Rear-end accidents are mostly minor and cannot be construed more serious than a head-on scenario. However, they can get much worse, resulting in serious injuries that lead to prolonged periods of pain and agony. This is for any blow to the spine.
Then there is the matter of property damage. In serious cases, things can get out of control and even lead to deaths. Most rear-end accidents are the result of the negligence of the rear-end driver, and you as the victim can file a personal injury claim in Houston to seek fair compensation for your losses.
But this path is never as simple as described in the texts, getting your legitimate refund is difficult. That's why you should get a team of Houston rear-end accident lawyers to get you fair compensation. When the insurance company doesn't cooperate, we take our clients' case to trial and before judge and jury.
What Causes Houston Rear-End Accidents?
Car accidents are common on the streets of Houston, and can result due to error in judgment or willful negligence on the part of the at-fault driver. In either case, it is the circumstances, above all else, that determine the nature and outcome of car accidents.
Rear-end collisions and most car accidents occur due to:
Distractions : Distracted driving has led to traffic accidents, including fatalities. Drivers are required by law to be ever vigilant while behind the wheel. This means that texting , talking on the phone or using GPS, eating, drinking, smoking, talking to other passengers, gazing at a surrounding event, or not paying attention are some of the things that are not acceptable to a driver. at the wheel..
If an accident occurs and the driver was involved in such activity, they will immediately be at fault. Be sure to try to find someone who can make a statement that the driver was on a smartphone at the time of the accident. Vehicle accident lawyers can subpoena smartphone records to see if there is evidence that the driver was in it at the time of the collision.
Drowsy Driver : If a driver is drowsy, they should not continue. Unless a driver is fully alert and responsive, he can't drive his car, at least not legally. Many drivers fall asleep (even for a few seconds) at the wheel, resulting in a rear-end accident and sometimes a fatal accident. These types of accidents can be avoided.
Reckless Driving : Drivers are sometimes frustrated with Houston traffic and anxious to get where they are going. This often results in their driving recklessly, and if the car in front of them has to stop abruptly, they may not be able to do the same, resulting in a collision. Many drivers tend to go beyond the speed limit, and this, too, can result in serious rear-end car accidents .
Driving under the influence : Alcohol not only impairs the judgment and clouds the ability of drivers, but also multiplies the possibility of being involved in a serious accident. Drunk driving is its own crime, however, if it results in an accident, things can go from bad to worse for the at-fault driver. Driving under the influence can be the result of alcohol or the influence of drugs. This is another type of accident that can be avoided if a driver takes responsibility for their actions.
If you suffered at the hands of a careless driver, you should file a personal injury claim regardless of the type of collision and recover fair compensation for all of your economic and non-economic damages. Having a team of professional Texas car accident lawyers on your side can maximize your chances of getting paid from the insurance company.
What happens after a rear-end accident?
If you have been involved in a rear-end accident in Texas, even a minor accident, the first thing you should do is call the police. You should also check the other driver, if they seem intoxicated or hostile keep your distance, but if not, you will need to exchange information with them.
If the negligent driver flees the scene, do not chase him, he may be armed or otherwise dangerous, however you should try to take a look at his license plate for the record. Take photos of all the damage caused, and if you sustained any injuries, photograph those as well. During an accident, you may forget these important steps, but try to get as much information and evidence as possible (the most important thing at the scene). Insurance may try to say that your injuries are the result of something else, not the injuries from the accident that you claim they are. Your experienced car accident attorney will handle negotiations with these companies.
The following is the contact information for any bystanders as they may become your witnesses, further cementing your case. When the police show up, notify them of the event and request a copy of the police report for your records. The officers will take your statement, which you may need to share with the court later. The report will be used in the process, which is required when car accidents end in lawsuits. The police officer may even have to testify before the judge and jury.
If you feel pain or discomfort, see a doctor within 72 hours of the accident. Do not delay seeing your doctor and keep track of your medical expenses, including bills for medicines, physical therapy, medical care, etc. Depending on the severity, you may be entitled to additional compensation for pain and suffering.
If the accident cost you some lost wages, take those into account as well. In short, you should keep track of all your financial losses and hold on to any documentation that can help prove your personal injury claim. Failure to report the debt you have incurred from the accident may result in an underpayment. It is your responsibility to provide your Houston car accident lawyer with all your evidence after the accident.
Types of Injuries Sustained by Rear-End Accident Victims
Most Houston rear-end accidents do not result in serious injuries, but things can go from bad to catastrophic injuries sooner than expected. What are the most common symptoms of rear-end accident injuries suffered by victims?
A soft tissue injury can be sustained from car jolt, often called whiplash. Blows to the head (traumatic brain injury) and spinal cord injury can cause long-lasting, debilitating pain or paralysis, sometimes even concussions (brain injury). You can also receive damage to the neck. It is even possible to expect that there will be broken bones as a result of an accident. The extent of car accident injuries will be a result of the factors and severity of the crash. Additional medical care may be needed to help you through your recovery such as pain management.
