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.
Fortunately, you may be entitled to receive compensation. Our Pine Island car accident lawyer at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law is ready to provide passionate legal advocacy to help you receive the financial recovery you deserve. We assist clients who have been involved in car accidents in the Pine Island area.
What To Do After a Car Accident in Pine Island, 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 from your accident, you should receive medical attention right away. However, whether 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 will 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 probably 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 every single item 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 Car Accident Attorney in Pine Island
As soon as you are able, contact a car accident lawyer. An attorney can answer all your questions and gather the necessary information to create a plan. After a car accident, time is a critical factor. Consult with a lawyer immediately. Our firm, like most other personal injury law firms, offer free consultations. We take pride in our ability to be extremely efficient with your time–and achieving as much as possible during the first conversation with you.
How a Pine Island 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 Take Care of All Aspects of Your Claim
Once you have hired an attorney, they will start working on your case. Your lawyer will take care of everything, from start to finish, including . . .
- Investigating
- Collecting evidence
- Communicating with insurance companies
- Participating in settlement negotiations
- If necessary, filing a lawsuit.
Your attorney will begin by gathering as much information about your case as possible. This includes all information related to the nature, extent and cause of your injuries and a determination of fault in the underlying accident. This includes:
- Medical bills
- Medical treatment history
- Police reports
- Surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- Photos.
Your attorney will then likely issue a demand for the insurer of the liable person (in a case involving a car accident, this would be the car insurance company for the driver who was at fault).
Your attorney will review the initial demand and make a recommendation on how to respond. The initial settlement offer is rarely the final one. Keep in mind that an attorney will not accept a settlement until they have a complete understanding of your injuries and losses, including any future medical care and how your injuries may affect your ability to work.
After settlement negotiations, if your attorney is still unable to negotiate a fair amount, your attorney will file a lawsuit. You will be advised about your options when there is a personal injury settlement impasse.
Your lawyer will keep you informed and answer any questions. Your car accident lawyer will do everything possible to ensure you get the best outcome and maximum compensation.
Your Lawyer Will Help Fight for Your Right to Compensation
Along the way, there will probably be pushback and challenges on the route to compensation. Nonetheless, your attorney is experienced and knows how to handle these scenarios. Your Pine Island car accident lawyer at Terry Bryant will work tirelessly to get you the financial recovery you need while you worry about your physical recovery.
Why You Should Consult with Our Pine Island Car Accident Attorney
Not all car accident lawyers serving Pine Island (and other areas of Houston) 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 experienced and determined attorneys to get you the resolution you seek.
We Are Very Familiar with the Pine Island, TX, Area
Pine Island, Texas is located in the Houston metropolitan area. Terry Bryant Accident & Injury has a plethora of resources to investigate any serious motor vehicle accident in Pine Island. We are eager to share our knowledge and experience with you.
Commonly Asked Questions 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 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 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 weighed to determine the worth of your car accident claim.
Not every car accident case goes to court. Insurance adjusters often try to settle as quickly as possible (often before claimants have a chance to seek legal counsel). Once our firm is hired and after we understand the severity of your injuries and what to expect in the future, we will initiate 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 be prepared to help you all the way through trial.
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.
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 probably 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 Pine Island Today
There are a multitude of reasons to consult with a car accident lawyer serving the Pine Island 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 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 ]