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 lawyer serving the La Porte area is ready to provide exceptional legal advocacy to help you receive the financial recovery you deserve. Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law will deliver the best level of service for your case, as our team has extensive experience with claims in La Porte.
What To Do After a Car Accident in La Porte, 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 will receive medical attention right away. However, whether or not you believe you’ve been injured, it is highly recommended you seek additional medical care.
Oftentimes, you may think you were not injured, but some injuries take time to surface. Medical attention from a healthcare professional may shed some light on your injuries and their severity.
Once you are aware of the extent of your injuries, you can begin treatment. Keep in mind your medical records will also play an important role in your claim.
Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
Once you are under the care of a doctor, it is important to attend all appointments and follow the recommendations for care. If you plan to bring a car accident claim against the driver who hit you, you must follow the instructions for care from your doctor.
If you miss appointments or fail to follow through on physical therapy work, the insurance company may say that your injuries are not as serious as you are claiming. It may try to use this information to reduce or deny the amount of your claim.
If you are unsure about your doctor’s orders, or if you believe your doctor is misdiagnosing you, our La Porte car accident lawyer can help you find another doctor for a second opinion. This is a far better choice than simply skipping doctors’ appointments or ignoring care instructions.
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 anything you believe may be important and useful for your claim. Understandably, this may not be possible. If you have injuries that leave you unable to collect this information, do not force it or delay receiving medical care to try to gather evidence. Law enforcement officers should take a full report at the accident scene, giving our La Porte car accident lawyers the information we need to bring the car accident claim on your behalf.
When you collect the information yourself, it simply allows our car accident attorneys serving La Porte, TX to begin working on your case faster. But if you need to ride to the hospital in an ambulance because of the severity of your injuries, this is far more important. After a crash, your health and recovery are always the primary focus of the team at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law.
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 Car Accident Lawyer in La Porte
Consulting with a car accident lawyer in La Porte, TX 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 Porte 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 Competently 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 Porte car accident attorney will work diligently to get you the financial recovery you need while you worry about your physical recovery.
We Know the La Porte Area, Which Helps Us Gather the Key Facts
As we are investigating your car accident, we need to gather facts that show why the other driver is responsible for your injuries. Because our team understands the La Porte, TX area, we know how to build your case, no matter whether your accident occurred on I-10, I-45, State Highway 146, or any of the other highways near La Porte.
We understand that roads in the La Porte area are busy. With a steadily growing population now estimated at about 35,000 residents and with extensive traffic in the area from Houston, the Bayport Industrial District, and the Battleground Industrial District, the chances of a La Porte resident being involved in an accident are higher than in more rural areas of Texas.
Why You Should Consult with Our La Porte Car Accident Attorney
Not all car accident lawyers serving La Porte 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.
Commonly Asked Questions After a Car Accident
What Type of Compensation Is Available After a Car Accident?
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 only assessed 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 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 attempt to settle your claim. 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 represent you at all stages.
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 applicable to car accidents is two years from the date of the accident (TX C.P.R. §16.003). For the statute of limitations that apply to your potential claim(s), and to find out other critical deadlines, you must always speak directly with an attorney. 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 Lawyers Serving La Porte Today
There are a multitude of reasons to consult with our car accident attorneys in the La Porte 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.
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 ]