If you recently suffered an injury in a car accident, you might wonder if you need to hire a lawyer. You don't want to complicate the matter any more. You simply want to get your expenses paid for and the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering. But do you trust that the insurance companies involved will be on your side?
After suffering costly injuries in a car accident, you will want to hire an experienced Texas car accident attorney and learn how they will work for your claim. Do not hesitate to set up your case evaluation.
What Do Car Accident Lawyers Do?
Car accidents are unfortunate and often traumatic events that can leave individuals dealing with injuries, property damage, medical bills, and emotional distress. When such accidents occur due to the negligence of another party, seeking legal representation becomes essential.
This is where car accident lawyers come into play. These legal professionals regularly lead victims through the complexities of personal injury claims, ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve. The knowledge and experience of a qualified car accident attorney can make a significant difference in your car accident case.
Legal Consultation and Assessment
The process typically begins with an initial consultation. Car accident lawyers offer a free consultation to evaluate the circumstances of the case.
During this meeting, they gather details about:
- The accident
- The injuries sustained
- Property damage
- Other relevant information
This assessment helps them determine the viability of the case and the potential for pursuing a claim or lawsuit.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Car accident lawyers conduct thorough investigations to collect evidence that supports their client's claims. This may involve visiting the accident scene, analyzing police reports, interviewing witnesses, examining medical records, and consulting accident reconstruction experts if needed.
Strong evidence can establish liability and demonstrate the extent of your damages.
Legal Representation and Negotiation
Once a car accident lawyer takes on a case, they become the advocate for the injured party. They communicate and negotiate with insurance companies on their client's behalf to ensure fair compensation for medical expenses, property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, and other related losses.
Car accident lawyers possess negotiation skills to engage in productive discussions and secure the best possible outcome for their clients. When insurance companies present settlement offers, car accident lawyers assess whether the offer adequately covers their clients' damages and losses. They advise their clients to accept the offer or pursue further legal action.
Determining Liability
One of the pivotal roles of a car accident lawyer is to establish liability for the accident. This involves demonstrating that the other party's negligence or recklessness directly caused the collision and subsequent damages.
Lawyers assess factors such as traffic violations, distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, and other forms of negligence that contributed to the accident.
Calculating Damages
Car accident lawyers are skilled at evaluating the full extent of damages incurred by their clients. Beyond medical expenses and property damage, damages can also include lost earnings, future medical costs, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and even loss of consortium.
You need a lawyer to accurately calculate these damages so you can secure a comprehensive compensation package.
Navigating Legal Procedures
Car accident lawyers guide their clients through every step of the complex and overwhelming legal process, filing all necessary paperwork correctly and on time. They handle administrative tasks, legal deadlines, and court proceedings, allowing clients to focus on their recovery.
Remember that the statute of limitations sets the timeframe for filing your legal claim in court. Car accident lawyers meet these deadlines, preventing time-barred claims.
Legal Advice and Counsel
Car accident lawyers offer invaluable legal advice to their clients, informing them of their rights, potential outcomes, and their legal options.
This guidance empowers clients to make informed decisions throughout the process. Trusted attorneys keep their clients informed about the progress of their cases, addressing any concerns or questions they may have.
Contingency Fee Arrangements
Many car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that clients only pay legal fees if the lawyer successfully recovers compensation.
This arrangement ensures that victims can access quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation. It also means that if an attorney agrees to represent you in your car accident, they are confident they can secure compensation for you.
Support and Compassion
In addition to their legal skills and knowledge, car accident lawyers provide emotional support to their clients during an often challenging and stressful time. They understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that accidents can take and offer compassionate guidance throughout the process.
Litigation
Unfortunately, in some cases, negotiations with insurance companies may not result in a fair settlement for all of the injured party's damages. In these situations, car accident lawyers are prepared to take the case to court and ask a judge or jury for fair compensation for your damages. They have the skill to build a compelling case, present evidence, and argue on behalf of their clients in front of a judge and jury.
Car accident lawyers play a crucial role in navigating the aftermath of car accidents. Their multifaceted roles encompass legal consultation, investigation, negotiation, legal representation, determining liability, calculating damages, guiding through legal procedures, litigation, offering legal advice, and providing emotional support.
By partnering with a skilled car accident lawyer, victims can maximize their chances of receiving fair compensation and focus on their recovery without the added burden of legal complexities.
Alarming Recent Car Accident Statistics
In just one year alone, 39,508 fatal motor vehicle crashes occurred on U.S. roadways resulting in 42,939 lost lives. This equates to 12.9 deaths per 100,000 people and 1.37 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT). That same year, the fatality rate per 100,000 people spanned from 5.7 in the state of Rhode Island to 26.2 in Mississippi.
