If you were injured in a San Antonio car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation for your damages.
However, determining who is liable in a car accident is not always straightforward.
That is one reason why retaining a skilled car accident lawyer in San Antonio, TX, is crucial.
At The Zimmerman Law Firm, we have decades of experience helping San Antonio clients with all their personal injury needs, including auto accidents.
To learn more about how we can help, contact our office online or call (254) 752-9688 today for a free consultation.
What Are the San Antonio Car Accident Statistics?
In 2019, Texas reported 1,764 fatal crashes throughout the state.
144 of these fatal crashes occurred in San Antonio. While that might not seem like a lot, the city actually ranked third highest, behind Houston and Dallas, for the most fatality accidents.
Other vital statistics of note include:
- 540 suspected serious crashes;
- 618 suspected serious injuries;
- 3,456 non-incapacitating crashes;
- 4,464 non-incapacitating injuries;
- 9,341 possible injury crashes;
- 15,057 possible injuries;
- 2,489 accidents with unknown injury severity;
- 11,603 unknown injuries;
- 26,816 non-injury crashes; and
- 78,619 non-injuries.
Sadly, there was not a single day in 2019 where no fatalities were reported across the state.
Three of the leading contributing factors to fatal crashes include the failure to drive in a single lane, failure to control speed, and driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
What Are Common Causes of Car Accidents in San Antonio?
Numerous acts of negligence can lead to an injury in a car accident in San Antonio.
Some of the most common causes of accidents that we see include:
- Distracted driving, including texting and driving;
- Driving under the influence;
- Speeding;
- Running a stop sign or red light;
- Not merging correctly or failing to yield,
- Reckless driving;
- Road rage;
- Driving while fatigued;
- Crossing into the oncoming lane; and
- Failing to drive in the lane.
There are other potential contributing factors to accidents as well. Adverse weather, road hazards, and defective vehicle parts can also play a role in accidents, especially when combined with one or more of the factors mentioned above.
For example, a distracted driver on their phone may not see a pothole in the road. If they panic and steer the vehicle right into an oncoming lane, they could strike another vehicle head-on.
In some cases, multiple factors contribute to an accident. It’s also not uncommon to have both drivers share some fault in an accident. In these accident situations, it’s crucial to retain skilled car accident lawyers in San Antonio.
Under Texas’s negligence laws, you can still collect a portion of your damages even if you are partially at fault for the accident. As long as you are not 51% or more at fault, you are entitled to some compensation.
For example, if you are 40% at fault, you could collect up to 60% of your damages.
Insurance companies are always looking to assign more blame to the other driver to avoid paying out a claim, so you want an accident lawyer in San Antonio who can protect your rights.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident in San Antonio?
Understandably, being in an accident can leave you confused, scared, and frustrated.
What you do and say immediately following an accident is important; without legal help, you could accidentally jeopardize your case.
Depending on how severe your injuries are, take photos of the vehicle damage and surrounding scene. Was it raining at the time of the accident? Was there something blocking a stop sign?
Try to document any critical factors that may have contributed to the accident.
If no one else already did, contact the police to advise them you’ve been in an injury collision. You want the police to respond and make a formal report.
If you report injuries, emergency medical responders will likely show up as well. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may need to be transported to the hospital via ambulance.
If your injuries aren’t severe enough to warrant an emergency transfer, you should still make a medical appointment right away.
Some injuries, including neck and back pain, may take one or two days to show up. Don’t delay making an appointment to get checked out. You could have internal injuries that are not visible.
When you delay scheduling a doctor’s appointment, you risk your potential settlement amount. For example, imagine you wait a month to see a doctor.
The other driver’s insurance company will claim that you were not that injured or that your injuries were caused by something other than the accident. By seeing a doctor right away, you can document your pain complaints and note any signs of injury.
Collecting evidence is crucial when pursuing a claim for damages.
You want the police report, medical reports and diagnostic tests, medical bills, photographs, proof of your lost wages, vehicle repair estimates, etc.
