How Can A Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Help You?
Being injured in a motor vehicle crash due to someone else’s negligence is among the hardest experiences a person can go through. In addition to recovering from your injuries or helping a loved one who’s been injured, you’ll be required to collect and submit documents to establish a strong claim so you can receive a fair settlement. It is not easy to build a strong case, but a Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer has the knowledge, skill, and resources to help you.
Car Accidents Are More Common That You Think
Being a cautious driver is not always enough to avoid crashes because you are sharing the road with other drivers who may not be as careful as you. According to data from the Texas Department of Transportation, more than 550,000 accidents occurred in 2016. The number of traffic fatalities was 3,773. There was not a single day in 2016 where there wasn’t a fatality on Texas roadways.
The high number of injuries and deaths can be attributed to any of a number of causes.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, among the most common factors leading to motor vehicle accidents are the following:
- Cell/mobile device usage
- Driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Traveling at an unsafe speed or failure to control speed
- Texting
- Disregarding stop or yield signs at intersections
- Not yielding to pedestrians
- Taking your eyes off the road or hands off the wheel
- Eating, drinking, or grooming while driving
- GPS or navigation usage
- Adjusting radio or other vehicle controls
- Talking to passengers
- Downloading an app while driving
- Pet distractions
- Watching videos
- Driver fatigue
- Reaching for an object in the car, such as purse or briefcase
A Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer has the experience to help you find your way to recovery—both physically, mentally, and financially. A traumatic car accident can leave you or a loved one with any of the following problems:
- Medical expenses such as hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, and costs of medical equipment needed after your car wreck;
- Ambulance costs;
- Costs to repair your vehicle, or costs to replace your vehicle if it was totaled in your car accident;
- Lost income as a result of missing work after your accident. In addition, there’s lost earning potential if you are permanently disabled and unable to return to work;
- Emotional trauma, including depression and anxiety; and
- Funeral expenses if the accident is fatal.
Can I afford a Fort Worth Auto Accident Attorney?
An all-too-common misconception is that it’s too expensive to hire a lawyer to help you with your auto accident claim. Don’t let this idea keep you from seeking legal representation from a Fort Worth automobile injury lawyer.
First, the majority of law firms offer a free consultation to evaluate your case and answer all your questions.
Second, many law firms work on a contingency basis, which means that they only get paid if successful reaching financial compensation for your car wreck.
What to do after a Car Accident inFort Worth
While you’re likely to be shaken up after a car accident, doing the following things can help protect your legal rights and increase your chances of a favorable personal injury settlement:
- Call the police immediately after an accident and get a police report. The importance of a report can’t be understated because it is the official version of what happened during your accident, often stating who is to blame for the wreck. Furthermore, it is one of the key pieces of evidence that an insurance company relies on when determining fault and issuing compensation for your injuries;
- Do not move your vehicle unless it is required by law enforcement or unsafe for other drivers due to its current location;
- Do not talk much at the scene of the accident. Even saying something as innocent as apologizing to the other driver can be interpreted as admitting fault;
- Take photographs of the scene of the accident, including the location of the cars, damage to each vehicle, and hazardous road conditions which may have contributed to your car wreck. Use your cell phone camera and video recorder to record evidence. Make sure first to take a photo of the other car’s license plate because negligent drivers will sometimes flee the scene of an accident;
- If there are witnesses, get their contact information, as well as their recollection of the crash while it’s fresh in their minds.
- Write down your own memories of the crash—the sooner the better;
- Do not leave the scene of the crash until you have exchanged insurance information with the other driver;
- Seek medical treatment, even if you believe you are uninjured. Remember: injuries may not appear until several days after an accident;
- Call your insurance company immediately; and
- Seek advice from a Fort Worth car accident lawyer immediately–among the biggest factors of a successful personal injury claim is representation of a competent lawyer.
Statute of limitations in Fort Worth, Texas
A person who has been injured in a car wreck should be aware that there is a limit on the time you have to file a lawsuit. In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims—including car wrecks—is two years after the date of the accident. There are some rare exceptions, which include the following:
- The accident involves a child, meaning someone under the age of 18;
- You are mentally or physically impaired at the time of the crash and thus unable to bring a lawsuit within the two year timeframe; and
- You discover that the other party’s fault in the accident after the fact.
While two years sounds like a lot, settlement negotiations can take a substantial amount of time. Don’t get caught at the end of the statute of limitations period without a Fort Worth car accident lawyer, who will help you secure an excellent chance of a successful outcome. Contact a law firm because the majority offer a free case consultation to assess your case.
Fort Worth Car Accident FAQs
What exactly will attorneys do for me?
An experienced attorney in Fort Worth will review the circumstances of the accident, create a plan for medical care, and pursue compensation for things like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The lawyer will also gather evidence to show that the other party was negligent. Finally, a law firm will also work with and, if need be, fight insurance companies and their adjusters who are making it hard to fight a claim. If required, attorneys will negotiate fair compensation.
What compensation can I recover for my car wreck?
This claim depends on many factors, including how badly you were injured and the percentage of fault that was allocated to you for the accident. Unfortunately, there is no magic formula to determine the dollar amount. In general, the more severe your injuries, the more compensation you may be able to receive.
Will I have to go to court if I file a car accident claim?
The majority of claims never go to court because they are settled before they reach the trial stage. In some cases, however, insurance companies are unwilling to settle for a fair amount, and a case will move forward to trial. If the case goes to trial, experienced trial attorneys will explain how the trial process works, which will ease some of the nervousness that might accompany a personal injury case.
Automobile accidents are all too common in Fort Worth, Texas. The aftermath of the crash can be as difficult as the crash itself.