The consequences of car accidents can range from mild vehicle damage to life-threatening injuries, and even death. Still, many drivers continue to commit negligent actions on the road every day that result in collisions. If the actions of a careless driver in Richardson, Texas, led to your injuries, the law permits you to seek damages.
Whether you plan to settle out of court or head to trial, a Richardson car accident lawyer from Underwood Law Office may be able to take over your case and defend your rights. Reach out to Underwood Law Office for your complimentary case review with a member of our team.
Your Legal Options for Pursuing Damages in a Richardson Car Accident Case
When it comes to seeking compensation after a car accident, you may have options. You may be able to recover damages from your collision through a liability insurance claim with the other driver’s insurer. This could allow you to avoid going to court, but only if you are able to come to an agreement on a reasonable settlement.
If you do not reach a fair settlement, you can file a lawsuit instead. Texas, like every state, has specific statutes regarding who qualifies for compensation and the amount of time available to file a personal injury lawsuit. Each option has its own challenges, but a personal injury lawyer may be able to assist you with both.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Richardson, call (972) 535-6377
Recoverable Compensation in Your Claim or Lawsuit
The consequences of a car accident can leave you reeling—emotionally, physically, and financially. A car accident claim or lawsuit can help you recover some or all these types of losses, which are also referred to as damages in a personal injury case.
Medical Costs Necessary to Recover
Your medical costs can quickly add up after a car accident, but many of these expenses are recoverable:
- Emergency room visits
- Ambulance services
- Doctor’s visits
- Medications
- Surgeries
- Hospitalizations
- Chiropractic care
Other Financial Losses
From your career to your everyday costs after a crash, we can help you include these items in a settlement:
- Lost paychecks
- Reduced earning capacity
- Missed tips and bonuses
- Missed opportunities for promotions
- Out-of-pocket costs for transportation, medical equipment, and more
Emotional and Psychological Losses
Between the trauma of the accident and the toll of your injuries, your well-being could be suffering. We can help you seek compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Reduced enjoyment of life
Richardson Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (972) 535-6377
Texas Liability Insurance Claims
The general method for pursuing damages after a car accident is to file an insurance claim. In Texas, you—or your lawyer from our team—must file this claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company. Texas law requires drivers to purchase liability coverage to operate motor vehicles.
Liability policies cover the injuries and damages of another driver if the policyholder is at fault for the accident. According to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), the minimum amount of coverage drivers must carry includes:
- $30,000 per person for bodily injuries
- $60,000 per accident for bodily injuries
- $25,000 for any property damage
While these amounts may sound reasonable, your expenses may be much higher, depending on the severity of the accident and the type of injuries you suffered. If you are unable to secure a fair settlement with the other driver’s insurance company, you may wish to file a lawsuit to pursue further damages.
Deadlines for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
The most important factor to note about filing a personal injury lawsuit is that you have limited time to do so. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 outlines a strict statute of limitations regarding any type of personal injury lawsuit, including those involving car accidents.
Generally, you only have two years from the date of the collision in order to proceed with a lawsuit. That includes any time spent attempting to settle out of court. If this deadline passes, you forfeit your right to seek damages for that case via a lawsuit.
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Steps Involved in Building Your Case
Whether you want to settle out of court or file a lawsuit, you will need to build your case. The first step is to visit a doctor if you have not already done so. A doctor can treat your injuries and create a link in your medical record between the accident and your injuries that may be used as evidence in your case.
Next, you will want to gather evidence that proves the other driver’s negligence caused the accident, leading to your injuries. This might include traffic camera footage or eyewitness testimony regarding the driver’s actions leading up to the collision, along with the police report.
You may wish to produce evidence of the value of your damages as well. These may include:
- Receipts for out-of-pocket expenses
- Bills or invoices for medical care
- Statements from your doctor or a psychologist on the severity of your injuries
- Notes from a pain journal recording your daily pain levels and impairment issues
Additionally, you may want to consider limiting what you say about your case.
For instance, if an insurance adjuster calls you soon after the accident and asks you to make a recorded statement, you should decline to do so. Often, these statements can be used to harm your potential settlement value. You may also want to avoid making comments about the accident and its aftermath on social media, as these online statements could also be used against you.
Due to the statute of limitations and your own recovery, it may be difficult to handle all the components of a personal injury lawsuit on your own. A Richardson car accident lawyer from Underwood Law Office can take over these tasks when we represent you.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Liability for Car Accidents in Texas
Another important aspect of a Texas car accident case is the proportionate responsibility law, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001. As a modified comparative negligence state, Texas takes each driver’s level of negligence into account when determining eligibility for damages.
You may be able to receive compensation in Texas, even if you are partially to blame for the collision. The court will reduce your award based on your level of negligence. If you played no part in causing the collision, you may be able to receive full compensation for your injuries. However, if you are more than 50 percent at fault, you may be barred from recovering any amount of compensation.
This can make the evidence of liability you collect even more important for the outcome of your case.
What Can a Richardson, TX, Car Accident Lawyer Do to Help?
In short, Underwood Law Office can help you do it all. There is a lot to do to seek the compensation you need, and we will take care of every legal task involved.
We will:
- Explain your legal options in clear terms, including your insurance coverage
- Gather compelling evidence, from witness statements to expert testimony
- Identify who is responsible for your compensation
- Deal with all communications with third parties in your case, like lawyers and adjusters
- Negotiate a fair settlement that compensates you for your damages
- Take your case to trial and litigation for you, if a fair offer isn’t made by the other party
Our attorneys’ goal is to go after the best possible compensation available in your case.
You Won’t Have to Handle These Complications on Your Own
Let’s say the liable party’s insurance company won’t agree to a fair offer. If you’re handling your case on your own, how would you prove what you deserve?
This is where you may want our attorneys on your side.
We will handle all these common complications of a car accident case for you, including:
- Outright denials of your case
- Unfair delays in processing your claim
- Allegations that you aren’t as injured as you say
- Counter unfair claims of shared responsibility
Our legal team will stand up for you through every step of your case.
Contact Underwood Law Office Today
A Richardson car accident lawyer from Underwood Law Office can fulfill several different duties when it comes to personal injury cases. Namely, they can act as your legal representative, negotiating with the other driver’s insurance company or defense team and communicating with the judge and jury.
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency-fee-basis. This means there is nothing due upfront, and our clients do not pay our attorney fees unless and until they recover compensation via a settlement offer or court award.
For a free consultation on your case with a representative of our team, you can reach out to Underwood Law Office today.
Call or text (972) 535-6377 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form