Car Accident Lawyer in Houston
Get Representation Against Negligent, Reckless And Distracted Drivers
If you’re like most people, you think of Texas as a big, wide open state with plenty of room to roam. But what you may not know is that Texas is also the leader in car accidents. In fact, according to a recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Texas is on pace to have the highest number of car crash fatalities in the nation in 2022.
With the incredible growth that the lone star state has seen over the past couple of decades, comes larger roads, more vehicles and more accidents. Although we cannot always avoid being in a car crash, we can take the necessary steps to ensure full recovery and legal representation when necessary.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Texas
The vast majority of car accidents are caused by negligence, mechanical failure, or various external factors. Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Texas include:
- Driver error. Most accidents can be attributed to this cause. Negligent driving includes speeding, running stop signs or red lights, driving while distracted, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or failing to yield.
- Dangerous roads. If roads are not maintained properly, government entities can be held liable for accidents that occur because of this in certain cases.
- Mechanical failure. Defective or recalled parts can easily cause an accident or make the damages from an accident much worse. Manufacturers can often be held liable for damages caused by defective parts or products.
- Dangerous weather. Hazardous weather conditions like heavy rain, ice, or hail can cause slippery roads or low visibility, and these situations often cause car accidents.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer can help Car Accident Victims
A common question that we get asked is “what’s the benefit of hiring a personal injury lawyer when we can just work with the insurance company ourselves?”
As you can see from the following graphic, insurance settlements and accident compensation, in general, are 2 to 6 times higher when an attorney was hired to represent the victim.
Car Accidents: Injury, financial losses, and trauma
Car accidents can cause serious injuries, loss of income, and serious trauma. Often, these injuries and losses are not evident or felt in the immediate aftermath of an accident. That is why it is essential to have a lawyer on your side who understands the legal process. The attorneys at The Hadi Law Firm can help you get the money you need to cover your medical expenses and other costs associated with the accident.
A personal injury lawyer will work with you to build a case against the person or company responsible for the accident. They will gather evidence, such as police reports and medical records, and they will help you negotiate a settlement or take the case to court if necessary.
First and foremost, a personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. This includes the costs of medical treatment, property damage, and lost wages. In many cases, a lawyer may be able to secure a settlement even before a lawsuit is filed.
An experienced car accident attorney can also help you deal with the insurance company. Often, insurers will try to settle claims quickly and for as little money as possible. A lawyer can ensure that you receive a fair settlement that covers all of your losses.
If a lawsuit is necessary, the personal injury lawyer will represent you in court. The process of going through a trial can be complicated and confusing for many people. That is why an experienced trial lawyer like Husein Hadi is the ideal choice for representing you or a loved one if you have been in an accident. Husein Hadi and his team have the experience and resources necessary to fight for your rights in court.
So if you or your loved one has been in a car accident, don’t hesitate to contact our office and let one of our attorneys evaluate your case. You can speak directly with one of our attorneys today by calling 832-433-7977! We will be happy to answer all your questions and can determine whether you are entitled to compensation from a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
What is the Car Accident Claims Process in Texas?
It can be hard to know how to get started on the financial recovery process after a car accident and what to expect throughout that process. At The Hadi Law Firm, we understand that accidents can be stressful and traumatic events. As such, we’ve outlined the car accident claims process to give you a better idea of what to expect. Of course, we can’t cover every nuance here. If you have questions or concerns along the way, please don’t hesitate to contact our Texas team at any time.
Here are the 6 steps that you can expect in the car accident claims process:
1. Document EVERYTHING
Immediately following your accident, it is crucial to gather and preserve as much evidence as possible. The information you collect will be used to support your claim that the other party was at fault.
Below are a few of the things you should do after a car accident:
- Take photos of the scene from every angle. Make sure you get more than just images of your and the other driver’s vehicles. You’ll want pictures of the road in front of and behind you, as well as street signs and traffic lights.
- Record details of the accident. You’ll want to log the accident’s date, time, and place. Be sure to note what the road and weather conditions were like at the time of the crash.
- Get the other driver’s information. When filing an accident claim, you will go through the at-fault party’s insurance. As such, it’s necessary to get the driver’s information as well as their insurance company’s name, phone number, and policy number.
- Exchange information with witnesses. Witnesses can give an accurate and objective account of what happened and help establish fault. If other drivers or pedestrians saw the accident, make sure to get their names and numbers.
- Get medical care. You may have sustained harm that is not immediately apparent. Even if you do not feel like you suffered injuries, see a doctor. Forgoing medical care might mean that you would not get the compensation you need to cover accident-related costs.
2. Contact an Experienced Texas Personal Injury Attorney
Texas lawyers specializing in personal injury can help you through the claims process and ensure your rights as an injured person are not violated. They can also negotiate the maximum amount of compensation based on your case.
Remember, personal injury law is highly specialized, and most attorneys specialize in specific areas of law (criminal, family, etc.). So be sure to select a top-rated and experienced team such as The Hadi Law Firm. Husein Hadi (rated by SuperLawyers in 2020, 2021, and 2022) and his team are focused on Texas injury cases and have handled thousands of auto accident claims.
3. Investigating the Accident and Assessing Damages
Your attorney can analyze the evidence in your case (such as witness statements, photographs of the crash scene, and police reports) to determine fault. They will also review medical records, bills, and other documents to assess damages and determine how much compensation you should seek.
