Voted The Best Accident Lawyers in Texas
Need a Car Accident Lawyer in Texas?
After a car wreck in Texas you’re probably feeling lost and unsure of your rights or what to do next. An experienced car accident lawyer can navigate the insurance claims and legal process for you and protect your interests. See how legal help makes a difference and what to expect as you get compensated.
The Heil Law Firm has helped thousands of people in Texas who have been involved in car wrecks, both personal and commercial. If you need to talk to our team then contact us because we want to be your injury lawyer.
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The Bottom Line
Key Points
- Texas car accident lawyers, contingency fee based, help navigate insurance and legal issues after the accident, get personalized strategies for fair and maximum compensation and client centered service.
- An auto accident lawyer helps victims understand their rights, deal with insurance companies and get a full range of damages, medical bills, lost wages and compensation for pain and suffering.
- In Texas the statute of limitations to file a lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident so car wreck victims need to get legal help ASAP to avoid losing their right to be compensated.
Finding a Car Accident Lawyer in Texas
What to do after a Car Accident in Texas with a Lawyer
You wake up from a car wreck in Texas, dazed, confused and overwhelmed. Your priority is to get better but there’s a storm of insurance claims and potential lawsuits swirling around you. That’s where a Texas car accident lawyer comes in. Get a lawyer soon after the auto accident and they will help navigate the complexities and get you fair compensation. They know your situation and will create a customized plan for the insurance company and the legal process. They are local so they can get to you fast and personal to your case.
You’re probably wondering about the cost. Texas car accident lawyers like Heil Law Firm work on a contingency fee basis. That means you only pay if you win or settle the case, they’re all in for justice. The focus is you, the client. They want to make the legal process simple so you can focus on getting better.
What does an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Do?
Understanding Your Rights: The Role of a Car Accident Attorney
After an auto accident you feel lost and unsure of your rights. That’s where a car accident lawyer in Texas comes in. These car accident lawyers are multi-taskers, handling all aspects of your case with their knowledge of tort law to help you. They will guide you through the legal process and help you understand your rights so you get fair and maximum compensation.
Insurance adjusters are tough negotiators. But with an experienced auto accident lawyer by your side you have an experienced negotiator who knows how to play hardball. These lawyers will get you settlements that include a car accident claim for:
- Medical bills
- Car repair bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Accident lawyers will evaluate all the economic and non-economic damages to protect your future and get you compensation for potential future expenses.
How to Determine Fault in a Car Crash
Who is at Fault in Your Car Accident in Texas?
In Texas a person involved in a car accident doesn’t have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. They just have to prove their version of the facts, damages and fault is more likely true than the defendants.
Heil Law Firm will prove:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care – Drivers owe a “duty of care” to everyone on the road, which means they have to act reasonably and be attentive and cautious.
- The defendant breached that duty of care – Whether they did something wrong or didn’t do something right, the defendant breached the duty of care if they were involved in reckless driving, distracted driving, driving under the influence, running red light and other traffic signals, failure to maintain proper attention, or failure to maintain safe following distance.
- Cause in fact – This means the defendant’s actions were the actual cause of your car accident injuries.
- Proximate cause – This means your accident injuries were a likely result of the defendant’s behavior.
- Damages – Your experience was hard physically, emotionally and financially. Justice means getting what’s right or what’s fair. This can include maximum compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages or mental anguish.
Getting Justice in Car Accident and Personal Injury Cases
Car accidents result in not only property damage but also personal injuries and complex legal proceedings and the pursuit of justice for the affected. Personal injury cases from car accidents can include a wide range of injuries from whiplash and fractures to more severe trauma like spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries. In these cases individuals may face physical pain, emotional distress and financial hardship from medical bills, lost wages and long term rehabilitation needs. Getting legal representation from experienced personal injury attorneys and car accident lawyers is key to navigating the legal process of representing car accident victims and getting fair compensation for those damages.
