Rear-End Accident Lawyers in Houston Can Help You Get Compensation
Rear-end accidents are one of the most common types of crashes. They can happen on any kind of road, at any speed, or when stopped at a light. They can cause serious, costly injuries, that can lead to permanent incapacitation and even death. Survivors may be left unable to work at a time that medical bills keep mounting.
If you or a loved one was injured or someone has died in a rear-end accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses through insurance or a lawsuit. Rear-end accidents are often preventable, and liability is typically very clear. If the driver behind you was following too closely and couldn’t stop before colliding with your vehicle for any reason, that driver is typically at fault for the accident and responsible for paying for your damages.
However, there are exceptions, and insurance companies and their attorneys will try to deny your claim, pay out as little as possible, or even find a way to blame you for the accident, so it is important that you contact an attorney as soon as possible to avoid costly mistakes.
At Terry Bryant Accident and Injury Law, we understand how devastating rear-end accidents can be. We have years of experience helping victims of rear-end collisions and can do the same for you.
Call us today at (713) 973-8888 to learn more about holding bad drivers accountable for your injuries.
Rear-End Accident Lawyers in Houston Determine Liability
When drivers fail to give a vehicle adequate space or don’t brake early enough to avoid a collision, they are responsible for that crash and, thus, legally liable for the costs of any injuries they cause. While other crash types might often require investigations to determine who was at fault, rear-end collisions are typically cut and dried when it comes to liability.
Just because you know who was responsible for the crash doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be given fair compensation. Unfortunately, it is common for the negligent driver’s insurance company to offer less than an injured person deserves, which is why an experienced personal injury attorney can provide some much-needed leverage.
Insurance companies have many tactics to lessen or deny payments to injured parties after a rear-end collision. From claiming that the injured person was responsible for a crash to simply making an offer well below the needs of the victim, these insurance companies rely on claimants’ accepting an offer without pushing back.
At the accident and injury law office of Terry Bryant, clients often come to us after being offered far less than the costs of their injuries. We know how to deal firmly with insurance companies to help get our clients’ recoveries. When you have us on your side, we will:
- Talk with you about how the accident happened, who the at-fault parties may be, and determine what your case should be worth
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence, such as from police, ambulance, and medical reports, and videos from traffic and surveillance cameras
- Interview witnesses, police officers, and first responders
- Handle all legal requirements, court appearances, and paperwork in a timely manner
- Hire experts to reconstruct the crash scene and testify on your behalf as to fault and the costs and effects of your injuries and the care you will require into the future
- Deal with insurance companies and negotiate for a fair settlement
- Build your case and take it to trial if necessary.
Don’t be taken advantage of by insurance companies that aren’t living up to their end of the bargain. Contact the accident and injury law office of Terry Bryant to schedule a free consultation with our rear-end accident lawyers in Houston, TX.
Rear-End Accident Attorneys Know Common Injuries
A rear-end collision can be devastating for an occupant of a struck vehicle. The force generated by these collisions can cause extensive injuries, including…
- Back or spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
- Neck injuries
- Soft-tissue damage
- Fractured hips, knees, vertebrae, ankles, wrists, etc.
- Internal injuries or organ damage
- Wrongful death.
These and many other injuries can occur in a single rear-end collision, resulting in costly medical treatment, among other consequences. Ideally, injured vehicle occupants would be offered adequate compensation by the driver who caused the rear-end crash. However, it’s sometimes necessary for an injured person to get the compensation they deserve by filing a personal injury claim.
Rear-end Accident Lawyers Can Help Through a Personal Injury Claim
Personal injury claims give injured people the chance to get the money they’re owed after a serious car accident. In a personal injury claim, the injured party seeks payment for the damages they’ve encountered, which includes…
- Medical expenses
- Lost past or future income
- Property damage
- Emotional or psychological pain and suffering.
In some cases, the threat of a personal injury lawsuit is enough to push an insurance company to give the claimant the money they deserve. In other cases, a claimant’s attorney will continue the fight into the courtroom to ensure their client gets payment.
Our Houston rear-end accident attorneys believe that it’s best to prepare every case to go to trial, even if the matter is settled before a trial. When we are thoroughly prepared, it means the other side knows we mean business and that we are always ready to go all the way for our clients.