Sending a Demand Letter
The demand letter contains the following information:
- The details of your accident
- Why the other driver is liable
- The severity of your injuries
- What medical treatment you received and what is still needed
- Other damages you sustained relevant to your case
4. Waiting for the Insurance Company’s Response
Let’s put one thing out there. The insurance companies are NOT your friends!
Even after you file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company, it may try to reject your claim. The company will investigate your allegations, seeking evidence that would justify offering you a lower settlement than you requested or denying your claim altogether.
Under Texas law, an insurance company must accept or reject a claim within 15 to 45 days, depending on the circumstances. It must send you a written notification concerning the delay and why it denied your claim (if it was rejected).
If the insurance company makes a low-ball counteroffer, you do not have to accept it. Your lawyer can seek to negotiate a fair settlement. Also, even if your claim is denied, that does not necessarily mean the end of your case. If you believe that your claim was rejected in error and the other driver was clearly at fault, you can file a personal injury lawsuit.
5. Taking your Case to Trial / Reviewing Your Settlement Offer
When it comes time to do the numbers, our attorneys will negotiate on your behalf. We fight for your best interests and ensure we get the best deal possible on your behalf. We never accept a settlement without your approval, and you can rely on us to keep you informed every step.
If your case goes to trial, your attorney will present evidence in court to help prove that the other driver was responsible for the accident and should be held financially accountable.
6. Receiving Fair Compensation
We have your best interests in mind. We deal with hundreds of claims from vehicle accidents.
You can rely on our legal team to give you the best representation in Texas. We’ll ensure that you get the compensation and medical care you deserve for your injuries and damage to your vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
- If you are able to check yourself for injuries and call the police or emergency services.
- Try to record the accident scene. This can be in the form of photos or videos.
- If there are any other people present, acquire their contact information if possible. They may be useful witnesses.
- Do not accept blame or assign blame.
- Acquire insurance information from the other driver.
- Remember to see a doctor and explain the accident and any pain you may have.
- Contact our personal injury attorneys for a consultation.
Unfortunately, after a car accident, injury victims are often forced to settle for unjust compensation regarding medical care and losses by the insurance companies. Some insurance companies will tell you that you don’t need a lawyer and that they will give you full compensation. The insurance companies are NOT on your side. Insurance adjusters will always try to pay the least amount of settlement possible or shift blame to avoid paying a settlement out.
Hiring a seasoned Houston car accident lawyer who understands personal injury law in Texas is imperative. That is why you should save The Hadi Firm’s number (832-433-7977) and contact us to discuss your specific case.
The best way to deal with an insurance company is by hiring a law firm that has experience in dealing with personal injury cases. If they agree on the value of your case, then you’ll be able to settle for this amount without going through court proceedings or having another driver’s claim against their own vehicle accident unfold further than it needs to.
If the accident was partly your fault, you can still get compensation. Texas is a state that utilizes a doctrine called modified comparative fault for personal injury claims. A party can receive compensation for injuries and damages caused by the accident even if he or she was partly to blame. This legal concept applies to car crashes, motorcycle accidents, and even an injury accident with a semi-truck. However, the amount of money that can be paid is reduced by the percentage of fault ascribed to the driver in the case. Some states use pure comparative negligence, and anyone can obtain compensation in a crash. Texas uses a modified comparative negligence law.
If you’re in an insurance company’s cross hairs, it can be hard to know what steps are necessary. You might have a good idea of how your car accident happened or if there were any obvious mistakes on behalf of the other driver – but even then everything will depend entirely upon the insurance company’s lawyers! The best thing that anyone who has been involved in an auto collision can do is contact a reputable personal injury attorney so that they can have someone on their side of the battle. Remember, the insurance companies do not have your best interest at heart.
If the other driver was entirely at fault for your car accident, the result is usually predictable: The other driver (through their insurance carrier) will pay to compensate you for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses you suffered. But what happens if you were partly at fault?
The number one question that always arises after a car accident is who’s at fault? If you were injured in your own vehicle and the other driver caused it, there are two likely outcomes: their insurance company will pay for any medical bills or lost wages incurred as well as compensate them monetarily. But what happens when someone shares some responsibility too–isn’t this just an “even” swap between parties who have been sundered by circumstance!?
Texas follows modified comparative fault law which reduces damages awards based on how much each party was contributorily negligent during an incident; basically if I’m 20% responsible for my injury because i drove next door to somebody shooting
Texas follows a “modified comparative fault” rule when more than one party is found to share blame for an accident. In most car accident cases, the jury is asked to calculate two things based on the evidence: the total dollar amount of the plaintiff’s damages, and the percentage of fault that belongs to each party. Under the modified comparative fault rule, the plaintiff’s damages award is reduced by a percentage equal to his or her share of fault.
For instance, suppose that in your case, the jury decides your total damages award should be $100,000 (including your medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, and “pain and suffering“). But the jury also decides you are 40 percent responsible for the accident (maybe you were speeding). Under Texas’s comparative fault rule, you are entitled to get 60 percent of the $100,000 total, or $60,000—still a significant sum, but not as much as the grand total of your damages.
One important note: Since Texas is a “modified” comparative fault state, you will receive nothing at all if you are found to be more than 50 percent at fault for the crash. This is different from the rule in “pure” comparative fault states, where you can recover damages when you’re more at fault than the other party. Bottom line: In Texas, you must be no more than 50 percent at fault in order to recover damages from any other at-fault party after a car accident.
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