Pasadena Car Accident Lawyer
In 2021, there were 3,549 car accidents in Pasadena, TX. Unfortunately, accidents are common in the area. If you’ve been hurt in a car crash in Pasadena, you should ask for help.
A Pasadena car accident lawyer can give you legal advice and get you compensation for your injuries. That money can pay for medical bills, lost wages, and the emotional impact of the crash.
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers are award-winning car accident attorneys taking cases in Pasadena, Texas. We put our clients first and won’t stop fighting until we recover what they deserve.
If you’re ready to find out how we can help you, call us at (713) 500-5000 to schedule a free consultation and time to visit one of our offices. There are no strings attached.
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How Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Pasadena, TX
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers has over 45 years of combined experience helping car accident victims, including those in Pasadena, TX. Attorney Brian White is a board-certified civil trial lawyer and has a 10.0 Avvo rating from our clients.
When you hire us to handle your car accident case, we can:
- Investigate the cause of your accident and who is liable
- Calculate your damages
- Collect evidence to support your claim
- Consult with expert witnesses
- File insurance claims and negotiate on your behalf
- Organize your case documents and keep track of important deadlines
- File a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary
You won’t need to worry about the cost of a lawyer when you work with us. We charge a contingency fee, which means you don’t pay unless we win or settle your case.
Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Pasadena personal injury lawyer.
Causes of Car Accidents in Pasadena
There’s no singular cause of car accidents in Pasadena. However, in our experience, several common behaviors are more likely to result in a crash. These types of collisions can be mild or severe, and sometimes multiple contributing causes exist.
- Drunk driving
- Aggressive driving and road rage
- Speeding
- Distracted driving (like texting, eating, or talking)
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failing to yield to oncoming traffic
- Running red lights
- Disobeying traffic signs
- Inexperienced driving
Sometimes accidents happen or are made worse for reasons outside of the control of a driver. For example:
- Obstructions in the roadway
- Potholes
- Mislabeled or missing traffic signs
- Inclement weather
- Car malfunctions
Our team will work to identify the cause or multiple causes of your accident. We will thoroughly investigate and consult with expert witnesses, like accident reconstructionists, when necessary. Our goal is to fully understand how the crash happened so that we can get you the compensation you deserve.
Determining the Value of Your Car Accident Claim in Pasadena, TX
Several steps go into determining the value of your car accident claim. Every case is different, and we need to take a deep dive into the specific facts and circumstances of your case.
The first step is to understand the extent of your injuries and the necessary medical treatment. People who experience more severe injuries that need ongoing treatment, multiple surgeries, or round-the-clock care are more likely to have a higher case value.
The second step is to determine how the injuries have affected your ability to perform certain tasks as you did before. For example, if you lost money because you missed work, are unable to work, or were moved to a lower-paying position because of your injuries, you are entitled to reimbursement. You may also get money for the inability to work into the future.
If you are the primary caretaker of children or loved ones, and you can no longer do that because of your injuries, you are entitled to compensation to pay for outside help. This may include hiring a nanny, a housekeeper, or an in-home nurse.
The third step is to figure out the emotional and psychological impact of the accident on your mental health. Some people experience PTSD, pain and suffering, or loss of enjoyment of life. If your injuries have caused a significant psychological toll on you, then you can ask for a reimbursement.
Ultimately, a lawyer can help you calculate the anticipated value of your car accident case. This will serve as a starting point for negotiations and a personal injury lawsuit.
Damages Available in a Pasadena Car Accident Case
The value of your Pasadena car accident case is the sum of your damages. Damages are the money that you receive in a personal injury claim. Damages are divided into specific categories, depending on the nature of the harm.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are past and future monetary losses that happen after a car accident. These are easy to calculate because there are usually bills, invoices, estimates, and receipts that paint a picture of the financial impact of the injury.
Examples of economic damages in car accident cases include:
- Emergency medical bills
- Co-pays for doctor’s visits
- Surgery costs
- Cost of medicine
- Transportation to and from doctors appointments
- In-home and domestic care
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Medical devices
- Mental health treatment
- Car repairs
The specific economic damages will depend on the nature of your injuries. You should keep all payment records after a car crash to use as evidence.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are emotional and psychological harms that happen because of a crash or injury. These are commonly called pain and suffering damages and are intangible. However, the non-economic impact of a crash can be just as significant as the financial impact.
We regularly recover non-economic damages for:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional anguish
- PTSD, anxiety, depression
- Disfigurement and permanent disability
- Loss of consortium (companionship)
It is important to be honest with your lawyer about the emotional toll that the crash has had on your life. Perhaps it has affected your mental health, your relationship with others, or your daily activities. You deserve to be compensated for this impact.
What Happens If You Are Blamed for a Car Accident in Pasadena, TX?
If you sue someone after a car accident, it’s normal for them to turn around and blame you. It’s a natural way for the negligent party to try and escape liability or mitigate their responsibility. Don’t panic if this happens.
You are still entitled to compensation for your injuries in Pasadena as long as you are 50% or less responsible for the accident. A judge or jury will consider all of the evidence and assign a percentage of responsibility to each party. If yours is 51% or more, you cannot recover any money. However, if it is 50% or less, then you can recover proportionate damages.
Proportionate damages mean your compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault. If you are 25% responsible for causing the crash, you can only recover 75% of your damages.
Our goal is to protect our clients from any blame after a crash. Worst case scenario, we work hard to reduce your percentage of responsibility and maximize your recovery.
How Long Do You Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Pasadena
You only have two years from the date of the accident or injury to file a Pasadena car accident lawsuit. That’s not very much time.
If you miss the deadline, your case is dismissed, and you lose your chance to recover any money at all. A lawyer will keep track of important deadlines and make sure that you don’t lose your right to compensation.
How Does Car Insurance Work After a Car Crash in Texas?
Before filing a lawsuit, you’ll have to work with car insurance after a crash in Pasadena, TX. The car insurance process can be frustrating and complicated. A lawyer can help you navigate the procedure and negotiate with insurance companies.
Insurance Requirements And PIP
To drive in Texas, you need to prove that you are financially capable of paying for damage that you may cause in an accident. As a result, most drivers choose to get car insurance. The minimum car insurance requirements are:
- $30,000 for bodily injury per person
- $60,000 for bodily injury total
- $25,000 for property damage
You also have the option to purchase PIP insurance. PIP insurance is personal injury protection that covers your reasonable medical expenses after a crash and 80% of lost wages. If you have a PIP policy, you will first file a claim with your insurance, even if you didn’t cause the crash.
If you recover the maximum from PIP and still have remaining damages, you will file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver.
Basic Insurance Claim Process
Most insurance companies follow a similar process when dealing with accident claims. The process is:
- File an insurance claim with either your PIP provider or the responsible party’s insurance company
- Give a statement to an insurance adjuster
- Provide evidence of the cause of the crash and damages
- The insurance adjuster will investigate the crash
- The insurance company will either deny or accept the claim
- If accepted, the insurance company will make a settlement offer
- You can reject, accept, or negotiate for a higher settlement
If you don’t settle with the insurance company, you can file a personal injury lawsuit. If you end up accepting a settlement, then you will sign away your rights to pursue any further damages.
Talk With a Pasadena Car Accident Lawyer To Discuss Your Legal Rights and Options
If you’re ready to talk with a Pasadena car accident attorney, contact Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. You don’t want to miss your opportunity to recover money or risk losing your case because of an inexperienced lawyer. Start your case off on the right foot by giving us a call today.