Personal injury car accident cases require investigation to determine liability and prove damages to the victims. This means gathering evidence like police reports, medical records, witness statements and expert testimony to build a case of negligence or wrongdoing. Personal injury attorneys use their knowledge to negotiate with insurance companies, settle or litigate on behalf of their clients. Through aggressive legal representation and advocacy individuals injured in a Texas car accident can get the compensation they deserve for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering to help them recover and get justice.
Can I get paid after a car accident in Texas?
Types of Compensation for Car Accident Victims
Auto accidents in Texas can be financially devastating but do you know what you can recover? Financial recovery can include:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Texas car accident lawyers help car accident victims recover damages from car accident injuries so you can deal with the emotional aftermath of the accident.
Auto Accident Attorneys not only get clients medical bills and lost wages from car accidents but also get maximum compensation for:
- Car repairs after the accident
- Pain and suffering from the accident
- Long term impact on earning capacity and overall quality of life
They work hard to get maximum compensation for clients and consider all aspects of a client’s claim to get the most compensation.
Compensation goes beyond the current financial impact. Attorneys evaluate car accident claims looking at current financial impact as well as future financial constraints and non-economic damages to the victim. They advise you on when settlement offers are not enough considering the specifics of your case.
You can seek financial compensation from various responsible parties which may include:
- negligent drivers
- mechanics
- government entities
- product manufacturers
Depending on the cause of the auto accident car accidents happen and can result in serious personal injury claims.
Property Damage in Car Accidents
After an auto accident property damage is a big concern and individuals are left to deal with the daunting task of dealing with insurance claims and repairs. Whether it’s a minor fender bender or a major collision the impact on vehicles and surrounding property can be huge and financially and emotionally stressful for all parties involved. From assessing the damage to coordinating repairs every step of the process requires attention to detail and quick action to get it resolved.
One of the biggest challenges in dealing with property damage after an accident is determining liability and negotiating with the other driver’s insurance company or companies to pay for the damages. Documenting the scene, exchanging information with other parties involved and getting witness statements are key steps in proving fault and getting fair compensation. Also understanding your insurance policy and getting advice from legal or automotive experts can help you navigate the property damage claims process. With quick action and aggressive advocacy individuals can get their vehicles and properties back to normal and minimize the financial impact of the car accident.
Get an estimate of your car crash value
How much is your car crash case worth?
How much is your car crash worth?
In general value is based on the injury to people and damage to the vehicle. Our accident lawyers work with medical and financial experts to calculate not only the immediate and long term costs of your accident and auto accident injuries.
We will calculate:
- Medical bills – This includes bills you have already paid for care after the accident as well as future bills.
- Lost wages – We include wages lost during recovery as well as potential loss if you can’t go back to work in the same capacity.
- Damaged property – Or lost property, including damage/loss to your vehicle, clothing or personal items.
- Pain and suffering – For physical and emotional discomfort you endured.
- Loss of consortium – This means damages related to the impact of your severe injuries whether it’s to yourself or your loved ones (for example if a parent’s injury makes it difficult for them to care for their children).
Multiple Cars Involved In Crashes
What To Do When Multiple Drives Are At Fault
Texas uses a modified comparative fault standard which is often referred to as “proportionate responsibility.”
This means that any damages awarded to you could be reduced if you are found to be partially at fault for the auto accident that caused your injuries.
Also Texas has the 51% bar rule. This means you can’t collect damages for severe injuries if you are found to be 51% or more at fault for your car accident injuries.
As a Texas accident lawyer, Robert J Heil III will make sure insurance companies determine who is at fault and how much each negligent party is responsible and this will help you get the most out of your car accident claims.
Who is at fault in a car accident?
Liability in Car Accidents
The ‘modified’ comparative fault rule applies in Texas car accidents. This rule includes the 51 percent bar where you can’t get damages if you are found to be 51% or more at fault. In car accident cases of comparative fault, Texas law reduces the damages based on your percentage of fault. So if you are 20% at fault in the auto accident, your recoverable damages are reduced by 20%.
