Car accidents are unfortunately a common occurrence. Statistics show that someone is injured in a car crash roughly every 14 seconds. While these numbers might seem abstract, they become starkly real when you or a loved one is involved in a serious collision. If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Dallas, understanding your rights and options is crucial.
Few experiences are as unsettling as being in a serious car accident. In an instant, your life can be drastically altered. The road to recovery can be lengthy and stressful, but the Dallas car accident lawyers at Montgomery Law are dedicated to supporting you throughout the entire process. We take charge of all communication with insurance companies, prioritize your best interests, and importantly, handle all car accident cases on a contingency fee basis – meaning you don’t pay unless we win.
We recognize the immense challenges that follow a car wreck. You may be facing concerns about returning to work, managing bills, and resuming your normal life. At Montgomery Law, our primary mission is to ensure you receive the necessary medical care and the full financial compensation you are entitled to.
We are available 24/7 to address your questions via phone or email, offering free, no-obligation consultations to discuss your car accident case. If you decide to entrust us with your claim, you will not incur any fees unless and until we secure a favorable outcome and you receive your compensation check.
If you have been injured or tragically lost a loved one in a car accident in the Dallas area, contact Montgomery Law today at 214-720-6090 (local) or 1-833-720-6090 (toll-free) for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced Car Accident Lawyer In Dallas.
Understanding How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
To make informed decisions after a car accident, it’s essential to understand the claims process and what to anticipate. Let’s delve into the role of a car accident lawyer and how they can be invaluable in navigating the complexities of your claim.
Why Hire a Dallas Car Accident Lawyer?
Most people have experienced minor car fender-benders. In accidents involving only minor property damage, the process is often relatively straightforward. These claims are typically resolved without legal representation. So, why do car accident lawyers exist?
The answer becomes clear when dealing with accidents involving injuries. If you’ve ever tried to handle a car accident claim with injuries, even seemingly minor ones, you likely understand the immense benefit of having a lawyer on your side. Insurance companies often operate ruthlessly, especially when injuries are involved.
Unlike property damage-only claims, injury claims are handled aggressively by insurance companies. The process can become highly adversarial, with adjusters employing tactics to delay, deny, and minimize payouts. Remember, the insurance company’s primary goal is to minimize their financial exposure on every claim. They will use various strategies to deflect blame, undervalue your damages, or outright deny your claim.
This is where a personal injury attorney steps in as your advocate. Their role is to protect your best interests and manage all communications with the insurance company. A skilled car accident lawyer in Dallas will conduct a thorough investigation of your case to build the strongest possible claim for compensation. This includes:
- Gathering Evidence of Negligence: Collecting police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and accident scene photos to demonstrate the other driver’s fault.
- Quantifying Your Damages: Documenting medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering to accurately assess the total value of your claim.
- Issuing a Formal Demand: Presenting a well-documented demand to the insurance company, backed by the potential of filing a lawsuit if necessary.
- Negotiating a Settlement: Working with the insurance company to reach a fair and timely settlement that adequately compensates you for your losses.
- Litigation and Trial: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, filing a lawsuit and representing you in court to fight for your rights before a judge or jury.
Research from the Insurance Research Council (IRC) shows that car accident victims with legal representation recover, on average, 3.5 times more than those who handle claims themselves. You have one opportunity to pursue your claim, and partnering with experienced Dallas car accident lawyers at Montgomery Law gives you a significant advantage in recovering the compensation you deserve.
How Much Does a Dallas Car Accident Lawyer Charge?
Financial concerns are paramount for car accident victims. You may be facing vehicle repairs, lost income, and mounting medical bills. The good news is that hiring a car accident injury attorney involves no upfront financial risk. In fact, our firm can even assist you in accessing medical treatment at no out-of-pocket cost, regardless of your health insurance status.
Montgomery Law operates on a strict no-win, no-fee (contingency) basis. This means you pay nothing upfront. You hire us by signing an agreement. If we successfully resolve your case, a standard percentage of your settlement or court award covers our attorney fees. If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us absolutely nothing.
