If you sustained injuries in a car accident, you may have the right to recover compensation for your damages.
Car accident compensation claims help accident victims recover their economic and non-economic damages.
Working with an experienced car accident lawyer can help ensure you get the justice and financial compensation you deserve.
The personal injury lawyers of The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C., understand how frightening and confusing this situation can be.
We are here to answer your questions and provide the information you need to get started with the legal process.
The Most Common Causes of Texas Car Accidents
In many motor vehicle collisions, driver error is to blame. Some of the most common types of driver error include the following:
- Impairment,
- Distraction,
- Sleepiness or fatigue,
- Excessive speed,
- Failure to yield, and
- Speeding.
In some cases, driver error isn’t involved.
Accidents can occur due to poor road conditions or insufficient signage.
Roadway obstacles or debris obstructed views, and construction activities can also cause or contribute to a collision.
Even mechanical equipment failure—such as defective tires—can cause severe injury accidents.
Whatever the cause of your accident might have been, you could be entitled to file a legal claim or lawsuit.
Talking to a car accident lawyer is the best way to determine whether you have a viable case.
If so, your attorney can help provide answers to your most pressing questions, such as, What are you entitled to in a car accident settlement?
What Am I Entitled to in a Car Accident Settlement?
If another party was responsible for your injury accident, that party may be liable for all damages you sustained.
Depending on the details of your case, you might be entitled to recover some or all of the following:
- Emergency medical treatment,
- Medical testing and imaging,
- Hospital and surgery costs,
- Medication and medical devices,
- In-home or residential care,
- Physical therapy,
- Lost wages and benefits,
- Pain and suffering, and
- Emotional trauma.
When pursuing compensation after a car accident, you could also be eligible to recover the estimated cost of future medical treatment or care, future lost wages and benefits, and the value of any scarring, permanent injury, or disability you sustained.
You could also be entitled to compensation for diminished earning capacity or a reduction in the quality of your life.
The best way to determine what your claim might be worth it to talk to an experienced car accident attorney from The Zimmerman Law Firm.
How Long Do You Have to File a Texas Car Accident Injury Claim?
Under the Texas statute of limitations, you have only two years to take legal action after a car accident.
If you don’t file a lawsuit within that time, you could lose your legal right to recover compensation.
If you are involved in an accident, contact a lawyer as soon as possible to help protect your right to pursue a legal claim.
The sooner you can get an attorney working on your claim, the sooner you may be able to get a settlement.
In most cases, our attorneys negotiate a settlement with the insurance company.
If we can’t negotiate a settlement, however, we may recommend filing a lawsuit and fighting for justice in court.
Can I Get Car Accident Compensation If I Was at Fault?
If you caused or contributed to an accident in which you sustained injuries, you could still be entitled to recover compensation.
If you had full responsibility for a crash, the type of car insurance you carry will determine whether you are entitled to damages.
For example, if you carry insurance that covers medical payments, your insurance should cover some portions of your medical bills even if you were fully at fault. If you carry personal injury protection coverage, it may pay for some portion of your lost wages as well. If you have collision coverage for your vehicle, that insurance should cover the cost to repair or replace your car.
If you were partially at fault for an injury accident, you may be able to pursue a settlement from the other driver as long as you were not more than 50% at fault.
However, your settlement will be reduced by whatever portion of the crash was attributable to you.
If you were 20% at fault for a crash, for example, your compensation award would be diminished by 20%.
For help interpreting this potentially confusing determination, contact one of our helpful and compassionate Texas car accident lawyers.
How Can a Texas Car Accident Attorney Help?
If you were injured in a car accident, compensation through a settlement or court award will provide the resources you need. The attorneys of The Zimmerman Law Firm understand your fear and confusion, and we are here to provide the assistance you need.
We have almost 100 years of combined experience.
Since our firm was founded in 1962, we have never stopped fighting to get our clients the justice and financial compensation they deserve.
We understand the importance of investigating and documenting your claim and of building the most persuasive case possible.
We successfully negotiate a settlement with the insurance company for most of our clients. However, if we do need to take your case to court, our experienced attorneys are well prepared to do so.
To schedule a free consultation or to speak to a car accident lawyer, call or contact us online now.
Texas Car Accident Compensation Damages FAQs
Speaking directly with an attorney is the best way to determine how much car accident compensation you might be entitled to recover.
However, we know you have any questions about the legal process and whether it makes sense to work with an attorney.
Here are some of the most common questions our clients have about pursuing legal action after a motor vehicle collision.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
You aren’t required to have an attorney to represent you in a personal injury claim.
However, having one can level the playing field, as you will be up against an insurance company (and their attorneys) who seeks primarily to protect their bottom line.
Once you file a claim, they start looking for ways to deny your claim or minimize its value.
They will ask you to provide a statement and use anything you say against you.
They might even offer you a small settlement very quickly, hoping you don’t recognize the full value of your claim.
Having a knowledgeable car accident attorney on your side gives you a better chance at standing up to the insurance company, potentially maximizing your settlement and getting your claim resolved as quickly as possible.
What Steps Should I Take After a Car Accident?
After a car accident, get to a safe place and call 911. If you can do so safely, take photos of the accident scene and collect contact information from other drivers as well as any witnesses that are present.
Do not make any statements or admit fault in any way.
Get checked out at the scene by paramedics if possible, then go as quickly as you can for a full medical exam and evaluation.
This will provide critical evidence in building your case.
Finally, talk to an attorney as soon as you can to learn more about your options and what are you entitled to in a car accident settlement.
How Much Will It Cost Me to Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident Claim?
When you work with The Zimmerman Law Firm, you won’t owe any legal fees until we recover compensation for your injuries and other damages.
We also offer a free, no-obligation consultation, so you can get the information and answers you need.
You don’t have to choose us to handle your case, but if you do, you can rest assured that you will receive a high level of personalized attention. In fact, the lawyer you meet at your consultation will be the one handling every aspect of your case.
We take care of everything, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
Michael Zimmerman
Michael was born in Houston, Texas. His education at Baylor and Texas State Universities earned him a Bachelor of Science degree in 1987. His major was in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry. He finished his legal education at Texas Southern University in 1990, earning a Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1990.
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