Texas Car Accident Lawyers

When you’re in a car accident, it can turn your entire world upside down. Motor vehicle accidents are among the most common personal injury claims. You may have serious injuries that suddenly throw you into financial ruin.

It isn’t fair that you should be stuck with medical bills or be unable to work because of someone else’s negligent driving tactics. This is why you need the Texas car accident lawyers at Sutliff & Stout Injury & Accident Law Firm.

We are committed to helping all Texans protect their rights after car accidents. Recognized as one of the top 3 personal injury firms in the state, if you have a personal injury claim arising from a car accident, we can help.

If you or someone you love were hurt in a car crash, you need a Texas car accident lawyer to guide you through the legal process. Our Houston car accident attorneys can help lead the way and ease your stress while working to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact our Texas car accident lawyers today to set up a free consultation to discuss your case.

Is Texas a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?

In Texas, the insurance rules follow a fault-based model. This means that the person found to have caused the accident will be held liable for injuries and financial losses. If you were hurt in a car accident in Texas that was caused by someone else, you can pursue compensation to recover your expenses.

All Texans should be aware that the rule of modified comparative negligence applies in car accidents. Under this Texas law, if you are found to have partial responsibility, your compensation will be reduced by your assigned percentage of fault. When you are assigned 51% or more fault in a car accident, you will be barred from seeking compensation.

The car insurance company for the other driver will often try to blame you for the car crash. They may try to assign more fault or entirely blame you for the car accident. This is why you need a car accident lawyer to stand by your side throughout the process to help you get the fair car accident settlement you deserve.

Common Car Accident Injuries That Happen in a Texas Car Accident

In car accidents, sustaining a wide array of injuries is common. Some of these injuries may be minor and will heal. However, many are serious and will have lasting impacts that change your life.

If you have sustained car accident injuries, you should not wait to seek medical care. Delaying treatment can lead to permanent damage, and it can also weaken car accident injury claims.

Typical car accident injuries include:

Whiplash
Traumatic brain injuries
Concussion
Lacerations
Broken bones
Sprains, strains, and tears
Burn injuries
Paralysis
Amputation
Spinal cord injuries
Back injuries

The cost of your medical expenses will depend on the type of medical treatment needed for your care. You must listen to what the medical professionals advise for your consideration. While it may be costly, you can rest assured that our car accident attorneys will seek compensation for your medical bills and other incurred expenses. Contact Sutliff & Stout Injury & Accident Law Firm to speak with an experienced auto accident attorney today.

What Is the Most Common Cause for Texas Car Accidents?

There are many common causes of car accidents in Texas, though they almost always have to do with negligent driving behavior. The image below details some of the causes, which include speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving, street racing, and other reckless driving behaviors.

Street Racing

While it may sound like something out of a movie, street racing is a common occurrence in Houston. It’s also one of the leading causes of auto accidents. A car accident lawyer can help prove that the other driver was racing and pursue compensation.

Distracted Driving

Many drivers on the road today are distracted behind the wheel, often due to technology. They may be texting while driving, grooming, eating, looking up directions on navigation systems, arguing with passengers, or adjusting the radio. When someone else’s negligence leads to your car crash, you have the right to file a personal injury case to recover the money you deserve.

Speeding

Speed limits are meant to keep everyone safe, though some drivers will blatantly disregard them. Failing to obey the speed limit means there is less time to react when traffic stops ahead.

Additionally, some drivers may drive too fast for the weather conditions. Rain, snow, ice, and fog may be out of your control, so you must slow down below the speed limit for safe driving. A Texas car accident lawyer can help you gather the evidence to show the other driver was going too fast.

Driving Under the Influence

Car crashes that involve drunk drivers usually leave behind the most devastation. Alcohol and drugs can hinder reaction times and cause those drivers to engage in riskier behaviors. If a drunk driver hit you, our auto injury attorneys will pursue justice on your behalf in drunk driving accidents.

Reckless Driving

Speeding is considered a reckless driving behavior, though other dangerous and aggressive behaviors could also cause a car crash. Weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating, and running a red light are examples of negligent disregard for others. To support your car accident claim, a car accident lawyer will present evidence of the other driver’s negligence and reckless behavior.

Poor Road Conditions

Negligent drivers aren’t always the cause of car accidents in Texas. When the roads are not maintained by state or local authorities, they can lead to an automobile accident. You can hold these entities responsible if you swerved to avoid a deep pothole or had no choice but to drive over it and get into an accident. Construction zones and confusing road signage may also be to blame. However, these types of car accident cases can be incredibly complex without the assistance of an experienced car accident lawyer.

Defective Vehicles and Parts

Some auto accidents will be due to defects in the vehicle from the manufacturing process. They can also be caused by faulty parts that are replaced during maintenance. Under personal injury law, you can hold these third parties liable for your car accident.

Driver Fatigue

A driver that is exhausted is just as deadly as one that is intoxicated. If your accident occurred because the at-fault driver was fatigued, you may be able to recover compensation from the other driver’s insurance company.

Bad Weather

When bad weather happens, it is much easier for a motor vehicle crash to occur. Every driver needs to be extremely cautious when fog, rain, snow, or ice are affecting the area.

The injuries sustained in an auto accident or motorcycle accident can leave a lasting impact on your life. Contact an auto accident lawyer from Sutliff & Stout Injury & Accident Law Firm for a free initial consultation.

Proving Negligence and Liability in Texas Car Accident Claims

In car accident claims, negligence is the factor that a plaintiff must prove for a valid personal injury claim. This is shown by proving that the driver in the other vehicle had a duty of care to drive safely on the roads. Despite this duty, they acted negligently, causing the accident that left you with injuries and damages.