In some cases, it may be necessary to hire medical experts or accident reconstructionists to testify how the accident occurred.
Why Choose Our San Antonio Car Accident Attorneys?
Choosing the right auto accident lawyer in San Antonio requires you to research and potentially meet with multiple attorneys.
You need an attorney who can protect your rights and help you fight for the compensation you deserve. So, what sets The Zimmerman Law Firm apart from other firms?
To start, the injury attorney you meet at your initial consultation with The Zimmerman Law Firm will be the person you deal with throughout the entire claims process.
Unlike some law firms, we don’t have you meet with one person and then pass your case along to other attorneys or legal assistants. We believe it’s essential that you know who you will be working with right from the start.
We have decades of experience handling auto accident claims in Texas, including a proven record of success at trial.
When you are looking to hire a San Antonio car wreck attorney, you want someone who has the skills and experience necessary to represent you if your case goes to trial.
Our personal injury attorneys have over 85 years of combined experience. We are well-versed in all the tactics that insurance companies use to keep from paying out valid claims.
Just like you, we work and live in Central Texas. We value these communities, and our priority is to improve the lives of those who live here.
While you concentrate on your recovery, we will handle all claim-related tasks, such as gathering evidence, speaking with witnesses, ordering your medical reports, and communicating with the other driver’s insurance company.
What Compensation is Available for Injured Victims?
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you could be eligible to receive compensation for your damages, including:
- Medical expenses to date;
- Future medical treatment;
- Lost wages;
- Future loss of earning capacity;
- Permanent disability;
- Property damage; and
- Pain and suffering.
In limited cases, the court may award punitive damages. These damages are available only in situations where the defendant acted in a very reckless manner.
One example is driving under the influence. Courts may issue a punitive damage award to “punish” the defendant and deter them from engaging in the same behavior ever again. However, punitive damages are never guaranteed—even in eligible cases.
The more severe your injuries are, the more damages you are likely to have.
Your attorney will help you pursue the maximum amount of compensation available. A personal injury settlement is linked to the skill of your attorney.
At The Zimmerman Law Firm, we will work tirelessly to get the best result possible.
When Do I Have to File a Claim?
You need to file a claim with the insurance company in the days following the accident. Texas also sets forth a legal deadline to file a lawsuit.
This deadline is called the statute of limitations. If you fail to file a lawsuit within the allotted time, the court could dismiss your entire case.
In most cases, you have two years to file your lawsuit for injuries sustained in a Texas car accident. However, some circumstances might alter that deadline.
Don’t risk your case by trying to figure out the right date to file on your own. When you retain our car accident lawyers in San Antonio, we will file your lawsuit within the time limit.
How Much Will a Personal Injury Lawyer in San Antonio Cost?
Some prospective clients are nervous about hiring an attorney because they worry about paying legal fees.
Most personal injury law firms, including The Zimmerman Law Firm, work on a contingency basis. That means you don’t pay any legal fees or court costs upfront.
Instead, we will take a percentage of your settlement to cover our fees and expenses. In other words, you only pay us only if we win your case.
Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer in San Antonio, Texas
Pursuing a car accident claim can be a complicated process. You don’t want to put your settlement at risk by saying the wrong thing to the insurance company or failing to gather all the necessary evidence to prove your claim.
Retaining a skilled car accident lawyer in San Antonio, TX, can help. You need someone on your side who knows the Texas personal injury claims process.
If you’re ready to pursue a car accident claim, let the knowledgeable legal team at The Zimmerman Law Firm help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
We know that it’s crucial to recover compensation, but it’s even more important to heal physically and emotionally. We will handle all the stressful and frustrating legal aspects while you concentrate on your recovery.
Our lawyers have successfully represented thousands of Central Texas clients in personal injury matters, and we can help you too.
To learn more about how we can assist with pursuing a San Antonio car accident claim, contact or call (254) 752-9688 The Zimmerman Law Firm today to schedule a free initial consultation.