At the Glenn Law Firm in Grapevine TX, our car accident lawyers will help you obtain the financial compensation you deserve. In addition, we offer expert legal representation and ensure the at fault driver and their insurance company do not infringe on your rights.
Whether minor or significant, a car accident is one of those things most people would experience in a lifetime. Of course, as the word "accident" implies, no one plans for a traffic collision. But they happen nonetheless, and sometimes, they result from the negligent actions of drivers.
When negligence causes an accident, the negligent driver would have to pay monetary compensation to the victim. The side you're on — whether the fault party or the victim — determines the type of lawyer you'll hire. As the victim, you need an expert personal injury lawyer.
What Are the Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents?
According to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, an auto accident is the leading cause of death for people aged between 1 and 54. However, there are several causes of car accidents, and different types of them too. Some of them are:
Rear-End Collisions
A rear-end collision happens when a car crashes into the one in front of it. Everyday factors like driver inattention or distraction, tailgating, and panic stops lead to rear-end crashes. Rear-end accidents are pretty common and can result in severe injury. If you find yourself a victim of a rear-end crash, contact a Grapevine personal injury attorney immediately.
Single-Vehicle Crashes
A single-vehicle accident involves one driver crashing against an obstacle or barrier on the road. Drunk driving accidents are a common example of this crash type. Causes include mechanical failure, weather conditions, speeding, or distractions. InTexas, single-vehicle accidents and run-off road crash resulted in 1,172 deaths in 2019.
T-Bone Accidents
A T-bone accident happens when a vehicle strikes another from the side. This auto accident type occurs when a driver fails to stop at a red light. It is common at intersections and often results in fatal injuries.
Sideswipe Collisions
A sideswipe accident happens when two cars going side by side in the same direction make contact forcefully. It occurs when a driver makes an illegal lane change or fails to look appropriately before merging lanes.
Head-On Collisions
A head-on crash happens when two cars traveling in opposite directions collide against each other. It is common when one driver drives the wrong way. The aggressive nature of this accident causes catastrophic vehicle damage and injuries. 2019 Texas crash figures placed the number of people killed in head-on collisions at 597.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident?
The steps crash victims and fault parties take after a crash determine the outcome of any accident injury claim or criminal charge. For example, remaining at an accident scene does away with a hit-and-run charge and demonstrates remorse to an extent. Hence, after an auto crash, take the following steps:
Remain at the Scene and Call 911
It's normal to have a fight or flight response following an automobile accident. But rather than fleeing the site, and creating issues for yourself, park your car in the slow lane, if possible.. If the damage is such that you cannot move the vehicle, alight from it and call 911. Then wait until they arrive and give your statement to them. Do this either as a victim or fault driver.
Check for Injuries
The next thing you need to do at an accident scene is check for injuries. Start with yourself to see if you sustained any wound. Then check the others involved in the accident. Even if you don't have any visible injury, see your medical provider when you leave the scene to rule out internal injuries.
Gather Evidence
Evidence is crucial in any legal matter, including a personal injury claim. Therefore, before leaving the scene, auto accident victims who can gather evidence. To do this, take photographs of the crash site, injuries, basic damages to properties, and speak with crash witnesses. In addition, get a copy of the accident report from the police once it is ready.
Exchange Information
An accident victim and the fault driver should exchange information. The latter includes names, contact details, license registration numbers, and insurance company details. Do this if you wish to pursue an insurance claim or auto accident litigation.
Contact an Auto Accident Law Firm
Accident victims battle fault drivers and their insurance providers at the same time. Thus, you need a personal injury law firm for your accident claim to stand a higher chance of succeeding. Insurance companies work with legal teams with records of success, so you need a firm with an impressive track record. It puts you and the other side on equal footing.
Should You Hire a Grapevine Car Accident Lawyer?
Most people shy away from hiring legal services because they believe they can handle their legal matters alone. This is possible in a minor car accident without substantial damages — for example, a fender bender. But as an injured party in a catastrophic crash looking to claim financial damages, you need a Grapevine, Texas personal injury lawyer.
An attorney would represent you in your battle against insurance companies. They will sit in on negotiations with the auto insurance company and ensure you get fair compensation. If they cannot agree with the insurer, your experienced attorney will commence an auto accident lawsuit.
If you succeed during the insurance claim or auto accident litigation, you will get compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Loss income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium, etc.
The above is known as economic damages and non-economic damages. In addition, accident attorneys can get you punitive damages. For example, an experienced car crash attorney can convince a court to grant punitive damages if there's convincing evidence that the fault party behaved maliciously.
Another reason to hire a TX personal injury lawyer is to get a clear picture of what you'll face. Lawyers know cases that would succeed and those that wouldn't, so they'll give you a precise analysis. Furthermore, with an accident attorney, you'll have the entire team of a personal injury law firm working on your case. This way, you can focus on recuperating while they focus on getting you a fair settlement.
What Percentage of Settlement Do Personal Injury Lawyers Take?
The percentage of settlement a personal injury firm takes is one of the reasons accident victims shy away from hiring lawyers.. But you don't have to worry about it, as our Grapevine car accident attorneys charge on a contingency fee basis.
It means that you don't have to pay an experienced car crash attorney until they win your case. The amount the attorney would take is a percentage of the total settlement sum. Usually, it is between 30 to 40 percent, including any amount spent on expenses.
Note that you can negotiate a lesser percentage with your attorney. Furthermore, the amount your lawyer takes depends on whether your case ends with the insurance company or goes on to trial. Once you and the attorney agree on the payment, you will sign a contingency fee agreement (CFA).
Consult With an Experienced Grapevine Car Accident Lawyer
When faced with an accident with substantial damages, you need a legal team by your side when beginning your personal injury claim. At Glenn Law Firm, we work with our client's expectations and get them the desired result. We have an impressive record of success and have helped thousands of clients get fair compensation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we have a no-win-no-pay policy. In addition, we offer free case reviews. So, call us today to schedule a meeting with one of our attorneys.