If you were involved in a vehicle crash that was not your fault, you deserve someone to protect your rights. If you proceed without an attorney, an insurance company could take advantage of you and try to lessen the strength of your claim. Having legal representation from Kirk Law Firm, PLLC could help ensure your case gets the attention it deserves.
Even if you were partially responsible for the crash, a Houston car accident lawyer might be able to help you collect financial compensation from other negligent parties. A dedicated personal injury attorney from our firm could assess the cause of the collision, figure out who needs to assume liability, and help protect your integrity in court.
Causes of Car Accidents and Assigning Blame
There are many different factors that could combine to cause an unexpected vehicle wreck. For instance, in a particular case, a driver turning left without the right of way might have caused a collision. However, other less obvious details, like a distracted driver in an oncoming car, a poorly placed or marked intersection, or faulty brakes also could have contributed to the accident.
Determining exactly who caused a car crash is a major part of filing a civil claim, and this can be difficult when the cause of the accident is unclear. However, there are a few different ways to conclude what happened. For instance, police reports will often include the responding officer’s opinion about the cause of the crash, based on evidence immediately available at the scene.
After figuring out why an unexpected vehicle crash occurred, it is important to pinpoint who needs to assume legal responsibility. In most cases, insurance agents will negotiate and deliberate to determine how much blame each party to the crash should bear. Texas laws establish that the person who is more than 50 percent responsible for the motor vehicle collision needs to assume all liability. Effectively demonstrating how a car accident occurred and who needs to pay damages can be complicated, but one of our resourceful attorneys in Houston could take the lead.
How do Insurance Plans Relate to Car Wrecks?
When it comes to collecting financial compensation after assigning blame in a car accident case, the at-fault driver’s insurance company is usually the entity that pays for the victim’s damages, up to the limits of the relevant policy.
Texas law requires drivers to carry at least $30,000 of liability insurance coverage for injuries to one person, $60,000 for injuries to multiple people, and $25,000 for property damage. If a plaintiff in a vehicle collision case sustained injuries or losses that are more expensive than these policy limits, a negligent defendant might need to pay the remaining compensation from their own pocket.
A seasoned lawyer in Houston could analyze and conclude how much coverage a defendant’s insurance plan has, to increase the likelihood that someone injured in a car accident receives the full scope of monetary damages they deserve.
Why is Acting Quickly after a Car Crash Important?
In most cases, an injured driver has two years from the date of a car accident to file a lawsuit seeking damages. Even though this might seem like a long time, it is best to act as soon as possible and retain one of our skilled legal representatives.
Being proactive is crucial because, soon after a car collision, an injured plaintiff will likely field calls from both their insurance company and the defendant’s provider. It is especially unwise for an injured person to engage with the negligent driver’s contacts without representation because the adjusters might use the plaintiff’s words against them later to reduce the value of their accident claim. An experienced attorney understands these manipulative tactics and could fight to counter them.
If another party was clearly primarily responsible for the car crash, their insurance company might make an offer to an injured person right away. Although it might be tempting to accept the settlement and move forward, these early proposals rarely include enough compensation to repay an injured plaintiff for the full extent of their losses. Our steadfast Houston attorneys can force the insurers to take negotiations seriously, fighting to maintain the strength of their client’s car accident case.
Call a Houston Car Accident Attorney about Your Claim
When a vehicle collision interrupts your life and endangers your wellbeing, it is natural to want to seek justice and financial compensation. Thankfully, a Houston car accident lawyer could ease some of your burdens and help you collect the monetary damages you need to fully recover.
It is key to remember that after a wreck, you have a limited time to act. The sooner you have a professional from Kirk Law Firm, PLLC for you, the sooner you can shift your focus away from the accident and back to living your life. Reach out to our office today to learn about your options and get started on your case.