When Do You Need To Hire A Car Accident Lawyer In Houston, Texas?

Houston has some of the busiest roads in the state and may ask – When do you need to hire a car accident lawyer in Houston, TX. Houstonians are intimately familiar with the traffic jams on 45 during rush hour. It should come as no surprise that there were over 113,000 car accidents in Harris County in 2019. 

With the amount of traffic and number of accidents in Houston, you should always be prepared in case you find yourself in a car accident. This includes having roadside assistance and knowing what steps to take after an accident occurs. You should also know when it’s time to hire a Houston car accident lawyer.

Read on to learn when it’s in your best interest to hire a car accident lawyer in Houston!

Your Insurance Company Isn’t Helping You

When you sign up with an insurance company, you hope that they’re looking out for you when you get in a Houston car accident and have to file a car accident claim. Unfortunately, many car accident victims find that this is simply not the case when they get in an auto accident.

Insurance companies are notoriously stingy about paying out on insurance claims, even from their own customers. This is sometimes true even when trying to get a property damage claim finalized. Further, they know that many people are in a financial bind after an accident, and they lowball you with settlement offers that are significantly lower than expected. Attorneys know how insurance companies work and know all the right moves to make when dealing with them.

An experienced car accident attorney can help you navigate the accident claim process and make sure the insurance adjuster won’t deny your claim and you get the compensation you deserve for your personal injury claim.

You Have Severe Injuries

Whenever you get into a Houston car accident, you expect to sustain minor injuries that are typical of collisions. Not all types of car accidents produce the same soft tissue injuries, and major accidents can result in severe, long term injuries that sideline you for months or completely disable you.

If this is the case with your accident, then it’s crucial to retain a lawyer as soon as possible. 

Why?

Any statements you make to your insurance company or to other parties to the accident can be used against you to lower your compensation. You’ll also need to know which of your medical bills and records to retain, and how your doctor should describe your injuries, among many other things. Your lawyer can help you make sure you have the correct documentation for your case.

You Have a Lot of Damages

There are many types of damages you can incur due to a car accident. 

For example, you might have property damages if your car was damaged or totaled in the accident. These damages can be complicated if your car was recently financed and you owe more on it than its actual value. If you had valuable items inside the car that were damaged in the accident, then you may be entitled to compensation for that.

Car accidents can result in compensation for more than bodily injuries and damage to your personal property. You may also be entitled to compensation for any work that you missed due to the accident or if you had to hire a caregiver to care for yourself or your loved ones.

Liability for the Accident Isn’t Clear

Car accidents are complex things. There may be many contributing factors to an accident that claims adjusters and police officers cannot see just by looking at the scene and the damage to the vehicles. This is especially true if there are several parties involved in a car accident.

Your overall compensation may be reduced if you are found to be partially liable for a car accident. If you are confident that you are not liable, or if you aren’t sure about your liability, then it’s important to hire a lawyer as soon as possible.

Your lawyer can help identify who is liable for the accident and protect you from losing out on valuable compensation.

You’re Not Familiar with Car accident Settlements

A large portion of car accident cases are settled outside of court by the insurance company. 

This is helpful for many because it can help you get compensated for your injuries and damages sooner rather than later. It’ll also save you the stress of a trial. Unfortunately, it can also mean that you won’t get as much as you otherwise would have received.

Car accident lawyers in Houston are experienced in navigating the settlement process, and they can help you decide whether you should accept a settlement offer or wait for trial.

You Need to Sue

If settlements aren’t going to work for you, then you may need to sue to get compensation.

Lawsuits are complex. You need to file your complaint before a certain amount of time, in the right way, and with the right court. Trying to get through the lawsuit process on your own is very difficult and can result in having your case thrown out or even losing your case.

If you need to sue, then it is absolutely imperative that you hire a lawyer to represent you. 

You Need Peace of Mind

Last, but certainly not least, you should hire a car accident lawyer if you need peace of mind.

Car accidents are traumatizing, and dealing with insurance companies, doctors, and your workplace can be extremely stressful. A personal injury lawyer will walk you through every step that you need to take and maximize your chances of success. Most importantly, hiring a car accident lawyer after your car accident can help reduce the amount of stress you’re under.

Are You Looking for a Car Accident Lawyer in Houston?

No one expects to get into a car accident when they leave their home or workplace, but that doesn’t mean you can’t protect yourself in other ways. Knowing when to hire a car accident lawyer in Houston can make the process of getting compensated for your injuries and damages less stressful than doing it yourself. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident to maximize your chances of success.

Have you recently been in a car accident in Houston and need help getting compensated? We’re here for you. Contact Jerome O. Fjeld at Bayou City Law today to learn how our law firm can help you.

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