Auto Accident Injury in Texas
Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Texas? 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 TX that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Texas
In Texas, auto accidents are an epidemic, with the state reporting over 634,000 car crashes in 2022. That is one crash every 57 seconds. Of those, 1,315 were fatal crashes that resulted in 1,768 deaths, the highest in the nation. In all, 239,539 people were injured in the crashes. The largest contributors are speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving; indeed, speeding is the cause of more than 100,000 crashes annually.
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 reports. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.
If a law enforcement officer does not show up to the scene of the accident to investigate and take a report, you are obligated, by law, to file a police report if one of the following is true:
- The accident resulted in the injury or death of an individual
- The accident resulted in $1,000 or more worth of property damage
You must file the report within 10 days of the accident or risk administrative consequences.
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
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 TX
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.
Like most states, Texas is a fault state, meaning the at-fault parties of car crashes are liable for damages they cause. Unlike most fault states, however, Texas does not require every driver to carry insurance. Drivers and vehicle owners can choose to forego insurance if they can prove they have adequate funds and assets to cover at least $25,000 in property damages and $60,000 in medical and other expenses for injured or deceased parties of a single accident.
Statute of Limitations in TX
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. If you are involved in a car accident in Texas and sustain significant damages, you have two years from the date of the incident to file a complaint with the courts.
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 In Texas
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 TX!
There are still more areas of Texas law that could be applicable to your case! Explore more of our content below: