1. Seek Medical Attention

If your injuries are serious, an ambulance will be employed to whisk you off to the hospital. However, not all injuries are immediately evident and the attending police officer may only ask if you want medical attention. Even if you’ve only sustained a minor injury, it’s best to have yourself checked by a doctor.

A small ache in your back that you originally thought would disappear after a hot bath, might turn out to be more serious. Put your mind at ease and take the extra step to document any and all injuries with a medical professional. Your Texas auto accident lawyer may need that information later.

2. Take Photos

Cell phones and driving are not a good mix. However, cell phones can be absolutely helpful after an accident for taking pictures at the scene. If you are able, take as many pictures as you can and from a variety of angles. These could prove to be very useful to your Houston car accident attorney when putting together your case and recreating the accident scene.

3. Exchange Information

This is another good reason to call the police. They will obtain insurance information from all parties and include it in the filed report. Additionally, if the offending driver had passengers, be sure that the police include their names and contact information in the report. If a suit is filed, your Texas auto accident lawyer may need to reach them for witness statements.

Car accident claims should be filed. However, it is important to discuss your case with your legal representation before you talk to the other person’s insurance adjuster.

4. Call 911

In the aftermath of a car wreck, it’s not uncommon to be in denial and think a situation isn’t quite as bad as it is. The offending driver might also try pushing you to settle things privately without involving the police or insurance companies.

However, no matter the intensity of the accident, it is always best to call 911 and involve the police. They will investigate the scene and file an accident report, which will be available to all parties. If that nice, apologetic driver suddenly disappears, you’ll be glad you took this necessary step.

5. Get to Safety

Following a car wreck, you’ll want to get to safety as immediately as you are able. If you’re in a traffic lane and can move your car onto the shoulder, you should do so. Check to see if your passengers and the people in the other vehicle are okay or if anyone needs medical attention. There will be plenty of time later to hash out what happened.

6. Contact an Attorney

Get in touch with a personal injury attorney who specializes in car accident cases. We can be reached 24/7 by phone or SMS text at (713) 234-5860. Consultations are free and we work on a contingency fee basis, which means we don’t get paid unless we take your case and win. So, it is only beneficial to you to talk to one of our lawyers before talking to insurance companies who want you to settle as quickly as possible for far less than you deserve.

Absolutely.  If you’ve been in a car accident where you’ve suffered a serious injury, you absolutely should engage an attorney who specializes in vehicle accident cases. In fact, you should do so before talking to any insurance company representative or adjuster.

That’s because insurance providers make their money from premiums, not by paying out claims. If their insured is responsible for an accident, the insurance company’s focus will be on minimizing the payout.

Even if you’re in a seemingly minor accident, it is still worth consulting with one of our attorneys since consultations for accidents are always free.  And we take all auto accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so that means we don’t get paid unless you win your case. Basically, there’s no risk or obligation just to find out if you have a case.

And if you’re not sure that you want to talk to a lawyer just yet, you can always use our online accident evaluator to see if you have a potential case.

It is important to remember that there are time constraints on when a car accident lawsuit can be filed. This time period, called a “statute of limitations” refers to the point at which you will no longer be able to file a viable lawsuit following your Houston car wreck. These statutes of limitation concerning car accident cases vary from state to state. When it comes to personal injury and property damage claims, Texas gives you two years to file a claim with the court. While there are some exceptions to this period, it is important that you do not procrastinate.

Insurance companies thrive when they pay out as little as possible in car accident claims. This is especially true if you sustain a serious injury in an accident; however, it’s also true for minor accidents. Because it is the business model of insurance companies to pay as little to you as possible, you should not rely solely on the insurance companies to honor your situation.

With legal representation, you gain guidance throughout the process, from claims and negotiations to lawsuits and trials. An experienced car accident lawyer can also work to reduce your medical bills, if possible. A trip to the emergency room can cost more than $20,000. If you require surgery and a hospital, these costs can skyrocket and can easily surpass your coverage amounts. Pain and suffering after an accident is also very real and insurance companies do not consider that in their payouts to you. Another thing that is not considered in insurance claims are all of the potential liable parties for your accident beyond the individuals in the accident. This may include things like manufacturer’s defects in an involved party’s vehicle.

Our team will determine all of the liable parties for your pain and suffering and we file claims on your behalf. We investigate and provide the evidence required to prove those injuries and damages. As your advocates, we take on the burden for you, using our strategic mindset to fight for the care you deserve so that you can move on with your life. While we handle the investigation and negotiations, you have the time you need to rest, heal, and endure any medical treatments you need without the added stress of the legal process.

This is a question with no simple answer. There are simply too many variables, but settlement amounts can range from several thousand dollars to millions of dollars.

While damages to your car and costs for a temporary vehicle, while it is being fixed, can be easily determined, each case needs to be evaluated for medical costs, ongoing care, pain and suffering and possible present and future lost wages.

Our law firm will aggressively tackle all of these issues to get you the best settlement possible. We take into consideration:

1. Long-term injuries

Serious car accident cases sometimes result in permanent injuries or disfigurement. They may limit your ability to advance in your job or even work at all. You might experience chronic pain.

You may need long term treatment and care. The mental anguish and loss of ability to live your life as you had previously can be debilitating.  All of these issues will play a role in the settlement of your case. 

2. Hospital Admission

Once you’re formally admitted to the hospital, your bed alone can cost you around $2,750 per night or more. Services like x-rays, lab fees, and pain medications will be additional. And then there are surgeries.

Whether you need one or multiple surgeries, these costs can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. You may also need physical therapy, which can cost as much as $350 per session.

3. Emergency Room

If you’ve been severely injured in a car accident, the costs start mounting from the moment you are put into an ambulance. Even a short ride in an ambulance can run about $1,000. There’s a reason why health care costs are so high in the United States. When you’re transported to a hospital emergency room, several medical personnel will become immediately involved in your care and that care will be reflected in costs ranging anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000 or more.

4. Who are the Defendants?

If the other party in the accident is a commercial truck or someone who is driving a company vehicle, the other party’s employer may hold substantial liability beyond the policy limits for an individual driver.  Shipping/trucking companies are notorious for implementing excruciating standards for how quickly trucks make it to their destinations.  To increase profitability, trucking companies continually make their deadlines shorter, making the roads extremely dangerous for everyday drivers.

Additionally, age and experience standards to become a commercial truck driver are lowering to unprecedented levels.  As a result, commercial and 18-wheeler truck accidents are on the rise across the country.  The only way to make our roads safer from reckless policies like these is to make it less profitable for these giant corporations.