Demonstrating proof of fault in motor vehicle crashes may seem obvious, though it will take compelling evidence from your car accident lawyer. Insurance companies will require proof of fault/injury to offer settlements on personal injury claims. You may find that making an insurance claim alone is far more complex than you imagined. Much is at stake, particularly regarding your future medical bills and the ongoing costs of your care. Do not leave anything to chance, and make sure you have the personal injury lawyers from our law firm on your side.

We will immediately investigate your accident and look for evidence to strengthen your car accident claim. With the help of a personal injury attorney, you will have someone who can access police reports and other evidence, such as photos of the accident scene, videos from dash cams, or witnesses. These medical records show the extent of your injuries and much more. You should be reducing your stress to recover from your painful injuries while our car accident lawyers are hard at work for you.

How Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You Recover Proper Compensation

After your car accident, you may contact the insurance company with your personal injury claim. This is where many injured victims in an auto accident make a critical mistake. Insurance companies will do everything possible to reduce an insurance claim’s payout.

If you were in a severe car wreck, you are bound to have extensive injuries. It isn’t fair that you should be stuck paying for your own medical expenses when someone else caused this to happen to you.

The good news is that you can get the money you deserve by filing a personal injury claim with the help of our accident lawyers. We will analyze your case and help calculate your damages for compensation.

Types of Damages You Can Recover in a Texas Auto Accident

With the help of a personal injury attorney, you can seek economic and non-economic damages after your car wreck. Economic damages refer to the financial losses you incurred due to this event.

These are typically all costs associated with your medical treatment, property damage, out-of-pocket expenses from the accident, and lost wages. Non-economic damages can also be sought, though working with car accident lawyers gives you a better chance of claiming this type of damages. They do not have receipts or bills to indicate a specific dollar amount. However, you can still request them from the insurance company in your claim. Pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life are merely a few examples.

What to Do After a Texas Car Accident

You may have extensive property damage and extreme pain and suffering. In the aftermath of an auto wreck, you should know exactly what steps to take to protect your legal rights.

Call 911

While you are still on the scene, call the police to file a police report. You are required to notify the authorities and have a police report created when property damage is $1,000 or above, or there are injuries or fatalities.

Exchange Insurance Information

You are also required to exchange information with all involved drivers. If this was a multi-vehicle crash, you must get the information of each driver including their name, phone number, auto insurance company, and policy number.

Capture Evidence

It helps to take your own photos and videos of what you notice after an accident. You can also take notes on everything you remember before, during, and after it happened, or create a voice or video recording. The sooner you do this, the less likely you will be to forget critical details that could be extremely relevant in your case.

Get Treated by a Medical Professional

It is essential that you receive medical care for your injuries immediately after your crash. Do not delay this care, as it could result in the denial of your accident claim. Additionally, many injuries can worsen without medical intervention.

When you see a doctor, you will have medical documentation to prove your injury claims. These can also be essential in proving your level of pain and suffering. Consistent medical treatment is required for you to heal, and you must also ensure you abide by all medical instructions and advice to keep your claim strong.

Notify Your Own Insurance Company

Since Texas is an at-fault insurance state, the driver who caused the crash and their insurer will be liable for your damages. Even if it wasn’t your fault, you must notify your own insurer of the accident. When you call your insurer, you will be keeping in accordance with your policy contract. Additionally, the driver who caused your accident may attempt to make a claim on your insurance, and it will help protect your legal rights by alerting them of what happened.

Contact an Attorney with Car Accident Experience

When you are in an accident that causes more than property damage, it may be difficult to follow all of these steps. This is why you need Sutliff & Stout Injury & Accident Law Firm to advocate for your legal rights.

Many of our clients are taken to the hospital immediately following their accidents. We step in to get the evidence before it disappears and summon the necessary experts to help make a strong claim and get proper compensation for lost wages and other damages.

What to Know About the Statute of Limitations in Texas

The Texas statute of limitations is something that you should keep in mind when deciding what steps to take after your crash. Your first step will be notifying the authorities and your insurance company about the accident.

Insurers generally require you to notify them as soon as possible. Failing to report an accident, even when it wasn’t your fault, may result in the termination of your policy. If the other vehicle’s driver was at fault, then you will make a claim through their insurer.

However, if you are denied that claim or decide to file a lawsuit against the other party, you must abide by the statute of limitations. You have two years from the date of your injuries for these types of accidents. Additional time may be provided if you were unaware of your injuries, you are filing on behalf of a child injured, or the at-fault party is unknown, such as in a hit and run.

If the claim is against a government entity, you must give notice of the claim before filing a lawsuit. You must notify the state within 180 days, though some counties may have a shorter notice period. Many injured victims miss these deadlines when they try to contend with painful injuries and figure out the legal process. Don’t let that happen to you by ensuring you have the powerful legal representation you need through Sutliff & Stout Injury & Accident Law Firm.

How Our Car Accident Attorneys Can Help

When you have been in an accident of any kind, from drunk driving to hit-and-run accidents, it is imperative that you have experienced legal representation. Serious injuries mean that you will have a long road to recovery ahead and bills that you should not be stuck paying yourself.

Sutliff & Stout Injury & Accident Law Firm has the experience you need to prove negligence and liability in a car accident. Ourattorneys for car accidents will tirelessly negotiate on your behalf and help you protect your legal rights while getting you the compensation you deserve.

Our top-rated firm provides services on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not pay anything unless we secure your settlement or get a winning verdict. Let us fight for you as we have done for our clients and help you regain your life.