A car accident can be one of the most traumatic experiences that a person can experience. Not only is there injury to the motor vehicle, the passengers are usually hurt as well. While many people think car crashes only affect the vehicles involved, they can also affect the passengers. A passenger may suffer from serious injuries after the car accident that require medical attention and treatment.
Car accident victims may not immediately feel the serious injury as they take some time to present themselves after the motor vehicle accidents. By then, you may be left feeling like you are in this alone.
Our San Antonio car accident attorneys are skilled in helping car accident injury victims get what they deserve after a serious car accident. We hold your hand and make sure that you feel better after your auto accident.
How Much Do Auto Accident Lawyers Charge?
Looking for an experienced auto accident attorney? Our Law Office's legal team helps our car crash clients get adequate treatment and fair compensation after a car accident. Like most personal injury attorneys, our auto accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so this means that in personal injury cases we do not charge for our legal services unless we recover on your behalf, which may include court fees and medical bills.
Most Common Texas Car Accident Injuries
Car wrecks or car accidents can be caused by several factors and its effects can last for a significant period of time or even forever. The traffic accident victim may suffer multiple types of serious injuries. Some of the most common car accident injuries include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, whiplash, dislocations, head injuries, and much more.
Types of Auto Accidents We Handle At Our San Antonio Law Firm
We have years of experience handling a variety of different types of collisions and claims, including:
- Fatal car accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Wrong-way collisions
- Driver error or reckless driving
- Multiple vehicle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Accidents involving livestock
- Inexperienced drivers
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving accidents
- Car rollover accidents
- Road rage incidents and aggressive driving
Common Causes Of Motor Vehicle Accidents & Collisions That A Car Accident Lawyer Handles In Court
Car accidents can occur due to various factors, and understanding the common causes is crucial for promoting road safety. Distracted driving, often caused by smartphone use or other distractions inside the vehicle, diverts the driver's attention from the road, increasing the risk of accidents. Drunk driving poses a significant danger, impairing judgment, coordination, and reaction time.
Reckless driving, characterized by aggressive maneuvers, excessive speeding, and disregard for traffic laws, puts everyone on the road at risk. Fueled by anger and frustration, road rage can escalate into dangerous confrontations and erratic driving behavior. Speeding, disobeying red and yellow lights, and running stop signs undermine traffic regulations and heighten the likelihood of collisions. Improper turns, whether abrupt or illegal, can lead to unexpected conflicts with other vehicles.
Road hazards, such as potholes, debris, or slippery surfaces, require drivers to stay vigilant and adapt their driving accordingly. Driving while fatigued impairs alertness and reaction time, resembling the effects of alcohol impairment. T-bone collisions, also known as side-impact collisions, often result from failure to yield or running red lights, which can have severe consequences. Finally, judgment errors, including misjudging distances, gaps in traffic, or the speed of other vehicles, can lead to critical mistakes on the road. Recognizing and addressing these common causes of car crashes through education, enforcement, and responsible driving practices can significantly reduce the occurrence of accidents and enhance road safety.
Accidents Caused By Driver Road Rage And Reckless Driving
A driver can be held responsible for a car accident if their actions were intentional, reckless, or failed to meet a reasonable driver's standards in similar circumstances.
Reckless driving refers to operating a vehicle with a deliberate and extreme disregard for the rights and well-being of others. For instance, a driver can be considered reckless if they engage in threatening or harassing behavior out of "road rage" that leads to an accident and often a loss of a driver's license.
"Road rage" is defined as an act of using a motor vehicle or any dangerous weapon by the driver or passengers of another vehicle, or an act of assault triggered by an incident that occurred on a roadway. This can include horn honking, ignoring traffic laws, verbal abuse, and sudden lane changes while weaving through traffic.
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal that since 1990, nearly 13,000 individuals have been injured or killed in crashes caused by aggressive driving. NHTSA reports that over 60 percent of drivers consider unsafe driving by others, including speeding, as a significant personal threat to themselves and their families.
Texas law enforcement agencies are intensifying their efforts to identify and penalize aggressive drivers, including those who engage in speeding, tailgating, and other hazardous driving behaviors.
