Do You Need a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident in Texas?

A fender bender or sideswipe accident may not be enough to leave you in traction, but it can derail your day. You might end up with serious aches and pains — and with a vehicle that doesn’t come out of the shop for weeks. Even so, there’s a common misconception that you don’t need a lawyer for minor car accident cases.

While these accidents seldom cause severe injuries, that doesn’t mean you should have to cover medical bills and car repairs resulting from someone else’s negligent behavior. Whiplash, sprains, strains, cuts, and bruises can occur in minor car accidents. Some even lead to severe injuries like broken bones, internal bleeding, or concussions.

When this happens, you need an experienced lawyer who will strategize to win you the compensation you deserve. At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we’re committed to providing the peace of mind you so desperately need after an accident. Don’t add to your stress by tangling with insurance companies. Let us take on that burden so you can get back to your life.

Serving residents of Houston and surrounding areas since 1985, Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law has recovered over $1 Billion dollars for injury victims seeking justice.

What Qualifies as a Minor Car Accident?

Differences Between Major and Minor Car Accidents

There’s no magical dividing line between a major and a minor car accident. How do you know if you’ve been in a minor car accident in Texas? It can be difficult to assess the relative severity of an accident, especially if you haven’t yet taken your car to a mechanic. However, there are some types of car accidents that are considered less serious.

A minor accident typically involves low-speed impacts of anywhere from a few miles per hour up to about 25 miles per hour. Often, the speed and force of impact aren’t enough to cause an airbag to deploy. Drivers involved in the accident might drive away from the scene with only cosmetic vehicle damage and mild injuries.

In contrast, major car accidents involve higher speeds. Airbags often deploy, and one or more vehicles are damaged enough to require towing. Injuries may be severe enough to require immediate medical attention and may even be life-threatening.

Benefits of Hiring a Texas Attorney for a Minor Car Accident

Professional Help to Protect Your Interests

Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and they don’t like to give money away. Even on small claims, they’ll look for any excuse to delay or deny payment.

An experienced attorney can help you go after fair compensation in various ways, starting by making sure the clock doesn’t run out on the statute of limitations to file a claim. Your attorney can offer guidance regarding legal procedures, help you set realistic goals for recovery, and collect the evidence needed to build a case.

The qualified and caring team at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law is pleased to provide exceptional legal support and representation that results in satisfied clients.

Establishing Fault

If another party is clearly at fault for an accident resulting in vehicle damage and injuries, shouldn’t it be easy to get compensation from their insurance company? Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. The at-fault driver may lie to their insurer and blame the accident on you. If you were the only two people at the scene, it could be a he-said-she-said situation. A police report might be inconclusive.

A lawyer with experience in such cases can help you find ways to establish fault, perhaps by scouting nearby businesses for security cameras that may have captured the incident. Or, they can help locate witnesses and obtain recorded statements of what they observed. Sending this new evidence to the police could result in an amended police report and, potentially, the correct assignment of fault. Establishing fault can help you gain leverage in settlement negotiations or in a lawsuit. Before all that, however, simply hiring a reputable attorney for a minor car accident in Texas could be enough to encourage an insurance company to settle.

Counteract Delay and Denial Tactics

Insurance companies are notorious for stall tactics, lowball settlement offers, denials based on technicalities, and other strategies designed to wear you down until you take a low offer or give up entirely. They’ll do almost anything to devalue your claim, and they have the resources to wait you out. An attorney with decades of experience has the knowledge and skills to counteract any tactic meant to deny you fair compensation.

Fight for Fair Compensation

Just because your Texas car accident was minor doesn’t mean you have no compensation claim. If you were injured through no fault of your own, the at-fault party is responsible for covering out-of-pocket costs like medical bills and vehicle repairs, along with other financial losses like lost wages. Non-economic factors may also be relevant, depending on the case. A qualified attorney with a proven track record of success in cases like yours can help you negotiate a fair settlement or build a strong case for trial.

If you were injured in an accident and the insurance company is giving you the runaround, call Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for a free and confidential case review.

Damages and Compensation

What to Expect After a Minor Car Accident in TX

Whether you suffer whiplash or a brain injury, you have the right to seek fair compensation for a car accident that wasn’t your fault. Under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, this could include economic damages to cover your financial losses (e.g. medical bills, lost wages). It might also include non-economic damages to compensate you for things like:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental and emotional anguish
• Disfigurement
• Physical impairment
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Inconvenience.

While major crashes are more likely to result in large awards for non-economic damages, it’s not unheard of for a minor car accident to cause mental and emotional trauma or result in a serious injury. A qualified lawyer can help you understand what damages you can seek in your case.

How to Choose the Right Attorney

When choosing a lawyer for a minor car accident in Texas, start by looking for a reliable professional who has experience in cases like yours and a reputation for excellence.

A lawyer who is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization has demonstrated their experience and their knowledge of the relevant laws. This gives them an advantage in negotiations. A proven commitment to fighting for the rights of injury victims is also ideal. Clear and responsive communication is important, as is transparency regarding fees.

Find Out How Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law Helps Clients Like You

You may not have the knowledge or resources available to fight an insurance giant after a minor car accident resulting in injuries. The capable and compassionate team at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law can take the burden off your shoulders with legal support and strategies that allow you to step back and focus on your recovery.

There’s no reason to fight insurance companies alone. Call Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for a free and confidential car accident case review.