Hire A Texas Car Accident Attorney to Fight for You

Sadly, car accidents can turn your life upside down. The injuries from a car accident can cause mounting medical bills, disabilities, or even worse, the loss of a loved one. While you are dealing with all the pain and suffering, insurance companies are calling trying to settle quickly. Their goal is to get you to settle on their terms for the lowest amount possible. Adjusters and insurers have different procedures depending on whether the victim is represented by an attorney or not. The reality is that you will rarely a full recovery by trying to handle your claim alone. Don’t be a victim twice. Call Kirkpatrick Law Today. Eric can help you on your road to recovery and protect your financial future.

You may be shocked to learn that Texas hasn’t had a single day of zero road deaths since November 7, 2000. Stats show that someone is killed on Texas roads every 2 hours and 20 minutes. Also, someone gets injured nearly every 2 minutes. The total statewide number for annual crashes is over half a million. Unfortunately, Houston has the most car accident fatalities in the state.

WHEN YOU NEED A HOUSTON CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER, CALL KIRKPATRICK LAW

If you have suffered a severe injury or accident in Houston, we can help you. Please contact us online or call (713)-893-0305 for an immediate consultation with a Houston personal injury lawyer.

Kirkpatrick Law Can Help You With All Types Of Auto Accident Injuries

Not all auto accidents are the same. There can be a lot of variances depending on the size of the vehicles in the car wreck, driver’s distractions, and road conditions. Additionally, not all insurance coverages are the same. Due to these nuances handling a car collision claim can be difficult. This is why you want a lawyer that has been there before. You want a lawyer with experience. You want Kirkpatrick Law.

Our Law Firm is experienced in handling the following car accidents:

• Bicycle Accidents
• Broadside Collisions
• Distracted Driving Accidents
• Dram Shop Accidents
• Drunk Driving Accidents
• Head-on Collisions
• Hit and Run Accidents
• Motorcycle Collisions
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Running Stops Signs & Lights
• Single Car Accidents
• Speeding
• Texting and Driving
• Uber/Lyft or Rideshare Accidents
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Claims
• Unsafe Lane Changes

What Should I Do If I Am in A Car Accident?

Step 1. Make Sure Everyone Is Okay. No matter who is at fault for an accident, the first thing to do is ensure everyone’s safety. If you are able to move your vehicle aside, please do so to avoid your vehicle being hit by other cars in traffic. Safety is more important. Also, be very careful what say. You do not want to have any chance of or be construed as admitting guilt.

Step 2. Seek Medical Attention. Even if you are feeling okay; it is the best policy to still seek medical attention after an accident. You may not know the extent of your injuries. You may not even know that you have an injury. If you do have a car accident claim, medical records will go a long way in helping you recover. You will need medical records showing that you were injured and the amount you have spent on medical bills.

Step 3. Call Proper Authorities. It is always wise to involve the police even in a minor collision. You should always call 911 and get a police officer to come to the scene of the accident. This allows the police to conduct a thorough investigation of the accident. They will collect both the license and insurance information of the drivers involved. Furthermore, they will prepare a police report. It is also wise to get the police officer’s name and contact information because you may need it later.

Step 4. Collect the Other Driver’s Information. Always get the other driver’s insurance and contact information Moreover, if there are passengers, you should collect their contact information as well. Such information is important to your lawyer because he/she can reach out to get witness statements.

Step 5. Speak to Any Witnesses. If there are witnesses, it would be wise to collect their contact information if possible.

Step 6. Take Pictures. In today’s day and age, everyone has camera phones. Take as many pictures of the accident as possible. Remember, the images should be relevant to the accident. Doing this will greatly help your personal injury lawyer to recreate the accident scene.

Step 7. Obtain a copy of the police accident report. This report will give your attorney a great head start on your case

Step 8. Call a Car Accident Attorney. You need an accident attorney to receive the compensation you deserve. 

What Should I Photograph After an Auto Collision?

Take photos of everything involved in the car accident. Use your phone to take pictures of the following:

• The vehicles
• The defendant
• The other driver’s insurance card and driver’s license
• The police officer’s name and badge number
• License plates
• Business cards of the wrecker driver, witnesses, and officer

One of the best features of smartphones is having a quick way to document everything. From property damage to insurance cards, documenting each aspect of the accident can help ensure your financial future. Additionally, you should jot down in the notes section of your phone the name, address, and phone number of any eyewitnesses.

How Do I Know If I Have A Case?

Understanding if you have a case is based on 3 items. First, your attorney can let you know if you have enough damages to make your claim worthwhile. If your damages are small and without any injuries, it may be best to take a quick settlement. Yet, if you have been injured in a car wreck, then your claim may be worth pursuing.

The next item to consider is rather the defendant has resources. If there’s an insurance company involved, there’s a good chance you can recover. However, if the suit is against an individual, your attorney is going to want to know if they have assets. 

Lastly, you need to determine if you can prove liability. If there is no evidence to support your claim, your lawyer will have a hard time proving fault. There has to be sufficient facts and evidence to prove that the other party was responsible for your injuries.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

In Texas, the statute of limitations for a car collision is only two years. This means you have exactly two years from the date of your crash to file suit. If you don’t file within this period, your claim will be barred.

That said it is never a good idea to wait until the last minute to file a claim. Lots can happen with time. Evidence can go missing, finding witnesses can be more difficult, memories fade or get confused and crucial documents might go missing. If you had an auto accident injury you should talk with an attorney immediately. This way the evidence can be preserved and will give you the best chance for a successful outcome.

What Happens If I Am in An Accident with An Uninsured Driver?

If you have been injured in a car wreck with an uninsured motorist you may still have legal options. For example, there is the Letter of Protection.

Texas laws require financial responsibility from all motorists. This means that all drivers must carry the minimum amount of liability insurance. This insurance is to cover damages caused by their negligence. This amount was increased in 2019 from $25,000 to its current amount of $30,000 for each person.

While $30,000 may not be able to cover most damages and fully compensate the injured party, nevertheless, there is some money available. Even though there are laws, some people refuse to carry insurance. You may be able to go after the other party in a lawsuit if they have sufficient assets

However, there is another option. You may be able to issue a demand letter. Texas laws also require your insurance provider to offer you Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage. This law acts as a safeguard to protect victims of an accident from being left with no options after being injured. Since the law requires this coverage to be offered, the only way you will not have this coverage is if you specifically decline it in writing. If you did not submit any such rejection, there is a good chance you still have this coverage.

Your best option is to have an experienced attorney guide you and discuss all your legal options.

What Does a Lawyer Consultation for My Car Accident Cost?

At Kirkpatrick Law, we offer free consultations. That is, it costs nothing to speak with Eric about your case. He can explain to you your legal options.

At the end of your car accident consultation, if you decide not to hire us, you do not owe us a dime. If you do decide to hire us to be your car accident lawyer, we will work on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay if we don’t win. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery we make on your behalf. Call us at (713) 893-0305  or fill out our online form to set up your consultation today.