A head-on collision is one of the most frightening car accident types you can experience. After a head-on collision, you may be coping with serious injuries, a totaled vehicle, and an inability to work. Circumstances such as these could make coordinating an insurance claim or lawsuit difficult for anyone.
You do not need to deal with the aftermath of a head-on collision alone. You may be able to hand over all of the legal work in your case to a McKinney, Texas head-on collisions lawyer from Underwood Law Office. We work on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning our clients owe us nothing for our labor unless and until we help them win their case and recover compensation.
For a free, no-obligation case review with a member of our car accident team, call Underwood Law Office today at (972) 535-6377. Our staff can go over your accident, your injuries, and your legal options during this call.
Evaluate an Early Settlement Carefully
The responsible party’s insurance company may contact you shortly after your accident with a settlement offer. While this may seem like a quick and easy way to end your case, there could be major consequences to accepting a settlement that is too low.
Most settlement offers are final, meaning that taking the money could require you to sign a document that releases the responsible party from any further liability for your damages. Accordingly, if you accept a settlement offer that does not reflect the full value of your damages, you may be stuck paying for your remaining expenses out of pocket.
Underwood Law Office recommends conducting a thorough evaluation of your damages and their value before entertaining a settlement offer to avoid this situation. We can manage this process on your behalf when we represent you.
For a free legal consultation with a head-on collisions lawyer serving McKinney, call (972) 535-6377
Proportionate Responsibility May Be a Factor in Your Case
Texas’ ‘proportionate responsibility’ system—otherwise known as modified comparative negligence—lets victims pursue compensation for their damages even if they carry some amount of responsibility for the accident. Codified in Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §33.001, this law includes the stipulations that:
- A court may reduce a claimant’s compensation by their degree of fault
- A claimant who is more than 50% at fault for the accident cannot recover any compensation
For example, if a judge decides that you were 25% at fault for the accident and that your damages are worth $40,000, the judge may reduce your payout by 25% to $30,000.
Proportionate responsibility can have a major impact on your case. The responsible party or their insurance company may try to argue over who had what degree of fault for the accident. Underwood Law Office knows that the best defense against these allegations is evidence of the full amount of the responsible party’s liability, and we can collect such evidence in your case.
McKinney Head-On Collisions Lawyer Near Me (972) 535-6377
The Stages of a Personal Injury Case
When you decide to work with a McKinney, Texas head-on collisions lawyer from Underwood Law Office, your case may progress through the following stages:
Identification of the Liable Party
First, we will investigate your accident to identify the liable party. Often, a head-on accident is the fault of a driver involved in the crash, but there may be circumstances where a negligent mechanic or municipality may be liable for this type of accident too.
Collecting Evidence of Fault
Underwood Law Office can create a case file with evidence of how the responsible party’s negligence caused your accident. This evidence may include:
- The police report
- Photos or videos of the accident, your injuries, or damage to your vehicle
- Witness statements
- Your medical records
- Testimony from accident reconstruction experts
This evidence may form the basis of your insurance claim.
Collecting Evidence of Your Damages
Next, we can estimate a fair settlement range for your case by collecting evidence of your damages. This evidence may include:
- Medical bills and records
- Testimony from doctors on your future costs of care
- Car repair invoices
- Documentation of lost wages
- Receipts for other accident-related expenses
Filing Your Claim or Lawsuit
With your case established, Underwood Law Office can file your personal injury insurance claim and/or lawsuit. We can manage all paperwork and deadlines on your behalf during this process.
Negotiating for a Settlement
We can handle all communications and settlement negotiations with the responsible party’s insurance company during this stage of your case. We can notify you at once of any settlement offer you receive, and it will be your decision whether to accept or reject it.
Taking Your Case to Trial
Although we are able to resolve many cases with a negotiated settlement, sometimes the responsible party’s insurance company refuses to make a fair offer. If this happens to you, Underwood Law Office can bring your case to trial and argue for your rights before a judge or jury.
To discuss your case for free today with a member of our team, call Underwood Law Office at (972) 535-6377.
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The Damages You May Be Able to Recover in a Car Accident Case
Depending on factors such as your injuries and their impact on your life, the following damages may be available in your car accident case:
- Past and future accident-related medical treatment
- Lost wages for the time your injuries stopped you from earning income
- Property damage
- Reduced earning capacity, if your injury forces you to take a lower-paying job
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
These are not the only types of damages that you may be able to recover compensation for. Underwood Law Office understands the range of damages that may occur in a car accident case and can carefully assess your losses when we represent you.
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The Time Limit to Sue in Texas
There are deadlines to sue in Texas. In general, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003 places a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits. This law means that if you wait longer than two years from the date of your action to file a lawsuit, the court may dismiss it, and you may be unable to recover compensation for your damages.
Given sufficient notice, Underwood Law Office can help you file your lawsuit and meet all deadlines in your case. We recommend calling us as soon as possible after your accident.
Call Underwood Law Office Today
A McKinney, Texas head-on collisions lawyer from Underwood Law Office may be able to take care of your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit while you focus on your treatment and your recovery.
To discuss your head-on collision in a free case review with a member of our team, call Underwood Law Office at (972) 535-6377 today.
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