Auto Accident Injury in Fort Worth, TX

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Fort Worth? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Fort Worth, TX that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Fort Worth, Texas

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. In Texas there were 12,897 serious injury crashes in 2019, and 15,843 people sustained a serious injury. In total 256,338 people were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2019. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 344 serious injury crashes in Fort Worth in 2019. Additionally, 414 people sustained serious injuries. In total, Fort Worth experienced 14,777 motor vehicle crashes and 99 fatalities.

Fortunately, Fort Worth joined the Vision Zero program in 2019.  According to the Fort Worth Business Press, Vision Zero Fort Worth aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities through policies that prioritize safe, multi-model streets.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

Fort Worth car accidents involving drunk drivers, injuries, fatalities, or more than $1,000 in property damage must be reported immediately to the police. You must stay at the crash scene and call 911. You can obtain a copy of the crash report online through the Fort Worth Police Department’s Public Report Access portal.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

  • Full name, address, phone number and email address
  • Driver’s license state and number
  • Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

  • Burn injuries
  • Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
  • Brain and head injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Spinal injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, traffic crash deaths in Texas cost $5.7 billion in 2018. This staggering amount is made up of $43 million in medical costs and a shocking $5.66 billion in work loss costs. Motor vehicle occupants represented 72% of this cost, while motorcyclists represented 12%, and pedestrians and bicyclists represented 16% and 1% respectively. Fort Worth experienced almost 3% of total Texas car accident fatalities, putting the city’s cost at over $170 million.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Texas

Liability Laws for Fort Worth

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process. 

According to the Texas Department of Insurance, Texas is a “fault” insurance state. This means any driver can be held liable for damages and injuries they caused in a car accident in Fort Worth. Most people protect themselves from this liability by purchasing auto liability insurance. In fact, Texas requires you to have at least $30,000 of coverage for injuries per person, limited to $60,000 per accident. Additionally, you must have at least $25,000 of coverage for property damage.

Statute of Limitations in Fort Worth

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. The statute of limitations for auto accidents in Texas is two years. If you live in Fort Worth, this means you only have two years from the date of your auto accident to file a suit.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Fort Worth, TX

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct. We can even help you connect with legal help across Texas state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an attorney in your area!

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