A serious car accident will leave you shaken and confused, no doubt. Unfortunately, you’ll likely be dealing with serious injuries, mounting medical bills and dealing with insurance companies. That’s why it’s important to consult an auto accident lawyer early in the process.
Consulting With a Houston Car Accident Lawyer
Attorney’s do much more than help you sue for damages. From the moment you consult an attorney, he will be working to help you resolve your claim as quickly and as fairly as possible.
Your legal advocate will start by helping you get through tough interviews with the insurance adjuster. When an adjuster interviews an accident victim, they often make voice recordings of the interview and ask questions intended to confuse the accident victim. Your attorney can help ensure the interview process remains fair.
Additionally, your car accident attorney will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Often, the insurance company will come to you with an early cash settlement. As tempting as this offer may be, it will be insufficient to cover all of the damages you suffered as a result of having been injured in a car accident.
The insurance company knows that you waive any rights to future claims once you accept that settlement offer. Your lawyer will have the expertise and knowledge of the law to help you obtain a fairer settlement. In many cases, an experienced lawyer can negotiate a settlement early in the process, so you’ll never have to go to trial.
What Injuries Should You Expect in a Texas Auto Accident?
While the nature and severity of your injuries will vary from case to case, there are some injuries that are common in nearly all traffic accidents. Below is a short list of those common injuries.
- Whiplash
- Soft Tissue Injuries – The tearing or stretching of tissue, such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
- Cuts and Scrapes – These are visible lacerations to the outer layer of skin.
- Bruises and Contusions – This involves damage to the outer layer of skin, which may also indicate internal injuries.
- Broken Bones and Fractures – The most common bone damage occurs in the arms and legs.
- Strains and Sprains – Whiplash is the most common type of strain, which results from ligament and muscle damage caused by a sudden stopping motion.
- Back Injuries – Spinal cord damage and herniated discs are not uncommon in auto accidents.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries – Concussions, skull fractures, and internal bleeding can cause severe injuries to the brain.
- Burns – Fire resulting from the car accident may cause you to suffer mild to severe burns. In some situations, treatment may require skin grafting.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
When you are injured in a car accident, you may be left facing an extreme financial hardship. In addition to mounting medical bills, you may be forced to miss days or weeks from work as you recover. This is why consulting with an auto accident lawyer is free of charge.
That initial consultation will help the attorney evaluate your case, so he can give you an honest assessment of your claim. This will help you decide on the right course of action in your case.
When you do hire an auto accident lawyer, you will still not have to pay the attorney fees up front. This is because car accident attorneys work for a percentage of your final settlement or court award. This is called a contingency fee and it’s used to ensure car accident victims have access to the legal representation they need to pursue their claim.
If the attorney doesn’t win your case, or fails to negotiate a fair settlement, you will owe nothing. The attorney only gets paid if he wins your case, so you have nothing to lose.
It’s important to remember you’re under no obligation to hire the attorneys you consult and that all of your information is confidential, whether or not you hire the attorney. This ensures your rights remain protected as you pursue your claim.
The first step is to arrange for an initial consultation, which is easy to do by phone or by visiting the website for a car accident attorney. Starting with that initial consultation, your lawyer will guide you through the auto accident claims process.
