Car wrecks are devastating to anyone involved. Even minor accidents can cause physical injury and emotional trauma, in addition to unanticipated expenses. If you suffered injuries in a vehicle crash, the negligent parties might be liable for your damages. With the help of a legal representative, you could receive compensation for lost income, medical expenses, property damage, and other losses you suffered in the collision.
A Katy car accident lawyer understands the turmoil a wreck can cause. A dedicated injury attorney could help you explore your legal options and get you a favorable case outcome.
What to do After a Car Accident
When a vehicle accident occurs, ensuring the safety of everyone involved should be a priority. Anyone who is not hurt should check on others, call for emergency medical transport, and contact law enforcement. A police report could be critical evidence in proving another driver’s liability.
If a person does not require an ambulance, they should seek standard medical attention as soon as possible. An individual who thinks they are not hurt might have a delayed injury. Additionally, an emergency room, urgent care center, or physician visit will produce a medical record that an attorney could use to prove damages.
Furthermore, it is essential to limit conversations with other parties involved in a collision. For instance, everyone at the crash scene should exchange contact and insurance information, but not discuss how the accident happened or try to assign blame. Drivers should also report the accident to their insurance company as soon as possible.
Finally, contacting an attorney after an accident is key. A detail-oriented Katy lawyer could help with documenting the car crash and initiating important communications.
Negligence in Katy Car Accidents
The state follows a traditional liability scheme that holds a driver who caused an accident responsible for any resulting losses. The law also requires drivers to carry coverage of $30,000 for personal injury to one person, $60,000 for injuries to two or more people, and $25,000 to cover property damage. However, the legal minimum amount might not be enough to pay for a catastrophic injury that requires hospitalization. Some motorists also violate the law and drive without any insurance coverage.
To combat uninsured driving, many state corporations offer optional coverage that could be helpful in some cases. For example, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays an injured driver’s medical costs and property damage if an at-fault motorist has insufficient coverage or no insurance. A vehicle collision lawyer in Katy could review the involved parties’ insurance policies to determine sources of coverage for an injured person’s losses.
How an Injured Driver’s Conduct Affects Others’ Liability
According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.003, courts must consider the conduct of all parties when assessing liability after an accident. Insurance adjusters also use the doctrine of proportionate responsibility to follow this practice.
The doctrine states that an injured person who bears a portion of the fault for an accident cannot collect 100 percent of their damages. In short, a driver is responsible for the portion of the damages that resulted from their behavior. If a court finds that a claimant is over 50 percent responsible for a vehicle crash and their own injuries, this driver cannot collect any damages.
If an injured person’s conduct partially contributed to an accident, the other parties might try and argue that they are not liable. An attorney in Katy could gather evidence of another driver’s negligence and use it to demonstrate that other defendants had more responsibility for a car accident than an injured person.
Take Your Claim to a Katy Car Accident Attorney
If you are recovering from a car crash, it is crucial to focus on your health and resuming your normal activities. Participating in stressful negotiations with insurance companies could be detrimental to your well-being.
A Katy car accident lawyer understands the process of settling these claims and could fight for a fair result that covers your losses. A legal representative could protect your rights and pursue a positive case outcome, so reach out to us today to get started on your case.