When people drive on public roads, they owe a duty of care to one another to conduct themselves in a reasonably safe manner. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. If you are seriously injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, you may be able to recover for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering. The Bernsen Law Firm in Beaumont, Texas is here to help. Our aggressive personal injury lawyers are experienced and skilled in car accident litigation. We evaluate your case thoroughly and advise you how best to proceed.
To obtain compensation from another driver for injuries you suffered in a car wreck, you must prove that person’s conduct was the main cause of the crash. Common types of negligence leading to car accidents are:
In many cases, proving the cause of an accident requires evaluation by experts, such as accident reconstructionists. Our team collaborates with skilled professionals to build a thorough case for liability.
In many car accidents, fault is shared among drivers or other potentially responsible parties. Fortunately, you may still be able obtain compensation even if you were partially to blame. Texas applies the legal of doctrine of comparative negligence, which holds parties liable to the extent of their fault. For example, if another driver’s negligence is 60 percent to blame, they are liable for that percentage of your damages. However, Texas law denies recovery to anyone who is more than 50 percent at fault. That is why it is critical to have an experienced legal team get to work as soon as possible on analyzing the collision and its possible causes.
If you are in an accident, it’s important not to panic. Try to keep a cool head and take these important first steps:
Next, report the accident to your auto insurance company. This allows the insurer to determine its potential responsibility to pay benefits or to defend against a possible claim. Texas law requires all drivers to carry minimum levels of liability insurance, but these are usually inadequate to cover the scale of injuries resulting from serious accidents. In that event, you could have a valid claim under your policy’s uninsured/underinsured motorist provisions.
As soon as possible, you should contact a qualified auto accident attorney who can determine the most effective strategy for obtaining the fullest compensation possible. Very often, early intervention by your own lawyer can set the insurance claims process on the best path toward a negotiated settlement. Your lawyer can also determine whether you may be able to pursue money damages through a lawsuit.
Another reason for promptly consulting an attorney after an accident is that Texas’ statute of limitations allows victims only two years from the date of an accident to sue for compensation. The sooner an attorney is involved, the sooner they can begin investigating the accident. This is critical because physical evidence may be lost, witnesses’ memories may fade and injuries may go undiagnosed or untreated. As your lawyer, we will take immediate steps to garner and preserve all available evidence, including medical evaluations.
A car accident can cause serious injuries with financially devastating consequences. Protect your legal rights by retaining an experienced auto accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident. We take personal injury cases on a contingency basis, meaning that we only collect legal fees if your claim is successful. The Bernsen Law Firm is conveniently located in downtown Beaumont. If you are unable to come to us, we are happy to visit you either at your home or in the hospital. Please contact us online or call us at 409-212-9994 today for a free consultation.