Despite the preventative measures and traffic laws in place, collisions continue to happen every day on Texas roads. Even though a motor vehicle collision may seem minor, the impact can be wide-ranging, resulting in physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardships.
Linebaugh, Dority & Allen, P.C. can help you navigate the aftermath. Our La Porte car accident lawyers have deep knowledge of Texas traffic law and have a long history of securing favorable settlements for our clients. We urge you not to go through this difficult period alone; schedule a free consultation with us today to discuss your options.
Why Choose the Lawyers at Linebaugh, Dority & Allen?
- When you choose our firm, you gain access to a wealth of experience, resources, and knowledge. With over 59 years of combined experience, our lawyers are ready to fight for you.
- Our La Porte personal injury lawyers understand the devastating impact a motor vehicle collision can have on your life and are dedicated to recovering maximum compensation. Our attorneys have secured millions for our clients.
- Everyone deserves access to quality legal representation. Our bilingual staff and services are here to support our clients. Se habla español.
Why You Need an Attorney to Represent Your Case
At first glance, a car accident claim may seem straightforward. However, complications often arise, whether they are related to insurance coverage, catastrophic injuries, liability disputes, or the need for expert testimony. Having a La Porte attorney who specializes in car accidents and truck accidents by your side can help you navigate these challenges effectively.
A La Porte County car accident lawyer from Linebaugh, Dority & Allen can help you gather crucial evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and if necessary, represent you in court to fight for the compensation you deserve. With our support, you can focus on healing and recovery while our car accident attorneys handle the legal aspects.
How Do Insurance Companies Protect Their Profits at an Injury Victim’s Expense?
Insurance companies are private businesses that prioritize profits. With their bottom line as a motive, they use a variety of tactics to undervalue, delay, or deny an injury victim’s claim. Common methods to watch for from insurance companies in your Texas car accident claim include the following:
- The insurance company of the at-fault party may quickly reach out with a fast settlement agreement before the injury victim knows the full scope of their damages. This settlement is often a far lower amount than the true value of the claim and requires signing away the right to file a lawsuit
- An insurance adjuster may call on a recorded line and then later use the accident victim’s words out of context against them, even if they seemed compassionate during the call
- Insurance adjusters sometimes ask for injury victims to sign a medical authorization to review their car accident injuries but often it’s a blanket authorization that allows them to access the injury victim’s entire medical history to find a pre-existing condition or previous injury they can blame as the true cause of the injury victim’s symptoms
- The insurance company may deny that a doctor’s recommended treatment is necessary for the type of injury
- The insurance adjuster may assign an undue percentage of fault for the accident to the injury victim to reduce the amount of compensation they payout on the claim
It’s always a good idea to hire a car accident attorney to represent your best interests and then direct the insurance company to communicate with your lawyer.
What to Do If You Are Injured in a La Porte Car Accident
The moments following a car accident are critical for both your health and any future legal action you may take. Here are some immediate steps you should take after the collision:
- Call 911 to report the accident to law enforcement and bring emergency medical services to the scene.
- Seek medical care as soon as possible to evaluate potential injuries and receive documentation.
- Gather evidence by taking pictures of the accident scene, vehicle damages, and any visible injuries.
- Exchange contact, license, and insurance company information from all parties involved in the accident.
- Contact a car accident attorney to discuss your case and take your first steps toward filing a claim.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in La Porte
Texas drivers have a duty of care to follow traffic laws and take all reasonable measures to avoid causing an accident. Unfortunately, car accidents remain a significant cause of injury and death in Texas. There were around 560,000 car accidents in Texas in 2023 alone, or around 1500 per day. Common causes of Texas car accidents include the following:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Tailgating
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper merging
- Drowsy driving
- Intoxicated driving
- Mechanical problems or defects
- Tire blowouts
- Road safety hazards
In a fault-based car accident state like Texas, it matters who causes an accident. The state’s comparative negligence insurance laws under Texas Civil Code Section 33.001 states the following to describe the laws of proportionate responsibility:
“In an action to which this chapter applies, a claimant may not recover damages if his percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent.”
Under this law, even if a driver contributes to the cause of an accident, they can recover damages minus their percentage of fault as long as they are not more than 50% at fault. If a driver is 25% at fault, they may still recover $75,000 of a $100,000 claim.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Accidents can result in various injuries for car accident victims, each with unique implications for recovery and compensation. Here are some of the most common injuries we see:
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- PTSD
If you or a loved one has sustained injuries from a car accident, it’s vital to consult with a legal professional to understand your rights and options for compensation. Our experienced La Porte car accident lawyers are here to help you navigate the complexities of your car accident case and ensure you receive the support you deserve.
Texas Motor Vehicle Accident Laws
La Porte, Texas operates under a fault system for motor vehicle accidents, meaning the person who is found to be responsible for the car accident case is liable for any damages incurred. Texas law requires drivers to have minimum amounts of liability insurance to cover these costs.
If you were injured by a negligent driver on Texas roads, you have the right to file a car accident claim against his or her insurance policy. In some cases, you may want to escalate your case to a personal injury lawsuit in civil court.
What Damages Can I Recover In a Successful Texas Car Accident Claim?
Car accidents often cause more than just property damage to a vehicle, requiring an accident claim to include a personal injury claim. Common damages recovered in Texas car accident claims include the following:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future income loss
- Diminished future earning capacity
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Compensation for other relevant non-economic damages like disfigurement, loss of one of the senses, traumatic limb loss, or PTSD
When a car accident causes a fatality, the surviving close family members may recover compensation through a wrongful death claim to recover funeral costs and lost wages and benefits for the remainder of the working years the deceased family member would have had left to them had they survived. Contact our La Porte wrongful death lawyer for legal assistance.
Contact Our La Porte Car Accident Lawyer Today
After a car accident in La Porte, you deserve fair compensation for your losses. Trust Linebaugh, Dority & Allen’s personal injury attorneys to protect your best interests. Contact us today at (281) 422-0505 or fill out our online form for a free case evaluation.