Last year, drivers in Dallas sustained 5,129 serious injuries in a total of 26,846 car wrecks. Another 146 people were killed, and many more suffered minor injuries and/or damage to their cars.
No matter how good a driver you are, there’s always the problem of the other guy on the road – the one who’s texting, drunk, or disoriented from pulling an all-nighter. Any one of us might find ourselves hurt, disabled or facing big car repair bills for something that wasn’t our fault.
This is where hiring a personal injury attorney can make the difference between being compensated fairly and adding insult to your crash injuries.
Types of Cases
A personal injury lawyer can help with many types of car accident-related cases. Some of these involve insurance. The other driver might have been uninsured or underinsured, leaving you and your insurance company to pick up the slack. Or a claims adjustor could be rushing you to settle quickly, possibly to your great disadvantage. The settlement might not cover your future – or even your present – medical costs from the accident.
Often the other driver doesn’t admit the accident was his fault. Having an attorney on your side makes a big difference if fault is disputed.
Most painful of all, the right attorney can assist in wrongful death cases. You deserve justice.
A personal injury attorney can help you secure your lost wages, medical and therapy expenses, as well as less tangible things, such as pain, suffering, and the loss of a spouse’s companionship.
Statutes of Limitations
Is time running out on your chance to file a car-related property damage or personal injury case? Texas law says your case must be filed within two years of the date of your accident. It’s best to start the process sooner rather than later, as these investigations can take time.
If your accident involved a government employee, such as a negligent city bus driver, you may need to act more quickly. State and local government entities require you to file notice of the claim within 180 days of the incident.
What an Attorney Can Do for You
Without an attorney, you are one more cog in the great insurance machine. And cogs need to be fixed quickly, because more are constantly popping up. The insurance company will try to rush through your case and settle as cheaply as possible.
But a personal injury attorney is your advocate. He or she can give you the necessary personal attention and use the full force of trial experience and knowledge to stand up to the insurance company on your behalf. This almost always results in a much more agreeable settlement.