Dallas Car Accident Lawyer

Vehicular accidents may end up in tragic injuries that have long-term consequences on one’s health, wealth, and future. Some accidents that may occur as a result of a car accident include:

No one chooses to be in a car accident. While some car accidents cannot be avoided, others are preventable. Knowing common car accident scenarios can keep drivers from becoming accident statistics.

A few of the most common car accident types are rear-end collisions, t-bone accidents, and single-car accidents.

• Rear-end collisions. In a rear-end collision, one vehicle collides with the back end of another. The following driver is usually liable for the accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 29% of all accidents are rear-end collisions;
• T-bone accidents. A T-bone accident may also be called a side-impact collision or a broadside accident. In these accidents, the front end of one car collides with the passenger side of another creating a “T” shape. T-bone accidents generally occur at intersections; and
• Single-car accidents. Single-car accidents only involve one car, but this does not mean the driver is liable for the accident. In most single-car accidents, the car collides with an inanimate object like a tree or a highway structure.

Avoiding Common Car Accidents

Avoid common car accidents by focusing on driving. One of the most deadly activities practiced by drivers today is distracted driving.

Distracted driving is driving while your attention is focused on some other task. The most deadly form of distracted driving is texting.

Other ways drivers are distracted include:

Paying attention to the weather can also prevent accidents. Drivers should know their local forecasts and road conditions.

When roads are wet, drivers need greater stopping distances, and vehicles can hydroplane on wet roads. It is wise to always keep a safe following distance regardless of conditions.

Safe following distances can prevent rear-end accidents in inclement weather, heavy traffic, or in the event of an unforeseen road hazard. Avoiding road hazards is easier when drivers are anticipating sudden stops.

Drivers should always be ready to stop even when they are the only vehicle on the road. Doing so can help to avoid single-car accidents in unanticipated circumstances.

Drivers need to follow all traffic rules and regulations. Speeding is the leading cause of car accidents in Dallas. Speeding is illegal and leaves a driver open to full accident liability even if an accident was only partially their fault.

If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to hold the other motorist accountable for their actions. To ensure that you can preserve the claims you can bring against the other driver, be sure to do the following steps:

• Call an Officer to Conduct a Police Report. Serious accidents must be investigated by the authorities. A police report can be a strong piece of evidence that you can use to refute the claims of the other side.
• Gather information of fellow driver/s and witnesses. While the cops might offer to take your information, be sure to still do your due diligence and gather all the contact and insurance information of those involved in the accident so you can follow up as necessary.
• Document the scene. Take photos of the damage and other necessary evidence.
• Seek immediate medical attention. Documentation of your medical state following an accident is a crucial piece of evidence.
• Consider getting an evaluation of your vehicle. By having an examiner look at your vehicle, you will have a sense of how much the accident will cost and how that fits in with your insurance policy.
• Consider reaching out to a Dallas car accident lawyer. A lawyer from the get-go can be crucial to ensure you do not say anything to an insurer or opposing lawyer that might be difficult to retract.

Lawsuits need planning, attention to detail, and adherence to stringent deadlines. In fact, even assessing whether a lawsuit is proper requires a realistic view of your claim. A Dallas auto accident lawyer can provide you with specialized assistance and guidance from experts who have handled hundreds of cases.

Lawyers can assist beyond just determining how to file a legal claim. When you are unsure who to visit after a car crash, our Dallas car accident lawyers can assist you in finding an adequate care provider, preserving evidence, handling insurance calls, assisting in advice for car damage evaluation, and walking you through the claim, settlement, and trial process.

As of the 2020 Census, there were over 1.3 million people living in Dallas. Dallas is the third largest city in Texas and the ninth most populous in the United States.

Sadly, in 2022, Dallas also saw the third-highest number of traffic crashes and the second-highest number of fatalities from crashes in Texas. The 2022 TxDOT motor vehicle accident statistics for Dallas are as follows:

Many of the above auto accidents, injuries, and fatalities were preventable. Thankfully Dallas is taking steps to improve road safety for its residents and visitors.

In June 2022, the Dallas City Council unanimously passed a Vision Zero action plan seeking to eliminate traffic deaths and severe injuries by improving road safety.

The action plan includes at least 40 steps and recommendations for Dallas to reduce auto accident deaths which could cost $30 million. However, Vision Zero could save lives, and improve traffic conditions and road safety for the city’s residents and visitors.

Texas Is A Fault-Based Insurance State

Recovery in motor vehicle crashes depends on state insurance law. Texas is a fault-based insurance state. This means that the party liable for the motor vehicle accident is responsible for any resulting injuries and property loss.

When an at-fault party has car insurance, any damages claim is filed against their car insurance company. Texas requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance in the event of an accident.

Texas minimum liability coverage is currently set at:

• $30,000 for each injured person;
• Up to $60,000 per accident; and
• $25,000 for property damage per accident.

However, drivers may opt to carry more coverage as this is the lowest coverage available. If car accident injuries exceed an at-fault driver’s coverage, an injured party can personally sue the driver for the difference.

Texas Follows the Modified Comparative Fault Rule

Texas follows the modified comparative fault rule. Under this rule, injured drivers who sue to recover damages exceeding an at-fault driver’s insurance must prove the other driver caused the accident.

If the court finds both parties shared fault for the accident, each is assigned a percentage of that fault up to 100%. Any injured party found 51% or more at fault is barred from monetary recovery.

If an injured party is less than 51% responsible for the accident, any damages award is reduced by their percentage of fault.

For example:

Modified comparative fault prevents drivers who are primarily at fault for accidents from recovering monetary damages from their less liable counterparts.

A liable party may avoid responsibility for severe injuries when the injured party failed to wear a seat belt. Seat belt use is required by Texas law and failure to wear a seat belt can exacerbate accident injuries.

Car accident claims are filed with a liable party’s insurance company. Experienced car accident attorneys file claims on behalf of their clients as well as demand letters for current and future accident-related compensation.

Attorneys thoroughly assess and investigate all aspects of an auto accident to determine a proper demand amount and solidify a client’s claim. While every motor vehicle accident is unique, the following categories of damages are common in all personal injury claims:

• Economic damages. Economic damages are quantifiable expenses and monetary losses evidenced by receipts and bills;
• Non-economic damages. These have undefinable costs and are personal to the victim; and
• Punitive damages. Punitive damages are rare and are meant to punish or set an example of a responsible party not to award a victim. These are court-awarded damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages include current and future accident-related expenses. They include but are not limited to:

Mathias Raphael PLLC Accident & Injury Lawyers is truly dedicated to helping you obtain the compensation you need to cover the costly expenses associated with a Dallas car accident.

Here’s why we’re the top choice for your legal representation:

• We have a a history of successful outcomes in injury cases
• Over 20 years of experience in the field of accident and injury law
• We’ve successfully obtained tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients
• We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay any out-of-pocket fees for our services unless we win your case

When you choose Mathias Raphael PLLC Accident & Injury Lawyers, you’re choosing a legal team dedicated to your best interests.

When you’re suffering due to injuries from a car wreck, it can be hard to focus and work on your car accident case. Let us do it for you so you can rest. Contact us today or give us a call at (903) 751-3489.