Dallas is home to around 1.3 million residents. This makes it one of the most populous cities in the United States. With the large population comes a large number of vehicles on the city’s roads. This means drivers are vulnerable to getting into accidents and they often have to seek advice from Dallas car accident lawyers.
What the Statistics Show
Texas has become notorious for its high rate of traffic accidents and traffic fatalities. Based on information from the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2018 there were 12,161 serious injury crashes and 14,908 people sustained serious injuries. Not a single day passed without someone losing their lives on the state’s roads. Rather, the statistics show that one person was killed every 2 hours 25 minutes while someone was injured every 2 minutes and 7 seconds.
Meanwhile, one National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study found that Dallas had the fifth-highest rate of traffic-related fatalities in the United States in 2017. On average, two people were killed every week that year. Thousands more survived but they suffered injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening.
Claiming Compensation After a Car Accident
When car accidents cause serious injuries, victims often face high medical bills. They also have to take time off from work and this means they lose out on wages just when they need the cash. If someone else’s negligence was primarily responsible for your injuries, you deserve to get compensation from them or their insurer. While this is provided for under the law, it’s not always easy to recover damages. Insurance companies often work hard to reduce the amount they have to payout. They even deny claims outright leaving victims to handle all their losses and expenses on their own.
Because of this, it is important that you ensure that you hire competent legal representation. Your attorney will ensure that you submit a strong claim and that you fight for full and fair compensation. While it may seem intimidating to go up against a big insurance company, the experienced attorneys at TorkLaw have done it time and time again.
If we have to go to trial to get you the money you deserve, we will do so. You don’t have to worry about paying us upfront since we work on a contingency basis. This means we get paid only when you are awarded damages.
While you can be sure that we will do everything we can for you, there are some steps you need to take even before you call us. These will help you to protect your right to compensation.
Steps to Take After a Dallas Car Accident
Our Dallas car accident lawyers always recommend that crash victims do certain things.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
If your injuries are clearly serious, you will be taken from the scene in an ambulance. However, if you are able to move around and you feel relatively well, you may be tempted to simply go home. This is inadvisable. You may have serious injuries that won’t present symptoms until later.
While you can go to the doctor then, the insurance company may argue that there’s no proof you sustained the injuries in the accident in question. It’s important that you go to the doctor immediately. Tell them about the crash and follow their advice. If they diagnose you with an injury, you must follow the treatment plan. Also, keep all your medical bills, pill containers, and other evidence. Your medical records will play an important role in your claim.
Collect Information from the Accident Scene
If you can, take photos of the damage to the vehicles, the road conditions, and the wider scene. Pictures can say a lot about how and why an accident occurred. While at the scene, try to get the names and contact details of any eyewitnesses. They may have invaluable information about what happened. Not everyone will want to get involved but some will be interested in telling the police or your lawyer about what they saw.
Don’t Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Provider
Shortly after the accident, the other driver’s insurance company may call you. You may think that if you give them your side of the story, they will see why you need to get compensation. The adjuster who calls you may even tell you they just want to help. Furthermore, they may offer you a quick settlement in the hope that you will accept it and go away.
However, you should never give an insurance adjuster any information unless you have already spoken to an attorney and been given the go-ahead. Anything you say to the adjuster may be used against you. It’s best to simply say that your lawyer will speak on your behalf. The sooner you get one of our Dallas car accident lawyers involved in the process, the better it will be for you.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Dallas
Many car crashes are due to drivers’ actions. Some of the most causes are:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Ignoring traffic signals
- Unsafe lane changes
- Unsafe road conditions
- Vehicle malfunction
Injuries Commonly Sustained in Car Accidents
Almost any part of the body can be hurt in a crash. The severity of the injuries depends partly on the size and weight of the vehicles and the speeds at which they were traveling. Common injuries include:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Herniated discs
- Burns
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Damages Dallas Car Accident Lawyers Can Recover Following a Crash
Depending on the specifics of your crash, you may be entitled to a range of damages. We’ll work closely with you to ensure we are aware of the losses you suffered. We’ll also help you to get the relevant documentation to support your claim. Some of the things for which you can claim compensation are:
- Car repair or replacement costs
- Past and projected medical expenses
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Lost income and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
If the other party engaged in willful conduct or they were grossly negligent, we may also seek punitive damages on your behalf. These damages are intended to punish the driver and act as a deterrent.
Get the Help You Need from TorkLaw
Car accidents can be life-changing. That’s why you need to ensure your case is in good hands. If someone else’s actions caused your injuries, you deserve compensation for the physical, mental, and financial consequences. Schedule an appointment with one of our Dallas car accident lawyers today so you can benefit from our expertise.