Car accidents happen everywhere — not just in Texas. Every car accident is different and causes different levels of damage, pain, and injuries. The majority of auto accidents are brought on by a driver’s negligence or a brief lapse of concentration. Some are the consequences of reckless decisions.
Common acts of negligence occur when someone drives at dangerous speeds, drives under the influence of mind-altering substances like alcohol and hard drugs, executes dangerous lane changes, or ignores traffic regulations.
Marco Bass has represented individuals and organizations across San Antonio, Texas for several years. Our group of attorneys understands not only the rules of the road but they are also experts in the handling of car accident cases and the resulting losses.
Our attorneys partner with law enforcement agencies to find answers to complex situations. We have discovered that knowing these answers can sometimes reveal how an auto accident happened on the roadside, highway, or intersection and who was at fault.
Why You Need A Car Accident Attorney
There’s no law requiring you to hire an attorney after a car accident. However, you need legal representation to fight for compensation for damages and suffering. While you concentrate on your full recovery, your representatives will pursue legal action on your behalf.
You may think that your accident was so insignificant that you do not need an attorney. Yet, there are still several ways that our law firm can assist you:
- Engaging with insurance companies, advising you through the process, and speaking on your behalf
- Using our legal knowledge to evaluate the evidence, assess police reports, and interrogate eyewitnesses
- Estimating adequate damage based on the extent of your injuries, trauma, and loss
- Guarantee that you are getting the best settlement possible on the premises of the evidence available
- Taking responsible parties to court in cases of gross negligence
What Are the Types of Car Accidents?
Every accident is different, but many have similar causes and consequences. Knowing the main types of auto accidents may help you avoid them.
Rear-end Collisions
Rear-end collisions occur when drivers fail to pay attention to the road or follow the next car too closely. This happens when a driver doesn’t keep enough space between his vehicle and the vehicle in front of him. Therefore, the driver may not have the time and space to stop and prevent a crash.
The rear driver is typically held responsible if they follow another driver too closely. On the other hand, if the driver in front stops suddenly or reverses without warning, they may face the blame.
Head-on Collisions
Head-on collisions are incredibly dangerous car accidents. Fortunately, they are the least common. In these collisions, with both drivers moving forward from different directions, cataclysmic crashes may cause serious bodily injury and property damage.
As a result, head-on car crashes are more likely to lead to serious injuries or casualties than other kinds of car accidents. Common causes are usually speeding, careless driving, distracted driving, and fatigue. Possible injuries include traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, fractures, and broken bones.
Side-impact Collisions
Side-impact collisions occur when a car traveling in one direction collides perpendicularly with another car. When the vehicles collide, a “T” shape is formed. Those inside the side-struck car often die in side-impact incidents because the side of your vehicle is less resilient than the front and rear ends.
Side-impact collisions are frequently caused by drivers who do not follow traffic regulations, abruptly stop at crossroads, or violate other traffic laws. These drivers should be held financially liable for the harm they do to other drivers and property.
Multi-Vehicle Accidents
Some collisions involve three or more vehicles, resulting in mayhem, calamity, and more casualties. These cases require sophisticated legal representation, as they deal with multiple insurance companies and parties. Insurance companies will be quick to shift blame away from their policyholders. So, it’s important to have assistance from a proven car accident attorney like Marco Bass.
Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents occur in many scenarios and are likely to cause fatalities. For example, rollovers may result in fire explosions from spilled fuel explosions.
Possible causes of rollover accidents include:
- Driver fatigue
- Driving through a road barricade
- Hitting a large animal
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
Blind Spot Accidents
Before switching lanes, every motorist should check their blind spots, but not everyone does. When drivers don’t check their blind spots while driving in traffic, accidents are more likely to happen. For example, someone may not see your car when changing lanes and sideswipe your vehicle.
Smaller cars and motorcycles can disappear in a larger vehicle’s blind spot. Because of their small size, they are particularly vulnerable. This kind of accident may lead to serious injuries based on the speed of the vehicle, the angle of impact, and other factors.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents can cause serious legal consequences for guilty parties. For one thing, it’s against the law to leave the scene of an accident. Therefore, the responsible driver could face fines, jail time, and other penalties. At the same time, it’s difficult to get compensation if someone flees the scene of an accident and you aren’t able to identify them.
You need effective car accident attorneys to represent you so that you can receive the compensation you deserve related to medical bills, injuries, and property damage. Get in touch with our office to set up a consultation.
What You Should Do After a Hit-and-Run Car Accident?
- Don’t attempt to stop the hit-and-run driver.
- Contact the local police and inform them you’ve just been in a hit-and-run accident.
- Remember as much as you can about the accident, such as a description of the driver, the number on the license plate, or the brand, model, and color of the vehicle. Also note which direction did they headed in when they left the scene of the accident.
- Get the contact details of the eyewitnesses.
- Take photographs of your vehicle and the scene if you have a camera.
Our personal injury attorneys help clients estimate damages, which could include compensation for:
- Previous and future medical expenses
- Loss of revenue or wages while the victim was unable to work.
- Loss of revenue potential for future work if the injuries sustained are so serious that the victim is permanently disabled.
- Expenses for car repair or replacement, as well as costs associated with other property damage
In instances that pertain to gross negligence, courts are also often ready to grant punitive damages to the victim. This penalizes the culprit to discourage similar behavior in the future.
Best Texas Car Accident Attorney Near Me
Being involved in a car accident can change one’s life forever. It is not easy to take on insurance companies alone. We have won several car accident injury verdicts over our careers. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash, we are ready to help.
Marco Bass Car Accident Attorney FAQs
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Texas?
Two years is the statutory limitation for most car accident cases in Texas. The timeline starts on the date of the car accident, unless you discover your injuries at a later date. If you bring a case against the state of Texas, you must file your case within six months.
Do I have to report a minor car accident in Texas?
Contact the police after a car crash involving injuries, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more. Remember that a police report can help your car insurance claim.
Can I file a claim if I didn’t have a seat belt on?
Yes, you can. Not wearing a seat belt won’t interfere with your claim. However, it may impact the final judgment. If the opposing attorneys show that wearing a seat belt would have reduced the extent of your injuries, you may receive less compensation.
What if I contributed to the car accident?
You may still qualify for partial compensation under Texas’s comparative negligence law. It states that you can recover damages if found 49% responsible or less. Partial blame, as determined by a judge or jury, can negatively impact your total compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact the law offices of Marco Bass today for immediate assistance.
