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Houston Car Accident Lawyer

Houston Car Accident Lawyer

An Experienced Houston Car Accident Attorney Can Help You.

There’s no sugarcoating it: Texas is growing and that means exponentially more drivers are on the road. If you have to get behind the wheel every day, then you know how true this is. Knowing what to do after you’ve been in a serious car wreck and trying to figure out how much you can get when you file a claim can be extremely overwhelming.  This is where our experienced car accident attorneys can help you.

Our law firm has over 50 years of experience helping people get the money they deserve and getting their lives back on track. Contact us today by phone at 1-800-505-1414 or by filling out our form.

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    16 Things to Do After a Car Accident, Step-by-Step

    As long as you aren't seriously hurt or don't need immediate medical attention, our lawyers have put together a 16-step comprehensive guide you can follow after you've been in a car accident.

    • 1. Don’t Leave
      If you’re in a car crash, you need to stay put if there’s damages, especially if someone got hurt. Even though it might seem like a no-brainer, leaving the scene of an accident (hit-and-run) is against Texas law and can land you in big trouble. So, stay put and wait for the police. You could also be hurt and might not know it, so let the paramedics check you out when they arrive.
    • 2. Stay Safe
      If your car is in a dangerous spot where it could cause more trouble, try to move it out of the way. Pull over to the side of the road or into a parking lot if you can. Once you’ve done that, check on everyone else involved in the crash. Start with your passengers, then the other driver. If there are babies or kids with you, gently make sure they’re okay. You might be the first one who can help or stop something worse from happening until the ambulance or fire truck gets there.
    • 3. Call 911
      Call 911 to report the crash. Don’t wait for the other driver to do it. They might try to talk you out of it, saying it’ll raise their insurance rates or because there isn’t much damage to the cars, but it’s important to get a police officer there to help you and everyone else out. The officer will file a Texas Crash Report with all the drivers’ info, their insurance companies, and policy numbers. The officer will also look into what caused the crash and decide who was at fault. If the officer gives anyone a ticket, it can help a lawyer get money for anyone who got hurt in the crash.
    • 4. Swap Information
      While you’re waiting for the cops, you should swap insurance info with the other people involved. Texas law says you have to do this at the scene of the accident. Don’t wait for the police to get this info because sometimes they don’t. Even if the officer does get everyone’s info, you might have to wait until the official Crash Report comes out to get it (which can take a week or more). So, if you can, snap a picture of the other driver’s license and insurance card. If you can’t get the insurance info for any reason, ask for the car registration info instead. Also, jot down the type of car, the license plate number, and anything else you notice about their car.
    • 5. Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help
      If you feel any pain or anything different after the crash – even something small like feeling dizzy or having a headache – ask for an ambulance to take you to the hospital. After a car crash, it’s super important that you get medical help right away. Some serious problems like internal bleeding, broken bones, or concussions might not show up until later, but doctors can find them during an initial check-up. Also, the medical records from the crash help show you have the right to get money by explaining how you got hurt and showing your injuries. Once you leave the hospital, keep all this paperwork because your lawyer will want to look at it. And most importantly, don’t share details about your accident to anyone unless it’s your attorney or necessary for medical attention.
    • 6. Save All Evidence
      If you can, write down notes about what happened before you forget any important details. You don’t want to forget anything that could help your case. If you have a phone that can record voice notes, use it to make notes faster so you can look at them later. You can also use your cell phone to take video of the scene of the accident. Try to get positions of the cars, tire marks, broken glass, deployed airbags, and other relevant material. Record everything.
    • 7. Call Your Insurance (Not Theirs)
      As soon as you can, tell your insurance company about the crash. Make sure to let them know if you got hurt, even if you’re just a little sore. If your insurance covers car crashes, you can choose to get your car checked out and fixed right away, or you can wait until the other driver’s insurance company takes the blame. Don’t talk to the other driver’s insurance company without a lawyer. Even if you think the crash was totally the other driver’s fault, insurance companies try to figure out the facts for themselves and they might try to blame you after they talk to you. Your lawyer will probably stop the insurance company from talking to you and speak for you instead.
    • 8. Get the Accident Report
      Make sure to get a copy of the crash report. The police officer who looked into the crash will fill out a report with all the info you need for your insurance claim. You can usually get these reports from the local police station about a week or so after the crash. You can also buy them online through the Texas Department of Transportation website.
    • 9. Call A Lawyer
      Don’t say you caused the crash, say you’re sorry, or admit anything about the crash before you talk to a good car crash lawyer. Once you tell your side of the story to a lawyer, they can help you figure out if you said or did anything you shouldn’t have when you talked to the police. Picking the right lawyer can make a big difference in what happens next after your accident.
    • 10. Keep Notes
      Since car crash claims and lawsuits are all about facts and evidence, it’s important to write down the details of what happened. You can also use a voice recorder if that’s easier. What you remember about what happened can really help prove your innocence and get compensated for damages.
    • 11. Save All Your Records
      You should save all your medical bills and records, especially if you went to a doctor because of an accident. Things like car repair estimates or receipts are really important to keep. The goal is to get as much evidence as possible to show who caused the crash or how damages should be split. The more evidence, the better, and your lawyer or insurance company will never say you did too much. We work hard to negotiate with insurance companies and we know how to represent our clients in court.
    • 12. Continue Taking Care of Yourself
      After a crash, it’s super important to look after your health. If you’re feeling bad or notice something different, don’t ignore it. Go to the doctor and get yourself checked out, just to be on the safe side. Sometimes, you might not notice an injury right away because of the shock from the crash.
    • 13. Stay Quiet
      Try not to talk too much about the crash, especially on social media. Anything you say or post could be used against you later on. It’s better to keep things private until everything is sorted out.
    • 14. Don’t Rush the Process
      Insurance companies might try to get you to settle quickly, but it’s best not to rush. Talk to your lawyer and make sure you understand all your options. You want to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
    • 15. Don’t Skip Appointments
      If you have doctor’s appointments or meetings with your lawyer, don’t skip them. It’s important to show that you’re taking the situation seriously. Plus, missing appointments can slow down your case and make things take longer than they should.
    • 16. Follow Up Regularly
      After the accident, make sure to follow up with everyone involved – that includes the police, your insurance company, any doctors you saw, and especially your lawyer. It’s good to stay in the loop and know what’s happening with your case. Don’t just sit back and wait for people to contact you, be proactive!
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    Why Should I Hire A Car Accident Lawyer?