Internal injuries often go undetected until it is too late. The importance of seeking medical attention after an automobile collision is necessary to ensure that there are no further injuries to the brain, or worse, injuries that result in death. If a loved one has died as a result of a rear-end collision with someone aggressive behind the wheel, they may be entitled to wrongful death damages.
Sometimes the physical pain is severe enough to keep you from working for a couple of days, even a week. Any liquidation claim will take it into account. Accident attorneys handle insurance companies and will make sure you are receiving a fair settlement amount for your injuries. Chronic pain is not something that shows up on a test, so insurance companies try to deny accident victims these types of compensation.
If a child was sitting in the car when the accident occurred, they may be more injured than you by the sudden impact. Children can even suffer from whiplash, just like an adult. In these types of collisions, rear seat passengers often face serious damage and a longer recovery time.
As the victim, there is nothing worse than being denied compensation for your injuries by an insurance company. Accident lawyers do not take "no" for an answer. They will go to trial if it means getting the necessary compensation for their medical bills. Money doesn't grow on trees and your medical bills don't pay for themselves, so after a car accident, you'll need to make sure your insurance claims and lawsuit are taken seriously, which are handled by an accident attorney. of Houston's rear blows.
Demand compensation for rear-end accidents
Once everything else has been taken care of, you should approach the negligent driver's insurance company unless it was a hit-and-run accident, in which case you will need to visit your own insurance provider. In either case, you will need to present all the details to the company and seek fair and meaningful reimbursement for your common and even catastrophic injuries.
If the insurance adjuster is uncooperative with you, say nothing (your words and actions can be used against you), instead walk away and let your personal injury attorney handle it. Your Texas attorneys will have Keep the following in mind when demanding common types of financial compensation for your losses:
- All your medical expenses and proof of your medical care
- Any loss of income that resulted from the crash
- Reimbursement for any property damage to your vehicle during the accident.
- Compensation for pain and suffering or other personal injury damages arising from factors presented in testimony, discovery, and litigation if necessary
- Any punitive damages awarded by the jury (if things go to court), but keep in mind that punitive damages are not a guarantee, even if you are before the judge or jury
On average, claims from these accidents can net people around $15,000 in Texas personal injury claims per individual and $5,000 in property damage. But the amount can be much higher for serious accident claims. Also, rear-end accident claims don't take long to settle, if the insurer cooperates, she'll get reimbursed from her sooner than expected.
How a Houston Kick Back Accident Lawyer Makes a Difference
Involving attorneys is imperative to the success of your personal injury claim in your efforts to secure fair financial compensation that can help you get back on track after all you've been through due to someone's negligence. Insurance companies often avoid paying a fair amount, they can use any technicality, even a minor one, to pay less than you deserve or not at all. You deserve maximum compensation.
Therefore, having attorneys is essential to obtain legitimate reimbursement for the severity of your injuries from the accident. Your lawyer can carry out investigations. They can search for additional witnesses, look at the accident scene, and much more. Testimony may be used in the litigation process as necessary to show that the at-fault party is responsible.
Additionally, a personal injury claim attorney will explain your legal rights, help solidify your claim by filling any gaps with independent research, give you a better estimate of your compensation amount, and most of all: represent your case in front of the insurance company, and if necessary, in a court of law.
Therefore, if negotiations fail, which is more often than not, your Texas accident lawyers will take your fight to the appropriate court for trial and get you a fair sum.
The Calhoun Meredith Law Firm
Most people falsely assume that rear-end accidents are not a big deal. Things can turn ugly and what may be nothing more than a mild case most of the time can become a source of excruciating pain and agony. No one should have to go through such a big deal on their own. Our experienced car accident attorneys handle many types of collisions and discuss settlement negotiations with insurance companies.
The worst thing about auto accident settlements is that the insurance companies try to find ways to avoid paying you the amount you need. Despite months of recovery, you may be faced with having your claim denied on the grounds of a stipulation within an auto insurance policy.
Whether it is a minor accident or a serious one, you should contact a team of experienced personal injury attorneys to step in and handle insurance adjusters, they are experienced enough to do so. The Calhoun Meredith Law Firm has a long history of serving clients from all walks of life to obtain the compensation they deserved for their losses and medical bills after an auto collision.
Just give us a call, the consultation is free, and you don't have to pay us upfront either, as we work on a contingency fee basis. No matter what your situation is, we will work hard to get you a fair settlement in Houston, Texas.
Victims of rear-end accidents have the right to hold the negligent party responsible for their injuries. As your Houston car accident lawyers , we will make sure that the responsible party is obligated to pay you and thus get you justice. We will review your police accident report and your unpaid bills, and see if we can help you on the road to financial recovery .
