Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents happen fast. At that moment, life can change in an instant and never be the same again. Once the dust settles, injured victims start to come to terms with their injuries and losses. Some may walk away unscathed, while others may have to deal with lifelong medical issues that result in hefty medical bills. In the worst-case scenario, a car accident may lead to the wrongful death of a loved one.

Most car wrecks are preventable. They occur mainly due to a driver’s error or recklessness. Drunk driving and texting while driving are some of the main reasons why car accidents happen on the road.

If you or someone you care about has suffered a severe injury in an auto crash that wasn’t your fault, you should contact an experienced car accident lawyer immediately. During such a time, your main concern should be recovering your mental and physical health. This may seem impossible and overwhelming since you may simultaneously have to go up against big insurance firms with their own self-interests in mind.

Nix Patterson is here to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Our car accident lawyers’ top priority is to handle your legal burdens while you focus on recovery.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

According to the General Services Administration (GSA), human error accounts for approximately 98% of traffic crashes. The GSA estimates that a crash occurs every five seconds in the U.S., with nearly 6.5 million accidents happening in a year. The agency points out that excessive speeding, tailgating, and disregarding traffic signals are some of the common driver errors that lead to accidents.

Other causes of car accidents include:

• Drunk driving
• Reckless driving
• Aggressive driving
• Fatigue
• Distracted driving
• Weather conditions
• Road conditions
• Vehicle defects

It’s important to point out that car accidents due to distracted driving are on the rise. It’s quite common to spot drivers on the road using their phones. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 3,142 people died in 2020 due to distracted driving.

When you hire a car accident attorney to represent you in the legal process, one of the first things that they would do is investigate the cause of the accident. You may suspect that you know what happened, but you are only entitled to financial compensation when you are able to prove it. Your word can only take you so far when it may mean that the insurance company needs to pay you money.

Then, your car accident attorney would gather the evidence that you need to prove that the driver was responsible for the accident. Being able to demonstrate negligence is a prerequisite to receiving any settlement offer. It may be difficult for you to learn the exact cause of the accident on your own, both because you lack the legal knowledge and because you are unfamiliar with the process.

What to Do After a Car Accident

If you’ve been involved in a car crash, there are various steps you can take to strengthen your personal injury claim. Never assume a crash is harmless or listen to poor advice from other involved parties, such as not calling the police. The best way to protect yourself after a car accident is by taking a proactive approach.

Here’s what our car accident lawyers recommend:

• Remain at the scene of the accident; you don’t want to face hit-and-run charges
• Move to a safe place away from oncoming traffic if it is safe to do so
• Call 911
• Seek medical attention
• Exchange insurance information
• Speak to witnesses and get their details
• Be polite, but don’t discuss fault and don’t take responsibility
• Take pictures, videos, and notes of the scene
• Contact an experienced car wreck lawyer
• Call your insurance company; don’t give your insurer any recorded statement before speaking to an attorney.
• Do not talk to the other driver’s insurance company
• Keep a detailed recovery diary of how you’re feeling
• Keep all accident-related receipts, including those for your medical expenses
• Attend all doctor appointments and follow their orders
• Stay off social media

When you hire a car accident lawyer to represent you, they can make sure that you know what you need to do and not do after the accident. Getting legal help is the best way to avoid making mistakes that can compromise your claim before you even file it. The insurance company is just waiting for you to do something wrong, so you should not give them an opportunity to undermine your claim.

Types of Car Accidents

Rear-end car accidents are by far the most common type of crash. Here, one driver does not see another stopped in front of them, or they do not have enough time to brake to avoid the accident. Do not make the mistake of thinking that common means minor. You can suffer serious whiplash injuries in a rear-end car accident that may lead to permanent disability.

Head-on car accidents are the most severe type of crash because there is a tremendous amount of force unleashed on both cars. These accidents are the rarest, but they have the highest fatality rate.

