Auto accidents occur on Texas roadways at a staggering rate. On average, an accident occurs every 59 seconds, that is, every minute, there is at least one motor vehicle collision in Texas. In one year alone, statewide, more than 17,000 people suffered a serious injury as a result of a car accident. Injured victims may be entitled to financial compensation for their injuries when an accident was caused by another.
Many people shy away from hiring an attorney for whatever reason, especially after a car accident. Most people think that attorneys are too expensive and that they can get a good settlement without hiring an accident attorney.
Unfortunately, that is often not the case. When he is injured in a car accident, he faces an all-out battle against an insurance company with a team of attorneys. Your best chance of winning this battle is to hire your own team of experienced car accident injury recovery attorneys , and do it right away.
Types of Car Accidents Lawyers Can Help With
Among the most common car accidents that an attorney can help with are:
- Side-swept collisions;
- rear-end collisions;
- performance failure;
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol ;
- Speeding;
- Reckless driving;
- Send text messages while driving ;
- Unlicensed drivers;
- Uninsured or underinsured drivers
- T-bones.
Working with a trusted auto accident injury attorney can give you the peace of mind you need to put the legal stress behind you and focus on your physical recovery.
Lawyers Can Help Get Your Compensation
The economic repercussions of a traffic accident vary greatly. When you are injured in a car accident, you can expect your injuries, recovery, and lost wages to be between $28,600 and $235,400 . That’s a wide range, but it also underscores how expensive your medical expenses can be.
By working with a car accident attorney, you can get help seeking damages for:
- Pain and suffering;
- emotional distress;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of company;
- Past, present and future medical bills
- The costs of rehabilitation.
Your physical recovery is the most important thing . To give yourself the best chance at a full and complete physical recovery, you need someone who will focus on your financial recovery. That is where we can help at the Law Offices of George Salinas .
A car accident attorney can investigate your accident by reviewing police reports and speaking to witnesses, if relevant . She can also review your medical history to see the extent of your injuries and the outlook for your recovery. Most importantly, her car accident attorney can give her the peace of mind she needs to know that she is competently handling her case.
Lawyers negotiate with insurance companies
When people are injured in a car accident, regardless of the severity of their injuries, they often think they will be able to settle quickly with insurance companies. Certainly a quick agreement can be reached, but this is not always the most convenient.
Shortly after being injured in a car crash, the at- fault driver ‘s insurance company will typically contact you. They will often offer a quick settlement. You may be excited about this because you may be out of a job and need money to pay your bills. The insurance company knows all this too, and you may be taken advantage of.
When you sign the low-cost settlement offer, you give up your right to make any future claims against the insurance company for your car accident injuries. If you do not have an attorney review the agreement before you sign it, you are putting yourself, your family, and your recovery at risk.
The best way to avoid this situation is to work with an experienced injury accident attorney who knows the insurance company tricks and can help you make a realistic estimate of what your recovery is really going to cost. It all starts with understanding what you need to improve.
Your car accident attorney will work with you to analyze your injuries and better understand your recovery needs, how long you will be out of work, how long you will be in the hospital, and how much time you may need in rehabilitation . Compiling this estimate gives you a place to start your negotiations with the insurance company. When an insurance company sees that you have hired a law firm that has a track record of getting results, they are more likely to offer a fair and reasonable amount.
Fees when hiring an attorney
Most car accident attorneys offer potential clients a free consultation to discuss the facts surrounding their accident. An experienced car crash attorney can help you determine if hiring an attorney is in your best interest.
Most car accident victims have questions and need answers before they can decide on the best strategy for moving forward. Contact a car accident attorney and have your questions answered by someone who understands your legal rights and options.
Questions to ask a lawyer before hiring one
When you’re asking questions of a potential car accident attorney, you want information about their level of experience. Here are some questions that may help you.
1. Have you worked on auto accident cases like mine?
This is extremely important. Although a rookie lawyer needs opportunities to gain experience, she doesn’t want to be his guinea pig. Make sure you have enough experience in the area you need service in. Experience is very valuable.
2. Have you ever worked on a case in court where my case will be heard?
A regular presence and experience with court personnel is a great help. It’s not to say that knowing them will give them any special treatment, but attorneys who know paralegals, paralegals, and judges know how to navigate the courtroom and how to assess the possible outcomes in your case.
3. Have you ever been sanctioned or charged with misconduct?
Not only should you know, but you have a right to know if a prospective attorney has violated (or been accused of violating) the rules of the profession. Having previous misconduct or accusations does not always mean that the attorney is not qualified to help you, but you need to know in order to make an informed decision. If it has, take into account how long it has been since the accusation or sanction, or if it has happened more than once. This can help determine if you are dealing with an unethical attorney or someone who has learned from their past mistakes.
4. Is there a conflict of interest related to your representation in this case?
Although every attorney has an ethical and professional obligation to inform prospective clients of any conflict of interest, it is always a good idea to ask directly. This will let you know if there is anything that may be limiting their ability to represent you in the best possible light. Examples of conflicts of interest could be that the attorney has previously represented the hospital that is suing for malpractice or personal or professional relationships with the attorney representing the other party.