by Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer, Tim O’Hare
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A car accident occurs about every 59 seconds on Texas roads, according to TxDOT. While nobody plans to be in a car accident, thousands of people are injured in car wrecks every day. As the saying goes, “knowledge is power.” Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive as car accident lawyers.
What do I do if I’m involved in a car accident?
If you are involved in a car accident, there are a series of steps you should take that could save you some headaches in the long run and may even mean the difference between life and death.
- Get to a safe place and turn off your engine.
- Call 9-1-1 to have a police investigator assess the scene.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you have any injuries, even if you think they are minor.
- Take photos of any damage to the vehicles involved. Photographs can be useful in getting insurance companies to acknowledge injuries that occurred as a result of the accident and may help you obtain a reasonable settlement.
- Call a reputable personal injury lawyer before speaking with the insurance company. This is very important. They will try to take advantage of you. Count on it.
What should I not do if I’m in an accident?
While there are several steps you should take, there are also a few things you should avoid if you are involved in a car accident.
- Never leave the scene of the accident.
- Do not forget to call the police.
- Avoid recorded statements.
- Do not accept any on-the-spot settlements.
- Do not wait to seek recovery for your injuries with the help of a Dallas car accident attorney.
How do I know if I need a car wreck lawyer?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident or tragically lost a loved one in a wreck, don’t leave your fate in the hands of the insurance companies. If you have suffered an injury at the hands of another individual, you may be entitled to financial compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish and/or loss of companionship. Unfortunately, dealing with insurance adjusters can be a challenge, as it is their goal to get the injured party to settle for far less than the amount to which they are entitled. A personal injury attorney will do the labor for you, dealing with the insurance companies to ensure you are treated fairly and receive every penny the law says you are due.
Can’t I handle my injury claim on my own?
If you have been injured in an accident, why take on the unnecessary burden of dealing with insurance companies on your own? Not only can an experienced car accident lawyer do the labor for you, but it is also likely you will receive a greater settlement with a personal injury lawyer on your side. Hiring an attorney will actually save you money in the long run, sometimes tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. It will pay off in the end when you receive a settlement check.
What do I do if I’ve been injured by a drunk driver?
Sadly, Texas leads the nation in traffic deaths, with drunk driving and distracted driving the two biggest factors in fatal crashes. Anyone driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be criminally prosecuted and may face fines, community service, jail time, and/or could have their license suspended or revoked. Drunk drivers who cause injury to another individual can face charges of intoxication assault, which carries a hefty 10 year maximum prison sentence, up to 20 years if the victim died as a result of their injuries.
Victims and family members of fatal drunk driving car accidents may be eligible to receive compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, hospital bills and ongoing medical care, therapy, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and loss of enjoyment of life. Drunk Drivers can also be assessed punitive damages. If you are the victim of a drunk driving accident, or if you have lost a loved one in a drunk driving wreck, you have the right to sue the drunk driver, and possibly even the bar or restaurant that served alcohol to the driver. Though there is no monetary compensation that could ever cover the loss of a loved one, a personal injury lawyer who is experienced with drunk driving cases can help you maximize your financial recovery so you do not bear the financial burden of medical and funeral costs.
What do I do if I’m hurt in a wreck and the other driver doesn’t carry auto insurance?
Texas requires all drivers to carry at liability insurance to cover the cost of accidents they may cause. Still, every day, motorists drive on Texas roads without proper insurance coverage. If caught, these drivers may face a fine or suspension of their driver’s licence. As an added protection to drivers who are insured, the Texas Insurance Code mandates that all insurance companies doing business in Texas offer uninsured and underinsured motorist protection. Even so, insurance companies are notorious for doing everything possible to minimize the amount they pay you in an underinsured or uninsured case and their definition of “fair” may be preposterous to what is actually fair .
Uninsured and underinsured motorist cases can be tricky, but if you have been injured in a hit-and-run wreck or by an otherwise uninsured or underinsured driver, you may still be entitled to financial recovery for your injuries, emotional suffering and lost wages. To win your case, you’ll need an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side.
How can I win a lawsuit against a trucking company?
Each year nearly 150,000 people in the U.S. will be injured in a trucking accident. While truck drivers are not at fault in every accident, in many cases, they are. Unfortunately, proving fault in a trucking accident can be tricky because you must prove that the truck driver broke the law, or that the driver or trucking company was negligent. Examples of negligence may include: driver fatigue, following too closely, improper lane change, running a red light, insufficient driver training, expired CDL, lack of proper maintenance or inspections, texting while driving, etc. There may also be more than one factor at play in the cause of the accident and proving fault to ensure you receive all due compensation for your injury almost always requires the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Tim O’Hare to handle your case. Having a car accident lawyer on your side makes it more likely that you will receive all you are owed for your injuries, hospital bills and pain and suffering. Contact the experienced Dallas car accident attorneys at The Law Offices of Tim O’Hare to guide you through your injury case and ensure you get everything you deserve.
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972-960-0000 or Toll-Free 888-960-0020