Sideswipe crashes occur when one driver tries to change lanes when another car is there or veers out of their own lane. Although there is not a direct head-on impact, these accidents are still serious because one or both drivers may end up being forced off the road or into the face of oncoming traffic.

T-bone crashes are another serious type of car accident. In these crashes, one driver fails to yield the right of way when required by law. These crashes are dangerous because the front end of one car will hit the broad side of another, potentially causing serious injuries to both drivers. T-bone crashes present their own difficulties because you need to prove that the other driver failed to yield the right of way when necessary.

Who is Liable in a Car Accident?

In any car accident case, you would need to prove that the driver was negligent in order to receive financial compensation. Negligence is a legal term of Art that has a very specific meaning in your case. Here, you must prove that the driver did something that would be considered unreasonable under the circumstances.

Motorists are expected to exercise due care when they are behind the wheel, and anything less than that could be considered negligence. As the injured claimant, you are the one who has the burden of proof to demonstrate liability. Otherwise, you would not be able to recover anything for your car accident injuries. Along the way, you may need to defeat the insurance company’s attempts to blame you for the accident.

How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?

Since every car crash is different, there’s no single answer to this question.

Nix Patterson aims to recover the maximum compensation for your injuries and other losses. When determining the amount of compensation available for a car accident claim, several factors come into play, including:

• The severity and extent of your injuries
• How the crash happened
• Your health condition and age at the time of the accident
• Insurance policy limits
• Your life circumstances, such as whether you had a job or if you were the breadwinner in your family
• State laws

Our car accident lawyers understand that money can’t solve all your problems, nor will it bring back your loved ones. However, money can help you get back on your feet after a catastrophic car accident. Our reputable car accident law firm will push for the best compensation that reflects the actual value of your claim.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

The main goal of a car wreck attorney is to get you the financial compensation and justice you deserve. Here’s how our legal team works toward this goal:

• Communicate with the other driver’s insurance provider.
• Gather and analyze necessary evidence that could prove negligence and liability. This may include dashcam footage, security camera footage, police reports, and witness statements.
• Organize your medical records.
• Work with medical professionals to get in-depth information that proves accurate damages.
• Calculate your damages.
• Establish a strategy to seek a fair settlement on your behalf
• Negotiate with insurance companies, lawyers, or any other third party on your behalf.
• Take your car accident case to trial if no settlement is reached.
• Keep you up to date throughout the process and address any questions or concerns you may have.

It is vital that you hire a car accident attorney as soon as possible after your crash. Time is of the essence, as the insurance company may work to compromise your legal rights if they see that you do not have a lawyer on your side.

Compensation Available in Car Accident Claims

Car crashes may result in various losses, ranging from a totaled car to post-traumatic stress to death. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you identify all the losses you may be entitled to after a car crash, which may include:

• Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
• Car repair and replacement costs
• Emotional anguish
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement

The most crucial information that you can have going into settlement negotiations is knowledge about the value of your claim. You would have no way of knowing this information on your own. When you hire a car accident attorney, they would work to estimate the amount of damages that you should seek in a settlement check.

Then your car accident attorney would fight for you to get every dollar that you deserve and compensation. They would have to do this in the face of resistance from the insurance company, which insists on offering you less than you deserve. A car accident lawyer may advise you to reject multiple settlement offers before you are finally able to resolve your case. If the insurance company still will not pay you what you deserve, you will need to file a lawsuit against the responsible driver in court.

What if My Injuries Are Minor?

Minor injuries may worsen over time. It’s important to let a doctor make that call. Visit your physician for an evaluation to determine if your injury is minor or severe. And it is still a good idea to call a lawyer. You may have other damages you are not aware of.

Consult with a Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a family member has been injured in a car wreck and you believe someone else is at fault, contact Nix Patterson today to discuss your case. Our attorneys are well-versed in personal injury cases and we will guide you throughout the legal process.

Get started now to find out if you are eligible for compensation. You don’t pay anything unless we win. We value our attorney-client relationship and will fight for you.

Call 512-328-5333 now to find out if you have a valid claim. We offer free case evaluations.