This contingency fee arrangement aligns your lawyer’s goals with your own. Since we don’t charge hourly rates, you can trust that we will work efficiently to secure the best possible outcome for you in the shortest time frame. We assume the financial risk so you don’t have to, confident in our ability to get you the full compensation you are rightfully owed.
Common Types and Causes of Car Accidents in Dallas
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), over 244,000 people were injured in Texas motor vehicle accidents last year alone. Texas sees a reportable car crash approximately every 57 seconds, an injury accident every 129 seconds, and a fatal accident every two hours.
Car accidents in Dallas and across Texas can involve various types of vehicles and scenarios. The specific circumstances of your accident can significantly impact your legal rights, options, and the potential value of your claim. Common types of car accidents include:
- Rear-End Collisions: Often caused by distracted driving or following too closely.
- Head-On Collisions: Frequently resulting in severe injuries, often caused by drunk driving or wrong-way driving.
- Side-Impact (T-Bone) Accidents: Common at intersections, often due to failure to yield.
- Sideswipe Accidents: Occurring when vehicles traveling parallel make contact, often during lane changes.
- Multi-Vehicle Pile-Ups: Involving multiple cars, often on highways and freeways due to chain reactions.
- Single-Vehicle Accidents: Where only one vehicle is involved, such as hitting an object or rolling over.
- Truck Accidents: Accidents involving large commercial trucks, often leading to catastrophic injuries.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Accidents involving motorcycles, where riders are particularly vulnerable.
- Pedestrian Accidents: Accidents where vehicles strike pedestrians, often resulting in severe injuries for the pedestrian.
- Bicycle Accidents: Accidents involving cars and bicycles, with cyclists at high risk of injury.
- Drunk Driving Accidents: Accidents caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol.
- Distracted Driving Accidents: Accidents caused by drivers engaging in activities like texting or talking on the phone.
Car accidents are caused by a range of factors, including speeding, reckless driving, driving under the influence, drowsy driving, distracted driving, inattention, and failure to yield. Driver negligence – failing to exercise reasonable care while operating a vehicle – is the root cause of most car accidents.
All drivers have a legal duty to obey traffic laws and drive responsibly to prevent harm to others. When a driver breaches this duty and causes an accident, they can be held legally responsible for 100% of the victim’s resulting damages.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Dallas?
The actions you take immediately following a car accident are crucial to protecting your ability to claim and recover compensation. While some steps may be impossible if you are seriously injured, doing as much as you can will strengthen your claim.
- Ensure Safety and Seek Medical Help: If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Even if you don’t think you are seriously hurt, seek medical attention promptly. Delaying medical care can harm your health and your legal claim.
- Gather Information at the Scene (If Possible):
- Take Photos: Document the accident scene, vehicle damage, and road conditions.
- Exchange Information: Obtain the other driver’s name, contact information, insurance details, and license plate number.
- Witness Information: If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information.
- Report the Accident: Call the police to the scene so they can create an official accident report. Get the report number, as this will be needed to obtain a copy later.
- Limit Communication: After exchanging essential information, avoid discussing fault or providing detailed statements to the other driver or their insurance company. Refer all communication to your attorney if you hire one.
- Document Everything: Write down or record details about the accident while your memory is fresh. Include date, time, location, weather conditions, and everything you remember about how the accident occurred. Diagrams can be helpful.
- Contact a Dallas Car Accident Lawyer: The most important step is to promptly consult with a personal injury lawyer. A lawyer will protect your rights and guide you through the complex claims process.
Acting quickly and seeking legal advice is crucial to protecting yourself and maximizing your chances of a successful recovery.
Dealing with Insurance Companies After a Car Accident
It might be tempting to negotiate directly with the insurance company, especially if your injuries seem minor. However, remember that insurance companies are businesses focused on maximizing profits, which means minimizing payouts on claims.
Insurance adjusters handle claims daily and are trained to minimize payouts. They may seem friendly initially, promising to cover everything. However, this is often a tactic to gain your trust and later offer a low settlement. They may delay the process, dispute your injuries, or even deny liability.
