Car crashes and fatal accidents are not uncommon on Texas roads. Immediately after an accident, you are expected to take action, provided you are physically capable of doing so. Before anything else, check if someone injured requires medical attention and call the police. It is necessary to report a car accident if it results in death, injury, or considerable vehicle damage (the vehicle cannot be driven safely from the accident scene). Once you have taken the necessary steps, it’s time to call a reliable Houston car accident attorney for legal advice. Below is an overview of how an attorney can help. 

Insurance companies are here for profit

Texas is a fault state. If the accident happened because of the other driver’s disregard for safety, you might have the scope to file an injury lawsuit. You will be filing an insurance claim with their insurer (you must still inform your insurance company). Don’t be fooled to assume that the claims adjuster will be fair to you. Insurance companies will do anything to maximize their profits, and they may deny your claim without solid reasons. Get an accident attorney so that you don’t have to deal with the insurance company directly. 

When you have a share in the fault

If the other driver is solely at fault, getting fair compensation shouldn’t be hard. However, when you have a share in fault, this can hugely impact the settlement you get. Texas follows the modified comparative fault rule. If your fault share is more than 50%, you cannot recover anything at all. Otherwise, your awarded settlement will be reduced by fault (measured in percentage). Insurance companies often use these facts against the other party, and you need an attorney to defend your rights. 

Minimize your stress

People often have reservations about hiring an accident attorney because they worry about the lawyer’s fee. The good news is most personal injury law firms in Houston take such accident & crash cases on a contingency fee. The lawyer only gets paid if they win. The contingency fee can vary – 20% to 40% – of the final settlement. Hiring a lawyer is an assurance that you are not alone in handling your case. Your attorney can take care of the paperwork and ensure that you have time to recover. 

Call an accident attorney soon after your car accident in Houston for advice on your claim.