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 West University Place 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 “West U”, Southside Place, and neighboring areas.
What To Do After a Car Accident in West University Place
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. Consulting with a side impact collision lawyer can help you navigate the legal aspects of your situation and ensure you take the right steps.
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. In some cases, injuries may not be immediately apparent, and a timely medical evaluation can also be crucial if you later decide to consult a medical malpractice lawyer to assess the quality of care you received.
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 Car Accident Attorney Serving West University Place
Consulting with a car accident attorney in West University Place 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 West University Place Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Your Lawyer Will be Your Best Ally
It is common to feel stressed and confused after a car accident. You can count on your personal injury attorney at our firm to always have your best interests at heart, doing everything in their power to get you the best possible result.
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:
- Investigating your claim
- Gathering important evidence
- Interviewing witnesses
- Communicating with the opposing party
- Engaging in settlement negotiations
- Filing a lawsuit, if needed.
Your attorney will also communicate with you regarding your case, keeping you in the loop and answering your questions whenever possible.
Your Lawyer Will Fight for Your Rights
Your case may face challenges along the road to compensation. However, your attorney knows how to properly handle anything that gets thrown your way. Trust that your attorney will go the extra mile to fight for your rights and help ensure that you receive what you are owed after your accident.
Why You Should Consult with Our Car Accident Attorney
Not all car accident lawyers serving West University 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 attorneys to fight for the resolution you seek.
We Know West University
West University Place is known as a “small town with a big heart” – and is nicknamed “The Neighborhood City.” The affluent bedroom community is centrally located in close proximity to the Texas Medical Center, Rice University, and Rice Village, and a short drive from downtown and the Galleria area. Its location makes it the ideal place in which to live, work, and raise a family. Many young families are attracted to the area to be zoned to the highly acclaimed West University Elementary School. West U also offers wonderful parks and recreation facilities, as well as its own fire and police departments. The current population is approximately 15,603 and growing every day.
24/7 Wall Street and USA Today have voted West University place top place to live in all of America. Niche voted the community #11 best suburb for young professionals in Texas.
If you suffer an injury due to another driver’s negligence, count on the team at Terry Bryant Accident and Injury Law. We’re familiar with the West University Place area and have experience helping clients in the area.
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 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.
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 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 represent you at all stages.
What If I Am Found to Be Partially at Fault?
For car accidents, Texas utilizes the modified comparative fault standard, specifically for instances where both parties contributed to the accident. This law states that, if a party is more than 50% at fault for the accident, they are barred from recovering compensation.
In order to determine fault, a complete investigation will take place. This will indicate whether both parties played a role, and to what degree. Should you have questions regarding your level of fault in the accident, be sure to discuss this with your car accident attorney.
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 West University Place Today
There are a multitude of reasons to consult with a car accident lawyer in the West University Place 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.
Call Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law now at (713) 973-8888 for your free and confidential 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 ]