When involved in a car accident, a negligent driver should not get away with harming you or damaging your car. With a reputable Fort Worth car accident lawyer, you can file a claim or sue the at-fault driver to get compensated for sustained damages.
However, getting compensated in Texas depends on who can be proven to be at fault. A car accident lawyer in Fort Worth can help you establish liability and pursue the compensation you’re entitled to after a crash.
If you’ve been injured or your property damaged in a car accident, contact Heller Law Office for a free consultation and reliable legal representation. Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t always act in your best interest. With a lawyer, you ensure your rights are protected and get a chance to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Car Accident Laws in Fort Worth, Texas
Texas is an at-fault state. This means the driver that caused the crash is responsible for paying the resulting damages. So if the other driver has harmed you or your vehicle, you can hold them accountable for the damages.
But what if you were partly responsible for the Fort Worth car accident?
Texas law allows drivers to share responsibility in a crash, an idea called comparative negligence. With shared blame, the Court (or insurance company) establishes fault as a percentage.
As long as your shared fault is less than 50%, you can pursue compensation from the other driver. However, your compensation is reduced by the percentage of your fault in the crash.
Let’s say your damages are $20,000, and your shared fault in the accident is found to be 20%. In that case, you will recover $16,000 (your compensation is reduced by 20%, which is your shared fault).
Note: Increasing someone’s fault in a compensation claim is a common insurance tactic to pay less. Don’t let them take advantage of you after a crash. Instead, call us today to protect your rights and pursue the total compensation you might be entitled to.
How Is Fault Determined in Fort Worth Car Accidents?
After a Fort Worth car accident, the fault is determined by either a judge, jury, or insurance adjuster. The determination is based on evidence such as:
- Photographs from the crash
- Witness statements
- Medical reports
- Police reports
- Statements from both drivers
Sometimes, experts are needed to prove fault. For example, an accident reconstructionist might need to prepare a report of what likely happened in the crash. Additionally, a mechanic might help determine whether a vehicle malfunctioned.
Your car accident lawyer in Fort Worth will help you decide whether specialists like this are necessary to explain issues affecting fault in your case. In addition, most car accident cases in Fort Worth end in a settlement. But your attorney will build a solid case to stand trial if necessary.
At the Heller Law Office, we ensure you don’t settle for less when there’s a good chance to get even more positive outcomes in a trial. When you hire us, we start digging for evidence to establish a strong case.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Car Accident in Fort Worth, Texas?
If the other driver is entirely or partially at fault for your Fort worth car accident, you can recover damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Medical bills
Depending on your case, other recoverable damages include physical impairment, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional trauma, and loss of a body part. But, again, the amount you can recover depends on the severity of injuries and the extent of property damage.
Insurance Will Fight to Pay You the Least Possible Amount (Or Avoid Paying At All)
The insurance company doesn’t always act in your best interest. Their main goal is to reduce the compensation amount as low as possible. Or sometimes, blame you for the accident and pay you nothing in return.
Here’s what to do to avoid falling into the trap of insurance companies:
Don’t accept responsibility.
Saying anything that might translate to being responsible for the accident can harm your case. Insurance companies will use anything you say, such as a polite apology, to reduce or deny your compensation claim.
Reject early settlement offers
They are a trap. After the accident, it’s common for insurers to try to manipulate or scare you into accepting a below-average offer. What they present to you shortly after the crash might seem like a good deal, especially when medical bills are increasing quickly.
But remember, these guys are not on your side. They don’t always act in your best interest. So accepting their first offer might mean getting only a tiny fraction of the money you deserve.
Don’t bargain until you have an experienced car accident lawyer in Fort Worth to ensure nobody is taking advantage of you.
Don’t discuss your accident without your lawyer.
The other driver’s insurance company can use your words against you. Even telling the insurance adjusters that you’re okay when giving a recorded statement could later hurt your case. The safest way to proceed is to have a skilled lawyer represent you.
Should your case go to trial, insurers have a capable legal team to come against you with full force. An experienced attorney fights on your behalf for what you truly deserve.
What Should You Do After a Fort Worth Car Accident?
Your decisions after an accident in Fort Worth hugely influence your ability to recover damages. Here are the best things to do after a crash:
Report the accident to the local police.
Inform the police about the accident as soon as possible. Police reports help preserve crucial details in the accident, such as:
- Statement from the drivers involved in the accident
- Witness testimony
- Officer’s opinion about the crash
A lawyer can use this information to argue your case and ensure you get the total amount you’re entitled to in a compensation claim.
See a doctor
Seek medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident, even if you think you’re not injured. The shock, confusion, and adrenaline in a crash can conceal serious injuries. So skipping medical treatment can have serious consequences later.
Seeing a doctor is crucial because of two reasons. First, injuries are identified and treated.
Second, it clears any doubt by the other driver’s insurance company that your injuries resulted from the car crash.
Talk to a car accident lawyer
This is the best way to ensure no one violates your rights or gives you less money than you are legally entitled to. A personal injury lawyer prevents blindly accepting a settlement offer that’s just a tiny fraction of what you should get.
How Car Accident Lawyers in Fort Worth Ensures You Get What You Deserve
A car accident can turn someone’s life upside down. Physical injuries can be painful, making working or managing normal-day activities nearly impossible. In addition, rising medical bills and time off work can put an individual in a terrible position financially.
While you might be entitled to recover damages from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, they surely won’t make things easy for you. You must either fight for what you deserve, stick with their below-average offer, or be content with zero compensation.
An experienced car accident attorney can help you fight and demand the compensation you deserve.
With legal advice from Heller Law Office, you can easily differentiate a reasonable settlement offer from one designed to take advantage of you. And if necessary, we can battle in court on your behalf to pursue the compensation you’re legally entitled to.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Fort Worth to Schedule a Consultation
Our law firm knows how to handle the insurance company’s delay tactics used to frustrate someone into accepting a below-average offer. We will fight on your behalf and help you pursue the total compensation you’re entitled to in a car accident case. Call us at 817-612-4800 for a free consultation. We are also available through email: travis@hellerpersonalinjury.com.
Car Accident Attorney in Fort Worth—Frequently Asked Questions
Should I hire a car accident lawyer for a minor accident?
It’s best to hire a lawyer, even in a minor car wreck. Sometimes, unforeseen complications or situations could be more serious than you think.
A lawyer keenly investigates your case to ensure compensation covers all sustained damages—visible and hidden.
What is the average settlement for car accident injuries in Texas?
There’s no such thing as an average settlement amount. All auto accident cases in Texas are individually examined because scenarios are different. Many car accident victims are compensated the amount worth their losses. Contact a personal injury law firm in Fort Worth that specializes in car accidents for a free case evaluation.
What is a good settlement offer for a car accident?
A good car accident settlement offer completely covers property damages, medical bills, and lost wages for being away from work. In addition, the offer sufficiently compensates for the pain and suffering resulting from the accident.
An experienced car accident attorney from Heller Law Office can evaluate your settlement offer and help you decide if it’s reasonable. Then, if necessary, we take your case to trial to pursue total compensation.
Can you be personally sued for a car accident in Texas?
It’s possible to be sued over a car accident in Texas. Texas is an at-fault state regarding car accidents, and the responsible party is liable for the damages. Even if you have car insurance, the other driver can still sue you after the accident—it may be because of a denied personal injury claim by your insurance or an unfair settlement.
When getting sued for an accident in Texas, a Fort Worth car accident lawyer helps build defense strategies to fight the car accident lawsuit. Call Heller Law Office for a free consultation and reliable legal representation.