Car Accident Attorney in Denton, Texas

Every year, there are tens of thousands of motor vehicle accidents on Texas highways, and a high percentage of those accidents result in personal injuries to those involved. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2017, there were 14,299 serious injury crashes with 17,546 people sustaining a serious injury.  In a place like Dallas/Fort Worth you will encounter drivers everywhere you go. In order to prevent these horrific accidents from occurring, motorists have a legal responsibility to uphold the highest level of safety and caution when driving on the road. When a car accident does occur, you should know what to do and what information to gather to facilitate your attorneys’ pursuit of your legal claim against the party that caused the accident.

Causes of Car Accidents

Individuals under the influence of alcohol, pedestrians, speeders, people driving at night, and drivers who flee the scene (hit and run) are most commonly responsible for auto accidents. Incidents of speeding and being unable to break in a timely manner are major causes of automobile accidents.  Auto accidents also occur when a person operates a car in a reckless, careless and/or unsafe manner. Commonly this includes ignoring traffic signals, following too closely, making an unsafe lane change, or being distracted by eating, texting, or talking on a cell phone.

In all of these cases, a person has been “negligent” in following general rules of automobile safety and using “reasonable care” in operating a car. The negligent person is considered to be at fault in causing the accident.

What to Do After a Car Accident

After the confusion of a car accident, you have very limited time under stressful conditions to gather as much information as possible. Immediately after the accident – when everyone involved is still on the scene and the vehicles are still in place – is the best time to gather information that may be critical in proving responsibility for the accident. Failure to gather this information can permanently limit the compensation you receive for injuries and damage.

Everyone involved in an auto accident wants to leave the scene and continue with what he or she was doing before the accident. Before everyone leaves, make sure you have everything you need to assure that you can effectively handle the fallout from the accident.  We suggest writing down or printing these tips to follow if you are involved in an accident.

  • Make sure everyone is safe.
  • Assure that anyone who needs medical attention receives it as soon as possible.
  • Call 911, and request that the local police department be dispatched the scene of the accident in order to make a report.
  • TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES before any cars are moved or towed.
  • If needed, call the local police department in order to make a report.  Absolutely do this if the other driver is rude, or argumentative in any way.
  • Get contact and vehicle information from the other parties involved, including:
    • Name, address and contact information
    • Insurance carrier information
    • Driver’s license number
    • Vehicle license plate number.
  • Gather as much information as possible. Anything you document or record may work to your advantage as you deal with the consequences of the accident.
  • Obtain specifics about other cars involved in the accident: license number and insurance at a minimum.
  • Obtain information from the other driver: name, driver’s license number, address, telephone number and insurance information.
  • Obtain information from passengers: names, addresses and contact information.
  • Obtain information from witnesses: names, addresses, contact information, and statements if possible.
  • Take pictures of everything, including the following:
    • All vehicles
    • All damaged property
    • All license plate numbers
    • All drivers and passengers
    • Witnesses
    • Vehicles’ mileage
    • Street signs and/or lights
    • Emergency personnel
    • Insurance cards
  • Diagrams or notations about the damage to each car.
  • Seek medical attention. Symptoms of accident-related injuries do not always surface immediately. Go to an emergency room, urgent care service or your personal physician as soon as possible.

Remember:  Ross Law Offices, P.C. as soon as possible after an accident.  Do not say or do anything that would indicate that you accept responsibility for the accident. This is particularly important if there are police at the scene.

Getting Medical Treatment after a Car Accident

If you are severely hurt in a car accident and the police respond to the accident, you will be taken to the hospital via ambulance and provided with medical care. If your injuries are not as severe to require an ambulance, and even if your symptoms seem minor, please still visit a doctor and obtain a thorough examination. Be sure to explain ANY injuries or pain you may be experiencing, no matter how minor.  Unfortunately, some injuries are not always immediately noticeable right after an accident, and you may later need medical attention to diagnosis injuries that may not have been noticeable right away. These injuries may show up hours, days, or even weeks later. Some injuries may involve internal structural damage, bleeding or organ damage of which you are completely unaware.  Follow-up visits with your doctor are extremely important if you even suspect that something may be wrong.