Thousands of other drivers and passengers suffered serious injuries. For example, in Colorado alone, motor vehicle accidents caused 3,387 serious injuries or 6.29 per million VMT during this time frame.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 42,795 individuals lost their lives in motor vehicle traffic crashes in one recent year. Even though this figure represents a slight decrease of about 0.3 percent compared to the fatalities reported for one recent year, it's still a tragically significant number. The NHTSA also states that car accidents are increased on the holidays than non-holidays.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Various circumstances and factors can cause motor vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, most of them involve the negligence of another person or party.
Speeding
Speed limits serve a vital purpose, prioritizing safety on the roads. It's indisputable that speeding is hazardous. Excessive speeds can result in fatalities within milliseconds, potentially claiming the innocent lives of motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Higher speeds make detecting and responding to road hazards or unusual conditions more challenging. Maneuvering turns and halting to avoid sudden obstacles becomes nearly impossible when traveling at higher speeds.
Drunk or Drugged Driving
The dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol are widely recognized. In the U.S., drunk driving is a primary contributor to car accidents and fatalities.
The toll of deaths and damages linked to drunk driving incurs an estimated $44 billion annual cost. Drivers operating vehicles while under the influence put the safety of all road users at risk.
Distracted Driving
Many drivers erroneously believe they can still drive effectively while engaging in activities like talking, texting, using social media, adjusting their GPS, or selecting music.
Notably, distractions don't just involve cell phones or technology; they can also encompass attending to children or pets in the back seat, succumbing to strong emotions, or passing a disabled vehicle or an accident. Unfortunately, engaging in multitasking while driving represents a serious form of driver negligence.
Motor Vehicle Defects
No vehicle is immune to potential design flaws or manufacturing errors. Recalls frequently happen for vehicle components with the potential to pose significant dangers to drivers, passengers, and others on the road. Noteworthy potentially fatal defects encompass brake malfunctions and seatbelt and airbag failures.
Driver Error
Perfection eludes every driver. Anyone can make mistakes, whether stemming from overly aggressive driving, errors in judgment, or inexperience. These missteps also constitute negligence that can lead to accidents causing injury or fatalities.
Inexperienced drivers, such as those obtaining their licenses for the first time or returning to driving after a prolonged hiatus, often present risks to themselves, passengers, fellow motorists, and pedestrians.
Similarly, reckless drivers displaying a lack of respect for others on the road also contribute to hazards. To avert accidents, all drivers must exhibit attentiveness and courtesy.
The Most Common Types of Auto Accidents
Numerous types of accidents result in severe injuries for all parties involved. Below are the most prevalent types of accidents responsible for severe injury or even death. A seasoned car accident attorney can handle these scenarios for their clients.
Rear-End Collisions
These accidents occur when a trailing vehicle crashes into the front of the vehicle ahead of it. Rear-end collisions can range from minor to exceedingly severe, with the extent of severity often contingent on factors like the speed of impact from the rear car.
Typically, the driver in the rear is at fault in these instances. This attribution may stem from tailgating, speeding, or distraction. However, situations can arise where the lead driver becomes liable such as when they were in reverse at the time of the collision.
T-Bone Accidents
Also referred to as side-impact collisions, T-bone accidents occur when a vehicle is struck on its side by the front or rear of another motor vehicle. Because they entail a broadside collision, these accidents frequently result in severe injuries for all parties involved.
Sideswipe Collisions
Sideswipe collisions transpire when the side of one vehicle comes into contact with the side of another, often while both move in the same direction. Typically caused by drivers failing to check their blind spots before changing lanes or by drivers in parked cars merging into traffic, these accidents arise when drivers don't or can't ensure that the lane is clear of other traffic.
At lower speeds, such incidents might result in cosmetic damage. Yet, at higher speeds, sideswipe collisions can lead to severe injuries.
Head-On Collisions
When two vehicles collide directly while traveling in opposite directions, it is a head-on collision. These accidents can lead to severe injuries or fatalities, even at lower speeds. The higher the speed and the larger the vehicles, the more damage can occur.
Single Vehicle Crashes
Single-vehicle accidents involve only one vehicle. Despite the absence of other vehicles, the solitary vehicle can collide with stationary objects like trees or light poles. These incidents may result from factors like driver intoxication or fatigue. Unsafe road conditions or adverse weather can also contribute to single-vehicle accidents.
Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle overturns either on its side or completely upside down due to a collision or departure from the road. These accidents frequently result in grave injuries and fatalities.
Hit and Run Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents involve a driver striking another driver, cyclist, motorcyclist, or pedestrian and departing the scene without stopping. State laws mandate that drivers stop at the accident scene and provide their contact information; failure to do so constitutes a criminal act.
Victims of hit-and-run accidents necessitate legal representation from a skilled car accident lawyer to secure the compensation they're entitled to.
Injured in a Car Accident? Seek Legal Representation Today
After an auto accident, seek legal guidance to safeguard your rights and secure just compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney in Texas can navigate the complexities of these cases and ensure that victims receive the appropriate compensation.