    Contacting a lawyer should not add additional stress. A skilled attorney’s goal is to relieve you of the stress of a legal claim and handle the process entirely on your behalf. Here are some of the ways a qualified attorney can help you:

    • Gather evidence that shows who was at fault for the accident
    • Identify every liable party involved in the accident
    • Handle communications with the negligent driver’s insurance company
    • Keep track of your medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses
    • Estimate future medical costs and accident-related losses
    • Communicate with your medical care team to obtain complete records
    • Recover lost wages from losing your job
    • Represent you at depositions, hearings, and in court
    • Deal with lien holders and debt collectors on your behalf
    • Reduce your medical bills
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    When is the best time to hire an attorney?

    The best time to consult with an attorney is immediately after your car accident.

    If you’ve suffered due to a car accident, it is completely normal to take care of your health first. For many people, hiring an attorney to start the legal process sounds stressful. But keep in mind, time is of the essence.

    Every state’s statute of limitations surrounding car accident cases is different. So, what does statute of limitations mean? It means that there is a limit on the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. In the cases of personal injury and claims surrounding property damage, you have two years to file a petition with the courts in Texas (there are some exceptions to this). Two years is not an unlimited amount of time so don’t procrastinate.

    The sooner you take action, the better.

    You might be surprised at how long it takes to deal with the various aspects of a car accident claim—even a seemingly straightforward claim involving minor injuries and minimal property damage. If your injuries are severe, your time is best spent focusing on making a full recovery, as fast as possible. Not only that, but any misstep along the way could reduce your chances of recovering maximum compensation.

    Remember: insurance companies are some of the largest and most profitable companies on earth. And their insurance adjusters are trained to delay, underpay, and even deny claims.

    It’s absolutely worth talking to an experienced car accident attorney about your situation. Our injury law firm will also review your case for free.

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    Should I hire an attorney for a minor car accident?

    While a car accident injury may not appear to be serious at first, appearances can be deceiving, especially when it comes to certain types of bodily injuries and even trauma to the brain. And just because you feel fine after an accident, that doesn’t mean you’re not injured. Later, you may start to notice symptoms of a potential injury. As a general rule of thumb, it’s always best to consult with an experienced attorney after a car accident.

    Not consulting with an attorney could be a bigger mistake on your part and that can play into the hands of the insurance companies.

    Even if you had a low-speed accident, there is a significant body of research showing that even low-speed accidents can cause chronic injuries, including whiplash and concussions.

    For example, a 2021 scientific article published by the National Institutes of Health found that the use of the “biomechanical approach” (the defense tactic used by insurance companies) vastly underestimates the actual risk of real-world, low-speed impacts.

    Emerging evidence also shows that there’s no such thing as a “mild” concussion. Some people develop headaches, fatigue, brain fog, memory problems, and other symptoms of post-concussion syndrome. These symptoms can last for months or even years. Similar symptoms, which can also be long-term, may result from whiplash. Both whiplash and concussions can happen in relatively low-speed collisions.

