Houston Car Accident Lawyer

Houston Car Accident Attorney

A car accident has the potential to cause seriously catastrophic damage to your life. Car accidents can range from minor inconveniences to horrible disasters. There is a good chance that being involved in a car accident will result in some lasting trauma, whether that be from a physical injury or the mental strain of a chaotic situation. If you decide to pursue legal action against the party responsible for your situation, you should hire a Houston car accident lawyer for your case.

Getting in a Car Accident in Houston

You should always keep in mind that a car accident truly can come out of nowhere and cause significant devastation to your life, depending on the details of the accident. When you are trying to build a significant personal injury case against the person responsible for causing the accident, you may be doing so while also dealing with a serious injury from the accident. Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer to oversee your case can allow you to focus on your recovery.

Statute of Limitations

If you decide to pursue legal action against the negligent party responsible for your accident, it is important that you adhere to the state of Texas’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including car accident claims. In most cases, the state will give you two years from the date of your initial accident to establish grounds for your claim, build a strong enough case, gather the evidence you need, consult with a car accident lawyer, and file.

If you cannot file your case before two years have passed, there is a good chance that your claim will be denied, your case will be dismissed, and your chance to pursue compensatory damages will pass by with no legal action taken. Building a strong car accident claim can take some time, so you should get started on your case sooner rather than later. If you are worried that your case is not strong enough, consult with a lawyer to hear what they have to say.

What to Do After a Car Accident?

It is important to remember that the steps you take after a car accident will heavily influence the validity and strength of your claim and will also be included in the police report. With that in mind, you should take extra care to make the right kind of decisions and take the proper steps to protect not just yourself but your future claim. The way you approach each step in the aftermath will be relevant in the future.

Here are some steps you can take:

• Remain Calm: After being in a car accident, your natural instinct may be to panic. That’s perfectly understandable. After all, you have just been through what is likely a very traumatic event. Keeping yourself calm might seem like an impossibility. Still, you should try your hardest to keep yourself calm and remain focused on the situation. Take a few deep breaths and calm yourself down before proceeding.
• Remain at the Scene: When you are in an accident, you may have a sudden urge to get out of there as fast as you can. This is the worst thing you could possibly do at this stage. Not only would fleeing the scene of an accident severely hurt your accident claim, but it would also likely result in serious legal penalties. Under Texas state law, you must immediately stop your vehicle if you are involved in a serious accident.
• Check Yourself for Injuries: Depending on the accident, you may be dealing with severe injuries. If you are in shock because of the accident, you may not even be aware of these injuries yet. You should check yourself for injuries as soon as you can, then do the same for any passengers in your car. Look for red areas, bloody wounds, protrusions, sprains, and anything that might be broken. Be sure to get checked out by EMTs.
• Call 911: As soon as you are able, you should notify the authorities. Call 911 and get police officers and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to the scene as soon as you can. Having law enforcement present to block off the accident scene and take control of the situation can provide you with some assurance that everything is being handled correctly. Even though EMTs are on the scene, you should still see a doctor later.
• Move Your Car: If you are physically able to do so, you should consider moving your car off of the road. The last thing you want is to inadvertently cause another accident because your car was sitting in the middle of oncoming traffic. If the police give you the all-clear, you should move your car to the side of the road. If the car is too damaged to move or you are too injured to move it, don’t worry about it. Just leave it where it is.
• Talk to the Police: When police officers arrive, they will speak with you and get your version of events to include in the police report. Be honest with them, don’t point fingers, but also do not admit fault for the accident.
• See the EMTs: Depending on how severe your injuries are, you may want to see the EMTs before talking to the police. Let the EMTs do their work and try not to get in their way. After all, they are there to help you. If you have any specific areas of pain, make sure to tell them. They may take you to a hospital immediately. In that case, you can get the police report from law enforcement later when you need it.
• Exchange Information: To move forward with your insurance claim, you and the other driver will need to exchange contact and insurance information. Be sure to get their full name, address, phone number, license plate number, driver’s license number, insurance carrier, and the carrier’s contact info. You should give them the same information.
• Don’t Admit Fault: Throughout this entire process, you should never admit fault for the accident. Even if you are fully aware that the accident was your fault, never say that out loud. Admitting fault for the accident can severely impact your accident claim and could prevent you from seeking any compensation. Even apologizing could be considered an admission of fault. Be civil and honest, but do not accept any responsibility for the crash.
• Document the Scene: As soon as the police give you the all-clear, you can start documenting the accident scene for your own records and gathering evidence to use in your claim. Take plenty of photos of your injuries, the damage done to all vehicles involved, the conditions of the road, and any posted road signs relevant to the accident. Make sure you get the contact info of any witnesses who are willing to help you.
• Contact Your Provider: You should reach out to your insurance provider and let them know that you have been in a car accident. Never admit fault to your insurance carrier. Fill them in on the facts only.
  If the other driver’s insurance provider reaches out, you don’t have to talk to them. In fact, it is recommended that you don’t. Simply advise them to contact your lawyer or refrain from speaking with them at all and let your lawyer handle it.
• See a Doctor: Even though you have already been cleared by the EMTs, you should still consider getting checked out by your doctor. Your doctor can be more medically thorough with your check-up and possibly even find injuries that the EMTs missed, particularly if those injuries are internal. Additionally, having a valid medical report can help you when the time comes to file your claim.
• Contact a Lawyer: When you have gathered all the evidence you need to move forward with your accident claim, you should reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer who can help you put together a strong case and ensure you don’t miss any crucial filing deadlines. A good lawyer can prioritize your case while giving you the time you need to focus on your own recovery.

