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. A La Marque car accident lawyer at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law is ready to provide exceptional legal advocacy to help you receive the financial recovery you deserve. Our team helps clients throughout Galveston County.
What to Do After a Car Accident in La Marque, TX
After a collision you may feel shaken and unsure of what to do next. It is important to keep in mind that what you do following your accident can affect your claim.
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.
Seek Medical Care
If you sustain injuries after your accident, you should receive medical attention right away. However, whether or not you believe you’ve been injured, it is highly recommended that you seek medical care.
You may think you were not injured, but some injuries take time to surface. Medical attention from a healthcare professional may shed light on your injuries and their severity.
Once you are aware of the extent of your injuries, you can begin treatment. Keep in mind that your medical records will likely play an important role in 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.
Avoid Speaking to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
After a car accident, you can likely expect the other driver’s insurer to contact you. They will want to ask questions and get your side of the story. You must not speak to them, as they will try to use what you say against you. Insurance companies are always looking for ways to limit their liability and avoid paying—do not give them any information without first talking to your attorney.
Consult with a Local Car Accident Attorney serving La Marque
Consulting with a car accident attorney with experience in your area can help give you the peace of mind you need. Your lawyer will ask all the right questions, answer any questions you may have, and give you an idea of what your ideal next steps should be.
How a La Marque Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Your Lawyer Will be Your Best Ally
It is common to feel lost and stressed after a car accident. From beginning to end, your attorney will work with you to provide the best legal representation. You can feel confident knowing your lawyer has your best interests at heart.
Your Attorney Will Handle Your Claim
Your lawyer will have many tasks on the path to getting you the most favorable outcome. Some of these important tasks include:
- Thoroughly investigating your claim
- Compiling relevant evidence
- Communicating with the insurance companies
- Engaging in settlement negotiations on your behalf
- Filing a lawsuit, if needed
- Answering your questions and keeping you updated along the way.
Your lawyer will go the extra mile to get you the financial compensation you deserve after your accident.
Your Lawyer Will Help Fight for Your Right to Compensation
Along the way, there will likely be pushback and challenges on the route to compensation. Nonetheless, your attorney is experienced and knows how to handle these scenarios. Your La Marque car accident lawyer will work diligently to get you the financial recovery you need while you worry about your physical recovery.
Why You Should Consult with Our La Marque Car Accident Attorney
Not all car accident lawyers serving Galveston County are the same. At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we try to set ourselves apart from the competition. We provide you with the compassion and understanding needed during a trying time. Our firm also aims to provide top-quality customer service and legal representation, from inception to completion.
Whether your case settles or needs to see the inside of a courtroom, you can trust our skilled and determined attorneys to get you the resolution you seek.
We Are Highly Familiar with the La Marque, Texas, Area
Like many communities in Greater Houston, La Marque has experienced significant population growth since 2000. Available affordable, quality housing has enticed many new residents to relocate from larger communities. However, unlike other towns in Southeast Texas, La Marque has little room to grow. It’s completely surrounded by Texas City, Hitchcock, and other towns. As a result, La Marque has an unusually high population density. That means more traffic on local roads and limited visibility because of more cars parked on the street.
Compounding these issues, La Marque is at the intersection of three major regional throughways: the Gulf Freeway (Interstate 45), Highway 6, and Highway 146. These straight freeways were designed to move as many cars as possible as quickly as possible. Excessive speed is one of the leading causes of vehicle collisions in Texas.
If you suffer an injury because of the negligence of another driver, count on the team at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law to understand the nuances of the road system in La Marque. We have experience representing clients in La Marque in many different types of car collision cases.
Commonly Asked Questions After a Car Accident
What Type of Compensation Is Available After a Car Accident?
Compensation in a car crash case usually begins with medical bills. The average hospital stay costs almost $4,000 per day. At that rate, the medical bills pile up quickly. Ancillary medical expenses, like prescription drugs and transportation, could be almost as high. Additionally, most victims cannot work for several weeks or months.
Under Texas law, accident victims are also entitled to compensation for their noneconomic losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium (companionship)
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment in life.
Financial compensation cannot possibly make up for these losses. It’s impossible to put a price tag on something like emotional well-being. However, money damages are the only remedy available. Additionally, compensation for these losses makes life more bearable for victims.
Additional punitive damages are sometimes available in extreme cases, like when a drunk driver with a very high BAC level causes a fatal accident. Galveston County jurors may award these damages if there is clear and convincing evidence that the tortfeasor (negligent party) intentionally disregarded a known risk. A punitive damages cap may apply in some cases.
Damages can be challenging to calculate, but your experienced car accident attorney will determine the fairest amount of compensation owed to you.
How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth?
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 weighed to determine the worth of your car accident claim.
Will My Case Go to Court?
Not every car accident case goes to court. Your attorney will typically attempt to settle your claim through negotiations. However, if a settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer may need to file a lawsuit to help collect compensation on your behalf. If your case cannot be settled, then it may go to trial.
Whether your case settles out of court or goes to trial, your attorney will zealously represent you.
What If I Am Found to Be Partially at Fault?
Texas operates under a modified comparative fault standard. This law dictates that a person who is more than 50% at fault for their accident cannot recover compensation. However, a person less than 50% at fault is still eligible to recover for their accident. A complete investigation will help determine who is truly responsible for the accident and to what degree.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit?
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. §16.003). *Always speak directly to an attorney for the exact deadlines that apply to your potential 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 La Marque Today
There are a multitude of reasons to consult with a car accident lawyer serving Galveston County as quickly as you can. Aside from the peace of mind having an attorney will give you, it will also help you receive fair compensation.
Contact Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law today at (713) 973-8888 to schedule 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 ]
