How Can A Dallas Car Accident Attorney Protect Your Injury Claim?
If you have been severely injured in a car crash caused by the negligence of others, you should take legal guidance. A proficient Dallas car accident Lawyer will thoroughly investigate your case and work to help you attain potential compensation. At Khattar Law, providing dependable and committed representation in all kinds of accident cases is our mission.
Common Types of Auto Accident Cases in Dallas
Some of the most common causes of car crashes are distracted driving, driving under the influence (DWI), speeding, texting while driving, and other violations of traffic rules.
Some drivers also avoid using safety gadgets which can lead to catastrophic injuries to other drivers and passengers. At Khattar Law, we can handle the following auto accident cases:
- Drunk driving or hit and run car wrecks
- Uninsured or under-insured motorist collisions
- Car wrecks involving pedestrians, runners, or bicyclists
- Motorcycle accidents
- Semi-truck accidents
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- Out-of-state motorist injuries or property claims
- Disputes with insurance carriers
- Wrongful death
Motor vehicle accidents can happen anytime and are common on the streets of Dallas. An experienced Dallas car accident attorney can provide you with more accurate information for your specific case and instruct you on how to proceed
What Average Settlement Can You Recover From a Car Accident?
Damages indicate the injured victim’s losses. The reimbursement is awarded for the injuries and damages through the settlement amount or after a judgment. The damages include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic damages are the damages that can be numerically estimated. Some of them are as follows:
- Medical Treatment Bills: It includes expenses for surgeries, rehabilitation, disability, treatment, and other costs of past and future medical bills.
- Lost Wages: It may happen that due to serious injuries, you may be unable to go to work. This will lead to a loss of income till the time you recover from your injuries. The settlement amount will include lost wages also.
- Loss of potential to earn in the future: If the injured victim becomes disabled or suffers from long-term damage, they may be unable to earn in the future. The compensation may include payment of lost future earnings.
- Property Damage: Car collisions may cause severe damage to your car and other belongings such as mobile phones or laptops. The reimbursement includes all this as well.
Non-economic damages are the non-monetary damages that cannot be calculated such as mental anguish, emotional trauma, pain, and suffering. Punitive damages are awarded in special cases when the negligent party is punished for their actions.
With the help of legal professionals, many claimants can optimize their claims. Medical professionals can analyze and present necessary evidence, while accident investigators can determine the precise details of the crash scene.
Do’s and Don’ts After A Dallas Auto Accident
It is important to have a deep understanding of what to do and what not to do after facing a car crash. Let’s take a rundown of some of the most important do’s and don’ts.
| No. | Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Go for medical treatment immediately whether you may have suffered from minor or major injuries. | Do not reveal anything on social media. It may complicate the matter. |
| 2 | Call 911 for emergency services such as filing a police report or getting medical help. | Call 911 for emergency services such as filing a police report or getting medical help. |
| 3 | Gather the witness’s information and driver’s license number of the at-fault party, along with their vehicle number and insurance details. | Do not accept the settlement amount given by the insurance company. |
| 4 | Capture pictures of your injuries and damaged vehicles. | Do not reveal all the information to the insurance adjuster. You must only state the important facts. |
| 5 | Try to take notes of everything about the accident. It may help you in the future to file a claim. | Do not sign any agreement before consulting with your lawyer. |
| 6 | Speak with a car accident lawyer who can suggest the right way to proceed. | Do not give any recorded statement to the police officials or insurance carrier representatives. |
Memorizing all these points may help you to combat the traumatic repercussions that you can face after a car collision. Once you take the first step to recovery by getting legal help, you can get the answers to all your questions.
How Much Time Do You Have To File An Accident Claim In Dallas?
If you are injured in a car collision, you need to file an injury claim as soon as possible. There is a limitation of time for filing the lawsuit. In Texas, the time limit for filing an injury claim is 2 years from the date when the accident took place.
