Car accidents happen every single day. After an accident, you may be left injured and experiencing financial difficulty. A car accident can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health, and these impacts may last for an extended period of time.
Fortunately, you may be entitled to receive compensation. Our car accident lawyers serving Fifth Street and the surrounding areas are ready to provide exceptional legal advocacy to help you receive the financial recovery you deserve.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Fifth Street
After a Fifth Street car accident, you may be unsure of what your next steps should be. Following these steps can help make sure that your accident claim can go as smoothly as possible.
Call 911
Once you’ve assessed any potential injuries, be sure to call 911 and request police and medical assistance. Police officers dispatch to the scene of the accident to collect information which is eventually compiled into a police report.
Get Medical Treatment
Even if you don’t think you have been injured in the accident, you should still get medical attention. Injuries can take some time to surface and you want to make sure you have proper documentation for your claim. Even something that seems like a minor injury can turn into a more serious injury down the road. Receiving prompt medical attention will be even more important if you are injured in the crash. Once you know more about your injuries you can start treatment – eventually leading to medical records that help prove your injuries resulting from the crash. These records can be very important to your claim.
Gather Information and Evidence
As soon as possible after your accident, try to gather any information possible. This can include:
- Photos and videos at the scene of the accident
- The other driver’s contact and insurance information
- Witness contact information.
Document everything you believe may be important and useful for your claim.
Report Your Accident to Your Insurance Company
Car insurance companies expect to be made aware of any pertinent information regarding your vehicle, car accidents included. Contact your insurance company as quickly as possible to inform them of your accident.
Speak with a Fifth Street Car Accident Attorney
Consulting with a car accident attorney serving your area will help let you know how to proceed with your case. Your lawyer will answer questions you have about your accident and ask questions in order to learn more about your unique case. Once a lawyer has an idea of your case you can learn more about the next steps. It’s important to speak with a car accident lawyer serving the Fifth Street area before you speak with anyone else involved in the case, especially the other driver’s insurance company. Insurance companies want to avoid paying and will do anything to avoid paying. Giving them information can make your case more difficult. Insurance companies will try to contact you to get your side of the story. Before giving them any details about the case, speak with a lawyer.
How a Fifth Street Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
A car accident can become an overwhelming event in a person’s life. Not only are you trying to deal with the physical pain and injuries from the crash, but you also have to worry about dealing with insurance companies and potentially going to court. There is no reason why you should attempt to go at it alone.
Fortunately, there is help available. A Fifth Street car accident lawyer can guide you through every step of the process, providing legal advice and support throughout. Here’s how they can help:
- Free consultation. The first thing many people want after an accident is information about their legal rights, as well as guidance on what steps they should take next. A knowledgeable car accident attorney will provide a free consultation so that you can get all your questions answered without having to worry about cost.
- Investigating the accident. After you’ve been in an accident, it’s important to have an attorney who will investigate and gather evidence to build a strong case on your behalf. This includes talking to witnesses, reviewing police reports, and more.
- Dealing with insurance companies. Insurance companies are often more interested in their bottom line than they are in providing fair compensation for car accident victims. An experienced car accident lawyer knows how to negotiate with insurance companies to get you the best possible settlement.
- Going to court (if necessary). In some cases, insurance companies will not offer a fair settlement or may refuse to pay any compensation at all. If this happens, your car accident attorney will be prepared to take your case to court and fight for the compensation you deserve.
We Know the Fifth Street Area
We know the Fifth Street area. We know that it’s a busy place with a lot of traffic. And we know that there are a lot of accidents that happen on Fifth Street and at the intersections that cross the city.
So, what can you do to avoid being in an accident in Fifth Street? First, pay attention to the road and the other drivers around you. If you see someone who isn’t paying attention or who looks like they might be about to cause an accident, be extra careful. Also, be sure to obey the speed limit and all traffic laws.
If you do find yourself in an accident on Fifth Street, don’t panic. Stay calm and call for help right away. We know the Fifth Street area and we’re here to help you if you need us. Be safe out there!
Commonly Asked Questions After a Fifth Street Car Accident
Our Fifth Street Car Accident Lawyer Answers Common Questions
Generally, there are two main categories of damages for car accident cases: compensatory and punitive damages. Compensatory damages aim to compensate you for your losses. They can be economic or non-economic in nature.
Economic damages are those directly related to your accident. They can include:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages.
Non-economic damages are also related to your accident but may be a little more difficult to quantify. These include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Loss of consortium.
Punitive damages are special damages assessed only in certain cases. These damages are used to punish and deter when a defendant’s extremely negligent behavior caused you harm.
Damages can be challenging to calculate, but your experienced Fifth Street car accident attorney will determine the fairest amount of compensation owed to you.
There is no “average” car accident settlement amount. Because every car accident claim is different, there are certain factors used to determine how much your case would be worth.
These factors can include:
- The severity of injuries sustained
- The total cost of medical expenses
- The amount of property damage
- The total amount of lost wages
- Whether your actions contributed to your accident.
These and other details are evaluated to determine the worth of your car accident claim.
There is no straightforward answer to this question. Many times insurance companies will want to work outside the courtroom in settlements because they know if the case goes to court, they will have to pay more. Insurance companies will hold off for as long as they can before paying out a claim. If the first offer is not enough, do not sign anything until discussing the offer with your Fifth Street car accident lawyers. Once the paperwork is signed, you are admitting that you agree to the amount paid and there is no turning back to go after more money. The attorney will know how much to go after, so follow their advice. Many times, with a good attorney, you will get the best offer available and the case may not see the light of a courtroom. However, if the insurance company still thinks they can fight the claim, they will and the case will go to court.
There is a statute of limitations for car accident claims. A statute of limitations is a law imposing a strict time limit on a person’s ability to file a lawsuit. In Texas, the general statute of limitations for car accidents is two years from the date of the accident (TX C.P.R.C. §16.003). (Always speak directly to an attorney to understand the exact deadlines that apply to your specific claim(s).) If you fail to file your lawsuit within the time specified, you will likely lose your right to compensation.
Therefore, the sooner you begin working on your claim, the better.
Don’t Delay—Contact Our Car Accident Lawyer Serving Fifth Street Today
There are a multitude of reasons to consult with a car accident lawyer serving the Fifth Street, TX area as quickly as you can. Aside from the peace of mind having an attorney will give you, it will also give you the best possible chance at receiving fair compensation.
Call Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law today at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for your free case review.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]
