Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston, Texas: Common Car Accident Legal Mistakes

Houston gets car crashes on a regular basis. The majority of drivers believe that they could handle the process on their own. This may lead to expense-spiking errors, wastage of time, and extra stress. Having a personal injury attorney from the beginning may protect your rights. It will further assist you in getting the compensation you deserve. This is the most common legal mistake people make after Houston car accidents. It also provides advice on how to avoid it.

1. Not Seeing the Doctor Promptly After a Car Accident

After a car accident, the others are fine and don’t go see the doctor. This is dangerous. The lesser injuries will worsen with time. Doctor reports verify your injuries. They support your case too.

Tip: Save all of your medical bills, reports, and prescriptions. They are the most valuable documents in an injury case. Failure to receive treatment will also cause insurance issues. In case you later file a claim, the insurance firm will argue that your injuries are not related. Evidence of initial treatment is confirmation.

2. Apologizing on the Scene

Drivers tend to apologize during the accident. Saying “I’m sorry” can cause you harm.

Do not apologize or try to guess who was likely to have caused the wreck. Just provide your facts to police and insurance adjusters.

Tip: Document the scene, obtain names of witnesses, and recount what happened while it is still in your mind. Even little things like “I should have stopped” can be turned around to downplay your assertion. Don’t say anything.

3. Waiting Too Long to Get a Lawyer

There is a deadline to file a suit for personal injury in Texas. It’s a statute of limitations. Delays can prevent you from suing for damages. You can meet with a Houston car accident lawyer right away. They prepare documents and handle insurance adjusters.

Tip: Call a lawyer right away. Time makes your case stronger. Even small injuries can be hurt by delay. Some types of injuries don’t show up until later. A lawyer protects your rights.

4. Resolving Your Case Too Rapidly with an Insurance Company

Insurance companies also have a habit of quick settlements. They sound reasonable but often do not cover future medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering. Do not sign anything before talking to a lawyer. A small offer now could cost thousands later.

Tip: Get your lawyer to negotiate. Your lawyer knows the true value of your case. Insurance adjusters use tricks to cut payments. Never accept claims without professional advice.

5. Not Getting Evidence

Evidence is necessary in car accident claims. Photographs, videos, witness statements, and police reports corroborate your claim. Individuals forget to take pictures or get information from witnesses. This harms their claim.

Tip: Snap a photo with your phone. Record damage to vehicles, skid marks, traffic signs, and traffic lights. Obtaining quick evidence is important. Memories fade away, and witnesses are hard to find.

6. Omitting Property Damage Claims

Some only calculate medical expenses. They don’t include car repair. Property damage is your claim. Insurance providers will cover injury but cheat on repairs to the vehicle. Preserve estimates, invoices, and repair receipts.

Tip: Always get more than one repair estimate. Your lawyer can use these to demand equitable payment. Remember, your vehicle might lose value after repair. A lawyer can approximate this loss in value for you.

7. Social Media Posting

Writing on social media regarding your accident or injuries can harm your claim. Insurance companies monitor social media. They look for ways to reduce settlements. Do not make public posts, complaints, or photos regarding your injuries.

Tip: Keep social media accounts private or wait to make posts until your case is resolved. Even harmless posts can be used against you. Your smiling photo can be flipped upside down to contest your injury as trivial.

8. Denial of Long-Term Injuries

There are injuries that do not occur weeks or months after an accident. Whiplash, back injuries, and head injuries may experience delayed symptoms. Not reporting such injuries will minimize compensation. Always return to your doctor and follow up in writing.

Tip: Maintain a symptom, treatment, and work absence record to track ongoing effects. Documentation substantiates records of the severity and length of injuries. Lawyers can use this to negotiate valid compensation.

9. Handling Insurance Alone

Insurance adjusters are nice individuals. But they are trying to save the insurance company money. Talking to them without an attorney will weaken your claim. A lawyer deals with insurers, gets evidence, and gets you a rightful compensation.

Tip: Send all insurance letters to your lawyer at once. Let your lawyer speak. Your lawyer knows about strategies that insurers use in reducing claims.

10. Not Knowing Your Rights

Most people driving have no idea what rights they have if they are involved in a car accident. You may have medical bills covered, wages lost, pain and suffering, and damages to your property. Your Houston personal injury lawyer knows Texas law. He can guide you through it.

Tip: Ask questions up front. Knowledge of your rights saves costly errors.

11. Not Recording Lost Wages

If you have an accident, injury can prevent you from working. Most people do not account for lost wages. Keep a record on pay stubs, work schedules, and time off. Your attorney can include this with your claim.

Tip: Keep a record of all days missed at work and diminished earning capacity if your injuries are more permanent. Wages, bonuses, commissions, and overtime payments are lost wages.

12. Settling Without Accounting for Future Costs

Car repairs and medical bills may continue to be incurred after settlement. Too many settle too soon. They may have to pay out-of-pocket later.

Tip: Factor in future costs and ongoing treatment before signing off on any offer. Your lawyer can estimate future costs and include them in your claim. This ensures full compensation.

Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston?

Having a lawyer makes all the difference between a fair settlement and having your case rejected. Lawyers:

• Investigates accidents diligently.
• Gets medical and repair reports.
• Handles insurance companies.
• Decides fair compensation.
• Represents you in court, if needed.

A Houston personal injury lawyer safeguards your rights when you are concentrating on recovery. They also manage the legal documents and deadlines, which are overwhelming to a recovering injured person.

FAQs

1. How quickly should I hire a personal injury attorney following a Houston car accident?

Schedule a lawyer shortly after having your injuries treated. Early consultation preserves evidence and makes your case stronger.

2. Do I need a lawyer to process my car accident claim?

You may, but the insurance provider may give you a lowball settlement. A lawyer ensures that you get a fair settlement.

3. Was I responsible in any way for the accident?

Texas is a comparative fault state. You can recover damages, but your share goes down based on your fault percentage.

4. How long does a Houston personal injury case last?

Cases vary. Simple ones may take months, serious injury ones take years. Your lawyer will estimate.

5. Does my lawyer charge me advance fees?

Most personal injury lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. You only pay if they win in your case.

Act Now

Houston car accidents can be infuriating. Do not let careless errors ruin your case.

• Get immediate medical attention.
• Documentation evidence.
• Do not apologize.
• Obtain a competent personal injury lawyer.
• Maintain records of lost wages and future expenses expected.

Protect your rights and receive the compensation you deserve. Proper legal advice facilitates the process and provides you with a better opportunity for success.