Car Accident

How We Serve Our Clients

• Full management of the personal injury claim from the outset.

• In-depth investigations to collect evidence, establish causality, and determine liability.

• Partnerships with leading accident and medical experts to delve into the intricacies of your case.

• Direct negotiation with insurance adjusters and defendants to protect your interests.

• Exploration of all compensation avenues, from traditional lawsuits to workers’ compensation claims.

• Strategic case preparation to ensure strong negotiation positions or court presentations.

 

WHY SHOULD I HIRE A HOUSTON CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY NEAR ME?

Insurance companies prefer you not to engage a car accident lawyer. Adjusters aim to maintain an upper hand, often presenting lowball offers and expecting acceptance. Their familiarity with the claims process surpasses most individuals’. A Houston accident lawyer levels the playing field, negating any advantage they might possess.

Having a Woodward Group Law Firm car accident lawyer significantly boosts your chances of victory and securing a larger compensation. Statistically, individuals represented by lawyers not only win more frequently but also attain higher settlements.

 

You’ll gain a defender against any fault attribution by the negligent driver. It's common for the at-fault party to deflect blame onto the victim. A skilled attorney can counteract these strategies, minimizing their impact on your case.

 

Independent investigations are vital. While insurance companies conduct their inquiries, their goal is to minimize payout. A car accident lawyer ensures you benefit from an unbiased investigation that bolsters your case.

 

The journey post-accident is fraught with pressure to settle for less. Adjusters' primary role is to minimize your compensation to boost their company's profits, exploiting your stress and vulnerability in the process.

Insurers may use your stress, emotions, and the chaotic aftermath to their advantage, attempting to delay or deny your claim, complicating your recovery. Your Houston auto accident lawyer stands as your advocate, navigating these challenges to secure just compensation.

If another's actions, even partially, caused your accident, you are entitled to compensation. The essence is clear: hiring a Woodward Group Law Firm car accident attorney is a decisive step towards realizing this entitlement.

 

How Much Will It Cost to Hire an Accident Attorney

Most Houston car accident attorneys operate on a contingency basis. This means the attorney's fee is directly tied to their success in your case. This arrangement is often described as "no win, no fee."

Under a contingency fee arrangement, a car accident attorney agrees to represent you in exchange for a percentage of the compensation they secure on your behalf. This percentage typically ranges from 33% to 40% of the financial recovery, varying by law firm and case specifics.

 

What’s My Car Accident Case Worth?

Assessing the value of a car accident case, especially early in the process, is challenging. Every car accident in Texas and every victim involved is distinct, making each case unique.

Answering the following questions can shed some light on the potential worth of your case:

• How severe are your car accident injuries?

• Is a full recovery from your injuries expected?

• Were any pre-existing conditions exacerbated by the car wreck?

• How long is the journey to maximum medical improvement anticipated to be?

• Can you return to work immediately, or is time off necessary?

• Will your injuries impact your future ability to work and earn an income?

• What are your out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the accident, including medical bills and other unforeseen costs?

• Is your car repairable, or must it be replaced?

• What kind of trauma have you experienced because of the accident?

 

The severity of your injuries has a significant influence on potential compensation. As a general guideline, the more severe the injuries, the higher the value of the injury case.

According to the National Safety Council, the average compensation for a car accident causing "possible" injuries was $160,000 in 2019. For accidents resulting in "disabling" injuries, the average compensation exceeded $1.2 million.

 

When Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer Near Me?

You should engage a Houston car accident lawyer as soon as possible following your car accident. Here are the key reasons:

• The earlier your lawyer can start investigating, the better. Witnesses' memories fade, and evidence may deteriorate or vanish. If your attorney can examine the accident scene with experts promptly, it could significantly benefit your case.

• Recovery should be your main focus, not legal battles. By hiring a car accident lawyer early, you allow yourself to concentrate on healing physically and emotionally, while your attorney manages insurance claims, legal filings, deadlines, and complex legal matters.

• There's no additional cost in hiring a lawyer early. Since car accident lawyers in Texas are compensated based on the results of your case and not the hours they work, getting them involved from the start has more advantages than potential downsides.

 

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Houston?

The steps you take immediately following a motor vehicle accident are crucial. Even small mistakes could jeopardize your health and financial future.

Here are some critical actions to take (and avoid) after your car crash to stay safe and enhance your chances of financial recovery:

• Remain at or near the scene of the accident. Move to a safer location nearby if necessary.