Safety measures for avoiding car accidents Ensuring vehicle safety and minimizing the risk of car accidents involves implementing various measures and utilizing advanced technologies. Traffic collision avoidance systems, such as forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, provide crucial assistance by alerting drivers to potential collisions and taking preventive actions.
Additionally, the deployment of airbags in vehicles acts as a protective cushion, mitigating the impact and reducing the severity of car accident injuries in the event of a crash. Seat belts remain essential to occupant safety, restraining passengers during sudden stops or collisions. Practicing defensive driving techniques, including maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles, anticipating potential hazards, and adhering to traffic rules, significantly reduces the likelihood of accidents.
Proper brake, accelerator pedal, and steering wheel use, focusing on road conditions and surroundings, enhances control and maneuverability, enabling drivers to respond promptly and effectively to unexpected situations. By integrating these safety measures, individuals can actively promote road safety and prevent car accidents.
Should I talk to the auto insurance adjuster after the crash?
After you are involved in a car collision and the insurance gets involved, you may wonder if you must talk to the insurance company and provide them a car accident report. The answer is that you do not.
You can hire one of our San Antonio car accident lawyers to represent you. The Major Law Firm's car accident attorneys are skilled at negotiating with the car insurance company or car insurance adjusters. They will review your car accident cases and all policies involved to get you a fair settlement and the fairest compensation.
There is no such thing as a typical fair car accident settlement, but it should, at the very least, cover the medical expenses or medical bills, property damage, legal fees, lost wages and repair bills you incurred because of the incident. This amount will vary from person to person and case to case with a good car accident lawyer.
How long do I have to file a car accident insurance claim for damages after the crash?
Per the State of Texas law, you have a two-year statute of limitations starting from the day the car or motorcycle accident was filed. While this means you have some time, you need to call an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as you can. You could be missing out on critical treatment if you have been injured.
The Major Law Firm in San Antonio TX can help you understand your legal rights in case of auto accidents, review police reports about how the accident occurred, and they can begin building your case, so that you can recover for damages.
In Texas, when another driver acts negligently, the injured person should have the right to seek compensation for various losses, including property damage, medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental distress, lost wages, and other related costs. If the negligent driver's behavior was also reckless, the victim may be eligible to claim additional damages, such as punitive damages or special damages, on top of their actual losses.
What Should I Do After an Automobile Accident?
After a car crash, you will want to call 911 and make a police report. A police officer from San Antonio Police Department will be dispatched, and they will assess the vehicle accident scene, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and prepare their car accident reports.
If you are not immediately injured, take pictures of the license plate of the other at-fault party or parties. There are many hit and run accidents in San Antonio (especially drunk driving accidents), and you don't want to be left dealing with an accident where the other driver who is at fault is gone.
Do not apologize or admit fault after the crash. Everything being said will be recorded, and in the moment, you may be experiencing shock, just like most auto accident victims.
Seeking Medical Attention From The Nearest Hospital After Your Car Accident
Make sure you get treated by EMS or a medical professional if you need medical treatment from the nearest hospital. The doctor in the emergency room will help diagnose anything from broken bones, fractures, spinal cord or neck injuries, and any other common injuries from the motor vehicle accident. The health insurance company will need all the necessary evidence for the car insurance claim.
Getting Financial Compensation From A Settlement Contact a personal injury attorney who can provide legal representation to people who have suffered personal injuries because of someone else's negligence or willful conduct (distracted driving, aggressive driving, fatigue, speeding, etc).
Need professional help from a San Antonio car accident lawyer? Contact our experienced personal injury attorneys to recover compensation for your losses. We are on standby 24/7 and ready to get you the help you need after a traumatic incident.
From gathering evidence and insurance information, interview witnesses, negotiating with claims adjusters to obtaining medical records and looking out for your best interests, you can leave all the labor and details to the best car accident lawyers in San Antonio.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney In San Antonio To Handle Your Lawsuit
If you have lost someone in one of the many fatal car accidents that occur every year in Texas, or if you've suffered catastrophic injuries in a car wreck, call The Major Law Firm 24/7, nights and weekends at (210)417-4794 to get a free consultation and the help you need. Our car accident lawyers are standing by and ready to help you navigate the legal process and obtain maximum compensation for your car accident case.