Insurance companies have legal teams working to protect their interests. To level the playing field, you need an experienced Dallas car accident lawyer advocating for you. Your lawyer will understand insurance tactics and fight for your rights. They will be prepared to take your case to trial if necessary to achieve a fair outcome.
At Montgomery Law, we handle all insurance company interactions, allowing you to focus on your recovery. We are experienced in dealing with insurance companies and know how to counter their tactics to ensure you receive fair compensation.
Time Limits for Filing a Car Accident Claim: Statute of Limitations
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two (2) years from the date of the accident. This means you have two years to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries and damages. Failing to file within this timeframe legally bars you from pursuing your claim.
There are exceptions to this rule:
- Wrongful Death Claims: Claims arising from a fatal car accident have a statute of limitations of one (1) year from the date of death.
- Claims Against Government Entities: If the at-fault party is a government entity (e.g., a city bus), you must typically file a notice of claim within 45 to 90 days of the accident. Failure to meet this deadline can forfeit your right to compensation.
While two years may seem like ample time, evidence and memories fade over time. Consulting with a Dallas accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident is always advisable to ensure your claim is filed promptly and effectively.
Common Injuries in Car Accidents
Car accidents can result in injuries ranging from mild to severe. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Whiplash: Neck injuries caused by sudden back-and-forth movement.
- Back Injuries: Sprains, strains, herniated discs, and spinal cord injuries.
- Head Injuries: Concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and skull fractures.
- Broken Bones: Fractures in arms, legs, ribs, and other bones.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
- Cuts and Lacerations: Injuries from broken glass or contact with vehicle parts.
- Internal Injuries: Damage to organs that may not be immediately apparent.
- Emotional Trauma: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
Even if you initially feel minor pain after an accident, seeking medical attention is crucial. Conditions like whiplash or concussions may have delayed symptoms. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential for your health and your ability to prove your injuries were caused by the accident.
What is My Dallas Car Accident Case Worth?
Determining the value of a car accident case early on is complex, as it depends on many factors, including injury severity, total damages, liability, and insurance coverage. The best way to get an estimate of your case value is to discuss it with a Dallas car accident lawyer for a free consultation.
“Damages” refer to the losses you’ve suffered due to the accident, which you seek compensation for. These include:
- Economic Damages: Tangible financial losses:
- Medical Bills: Past and future medical expenses.
- Lost Wages: Past and future lost income due to inability to work.
- Property Damage: Vehicle repair or replacement costs.
- Non-Economic Damages: Intangible losses:
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and emotional distress.
- Disfigurement and Scarring: Compensation for permanent disfigurement.
- Loss of Consortium: Loss of companionship and intimacy (for spouses).
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Reduced quality of life due to injuries.
- Punitive Damages: In rare cases, awarded to punish egregious misconduct by the at-fault driver.
Never consider settling your case until you have completed medical treatment and understand the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs. Settling prematurely can leave you undercompensated for your actual losses.
Settlement vs. Going to Trial in a Car Accident Case
Over 90% of car accident injury claims in the U.S. are settled out of court, meaning you are unlikely to go to trial. Your car accident lawyer will always attempt to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company before filing a lawsuit. If a settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
Your lawyer will explain each stage of the legal process, provide guidance, and keep you informed. They will always act in your best interests and will not accept a settlement offer without your explicit approval. And remember, with a contingency fee arrangement, you only pay if we win your case.
Montgomery Law: Your Trusted Dallas Car Accident Lawyers
Montgomery Law is a highly-rated Dallas car accident law firm dedicated to helping injury victims recover the compensation they deserve. We are fierce advocates for personal injury victims and families who have suffered wrongful deaths.
With our contingency fee policy, there is no financial risk in hiring us. Consultations are always free, and we are available 24/7 to answer your questions and explain your legal options. Email us today or call Sadat Montgomery (the Car Wreck Cowboy) at 214-720-6090 (local) or 1-833-720-6090 (toll-free) to discover how a dedicated car accident lawyer in Dallas can help you.