Important Traits in a Car Accident Lawyer

When you hire a car accident lawyer for your case, you should make sure you are hiring someone you can depend on and who you know has your interests protected. It is safe to say that when you are hiring a car accident lawyer for an impending personal injury situation, you may be dealing with a lot. It’s likely a rough time for you. Having a lawyer who cares about your situation can really make all the difference.

Here are some important traits you should look for:

• Experience: Experience is one of the most important qualities you can have in a car accident lawyer. If you can, you should try to hire a lawyer who has a vast amount of experience handling car accident claims like yours, as well as a good track record of success with those cases. An experienced lawyer can recall past winning strategies to use for your case and can anticipate any potential setbacks you might encounter.
• Compassion: Pursuing a car accident claim, particularly one that seriously traumatized you, may not be an easy feat. You are going to feel some hefty emotions, and you need a lawyer who understands what’s at stake for you. Throughout this process, you may be angry, confused, scared, isolated, and even vengeful. Your lawyer should be willing to show you some compassion as you deal with the aftermath.

Houston Car Accident FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Lawyer Get From a Car Accident Settlement in Houston?

A: There is no telling how much a lawyer might get from a car accident settlement in Houston. Every car accident case is different, which means that every settlement amount is different, too. Your lawyer’s fee will be decided on prior to hiring them. Some lawyers may ask for payment in full. Others may work on a contingency, meaning that you only pay them if they win. In that case, payment is usually taken from your settlement package.

Q: Do I Need a Lawyer for My Car Accident Case?

A: Legally, you do not need to hire a lawyer for your car accident case in Houston. You are well within your rights to try and handle your situation on your own without a lawyer’s help. Still, it is recommended that you retain experienced legal counsel anytime you are dealing with a legal situation. Having someone on your side who understands the complexities of the law can only help you in the long run.

Q: How Much Can Someone Pursue for a Car Accident in Houston?

A: In Texas, there is no fixed limit on how much you can pursue in a car accident claim. You are entitled to ask for as much as you feel accurately reflects the amount of damages you believe you are owed. This amount is entirely subjective and depends on everything you have been through as a result of your accident. Each case is unique and should be evaluated individually.

Q: What Are My Rights in a Car Accident in Houston?

A: If you are involved in a car accident in Houston that was not your fault, you have the legal right to pursue damages from the driver who is at fault. Texas is an at-fault state for car accidents, which means that the driver who is responsible for the accident is also responsible for reimbursing the other driver for their damages, whatever they may be. You have the right to hire a lawyer and to seek damages.

Reach Out to a Car Accident Lawyer Today

Being involved in a car accident can be an overwhelming and traumatic experience. Seeking compensation from the person responsible for your accident can be a good place to start when trying to seek closure.

Our legal team at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm understands the kind of assistance you will need in building a strong case. We can help you gather evidence, speak with insurance companies, and advocate on your behalf in court if it comes to that. Contact us to speak with a valued team member.