Car Accident Lawyer Irving

What Steps to Take if You’re in a Car Accident?

Being involved in a car accident is a disorienting and traumatic experience, for the most part. However, knowing the appropriate steps to take afterward can help make certain your rights and interests are protected.

The first and most important step is to seek medical attention, even if you feel fine. Some injuries may not manifest immediately and can worsen if left untreated.
The next step is to report the accident to the police. A police report can serve as a valuable piece of evidence when making a legal claim.
It’s also important to gather as much information as possible at the scene, such as the contact details of the other driver and any witnesses, and photographs of the accident scene and any visible injuries.
After these initial steps, reaching out to an Irving car accident lawyer should be a priority. They can guide you through the complex legal process, ensuring that your claim is properly filed and that all necessary evidence is collected. They can also handle any negotiations with insurance companies, who often try to minimize their payouts.

What Can a Car Accident Lawyer in Irving Do for You?

A car accident lawyer in Irving serves as a critical ally for those who have been in an auto accident. Their primary role is to protect the rights of the victim and ensure they receive the compensation they deserve. This begins with an in-depth analysis of the accident to determine the liable parties and the extent of the damages.

Lawyers are proficient in interpreting the legal language of insurance policies and can negotiate with them on behalf of their clients. They understand the strategies that insurance companies often use to limit their payouts and can counter these tactics effectively.

Furthermore, a car accident attorney can represent a client in court if a lawsuit becomes necessary. They can build a persuasive case by gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and employing their knowledge of state laws. In short, they shoulder the legal burdens so that the victims can focus on their recovery. To sum up, here’s a list of some of the things that an attorney can do for you:

Collect and preserve evidence for your accident. This can include – police crash report (CR-3), traffic camera footage or security camera recordings, recorded witness interviews, photos of the vehicles, the accident scene and injuries, accident reconstruction, the defendant’s’ past records, and many more.
Help you seek all forms of compensation. This includes – doctor and hospital expenses, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of living, psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, lost wages, and many more.
Help you navigate insurance coverages
Swiftly initiate investigation of yours or a loved one’s accident
Guide you through depositions
Cover all court costs and legal expenses
Communicate with insurance companies and third parties on your behalf

Importance of a Crash Report in Car Accidents

In the wake of a car accident, obtaining a crash report is a crucial step. This document, prepared by the responding law enforcement officer, provides an official account of the accident. It includes:

Details about the involved parties
Location and time of the accident
Conditions of the road
The damages incurred
Any witness statements.

A crash report can serve as a vital piece of evidence in a car accident case as it can help establish the facts of the accident, identify liability, and ascertain the extent of the damages. Moreover, insurance companies often require a crash report to process a claim.

However, interpreting a crash report can be challenging for those unfamiliar with its technical language, abbreviations, and codes. Here, our expertise can prove invaluable. Our law firm can decipher the report, highlight the important details, and utilize the information to build a strong case for our clients.

Investigation of the Car Accident

When a car accident occurs, the immediate focus is on addressing any injuries and seeing to it that everyone’s safe. Nonetheless, once the initial shock has passed, it’s imperative to investigate the accident thoroughly. This investigation will serve as the foundation for any legal claims and can help pinpoint the liability of the involved parties.

An Irving car accident attorney plays an instrumental role in this investigation. As mentioned earlier, they can help gather vital pieces of evidence, such as:

Police reports
Witness statements
Photographs of the accident scene

They can also enlist the help of experts, like accident reconstruction specialists, to help piece together how the accident occurred and who was at fault.

Furthermore, understanding negligence in relation to the accident is an essential part of this investigation. Negligence, in legal terms, means failing to act with the level of care that a reasonable person would have exercised in the same situation. If it can be proven that one party’s lack of care caused the accident, they could be held legally responsible for the damages. An experienced Tate Law Offices attorney can help demonstrate this negligence and build a weighty case for compensation.

Medical Care Post Car Accident: The Role of Health Insurance

After a car accident, obtaining the requisite medical care should be a priority. Still, the mounting medical bills can be a cause for concern, and this is where health insurance comes into the picture.

Depending on the policy, health insurance can cover many of the medical expenses resulting from a car accident, such as (but not limited to):

Emergency room visits
Hospital stays
Surgeries
Medications
Rehabilitative services

Nevertheless, communicating with health insurance companies tends to be complicated and frustrating, especially when one is already grappling with the repercussions of an accident.

An Irving car accident lawyer can provide counsel in dealing with health insurance companies. They can help see to it that the victim receives the benefits they are entitled to and can assist in resolving any disputes that arise.

How Do I Know if I Have a Viable Car Accident Case?

Generally speaking, a viable motorcycle accident case in Irving comprises three fundamental components:

Liability
Damages
Financial capability

Liability denotes the legal obligation for the accident. Typically, this entails demonstrating that another party bears responsibility due to their negligence or reckless actions. For example, if a driver violated traffic regulations, leading to the accident, they can be held accountable.

Damages concern the losses experienced in the aftermath of the motorcycle accident. These commonly encompass:

Medical costs
Income loss
Property impairment
Emotional distress

Maintaining well-documented evidence of these losses is pivotal in constructing a robust case.

Lastly, financial ability holds significance. Even when the other party is evidently at fault and you have sustained substantial losses, obtaining compensation might be challenging if they lack insurance or adequate resources to pay for damages.

Understanding Damages in a Car Accident Case

In legal terms, ‘damages’ refer to the monetary compensation awarded to a person who has suffered loss or injury due to the negligence or wrongful actions of another. In a car accident case, damages can be categorized into economic and non-economic types.

Economic damages represent the tangible, out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of the accident. This includes:

Medical costs
Property damage
Lost wages
Future loss of earning capacity

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, compensate for intangible losses such as:

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life

Quantifying these damages is a complex process most of the time, requiring an understanding of medical terminology, property valuation, and the principles of tort law. Our attorneys, with their specialized knowledge and experience, can accurately calculate these damages and argue for fair compensation.

Process of Claiming Compensation After a Car Accident

Claiming compensation after a car accident is a fairly straightforward affair that involves several steps. It begins with notifying the insurance companies about the accident. This is followed by an investigation, during which the insurance companies assess the extent of the damages and determine liability.

Next comes the negotiation phase, where the insurance companies and the victim or their lawyer discuss the amount of compensation. If a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached, the case may proceed to court.

Throughout this process, an Irving car accident lawyer can play a pivotal role. They can ensure timely and accurate communication with the insurance companies, oversee the investigation and negotiate for just compensation. If a lawsuit becomes inevitable, they can represent the victim in court and argue for their rights.

Choosing the Right Car Accident Lawyer in Irving

When it comes to a successful resolution to a car accident case, picking the right car accident lawyer in Irving is a crucial step. Important factors to consider include:

Lawyer’s experience
Expertise
Reputation
Communication style

An experienced lawyer will have a deep understanding of the laws and procedures related to car accident cases. They will also have a proven track record of successfully representing clients and securing fair compensation.

In conclusion, an attorney plays an invaluable role in navigating the legal maze that follows a car accident. They provide the necessary legal guidance, protect the rights of the victims, and make sure they receive the compensation they deserve. For anyone involved in a car accident in Irving, seeking the help of an attorney should be a top priority.

Tate Law Offices has been in this business for over 30 years, and we have plenty of experience in this area, having won over 3000 cases. To receive a free consultation, use our contact form or call Tate Law Offices at (972) 499-4813.

Do note that the State of Texas limits the amount of time (2 years) a person has to file a claim for compensation after a car crash.