But how is negligence which is key to getting compensation established? This means showing a negligent driver’s actions or inactions caused the accident and accident injuries through a breach of the duty to exercise reasonable care. A Texas car accident lawyer is key in establishing liability by gathering evidence, identifying the liable parties and making sense of Texas’ proportionate responsibility system so you get a fair result.
Texas’ modified comparative fault system reduces the plaintiff’s compensation by their percentage of fault, so if you are 20% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by that 20%.
What to do?
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Texas
Car accidents are confusing and overwhelming. But knowing what to do after a car wreck in Texas can make a big difference in your recovery. First and foremost, stay at the scene of the auto accident so you don’t get charged with hit and run. Also assess the extent of injuries to all parties involved in the motor vehicle accident. Whatever you do, don’t settle with the negligent driver on the scene as some injuries might not be visible yet.
Knowledge is power. Here are the steps to take after an accident:
- Get contact and insurance information from everyone involved.
- Get a copy of the police report.
- Take photos of the accident scene.
- Note the location, weather and road conditions.
- Contact your insurance agent ASAP.
- Be honest about the accident.
- Keep a record of all conversations with the insurance company.
Medical attention is not just for your health but also for your case. Whether you feel injured or not, get medical attention right after the accident to document and treat all injuries including those with delayed symptoms. Once immediate medical care is done, it’s time to call a Texas accident lawyer.
Causes of Auto Accidents in Texas and Legal Remedy
Car accidents can happen for many reasons. A quarter of all fatal car accidents in Texas are due to speeding which includes aggressive driving behaviors such as improper lane changes and running stop signs. Impaired driving is another common cause of car wrecks. Apart from drunk driving accidents, use of prescription and over-the-counter medications can also impair driving and sometimes lead to serious accidents with punitive damages applied in cases of gross negligence.
Distracted driving is another common cause. Texting while driving is cognitive, manual and visual distraction – taking the driver’s attention off the road and causing collisions. Driver inattention and careless driving behaviors like following too closely or tailgating are major contributors to road crashes which are common causes of auto accidents in Texas. Legal recourse is available to recover compensation for victims of these unfortunate incidents.
How Serious Injuries from Car Accidents Affect Your Life
Car accidents can leave more than just physical scars. They can cause serious injuries that result to long term health issues and require significant lifestyle changes. Traumatic brain injuries and spinal injuries can result to long term neurological problems, cognitive deficits, changes in brain morphology and loss of sensation or mobility. Traumatic brain injuries can lead to increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, disrupt hormones and cause sleep disorders that can affect overall health and daily living.
Spinal injuries can cause neck pain and headaches or paraplegia and require significant lifestyle changes and ongoing care. These life changing consequences is why you need legal representation. Legal representation is important for victims of serious car accident injuries to navigate the legal system and get maximum compensation for ongoing medical treatment and related expenses as a personal injury lawyer works with medical professionals and documents evidence for claims.
Insurance Companies: A Lawyer’s View
Dealing with insurance companies is a nightmare. They use various tactics such as gaining your trust to minimize claims, asking misleading questions during statements, denying liability to make it seem like their client is not at fault and delaying claims processing to pressure you into settling. To counter these tactics, you need to get legal representation, don’t discuss the auto accident and consult an attorney before giving any statements.
Experienced Texas car accident lawyers can help you navigate insurance company negotiations, challenge typical defenses like preexisting conditions, advise you on how to deal with uncooperative insurance companies and protect your legal rights. Don’t accept the first offer from the other party’s insurance company, it’s usually the lowest. An attorney can help you reject that offer and renegotiate for the compensation you truly deserve.
Texas Statute of Limitations for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit
Time is running out in Texas. Car accident victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you don’t file a claim within the two year statute of limitations you will lose your right to sue and seek compensation regardless of how strong your case is.
There are exceptions like the discovery rule which allows extensions to filing deadlines in exceptional cases. But this rule is applied sparingly to prevent it from undermining the purpose of the statute of limitations. So it’s important to get a car accident attorney as soon as possible to file the lawsuit within the statutory deadline and avoid wasting time and effort on claims that can’t be won due to time expiration.
Why Choose Our Firm as Your Texas Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been in an auto accident, choosing the right representation matters. Our Texas law firm offers:
- We work on contingency so you don’t pay any upfront legal fees and fees are only collected if we get you financial recovery.
- We are dedicated to you.
- We will represent you in court and will get you the compensation you deserve even if it means going to trial.
Our firm has car accident lawyers who are experienced in court and can navigate the challenges of proving a case to a jury to get a good result. Contact us to get started on the road to justice and compensation today. Schedule a free consultation.
Preparing for a Personal Injury Claim: Evidence and Documentation
Preparing a personal injury claim requires attention to detail. A personal injury attorney can investigate the auto accident thoroughly using retired police officers or their own investigators to gather evidence. They can build a case for punitive damages by consulting with experts and presenting clear evidence of the defendant’s conduct.
Documentation is key. Here are the documents and evidence you need for your case:
- Auto accident report: This report sets the foundation of the case – participants, location, cause and auto accident injuries.
- Medical records: These are critical to show medical expenses and document the severity of the injury which is necessary for the calculation of compensation.
- Photographs and videos: These are physical evidence of the auto accident scene and injuries to establish the circumstances of the crash and the extent of the injuries.
Having a medical file with all the documents is crucial to prove the extent of the injuries and the costs. Here are the key evidence to include:
- Treatment reports
- Medical Bills
- Test results
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony
- Medical records
These will link your injuries to the accident and establish fault. Eyewitness testimony is also important so make sure to get contact information from witnesses for follow up.
The legal team will help by gathering, organizing and presenting all the evidence collected to build a strong personal injury claim.
Justice for Fatal Car Accident Victims
The sad truth is fatal car accidents do happen. In Texas, the surviving spouse, children and parents of the deceased can file a wrongful death claim. Eligible family members can recover for:
- Lost income capacity
- Companionship
- Inheritance
- Support
- Advice
- Emotional pain and suffering
in wrongful death cases.
Survival claims allow the deceased’s estate to recover for the victim’s pain and suffering before death, medical bills and funeral expenses. In some Texas wrongful death cases punitive damages can be awarded to deter similar future conduct by the defendant. But only one surviving family member can file the wrongful death claim so family members need to coordinate and act quickly. If the immediate family doesn’t file a claim within three months of the death the estate’s representative can file the wrongful death claim.
Conclusion
Car accidents can be traumatic but knowing what to do can make all the difference. From understanding your rights to dealing with insurance companies and preparing for a personal injury claim this guide has given you the information you need. Remember you are not alone in the journey to justice after a car accident.
FAQ
What can I get compensated for?
You can get compensated for lost wages, medical bills, property damage and pain and suffering after a car accident in Texas.
How does Texas’ modified comparative fault work?
In Texas the modified comparative fault rule reduces the recoverable damages by the percentage for which the injured party is found to be at fault in the accident. So if the claimant is 20% at fault their damages are reduced by 20%.
What causes car accidents in Texas?
The common causes of car accidents in Texas are speeding, impaired driving due to alcohol or medication and distracted driving especially texting while driving. These are the reasons for the high number of accidents in the area.
How can a lawyer in Texas help with insurance companies after a car accident?
A lawyer can help with insurance negotiations after a car accident by walking you through the process, challenging the defenses and giving you guidance on how to deal with uncooperative insurance companies. This can get you a fair settlement.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Texas?
In Texas you generally have two years from the date of the car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. You should contact your car accident attorney and act within this time frame to protect your rights.
I was not at fault in the car wreck so why do I need car accident attorneys?
The insurance adjusters and lawyers from the negligent party’s insurance company will minimize your claim as much as possible. Their job is to settle your car accident claim for the lowest amount possible. Without proper legal representation you are defenseless against the insurance representatives and end up taking a lowball offer.
