You are not required to hire a lawyer after a car accident, and a lawyer will not be appointed to you as they would in a criminal case. However, a Texas personal injury lawyer can help you in many situations after a car accident. If you are entitled to compensation from a negligent driver, a car accident lawyer can help you seek the payment you deserve for your catastrophic injuries.
Hiring a lawyer after an accident can also help you focus on your physical and mental health while your attorney deals with the insurance companies and legal process.
As a rule of thumb, you should contact a car accident lawyer if any of the following apply after an accident:
- You want to know about your legal rights and next steps after an accident;
- You were injured in any way due to the accident;
- An insurance company is treating you unfairly or delaying your claim;
- You need help getting reimbursed for your medical bills;
- The other driver is disputing your version of events.
You have the right to seek legal help at any point after a car accident. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you recover the financial compensation you deserve.
How Can a Lawyer Help After a Car Accident In Texas?
If you were injured in a car accident in Texas, a lawyer can help you investigate the crash, determine who is liable, and pursue full compensation for your damages. Trying to do everything on your own can be difficult and lead to missed steps. A car accident lawyer that has been there before for clients just like you will be able to take the reins and fight for you.
A Dallas car accident lawyer will help you through the following steps and more:
- Meet for a risk-free consultation to learn about your case and discuss your options
- Investigate the facts of your case to establish who’s liable
- Collect evidence supporting your claim
- Take on the insurance company on your behalf
- Negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance provider
- File a personal injury lawsuit when the insurance company won’t play fair
- Litigate your personal injury case through all pre-trial phases
- Take your case to a jury trial if your car accident case does not settle.
Whether your personal injury claim is new, or you have been struggling to deal with insurance companies to get the fair payment you deserve, a car accident lawyer can help. Contact Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC in Dallas, TX to schedule a free consultation today.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer In Dallas, TX?
Most car accident lawyers in Dallas, TX work on a contingency fee basis. Under a contingency arrangement, accident victims can get valuable legal help without paying fees upfront. This can ease the burden for accident victims and their families when they are already struggling with medical bills and other costs.
You will only be responsible for paying attorney’s fees if your lawyer recovers compensation for you. If your personal injury case is unsuccessful, you pay nothing.
Under a contingency fee agreement, your car accident lawyer will earn an agreed-upon percentage of your jury award or settlement. During your free consultation, you can learn more about how contingency fee arrangements work and can help ease your mind as you focus on recovery.
Proving Negligence In a Car Accident Case
Car accident lawsuits rely on the legal theory of negligence. You will need to prove the other driver was negligent before they can be required to pay your damages. Proving the elements of negligence in a car accident case is complex, but a knowledgeable Texas car accident lawyer will use evidence and arguments to boost your case. If the other side disputes your version of events and is fighting the claim, you will need a lawyer to fight back.
In a court case, the following legal elements must be proven to show negligence:
- The defendant owed a duty of care to you;
- The defendant breached that duty of care;
- The defendant’s breach of duty caused your injuries; and
- The accident led to actual damages such as lost wages and medical bills
A lawyer will use any of the following types of evidence to help prove your claim:
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Photos
- Property repairs
- Surveillance footage and cell phone videos
- Witness testimony
- Expert witnesses and reports
Assembling evidence in a personal injury lawsuit is a skill car accident lawyers have and can use to help you. Trying to prove negligence in a car accident claim on your own is a tough task. Even worse, going it on your own can complicate your path to a fair settlement.
A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Find Out Who Was At Fault
In situations where the cause of the accident is disputed, a lawyer will analyze the crash scene to get to the bottom of what happened. When fingers are being pointed between different individuals, car accident lawyers can use evidence to clear up who was at fault for the accident.
Texas follows a modified comparative fault standard when determining liability. What this means for you is that as long as you were less than 51% at fault for the crash, you have a legal right to collect compensation. However, your share of the final payout would be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
For example, if you are found to be 30% responsible, you would only collect 70% of the total settlement value. This is where an experienced car accident lawyer can be especially important. Your lawyer will seek full compensation and reduce your level of liability – to zero percent whenever possible.
Contact the Dallas Personal Injury Law Firm of Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC Today For Help
For more information, please contact the Dallas personal injury law firm of Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
Our office is conveniently located in Dallas, near the Dallas Downtown Historic District. We serve statewide throughout Texas.
Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC
701 Commerce Street, Suite 703
Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 615-6394