Attorneys Answer: When Do You Need To Hire a Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer?
After a car accident, you might wonder if you need to hire a Fort Worth car accident lawyer. While there could be a small number of cases that may not benefit from hiring a lawyer, it is always in your best interest to seek legal advice. Fort Worth car accident attorneys offer free consultations, so it does not cost you anything to discuss your case with an experienced attorney.
Some situations are indicators that you need to talk with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. These factors can complicate a car accident case. Unfortunately, insurance companies could take advantage of these situations to pay you less than you deserve for your car accident claim.
You Sustained Severe Injuries or Permanent Impairments
The value of your case should increase as the severity of your injuries increases. Treatment of and recovery from catastrophic injuries requires a higher level of care and much more time. More care equals higher medical bills, and longer recoveries mean more lost wages.
If you sustain a permanent impairment or disability, you could be entitled to future damages. In addition to your economic damages for current financial losses, you might also be entitled to compensation for long-term care, diminished earning capacity, and ongoing medical treatment.
Car accident cases involving traumatic injuries and impairments often require hiring medical specialists and other expert witnesses to prove how much your case is worth. A Fort Worth car accident lawyer will handle this step for you.
You Need To File a Car Accident Insurance Claim
Texas requires drivers to have a minimum amount of car insurance coverage. If the other driver caused your car wreck, you could file a claim with their liability insurance carrier. However, filing a claim does not mean you will receive money for your damages.
Insurance companies are in business to make money. Therefore, an insurance adjuster will work to protect the company from liability for your claim. Unfortunately, the company and the adjuster are not on your side.
Before making a statement or signing documents, ask an attorney for a free case review. The things you say to the company could be twisted and used to lower the value of your case. An attorney will protect you from bad faith insurance practices and tactics used to undervalue your claim.
You Are Being Blamed for Causing the Accident or Failing To Mitigate Your Damages
Texas has a modified comparative fault law that bars recovery for damages if a victim is over 50% at fault for causing an accident. Therefore, insurance companies try to shift the blame onto the victims. Then they deny the claim based on the proportionate responsibility law.
Another tactic is claiming that you failed to mitigate damages.
Injured parties have a duty to mitigate damages after an accident. That means you must take reasonable steps to limit the harm caused by the other party. Delays in medical care and not following your doctor’s treatment plan are commonly used to allege failure to mitigate damages.
Even if you were partially to blame, you could still receive some money for your claim. As long as your fault is 50% or less, you’ll receive an amount equal to your case’s value less the percentage of your fault.
The same is true with failing to mitigate damages. You can receive money, but not for the damages you could have avoided.
An attorney understands these tactics and how to fight back. The sooner you talk with a lawyer, the better. A lawyer can help you avoid mistakes that could decrease the amount of your car accident settlement.
You Are Unsure How Much Your Car Accident Claim is Worth
Most people are surprised to learn their car accident claims are worth more than the insurance company told them. The insurance company will pay as little as possible to settle your claim. Therefore, if the claims adjuster can take advantage of your inexperience with car accident claims to lower the settlement amount, they will do so.
In most cases, accident victims can receive reimbursement for their monetary losses or economic damages, such as loss of income, out-of-pocket expenses, and medical bills. However, they can also receive compensation for their non-economic damages (i.e., emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, etc.).
Before you accept a settlement offer, schedule a free consultation with a Fort Worth car accident attorney. Let an attorney look at the settlement offer to make sure you are being paid what your claim is worth.
Other Situations That Indicate You Need To Hire a Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer
Many factors indicate that you need to talk with an attorney after a car accident, including:
- Multiple vehicles were involved in the crash
- Your child was injured
- A family member died because of the car crash
- A commercial vehicle or large truck caused the crash
- A government vehicle or employee was involved in the accident
- You are unsure of the statute of limitations (deadline) for filing claims
If you have questions about a car accident claim, an experienced car accident attorney in Fort Worth, TX is the best person to ask. A free consultation could prevent you from losing the compensation you deserve.
Contact the Car Accident Law Firm of Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers in Fort Worth for Help Today
For more information, please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have convenient locations in Bedford and Fort Worth, Texas.
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Bedford
2317 Plaza Pkwy #100,
Bedford, TX 76021
(817) 503-9200
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth
209 N Hampton St,
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 839-3143
