Injuries, medical bills, missed work, vehicle repairs, pain, frustration, stress — if you’ve been involved in a crash, then you might be dealing with all of these problems. A Houston car accident lawyer can help you by fighting for maximum compensation to cover the financial effects of your crash and the pain and suffering you’ve experienced.
When careless drivers cause us harm, the law is on our side. To make sure you are getting the most from the legal process, you should find an experienced car accident lawyer who knows how to get you the compensation you deserve .
If you have suffered severe injuries in a car accident caused by another person’s negligence, you shouldn’t be left to handle expensive medical bills, financial stress from the inability to work, and the painful healing process. The right Houston car accident attorney can build a strong case and fight for you to get the financial compensation you deserve.
How Our Houston Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
We Put Our Experience to Work for You
We make sure you aren’t taken advantage of by insurance companies. We demand maximum compensation for each of our clients, and we fight to make sure they get it. Our team will review all of the costs you face so we can ensure you will be given payment that meets your needs.
Throughout each step of the process, we keep you informed about the progress of your case. We have built our reputation on the exceptional service we offer our clients. Our staff is responsive, attentive, and dedicated to each of our clients.
We understand that your case isn’t like anyone else’s. Not only do you face injuries and costs unique to your car accident, but you also face other aspects you might need help with. Maybe you need to find the right medical care to treat your injuries. Perhaps you have family members that are dependent on you. We get to know you so that we can identify the best way to help.
At the Waldman Legal Group, we are problem solvers, and we go beyond simply getting compensation for our clients. We are their allies, and we do everything we can to provide service that meets all of your specific needs.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Unfortunately, there’s no shortage of ways a car crash can happen. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) collects data on contributing factors in car accidents. These are some of the top causes of car accidents statewide in 2023:
- Failing to control speed
- Driver inattention
- Distractions in the vehicle
- Failure to yield while making a left turn
- Changing lanes when it was unsafe to do so
- Following too closely
- Failing to stay in a single lane
- Failing to yield to another driver at a stop sign
- Driving under the influence of alcohol.
When it comes to fatal accidents, speeding is the most common contributing factor. As you can see, many car accidents happen due to preventable causes. While it’s possible for any driver to make a mistake, someone who causes a mishap that results in serious injury to you or the death of your loved one should be held accountable.
What if You’re Partially at Fault?
Sometimes, a car accident really is one-sided. You may be following all traffic laws when another car suddenly swerves into your lane and hits you. However, liability for car accidents is often more complicated. The good news is that even if you were partially at fault, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries.
Texas uses something called a modified comparative negligence model when determining fault in an accident. Under this model, you may be awarded compensation despite being partially to blame for your accident or injury — but not if you were more than 50% responsible.
This standard protects your right to recover compensation even if you were negligent to some extent, but it also reduces the compensation you’re entitled to depending on what percentage of fault you were found responsible for.
For example, imagine that you’re driving down the highway and going much faster than the speed limit. However, the person behind you is going even faster than you are. They try to pass you, but they end up clipping the back of your car and causing a rollover crash.
Obviously, the person who hit you is determined to be more at fault. However, because your high speed made your rollover crash worse, you’re determined to have been somewhat negligent. You are ultimately determined to be 15% at fault.
Now, imagine your case goes all the way to trial, and you are awarded $200,000 in total compensation. That amount will be reduced by your percentage of fault — in this case, 15%. Therefore, you would receive $170,000 in compensation instead of the full $200,000.
How Different Types of Car Accidents Impact Your Case
It’s possible to suffer a serious injury in any kind of car accident. However, different types of accidents come with unique circumstances that might have an impact on your case.
Single-Vehicle Crashes
If the accident involved only your car, you might think that there’s no way anyone else could be at fault. However, if you swerved to avoid someone else, that person may be held liable for your injuries. If, for example, a car is going the wrong way and is about to hit you head on, your only choice may be to swerve off the road. Swerving like this often leads to a rollover crash, one of the most deadly types of car accidents.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are also very deadly, and they can lead to catastrophic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and other life-altering consequences. Because they often cause such severe injuries, head-on collisions tend to result in high settlements. However, if both you and the other driver were partially at fault, determining liability can be difficult.
