Auto Accident Injury in San Antonio, TX
Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in San Antonio? 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 San Antonio, TX that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Injury Statistics in San Antonio, 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 however 256,338 persons were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2019.
On the plus side, the Texas Department of Transportation says the state saw an overall decrease in fatal auto accidents, a decrease of 2.8% when compared to 2018 records. Overall, authorities have calculated that a person was injured in an auto accident in Texas every 2 minutes.
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.
While authorities recommend that you involve emergency services regardless of the severity of the accident, in Texas, you don’t have to call the police unless there is damage greater than $1000, an injury, or a death caused by the accident. The San Antonio Police Department will automatically handle the crash report if the severity of the crash warrants it. To obtain copies or file one personally, you can inquire online on the City of San Antonio official website or with the Texas Department of Transportation. All reports must be submitted within 10 days of the accident.
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 Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Texans experienced $43 million in medical costs in 2019 in addition to almost $6 BILLION in work loss costs. Those numbers only include the financial costs of fatalities. According to the Texas Department of Transportation fatalities only makeup around only 2% of all reported accidents. As San Antonio is the second largest city in Texas, the locality makes up for a significant portion of all settlements that are reached from reported accidents across the state.
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 San Antonio
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.
Texas is a “fault” insurance state, which means you can file an insurance claim against an at-fault driver. Therefore, any driver can be held liable for damages and injuries he or she allegedly caused in a car accident. Most people cover this by purchasing liability insurance, which the state requires, with minimum limits of $30,000 for each injured person, $60,000 for multiple injuries in an incident, and $25,000 for property damage.
Statute of Limitations in San Antonio
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. In Texas, the statute of limitations is two years. This means that you only have two years from the date of the accident to file any relevant personal injury claims.
While this may seem like a significant timeline, some injuries experienced in auto accidents can take months to surface. 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 San Antonio, 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.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Texas!
