Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston, Texas: What to Do After a Car Accident

Car crashes are common in Houston, Texas. Crammed city streets, congested highways, and distracted motorists make fender benders commonplace. Even a low-impact accident can have lasting effects. Victims endure medical bills, agony, and lost earnings. Understanding what to do following a car crash safeguards your health and your rights. The majority of people are confused and disoriented. The right steps and an experienced Houston car accident lawyer make the recovery less complicated.

What to Do at the Time of a Car Accident

1. Check for injuries

Your health and safety first. Check passengers and yourself for injuries. Call 911 at once if there are injured individuals. Do not attempt to move seriously injured people unless there is more hazard to them.

2. Move to safety

If your vehicle is blocking the way, get it on the shoulder or an alternate safe area nearby. Turn on hazard lights so that other people notice you. Be patient and never get in the path of approaching vehicles.

3. Call the police

Texas law mandates police reports when accidents cause injury, death, or significant damage. Even for minimal damage, a police report can help your claim someday. The officers write down what occurred and who was there.

4. Collect evidence

Take photos of the vehicles, road, skid marks, and weather using your own cell phone. Obtain phone numbers, names, and insurance from all drivers. Take down the contact information of any witnesses.

5. Seek medical treatment

Most traumas do not arise hours or days afterward. Whiplash, concussion, and internal bleeding do not always occur right away. Always go to see a doctor and get your condition recorded. Medical history ties the accident to your trauma.

6. File a claim with a personal injury lawyer

After emergency supplies, call a Houston personal injury lawyer. A lawyer defends your rights, handles the insurance companies, and helps you receive reasonable compensation.

Why You’ll Want a Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston

Insurance companies want to protect their bottom line. Adjusters will try to rush you into accepting too little money too quickly. Without a lawyer, you may accept an unfair offer.

A personal injury lawyer can:

• Explain your legal rights in plain language
• Get medical records, police reports, and witness statements
• Negotiate all of them with insurance adjusters
• Establish an estimate for reasonable compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain
• Get your case court-ready in case of settlement failure

Houston attorneys are familiar with Texas law regarding accidents and how courts in the area operate. It is used to construct solid cases. Having someone on your side makes it more level when it comes to negotiating with insurance companies.

Types of Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents create injuries that are as varied as being mild to deadly. Even slow-speed wrecks can lead to permanent pain. Some will heal within a few weeks, while others require ongoing care.

Some of the most frequent injuries are as follows:

1. Whiplash – quick neck motion that leads to one to hurt and stiffen
2. Broken bones – arms, legs, ribs, or hips break most in wrecks
3. Spinal and back injury – herniated discs, nerve damage, or paralysis
4. Head trauma – concussion or traumatic brain injury to concentration and memory
5. Cuts and scrapes – from seat belts or broken glass
6. Internal trauma – bleeding or organ damage that isn’t immediately visible

Even if you are fine, get checked out. A visit with a doctor generates a report that attributes your damages to the accident.

What an Attorney Does for Your Case

Visiting a personal injury lawyer isn’t just about filling out paperwork. They guide you through it all.

1. Free consultation – You explain to them what occurred in the accident, and they let you know what you should do.
2. Investigation – The lawyer picks up evidence, photos, police reports, and medical records.
3. Communication – They deal with your insurance providers for you.
4. Claim assessment – They calculate your doctor bills, lost wages, and future care costs.
5. Negotiation – Nine out of ten times, cases get resolved without the court. Your lawyer negotiates as much money as possible.
6. Trial preparation – When it fails, they sue and litigate your case in front of a judge and jury.

It keeps you stress-free and prevents you from missing deadlines that are vastly important.

Avoid These Blunders After a Houston Car Accident

Injured victims ruin their cases unknowingly. Avoid these blunders:

• Leaving the site of an accident before police have arrived
• Not calling 911 to get help
• Refusal or delay in medical care
• Admitting fault for the accident at the location
• Spending freely with insurance adjusters
• Posting accidents to social media

Each error damages your claim. Insurers deny and reduce your claim based on these errors. Your actions are protected by an attorney who ensures that they aid in your recovery.

How Texas Law Affects Motor Vehicle Collision Claims

Texas is a fault state. The fault party’s responsible driver is liable for damages. You collect from the fault party’s insurer. Texas also uses the modified comparative fault rule. Your recovery will be reduced if you are partially at fault. Let’s say you are 20% at fault. Your payment is reduced by 20%. If you are over 50% at fault, you cannot recover. The lawyer establishes fault of the other driver and defends you against unjustified blame.

Types of Damages You May Recover

Houston auto accident victims are able to recover various damages:

• Medical expenses – doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing care
• Lost wages – income lost while recuperating and future income lost
• Pain and suffering – bodily discomfort and emotional distress
• Property damage – repair or replacement of the vehicle
• Loss of enjoyment – when accidents limit hobbies or daily activities

The value of your case relies upon the specific facts of your injuries and accident. A lawyer estimates current and future costs.

FAQ – Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston, Texas: What to Do After a Car Crash

1. How soon should I contact an attorney after a car accident in Houston?

Call an attorney at once. Timely legal counsel protects your rights and preserves evidence.

2. Do I have a claim if I am not sick after the accident?

Yes. Injuries do not immediately appear. Doctor visit and attorney consultation protect your health and claim.

3. Who pays my doctor’s fee following a Texas car crash?

Typically, the responsible driver’s insurance. Your attorney ensures bills get paid reasonably.

4. I have how long to file a claim for a Texas car accident?

You have two years from the date of the incident. Forfeiting such time bars your right of recovery.

5. What if the opposing party is not insured?

You can resort to your uninsured motorist coverage. Your lawyer can pursue other sources of payment under law.

Final Thoughts

Houston car accidents can turn your life around in a split second. Bills, injuries, and anxiety will seem overwhelming. But being responsible about what to do after a car accident makes healing a breeze. Your best bet is a personal injury lawyer. They deal with the system on your behalf, fight for fair compensation, and enable you to heal. With their help, you can get back to living after an automobile accident in Houston, Texas.