Houston Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions
As an experienced Houston car accident lawyer, Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers has answered many questions about car accident claims. Clients trust that when they ask an attorney who is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, they will receive honest, reliable legal advice. Having answers to your questions about car accident claims helps you decide what legal options you want to pursue against the at-fault driver.
If you have questions about a car accident, contact our law firm AT (713) 500-5000 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with an experienced Houston personal injury attorney. Let’s work together to get a fair settlement for your injuries and damages in Houston, TX.
Table of Contents
How Our Houston Personal Injury Lawyers Help You After a Traffic Accident
Our legal team has over 45 years of combined legal experience. We have recorded millions of dollars for our clients. Attorney Brian White has a 10-star rating on Avvo and over 160 5-star ratings from past clients.
At Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated to standing up for the rights of accident victims and their families. We fight insurance companies and defense firms to protect our client’s right to fair and just settlements and jury awards.
When you hire our award-winning team in Houston, Texas, you can expect us to:
- Investigate your car accident to determine causation and fault
- Gather evidence proving the other driver is responsible for your damages
- File insurance claims and monitor deadlines for filing lawsuits
- Handle all communications with the insurance company and negotiate a settlement agreement
- Document damages and calculate the value of your injury claim
- Work with expert witnesses, medical specialists, and accident reconstructionists as necessary
- Prepare and file a lawsuit, if necessary
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about car accidents. Contact us to schedule a free consultation for more information and a free case evaluation from a Houston car accident lawyer.
What Should I Do After a Houston Car Accident?
Call 911 to report the car accident and request medical services. Make a video of the accident scene and take photographs if it is safe to do so. Some witnesses might leave before the officers arrive, so ask them for their names and contact information.
Do not admit fault for the cause of the car crash. Saying you are sorry could be interpreted as admitting fault. Seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries.
Contact our office to discuss the case with an attorney as soon as possible. Consulting a car accident lawyer as soon as possible can help you avoid mistakes that could be used against you to deny or undervalue your claim.
What Damages Can I Recover for a Car Crash in Houston?
Most car accident victims are entitled to compensation for their non-economic and economic damages, including:
- Medical bills
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of wages, benefits, future earning capacity, and other income
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Nursing care and rehabilitation expenses
- Mental anguish
- Decrease in quality of life and loss of life
- Impairments and disabilities
In a few cases, the accident victim might be entitled to punitive damages. However, punitive damages are only awarded in very specific situations.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Car Accident Claim in Texas?
The Texas statute of limitations for most car accident lawsuits is two years from the accident date. However, there are exceptions to the general rule. Therefore, it is best to talk with a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid losing your right to seek compensation for accident injuries and damages.
Can I Recover Money for a Car Accident if I Am Partially To Blame?
Being partially at fault for the cause of a car accident does not bar recovery of damages unless you are more than 50% at fault. However, the Texas proportionate responsibility statute states that your level of fault decreases your compensation for damages.
Therefore, under contributory fault, if you are 45% to blame for causing the car accident, for example, you only receive an amount equal to 55% of your damages. However, if you are 51% or more to blame, you cannot receive any money for your claim.
Should I Give the Insurance Company a Written or Recorded Statement?
Insurance adjusters are trained, experienced professionals who know how to get information from accident victims. They often twist the statements made by accident victims to benefit the insurance company.
Therefore, it is best to refer the adjuster to your lawyer. Do not agree to give a written or recorded statement without talking to a lawyer first.
How Do I Get a Copy of My Car Accident Report in Houston?
You might request a copy of the accident report from the Houston Police Department if they investigated the crash. You can also request a copy of a car accident report from the Texas Department of Transportation through the Crash Requests Information System.
Should I Accept a Settlement Offer for My Car Accident Case in Houston?
If you accept a settlement offer, you must sign a settlement agreement before receiving a settlement check. The settlement agreement releases the at-fault driver, insurance company, and all parties from further liability for your claim. In other words, you give up the right to sue the at-fault driver even if you discover additional damages or receive less than your claim is worth.
Before accepting a settlement offer, talk with our lawyers. It is free to meet with an attorney to discuss your case.
If the settlement offer is fair, we will tell you. Otherwise, we explain why your claim is worth more money and your legal options for seeking a larger settlement amount.
How Soon Should I See a Doctor After a Houston Car Accident?
Seek medical treatment for your injuries as soon as possible. Do not state that you are not injured or you are “okay” or “fine” at the accident scene. The insurance company uses your statements and delays in treatment to fight your case.
The insurance company might also raise allegations of failure to mitigate damages if you delay medical care. Failing to mitigate damages could lower the amount you receive for your car accident claim.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Houston Car Accident Lawyers
Before you accept a settlement offer, let us review your case for free. Call now to schedule your free consultation with a car accident attorney in Houston, TX.