However, filing a claim in time can be easily done with the guidance of a resourceful Dallas car accident lawyer. There are also some possible exceptions to the typical statute of limitations. Under these exceptions, the injured victim(s) get an extension for filing a lawsuit.
Some of the exceptions are:
- If the car wreck involves a child who is under 18 years of age, the time limit is on hold. This time is extended to when the plaintiff reaches 18 years old.
- In case the plaintiff is mentally or physically impaired, they are given more time to file the lawsuit. The time is extended until the person becomes mentally fit enough to file the injury claim.
- If the other party is at fault, there is a discovery rule that applies. This rule says that the time frame of 2 years will begin only when you know the facts of the case. For example, when you find out that the other party’s negligence caused the accident.
What Insurance Claim Process Should You Follow?
It is important to bring the accident case in front of the insurance providers. If you are not the one at fault in a car crash, then the wreck must be reported to the insurance provider of the party at fault. All the necessary information must be provided to the insurance carrier including medical records, the severity of the injuries, and information about the accident. This can and should be reviewed by an experienced Dallas car accident lawyer.
The insurance adjuster will conduct a thorough investigation of the injury claim. In this step, it may be required to give in more details, including photos of the accident scene, witnesses’ names, police report copies, and other evidence. There can be a separate medical examination that may be conducted by a doctor chosen by the insurance representative.
All the details submitted will determine the actual value of your claim. Finally, it is up to you and your attorney whether to accept the settlement amount given by the insurance company or decline the offer.
Who Is Liable After A Car Collision?
Insurance coverage will apply to the driver as well as to the vehicle. A car owner will not be held liable for the car crash if a friend, borrower, or family member was operating the vehicle. However, the insurance coverage will provide some coverage for the individual who was driving the car.
The car owner’s insurance policy will act as the coverage for the injured victim’s damages that can be recoverable. The secondary coverage is provided by the insurance of the driver. Suppose, the car owner has insurance of $25,000 and the injured victim’s expenses are $30,000. Then, the remaining $5,000 will be provided by the driver’s liability insurance.
In cases when the car owner caused the accident due to negligence, they will be held responsible for the compensation. It includes medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. A Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer can guide you in determining liability.
What Are The Insurance Requirements In Texas?
Drivers in Texas are required to have minimum liability insurance coverage. The liability limit is $30,000 for every injured victim, $60,000 for an accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This is popularly known as 30/60/25 coverage. According to Texas law, there is personal injury protection (PIP) insurance that can be accepted or declined by the waiver.
The insurance carriers generally provide an amount of $2,500 as PIP coverage. However, the amount may vary depending on the severity of the accident. PIP comes under a no-fault policy, which means you will be given insurance for the injuries whether you were at fault or not. The PIP insurance coverage covers all the medical expenses, 80% of lost income, and other costs linked with the car wreck.
Apart from PIP coverage, there is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that is also provided. This will safeguard you in case you meet with an accident where the driver does not have insurance. There is collision coverage and comprehensive coverage also provided.
Texas Auto Accidents: A Striking Trend
- In Texas highways, auto accidents are quite common.
- Despite being careful while driving, other drivers and vehicles on the road can cause accidents.
- It is reported that nearly 1 in every 7 drivers in Texas do not have an auto insurance policy. This makes uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage and personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage especially important.
As per the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), there were 551,971 crashes in 2016, a shocking number of fatalities. The economic loss over the years between 2003 to 2021 has been increasing. There was an increase of 15.22% in the number of deaths reported at 4,489 in 2021 as compared to 3896 reported in 2020.
Need Legal Help? Contact A Dallas Car Accident Lawyer at Khattar Law
Our Dallas Car Accident Attorneys have been helping claimants since 1991. They are committed to assisting clients to attain fair compensation, and our professionals take many cases to trial.
By representing your case in court, we can increase the likelihood of obtaining deserving compensation for your losses. We have the experience and track record that claimants need for a serious car accident case. Call 210-923-1234 and discuss your case today.