    The problem with assuming your injuries is “minor” is that the insurance companies might pressure you to settle your claim right away so that they don’t have to cover you or even all of your property damages. But don’t fall for this. For help in dealing with the insurance company and your accident, contact us right away.

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    If I'm at fault, can I still sue?

    First off, you should never admit fault in an accident. Even if you are certain that it was your fault, there is no benefit to admitting this.

    In fact, it’s best that you say as little as possible to any parties until you’re able to speak with an experienced Houston car accident attorney. You may have to exchange insurance information and provide law enforcement with a statement and when you do, stick to the facts. Even a simple statement like, “I didn’t see the other driver” could be taken as an admission of guilt. If you aren’t sure of what to do or say, know that it is within your right to speak to an attorney at any point.

    Your insurer will work with the other driver’s insurer to determine fault, based on the facts. Again, your statements on who caused the accident could come back to hurt you. You may be convinced you’re at fault, but additional details could come to light that show the other driver was actually at fault, either in whole or in part. And most of all, do not make a statement to the insurance company—yours or anyone else’s.

    You may have to report the accident to your insurance company within a certain amount of time. Don’t rush. Let the claim play out. With the passage of time, information may emerge that helps your case. For example, maybe you were speeding, but maybe the other driver was texting and driving. You were at fault—but they were, too.

    In Texas, you can recover compensation for a car accident as long as you are not more than 50 percent responsible. What that means is, if you are 50% or less at fault, you can still recover compensation to pay for losses like medical bills and/or property damage.

    You may ultimately be at fault for the accident but still have significant injuries. In this scenario, you’ll be going through your insurance company for payment. Just because a company is your insurer doesn’t mean they have your best interests in mind.

    Remember: no matter what they promise about being “on your side,” “like a good neighbor,” or “in good hands,” the insurance company is not your friend. Before talking to the insurance company, you should first talk to one of our experienced attorneys.

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    What are the most common types of car accidents?

    There are several different types of car accidents. Here are some of the most common:

    • Single Vehicle Accidents
      These only involve your car and no one else’s.
    • Head-on Collisions
      These can be devastating car accidents that can result in major injuries such as brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, or even death.
    • Rear-end Accidents
      These are the most common type of roadway accidents that most often occur in congested traffic or by distracted drivers.
    • Rollover Accidents
      These types of accidents are often seen with SUVs and other higher vehicles. They usually occur when there’s too much speed and a loss of contact with the pavement.
    • Fatal Accidents
      These types of accidents can happen in almost any situation and occur due to a variety of reasons such as: not wearing a seatbelt, high speed impacts, etc.
    • Hit-and-Run Accidents
      Hit-and-Runs typically involve two or more parties and one (or more) drivers leaving the scene of the accident.
    • Uber/Lyft/Rideshare Accidents
      Rideshare drivers are typically employed as “contractors.” Proving fault in a rideshare accident will typically require the help of an attorney.
    • Taxi Accidents
      These are similar to rideshare accidents. You’ll want protection from a car accident attorney as the taxi cab company may do anything it can to refuse liability.
    • Bus Accidents
      Public transportation is not always the safest form of transportation. Accidents of these types will typically require the assistance of a qualified attorney.
    • Motorcycle Wrecks
      These are often one of the most devastating forms of vehicular accidents. For more information, see our motorcycle accidents page.
    • Bicycle Accidents
      Bicycle accidents typically require the help of an attorney. Far too often, these particular cases are devastating, if not fatal.
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    What are the most common causes for car accidents?

    There are a lot of people that live and travel through Texas every day. This means that car accidents are going to happen. Here are some of the most common causes:

    • Distracted Drivers
      Distracted drivers are everywhere. They can be distracted by children in the backseat, by something on the radio, or even by a conversation with a passenger. Regardless of the distraction, it only takes a second to look away from the road and finding yourself in an unfortunate event.
    • Texting
      Despite the laws surrounding texting and driving in Texas, texting has become a major problem for drivers. Texting pulls your attention away from the road where accidents can happen in a split second.
    • Speeding
      Speeding is another major contribution to car accidents. There are speed limit signs for a reason – your own protection. When you’re speeding, you’re increasing the risk of losing control of your vehicle as well as reducing your response time to sudden dangers.
    • Drinking
      Sadly, drinking and driving has been a major cause of many life-altering car accidents.
    • Drug Influence
      Driving under the influence of illegal and prescription drugs have caused many devastating car wrecks as well. Anything you consume that compromises your physical and mental ability to independently operate a vehicle can cause immeasurable damage to your life and others.
    • Wildlife
      Wildlife accidents are a common issue across Texas. Night poses the highest risk of wildlife-related accidents as animals cross the roadways.
    • Bad Weather
      Severe weather such as thunderstorms, hail, snow, ice, and high winds are the cause for many accidents. Such circumstances often lower the driver’s visibility or their ability to keep the vehicle on the road.
    • Tire Blowouts
      Tire blowouts are another common incident that leads to a high rate of accidents, especially among big trucks coming into contact with smaller vehicles.
    • Improper Vehicle Maintenance
      Blown head gaskets, transmission problems and more can compromise a driver’s ability to maintain control of the vehicle which can result in an accident.
    • Road Work & Construction Accidents
      Road work on the interstate can compromise driver safety and the ability to maneuver in dangerous situations.
    • Dangerous Intersections
      Many serious car accidents happen at congested intersections. Drivers will often pull out in front of another and end up in head-on collisions or T-bone accidents.
    • Improper Signs or Lights
      Sometimes, accidents are caused by improper signs or lights. This can cause driver confusion.
    • Potholes and Pavement Cracks
      Potholes and non-maintained roads can cause vehicles to lose control. Accidents involving bad roads can happen unexpectedly.
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    What types of injuries can happen in a car wreck?