Rear-End Accident Lawyers Must Prove Negligence
To win your case, our attorneys must prove that another party, the defendant in the case, was negligent and at fault for causing your injuries. Most of the time, the rear-ending driver is legally at fault. There are, however, scenarios in which the front driver could be at fault. Third parties may also share some of the liability.
Proving negligence legally means showing the following elements:
- Duty – The defendant had a duty of care not to harm you.
- Breach – The party breached that duty through actions or failure to act.
- Cause – This breach caused your injuries.
- Damages – You suffered damages as a result.
Since every driver has a duty to drive with reasonable care, they are required to keep enough distance behind the vehicle in front of it so that if the vehicle stops short, the driver can stop in time without striking the stopped vehicle. That means the driver who hit you from behind is almost always found negligent, and our rear-end attorney may be able to bring a motion before the court asking for a summary judgment. This would be an automatic decision that puts you in a favorable situation for a settlement.
Some crashes are further complicated because there may be multiple liable parties. In addition to the driver who rear-ended you, defendants may include:
- The vehicle or part manufacturer, if the car or its parts were defective and failed and caused a sudden stop
- A road maintenance company that left debris in a road
- A municipality that failed to fix road problems or post warning signs for hazardous conditions.
Our lawyers for truck accidents would look to name all possibly negligent parties as defendants in your lawsuit, as they all may have insurance and assets that can go toward a settlement. We know how to take depositions and carefully question defendants to prove fault and hold the negligent parties liable.
Rear-end Accident Attorneys Answer Frequently Asked Questions
After a rear-end accident, you are bound to have questions and concerns, and our attorneys are here to answer them. While the best way to get answers to your specific questions is through a free consultation, here are some answers to questions our clients often ask:
The less you say to an insurance adjuster, the better, as insurance companies will always try to get you to accept the lowest amount possible. They may use tactics such as offering you a quick lowball settlement in return for signing a release or attempt to trick you into saying something that can be used against you, such as admitting that you were partially at fault for the accident.
Tell the insurance adjuster to speak to your attorney, and let our rear-end accident lawyers handle all dealings and negotiations to fight for the full compensation you deserve.
That depends on the circumstances of the case, the injuries and evidence involved, and whether a settlement can be negotiated or the case must go to trial. Most rear-end cases are resolved through settlement, as trials are costly and take time. If we can get a summary judgment, the case may be over in a matter of months, but a trial can drag on for a year or more. Often, when the other side realizes you have an attorney willing to take the case to trial, it increases the chances that they will come up with a fair settlement offer. Our attorneys prepare every case as if it is going all the way to trial.
When rear-end accidents involve 3 or more vehicles, in a “chain link” type of accident, the situation is more complicated, but the principal of keeping a safe stopping distance still holds for each succeeding driver, since every driver is required to drive with reasonable care. This means driving a sufficient distance behind the vehicle in front of it so that if the vehicle stops short, the driver can stop in time without striking the stopped vehicle in the rear. Our attorneys would investigate and hold each negligent driver liable.
If a death is involved, our attorneys can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
According to Texas statutes (CPRC Title 4, Chapter 71, liability for damages arising from an injury that causes an individual’s death exists “if the injury was caused by the person’s or his agent’s or servant’s wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default.” You may bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party in Texas civil court if you are a close family member or representative of the deceased’s estate.
We recommend at least speaking to one – and considering this. Remember, attorneys for the defendants and their insurance companies are working to avoid paying. They may make claims such as that you were hit because you changed lanes suddenly or that you quickly turned or swerved into the other vehicle’s lane, and then stopped suddenly. An experienced rear-end accident attorney from Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law is prepared to refute these claims and will investigate and use the facts surrounding your case to prove liability and get you the compensation you deserve.
Call Our Houston Rear-End Car Accident Attorneys for Help
At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we’ve represented many clients who have suffered serious injuries in rear-end accidents. We know how disastrous vehicle crashes can be for someone who is struck by a negligent driver.
Our legal team has years of experience getting clients payment for the costs of their injuries. We investigate the causes of your crash and determine how much compensation you should be getting. We make sure that insurance companies make you an offer that meets your needs, and we keep you updated on our progress every step of the way.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a rear-end accident in Houston, we encourage you to call our offices. We have built our reputation on the service we provide to our callers and clients alike.
Get in touch with our Houston rear-end accident attorneys today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Call today at (713) 973-8888. There are no fees to you unless and until you win your case.
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 ]