Victims of car accidents can face terrible injuries that diminish their quality of life and leave them with huge medical bills.  Injuries resulting from car accidents could include:

  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Neck Injuries
  • Back Injuries
  • Muscular Injuries
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries
  • Broken Bones
  • Writ, Ankle and Knee Injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Paralysis
  • Amputations
  • Organ Damage
  • Wrongful Death

After seeing a doctor, follow all treatment advice. First and foremost, seeing a doctor is necessary to ensure you understand the extent of your injuries and recommended treatment for those injuries.

Unfortunately, if you are injured in an accident, medical bills will add up very quickly. As experienced car accident lawyers, we will review your case and advise you on property damages and continued medical treatment.

We can usually assist you with obtaining medical treatment at no out of pocket cost to you.  We will also assist with you making claims with insurance companies and obtaining any medical treatment that you may need. Our car accident attorneys in Denton and Fort Worth will work to get you the highest possible compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Responsibility in a Texas Car Accident

Responsibility for the accident and for the healthcare and property costs associated with the accident depends on which person involved has been negligent and at fault.

Unfortunately, in order to receive compensation for injuries or property damage, the person injured has the burden of proof. He or she must prove:

  • Who was negligent?
  • That the motor vehicle accident caused the injuries and/or property damage.
  • That the injuries or property damage deserve compensation.
  • Proportions of fault. For example, in a multiple car pileup, one driver probably caused the accident initially, but other drivers, who might have been following too closely, could be considered to have partial responsibility.

Our Car Accident Attorneys at Ross Law Offices, P.C. have extensive experience researching the causes and responsibility in accidents, and in proving those cases in court. Contact Ross Law Offices, P.C. to discuss your accident and the resources we provide to help prove your claim and collect all damages you may be entitled to.

Damages and Compensation in Car Accidents

Compensation in an auto accident is not necessarily limited to immediate injuries and repairs. If you have been injured, you may receive compensation for the following immediate and long-term costs.

Immediate medical costs. These might include emergency room or urgent care visits, doctor visits, physical therapy, pain management, hospitalization, x-rays, MRIs, examinations, tests, and even surgeries.

Long-term medical costs and life care. Sometimes long-term medical care, treatment and other rehabilitation are necessary. These can also be reimbursed if they are a direct result of the car crash.  These may be proven with a Life Care Plan.

Pain and Suffering caused by an auto accident. The pain and limitations caused by your auto accident affect your ability to work, to share life with your family and to handle your routine day-to-day activities. There are real costs associated with the severity, duration, and nature of an injury in an auto accident.

Lost wages. If a person is unable to work or must work reduced hours, lost compensation and wages can be considered as compensation. This applies even if a person was able to take medical leave or vacation time while recovering. Lost wages can still be recovered by people who are self-employed or who work on commission.

Loss of Earning Capacity. In Texas, a plaintiff can recover damages for loss of earning capacity as part of his or her standard personal injury claim. These damages include the loss of past and future wages. Earning capacity is what a person could reasonably make based on his experience, education and other factors.

Loss of consortium. These claims are derivative, meaning that the injuries to the spouse had to be the fault of the defendant for the non-injured spouse to have a claim. It is important to note that, under Texas law, you can only collect loss of consortium damages if your spouse suffered physical injury in an accident

Punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded for wrongdoing. They are not commonly allowed in car accident cases. However, sometimes punitive damages are appropriate. One example where this type of damage may be appropriate is an accident caused by a drunk driver.

At Ross Law Offices, P.C., we offer a free consultation to discuss your case and go over every option you may have. Don’t hesitate. Contact us online now or call us at (940) 230-2400.