If you ever have the misfortune of getting involved in a car accident in Texas, you must be aware of your rights. A huge number of car accidents were reported in the state in 2019, and based on facts, 1 person was killed every 2 hours 26 minutes that year. This is alarming and sad at the same time. Following Houston car accident attorney accident, your immediate step should be about calling the police and a reliable attorney. Here are some basic aspects worth knowing about car accident laws in Texas.
The basics
- If a police officer didn’t investigate the case, make sure that you report the crash within 10 days. Don’t allow the other driver to talk you out of calling the police. You need the police report.
- There is a “statute of limitations” in Texas, like in most states, which allows two years to bring personal injury lawsuits, from the date of accident. You don’t have a lot of time to act, and most of the crucial evidence is only available immediately after the accident.
- Texas follows the “modified” comparative fault rule. This means if you have a share of fault, your compensation will be reduced by that percentage. For accidents where there is no clarity on fault, things can get complicated with parties blaming one another.
The need for a car accident attorney
If you are wondering whether you should hire a car accident attorney, consider the aspects of laws we just discussed. For instance, what happens if the other party blames you for the accident? Or, what if your claim is rejected by the at-fault party’s insurer? Keep in mind that car accidents are never black and white. In most cases, establishing fault and liability is hard, and you need an attorney, who can work in your interest and protect your rights. Skilled Houston accident attorneys know what it takes to negotiate with the insurance company, and they will do what it takes to get a fair settlement.
Costs and other aspects!
Most car accident attorneys in Houston work on a contingency basis for clients. If they don’t win, you don’t have to pay the lawyer. As such, hiring a lawyer doesn’t have to be expensive, although the fee arrangement largely depends on the facts of the case.
Talk to an attorney as soon as possible, so that they can start investigating the case and work on your claim.
