In 2022, there were over 643,000 motor vehicle accidents in Texas alone. Some of these accidents were fairly minor, while others caused great injury and forever changed the lives of those involved in the crash. Car accidents affect your life in a number of ways, but there’s no question that the financial strain can be considerable.
This is only exacerbated when one of the parties involved in the accident refuses to cooperate. That’s why it’s important to know when to call a lawyer after a car accident. Here are a few of the instances in which you may need legal support to help you get the compensation you deserve:
When There Are Serious Injuries
Car accidents vary in terms of severity. Some are a simple fender bender – you get a bit of a pain in your neck or knee that quickly goes away. Others may lead to more serious injuries. Injuries that can leave you disabled for the rest of your life. Injuries that eventually prove fatal.
You may need more than just the initial medical bills covered in these cases. You may incur long-term rehabilitation costs or you may be unable to work the way you once did due to a disability. If there is a wrongful death, you will need to cover funeral expenses and have certain non-economic damages – such as loss of companionship or consortium. All of these added damages make the insurance matter more complex, and it helps to have an attorney to represent you in these matters.
When Fault Is In Dispute
In an ideal car accident scenario, the driver at fault immediately admits to their fault, both drivers swap insurance information, and the insurance company pays out. But fault is not always so clear cut, and the other driver might not be as willing to own up to their fault. If either the other driver or the insurance company try to dispute fault or pin fault on you unjustly, you may need a personal injury lawyer to go to bat for you.
When the Insurance Company Acts Unfairly
Then again, sometimes the other driver is willing to pay, but not their insurance company. The insurance company may deny a perfectly valid claim or may try to push the blame onto you. Remember that insurance companies are businesses and they have their own interests. Their main goal is to pay out as little as possible, regardless of what you need. This is why you may need a car or truck accident lawyer to fight your case.
Car accident lawyers are skilled negotiators and advocators who know how to go up against insurance adjusters. Without an attorney, the insurance company can easily twist your words and your story in order to discredit you and get out of paying. Your attorney can make sure they stick to the facts and that you get the compensation you deserve.
Assistance With Severe Damages in a Car Accident
In the aftermath of a car crash, there are two types of damages: economic and noneconomic. Economic damages cover issues such as:
- Medical costs
- Funeral expenses
- Lost wages
- Disability
Non-economic damages are made to compensate you for the emotional impact the accident may have had on your life. This may include:
- Pain and suffering or emotional distress. If the accident has left you traumatized, it can change the way you interact with people and live your life. For instance, consider someone who – after a bad car accident – might be afraid to drive a car anymore. This could impact their ability to go to work, to meet up with friends, or to buy groceries. You may need to speak with a therapist to help you cope with your trauma after an accident.
- Loss of companionship, society, or consortium. These are generally applied to a wrongful death situation in which you lose a spouse, partner, or loved one. Another example, however, could be an accident victim who is comatose in the aftermath of the accident. Although they are still alive, their loved ones are deprived of their society and company.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. An accident could severely change the way you live your life. Sometimes, as mentioned under pain and suffering, this could be emotional. In other cases, it might be because of a physical disability. If your accident deprives you of the ability to enjoy your life the way you once did, you may be entitled to damages.
In some cases where gross negligence is found or wrongful death is committed, the court may also award punitive damages as a punishment to the defendant. A personal injury attorney can help you sort through which damages apply to your case.
What To Do After a Car Accident
After a car accident, the first thing you need to take care of is your own health. Call 911 and take care of any immediate medical needs if you are injured. You will want to exchange insurance information with the other driver, unless the accident was a hit and run and the driver is no longer present. Once you’ve done so, take pictures of the scene, of your injuries, and of any damage to your vehicle.
Next, hire a car crash lawyer from Tijerina Legal Group, PC to help you file and through an insurance claim. Even in the case of a hit-and-run, your attorneys can hire investigators and work to track down the driver and take witness statements so that you get your financial recovery. Your car accident lawyer in McAllen, TX can handle any negotiations with the other side and offer you legal advice when it comes to deciding whether to take your case to trial or settle.
Hurt in a car accident and need legal support to get the financial compensation you deserve? Tijerina Legal Group has helped thousands of clients in the Rio Grande Valley area and we’re here to help you. Contact us today to learn more about our services or schedule a free consultation. If we don’t win your case, you don’t have to pay us.