    With any type of accident, a variety of injuries and medical problems can occur. Depending on the type of accident, some injuries are more common than others.

    • Whiplash
    • Cuts, lacerations and bruises
    • Soft tissue injuries (torn tendons)
    • Broken or fractured bones
    • Spinal cord injuries
    • Brain injuries (concussions)
    • Serious Burns

    If you or a family member sustained any of these types of injuries in your accident, consult with one of our experienced attorneys right away.

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    Car Accident FAQs

    Even if it's been days or weeks after your accident, you should ask yourself the following questions:
    • Did you seek medical care?
      If you or a loved one had to seek medical care for your car accident injuries, then we recommend speaking with us as soon as possible. If you were not at fault for the accident and do not have the money to pay for medical care, we can help.
    • Was your vehicle or anyone else’s vehicle damaged?
      When car accidents happen, depending on the severity of the crash, it’ll cause some serious damage to your car. Some vehicles become completely totaled from the car crash. Others obtain minor damage, but are damaging to the pocketbook. It’s important that you have a vehicle to transport yourself and your family to school, work, church, and other daily tasks and routines. Thus, if a car accident damages your vehicle or completely totals it, you need to quickly discern the best course of action to repair or replace the vehicle. This is usually not easy for the average person to do unexpectedly. Purchasing another vehicle is expensive. Vehicle repairs cost money. Let us help you receive the full amount owed to you so that you can afford to replace what you’ve lost from the car accident.
    • Were the police called and involved after the car accident?
      If the police were called to the scene of your car accident, this can help you tremendously in proving who should be held liable for your insurance claim. The police officers will document everything from the vehicles involved, the location, the scenario that caused the accident and the parties involved. If someone broke the law with something such as driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of drugs, the police report will show that too. If any traffic violations caused the accident, they will also document that. All of these details will help you on your insurance claim.
    • Were there any insurance or medical costs due to the car accident?
      Remember that you’re seeking compensation for medical costs you did not cause. If you had to endure financial losses due to health insurance co-pays or medical bills, you’ll want to show proof of these amounts to support your claim. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you and lose out on what is rightfully yours.

    How much does it cost to hire an accident attorney?

    Most law firms work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything unless they recover money for you. Most attorneys will cover all of the upfront costs of handling a car accident claim. If your attorney obtains a recovery on your behalf, they will deduct their fees from your payout. The standard rate for contingency fees is usually between 35% and 40%, depending on whether the case settles before going to court.

    Keep in mind, however, that most cases are settled outside of court.  Most firms will also never file a lawsuit if they do not have the client’s permission to do so.

    Here’s an example: if your attorney negotiated a $20,000 settlement on your behalf, 35% of that ($7,000) would be paid in attorney fees.  You will then receive the remaining $13,000.  From that $13,000, your medical bills and any other outstanding debts will then need to be paid (by law) and the remaining amount goes back into your pocket. If no settlement is reached, then there would be no cost to you.

    Settlement offers are almost always paid out in one lump sum by the insurance companies as they don’t typically like to split the amount into smaller payments.

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    How much compensation can I expect from my accident case?

    There are several factors that will determine your settlement offer and it all depends on the unique details of your case.  This is why it’s really important to document everything and hold on to all records detailing your car accident case. Some factors that could affect the payment amount of your settlement are:

    • The cost of medical care due to any injuries
    • The cost of future medical care due to your car accident
    • Disabilities or impairments that resulted from the car accident
    • Job loss or missed work due to your accident
    • Any suffering that you experienced due to your car wreck
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    How long will my case take?

    Personal injury claims go through several different stages. Every car accident case is unique and will be different in duration and outcome. Most settle fairly quickly, but some can take years.

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    I’ve had two cases with Jim Adler and both were successful. They take their job serious and help you until the case is over. Jim Adler is the best of the best for any type of car accident.

    – Laura B.
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