Rear-End Crashes
Because rear-end crashes involve a sudden jolt forward, they often result in back injuries. Determining liability in these crashes is also not as straightforward as you might think. Contrary to popular belief, the driver of a car that rear-ends another is not always at fault. If the car in front slams on its brakes with no warning (and for no apparent reason), that driver may ultimately be at fault for the accident.
“Pile-Up” Crashes
Sometimes, one car accident sets off a chain reaction of sorts. One car rear-ends another, and if the drivers behind the accident are driving too fast or not paying attention, more rear-end crashes happen. As you might guess, determining liability in accidents like these can be complex.
Compensation You Can Expect When You Hire a Car Accident Attorney
Crashes are expensive and painful. You’ve likely encountered many expenses because of your accident. Fortunately, our legal system offers you a path to compensation. Through a personal injury claim, you can demand payment for the following:
Medical Bills
This includes payment for hospitalization, ambulatory care, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and any other medical costs you’ve encountered due to your wreck.
Lost Income
Car accidents often mean time missed at work. When you file a claim, you should demand payment for all the income you have lost and will lose because of your injuries.
Vehicle Damage
Repair bills can be incredibly expensive. In some cases, you might need a replacement for your vehicle. We handle all correspondence with insurers to make sure you get the compensation you are entitled to.
Pain and Suffering
Personal injury claims don’t just cover the financial consequences of crashes; they also give injured people the chance to demand payment for physical and emotional pain and suffering. It’s vital that your car accident attorney demand payment for these non-economic damages.
Any Other Expenses You Face
Your case might involve other damages, so make sure you hire an attorney who is dedicated to uncovering all the expenses you’ve encountered from an auto wreck.
We want to make sure that you are given payment for all the suffering you’ve experienced. Let us review your case to give you a better idea of what you can expect when filing a car accident claim.
There’s a lot at stake when you’ve been involved in a serious wreck, so don’t wait to call a Houston car accident attorney at the Waldman Legal Group today. Get your free consultation now by calling (713) 688-4878. If you don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
The Process of Filing a Car Accident Claim
How your car accident case unfolds will depend on your specific situation. However, we can tell you that, in general, there are a few common steps you might expect in the process.
Your Attorney Will Gather Information
A lawyer will meet with you to learn more about your case. They will review all the expenses you face to determine how much you are owed. They will then investigate the causes of your accident to find out who was at fault.
Once your attorney knows who is responsible for your crash and how much you are entitled to, they will demand payment on your behalf. In many cases, an insurance company is the party responsible for giving you compensation.
The Insurance Companies Will Correspond Directly With Your Lawyer
You don’t need to worry about speaking to another driver’s insurance company. Our team will handle all correspondence with insurance companies so that you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal.
Negotiations Could Result in a Trial or a Settlement
If the insurance company, other attorneys, and/or the person responsible for your crash are willing to negotiate a settlement, then no trial will be needed. However, we believe that all cases should be prepared as if they will be going to trial. This ensures that our clients get maximum compensation in their case.
If Your Claim Is Successful, You Will Receive Compensation for Your Injuries
If your case results in a settlement or a favorable verdict, you will receive payment in accordance with the terms set forth by the settlement or verdict.
What if You’re Hit by an Uninsured Driver?
You Still May Receive Compensation
Normally, if you get hurt in a car accident caused by someone else, our team will attempt to recover compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, what if the person at fault has no insurance? It might seem as if you have no hope of seeking compensation, but we may still be able to help you. You usually have a couple of different options in this scenario.
Filing a Lawsuit Against the Uninsured Driver
If an uninsured driver injures you in an accident, the most straightforward course of action is to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver directly. Unfortunately, while this solution makes sense in theory, it rarely works in practice. Most people who don’t have car insurance also have very few assets. You might be able to obtain a court judgment against the driver, but there’s a high likelihood you’ll never actually see any compensation from it.
Filing a Claim With Your Insurance Policy
If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, filing a claim with your own insurance company is often the most reliable way to receive compensation for your injuries. Your insurance company is likely to try to minimize your injury claim, but at the Waldman Legal Group, we put our negotiation skills to work for you.
What to Do After a Car Accident
If you have been injured (or if a family member has been injured or has died) in an automobile accident, the following steps should be taken:
1. Seek Medical Care Immediately
Any person who has suffered an injury in any type of accident needs to seek appropriate medical care immediately. For any serious injury, that means going to a hospital emergency room. Follow-up care may take place at a doctor’s office, but an initial evaluation of a serious injury should be performed only at a hospital emergency room.
