take the total amount of medical bills you have accumulated and audit and evaluate them and add an arbitrary dollar amount to compensate you for pain and suffering. Some insurance adjusters may factor in the property damage pictures of your car. A smaller number in addition to your total medical bills represents a minimal amount while the latter represents the maximum toll that one can handle during a car accident. They may even look at the property damage pictures of your car. There are no multipliers of any kind, and any talk of multipliers are from bygone days and personal injury lawyers that do not negotiate car accident claims. In other words, an individual who suffers a broken leg during a car accident will be compensated more than another driver who sustained minor bruising and cuts during the incident. You want to make sure that whoever is representing you can convey the facts of your automobile accident case to be compensated accordingly.

personal injury attorneys can help hold the at-fault party responsible for your car accident injuries

How Is Pain And Suffering Proven After A Car Accident?

As mentioned before, when this is calculated for your car accident claim, many factors are taken into account, including medical care, long term care, physical therapy, if there was an injury or death involved, maybe even the sum of the medical bills that you have acquired and the injuries you have suffered. The more permanent and life-changing the injuries are, the higher the amount of pain and suffering figure. In most auto accident injury cases, in general, insurance companies are NOT very understanding of your situation unless you plan on hiring a Houston auto accident attorney to take action and fight for top compensation.

Why Contact Us To Be Your Car Accident Attorney?

In Houston, TX, you have several options when it comes to choosing a Houston car accident lawyer or law firm that will help you with an auto accident claim after an auto accident.  From Katy, Sugarland, Galveston, Spring, Baytown, Pearland etc., there are many Houston car accident attorneys available to work on your insurance claim. However, if you need a car accident lawyer, Houston, who cares, we are experienced in personal injury law and car crashes. When it comes to your car accident case, we will get you top compensation for your injuries. Here are several reasons why we pride ourselves on being the best:

  • Our car accident attorney knows how to best deal with insurance adjusters determined to minimize your compensation and deny your car accident claim.
  • Each lawsuit is prepared to go to trial, which increases the chances of an adequate settlement or winning if it proceeds to court.
  • Our law firm doesn’t have several practice areas: we only represent car accident victims and other personal injury claims.
  • 20 years of experience makes our personal injury lawyer one of the best Houston car accident attorneys you could choose.
  • Our Houston car accident lawyer focuses on getting you the maximum compensation from the insurance company and work on a contingency fee basis.
  • Our Houston car accident attorney deals with you personally right from the free consultation and free initial case review.
  • Our Better Business Bureau Accredited legal team is committed to you and has assisted hundreds of clients when other law firms told them they didn’t even have a case. 

You can rely on us when it comes to getting the much-needed financial recovery. Our Houston office always seeks to know our clients well to serve them better. You are more than merely a case number to us. We view you as an individual whose life has been unexpectedly interrupted. One unique quality we have is putting ourselves in your shoes. Our services are tailored towards the belief that if we got in a similar accident, that is how we would want to be served. 

Call our Houston office today if you want a caring and experienced Houston car accident attorney on your side, from filing a claim to filing a lawsuit and every aspect of your case. We charge nothing unless we win – if you don’t get paid – we don’t get paid.

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