• Call and report the accident to the Houston Police Department, especially if there’s an injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000, as required by Texas state law.

• Do not apologize or accept any responsibility for the accident. Even minor statements can be used against you later.

• Exchange information with other parties, including names, license plate numbers, and insurance details.

• Gather evidence. Take photos, record videos, jot down details, witness names, and document anything that could be beneficial.

• Seek medical attention promptly to ensure all injuries are diagnosed and treated, also bolstering the link between the crash and your injuries for your claim.

• Avoid giving a recorded statement to insurance companies. Direct any detailed inquiries to your lawyer.

• Consult with an experienced attorney specializing in Houston car accident cases to maximize your support and representation.

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF I’M PARTLY AT FAULT FOR MY CAR ACCIDENT?

If you find yourself partially at fault for a car accident, it's important to know that you can still pursue compensation. Texas operates under modified comparative fault rules with a 51% bar to recovery. This means you can file for an insurance claim or lawsuit as long as you are not deemed to be mostly at fault.

However, being partly at fault will impact the amount of compensation you can receive. Your total damages will be reduced by the percentage of your fault. For instance, if you are found to be 30% at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by 30%.

According to the comparative fault rules, if your liability goes beyond 50 percent, you lose the eligibility to claim compensation from the other at-fault party or their insurance. It's crucial to understand these nuances to navigate the aftermath of a car accident where fault is shared.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO FILE A LAW SUIT AFTER A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN TEXAS

In Texas, the statute of limitations for filing most car accident lawsuits is two years from the date of the accident. This is a critical deadline for initiating legal action to seek compensation for injuries and damages resulting from a traffic accident.

 

There are exceptions to this general rule that might alter the timeframe:

• If a government employee's actions contributed to the accident, you have 90 days to file a notice of claim with the city of Houston.

• The statute of limitations may be tolled, or paused, under certain circumstances, such as if the victim is a minor or if the defendant is not located within the state.

 

It's crucial to be aware that failing to act within the applicable deadline means forfeiting your right to seek compensation. Therefore, understanding and adhering to these deadlines is essential for preserving your legal rights after a traffic accident in Houston.

 

WHAT DAMAGES CAN I GET IF IM HURT IN A TEXAS CAR ACCIDENT

Compensatory Awards in Texas Car Accident Cases

Victims of car accidents in Texas are entitled to compensatory awards, which include economic damages and non-economic damages, to cover the various impacts of the accident.

 

What Are Economic Damages?

Economic damages compensate for the financial costs associated with a car accident. These damages are quantifiable and can be substantiated through documentation like receipts, bank statements, or other proofs of expense.

• Hospital bills, medication costs, surgeries, and other medical expenses

• Costs for rehabilitation and physical therapy

• Expenses for property repair or replacement

• Lost income, including wages and benefits, due to recovery

• Decreased earning capacity

• Costs for disability accommodations, home modifications, and nursing care

• Funeral expenses and loss of support for surviving family members in fatal accidents

 

What Are Non-Economic Awards?

Non-economic damages cover the personal, subjective consequences of a car accident, often referred to as pain and suffering damages. These encompass:

• Chronic pain

• Mental anguish and emotional distress, including PTSD or depression

• Disfigurement and scarring

• Loss of life quality or enjoyment

• Loss of consortium

• Inconvenience

 

The emotional and psychological impact of an accident can be as severe as physical injuries, sometimes necessitating ongoing treatment. When another party's actions cause these damages, they can be held legally accountable.

 

HOW DO COURTS IN TEXAS VALUE PAIN AND SUFFERING DAMAGES?

Valuing "pain and suffering" damages in Texas is a complex process, as these types of damages are deeply personal and subjective. There are primarily two methods used:

• Multiplier Method: This approach assigns a multiplier (between 1-5) based on the severity of injuries and suffering, then multiplies this by the economic damages to estimate non-economic compensation.

• Per Diem Method: A daily rate is assigned to the pain and suffering experienced, then multiplied by the number of days until maximum medical improvement is expected. This method is less commonly used than the multiplier method.

 

ARE PUNITIVE DAMAGES EVER AWARDED IN CAR ACCIDENT CASES?

Punitive damages are awarded in rare cases to punish egregious behavior, such as drunk driving or intentional harm. These are separate from compensatory damages and are applied under specific circumstances.