Any delay in seeking medical care will increase the risk an injury will cause additional harm. It is also grounds for a defendant or an insurance company to claim that the injury was not serious or did not result from the accident.
2. Report the Accident to the Police
Unless it is a minor fender-bender with no injuries, the police should be called to the scene of any accident. Do not allow the other driver to talk you out of calling the police. They may be trying to hide drug or alcohol use or attempting to escape responsibility for the damages they have caused. Only the police can properly document a serious accident, which is often necessary to prove the facts of the accident.
3. Make a List of All Witnesses to the Incident
When the police investigates an accident, the investigating officer should gather this information. However, witnesses are often excluded from accident reports, particularly if the officer believes the fault is clear. Witnesses may be needed if an insurance company decides to dispute the officer’s findings. Make sure you obtain the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of all witnesses.
4. Take Photographs
Make a photographic record of the place where the accident occurred, the damaged vehicle, and the areas of your body that have visible injuries.
5. Don’t Speak to Insurance Companies Without First Consulting a Car Accident Lawyer
If you are contacted by another person’s insurance company, you should not speak with them under any circumstances. It is best this is left to our team. We know that insurance companies make profits by offering people less than they deserve or by denying the validity of their claims entirely.
When a representative of another person’s insurance company reaches out to you, refer them to your attorney and say nothing else. They will try to use your words against you, and you don’t want to give them that opportunity. Let us deal with insurance companies to ensure your claim has the best possible chance of a successful outcome.
6. Do Not Give a Recorded Statement
Until you have consulted an attorney, you should not consent to a recorded or written statement. This is particularly true if you are injured or on medication.
7. Discuss Your Rights With an Attorney
Our firm will discuss an injury case with you and not charge for an initial consultation. Our attorneys have the experience and expertise to represent you and they will discuss the additional steps you need to take to protect your legal interests. In severe injury and wrongful death cases, hiring the right attorney is a very important decision.
FAQ
If you want specific answers to pressing questions about your car accident claim, you should speak with an attorney directly, so they can evaluate your case. We also understand that you may have questions about your potential case. Here are general answers to some of the most commonly asked questions we hear from clients.
How much can I get in a claim?
Some car accident claims could result in millions of dollars in compensation, while others result in a few thousand dollars. The costs you face and the extent of your injuries will determine how much you will receive in a claim.
How much does it cost to work with you?
Our firm works on a contingency basis, meaning that you pay nothing if we cannot recover compensation. If we do recover compensation for you, you agree to pay us a percentage of the settlement won. That amount is usually about one-third of your total compensation, but it may be more if your case goes into litigation. In accordance with Texas law, we will give you a written contingency fee contract before you agree to work with us.
How long do these cases take?
No two cases are the same. These cases can take several months, a few years, or even longer. It’s important to contact a car accident lawyer in Houston as soon as you can, so you can be sure you are given compensation as quickly as possible.
Should I expect a settlement or a trial?
If the other side is willing to cooperate and they offer you a fair amount, then the case can be settled and there will be no need for a trial. If they are uncooperative or offer you less than you deserve, your case might proceed to trial. Your attorney will work closely with you to help you decide if it’s in your best interest to accept an offer or to push for a trial. Ultimately, this is your decision.
What is the statute of limitations in car accident cases?
In Texas, the statute of limitations is typically two years from the time you suffered your car crash or discovered your injury. (*Always speak directly to an attorney to learn the exact deadlines that apply to your potential claims.) There are many exceptions, as well as other deadlines that may apply to your specific claims. Therefore, you should speak directly to an attorney as soon as possible to understand the exact deadlines. It is always best to act as soon as possible when you’ve suffered a serious injury. You are likely in need of compensation for the expenses you face, and you don’t want to delay the process any more than necessary.
The Waldman Legal Group wants to help you better understand your legal options. Once we know more about your case, we can provide specific answers to your questions.
Why Choose Us?
At the Waldman Legal Group, we have the track record to prove that we are committed to getting you maximum compensation for your claim.
Know your rights! Speak with a lawyer at the Waldman Legal Group today. Your first consultation is free, and if you don’t win your case, you don’t pay. Put us to work on your behalf, so we can fight for you and your loved ones. Call us now at (713) 688-4878 to get started.
