When you commute to work on the highways of Houston or San Antonio you probably see at least one car accident, if not more, every week. Sadly, many of these crashes lead to significant injuries or even deaths. The roads of Texas and America are becoming more dangerous. Not all of the people who are standing by the roadside beside a crushed car or taken away from the scene in an ambulance will hire a car accident lawyer. However, many injured drivers and passengers do hire a car accident lawyer after a car accident to recover the compensation they deserve for their injuries.
Texas is a big state and it has a high accident rate. The 2021 road accident death toll in the state rose by 15% to 4,489 deaths, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. For every death, many more people suffer injuries. Almost 19,500 people suffered serious injuries in Texas in 2021. A car accident can be devastating. A car accident lawyer can’t rebuild your life for you but he or she can help you win the compensation you need to help you start the process.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Texas
If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a car accident in Texas, you should always obtain as much information about the driver who hit you as possible. This includes insurance details and personal details such as addresses and phone numbers. Take pictures of the accident scene with your smartphone. Obtain witness statements and shoot videos. Always call 911 as soon as possible and wait at the scene for the cops to arrive. Never admit any blame to the police or the other party. You should restrict your statement to the facts as you recall them. If you suffered an injury, make sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
In the aftermath of a crash, many victims call the other party’s insurance company immediately. You should report the incident but don’t get into a detailed conversation with an adjuster immediately. Consider talking to a personal injury lawyer before you give an expanded statement to an insurance company that could affect your payout.
How Do You Know If You Need a Car Accident Lawyer After a Car Accident?
There is no hard and fast rule as to whether you need a car accident lawyer, but you should consider talking to one in most cases. Ramji Law Group offers free, no-obligation case consultations. You have nothing to lose by talking to a lawyer. You have a lot to lose talking to an insurance adjuster about your case.
It is prudent to talk to a car accident lawyer in the following circumstances:
1 You Suffered an Injury due to the Fault of Another Driver.
Clients often tell us they can’t understand why they are feeling so much pain after a minor accident. There is no such thing as a minor accident that leaves a victim in pain. All drivers and passengers are different and the human body is very fragile. If you suffered whiplash or a herniated disk, you can experience months of pain and high medical costs. Hiring a car accident lawyer gives you extra leverage against the insurance company and can get you the settlement you deserve.
If another driver hit you and hurt you, the at-fault driver should be held to account. A car accident lawyer can seek detailed evidence such as cell phone records and the medical records of another driver. If you deal directly with an insurance company, the insurer will seek to shield its client from as much liability as possible. You may never get to the bottom of the reason for the accident.
2 You Suffered a Serious Injury
It is advisable to hire a car accident lawyer after a car accident that causes serious and catastrophic injuries. Insurance companies are notorious for failing to give claimants enough money for serious injuries. These include fractures, internal injuries, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.
A car accident lawyer can put a value on these injuries as well as the cost of future medical care. Sadly, motorists who sustain traumatic brain injuries or spinal injuries may have to pay for medical care for the rest of their lives. A car accident lawyer will use experts to calculate the cost of your future medical needs. Insurance companies routinely fail to give claimants enough to meet the cost of future medical treatment.
3 You Experienced Pain and Suffering
The damage caused by a car wreck can go beyond physical injuries or damage to your car. Many accident victims experience considerable pain and suffering. Research has found about 22% of traffic accident victims suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A lawyer calculates a figure for pain and suffering, emotional damage, disability, disfigurement and scarring, as well as economic damages such as loss of income and medical bills. An attorney can even make a claim for loss of consortium (physical affection from a partner) or loss of enjoyment of life. Insurance companies are notoriously bad at calculating non-economic damages of this nature.
4 You Were Hurt by a Drunk, a Reckless, or a Distracted Driver
Many car accidents involve mistakes and oversights. However, some accidents are caused by reckless, drunk or distracted driving or even road rage. You may be able to claim punitive damages if an accident was caused by a deliberate act or the driver who hit you committed a crime. Punitive damages are added to your award. Juries sometimes award punitive damages to punish a driver who behaved badly. Examples include crashes caused by extremely intoxicated or drugged drivers, drivers who were texting, or hit-and-run drivers. An attorney can advise you on whether your case can attract punitive damages.
5 Your Car Was Badly Damaged
You may not need a car accident lawyer for a fender bender with no injuries and minimal damage. However, cars sustain serious structural damage even in low-speed collisions. Many car owners suffer diminished value when a car or truck is rebuilt at a body shop. A Texas car accident lawyer can help you recover diminished value.
6 You Do Not Feel Up to Dealing With an Insurance Company
Many car accident victims suffer serious pain and mental stress. The last thing they want to do is enter complicated negotiations with an insurance company. Unfortunately, some claimants just want the whole ordeal behind them and are willing to waive their rights to the settlement they deserve. A car accident injury lawyer will take over your case so that you don’t have to deal with the insurance company. This can allow victims to concentrate on getting better and getting their life back on track.
Contact an Experienced Texas Car Accident Lawyer
The attorneys at the Ramji Law Group can advise you on whether you need a car accident lawyer after a car accident. We handle hundreds of car accident cases every year and have medical expertise. Call us for a free consultation today at (713) 766-0770.
