How Was the Other Driver Negligent?
As we continue our investigation, we’ll need to find out how the other driver acted negligently so we can show they were at fault for the accident. It only takes a moment of carelessness to crash into another car and cause severe injuries. When we’re fighting for clients who have been injured in car wrecks in Texas, we’ve seen the following as common negligent behaviors:
- Drunk Driving. When someone has been drinking and they get behind the wheel, they’re putting their lives at risk as well as others. A drunk driver can fall asleep at the wheel, veer out of their lane, and will have reduced motor control and judgment making skills.
- Speeding. The roads have speed limits that traffic is supposed to follow. If someone is going above that speed limit, they could lose control of their vehicle, and they will have less reaction time to other drivers.
- Distracted Driving. Anything that takes a driver’s attention away from driving or a hand off the wheel is a distraction. Many drivers exhibit negligence when they check their cell phone to send a text, check a notification, or change the song.
- Fatigued Driving. A tired driver may try to push through their fatigue to get to their destination. However, a fatigued driver will not be able to react quickly to situations on the road. An exhausted driver could fall asleep and cause a collision.
- Following Too Closely. When a driver is following the car in front of them too closely, this is a form of aggressive driving. If the car in front of them needs to slow down or stop, the driver that’s following too closely could collide with the back of the car.
If you believe the other driver exhibited a different form of negligence than the examples above, we’ll find out how. Our experienced lawyers understand how accidents are complex and can involve a few factors that led to your accident and injuries. We’ll make sure to get the full story.
What Injuries Can Auto Collisions Cause?
After we discover the reason behind the accident, we’ll examine how you were injured. These injuries can range from minor to catastrophic, and can result in needing to take time to heal or taking time to adjust to a permanent disability.
Our lawyers will seek compensation for the injuries you sustained in the collision. It’s possible that you suffered:
- Head/Facial Injuries. The brain could suffer from blunt force trauma or a piercing injury. Traumatic brain injuries can have permanent consequences on brain function. Facial trauma that results in fractures, damage to the eyes, nose, and mouth can also occur.
- Broken Bones. The impact of a car crash can cause broken bones that will likely need a cast and weeks to heal.
- Soft Tissue Injuries. You could have strains or sprains. One of the most common soft tissue injuries is whiplash, which is when the neck is quickly moved back and forth. This injury can be painful and cause chronic issues.
- Lacerations. Debris from the accident can cause laceration injuries.
- Loss of Limb. A car crash could cause loss of limb in the impact or a limb may be so damaged that a surgeon will need to remove it.
- Paralysis. Damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis, causing loss of feeling below the injury site.
- Back Injuries. Other injuries that can affect the back are disc injuries. If they’re knocked out of place, the person can experience significant back pain and it can take some time before they’re healed.
In some cases, a car collision can result in a fatality. If you’ve lost a loved one in Texas, you can seek justice on their behalf. Our lawyers can fight for you and your loved one. We know it’s difficult to deal with a legal matter after a tragedy. We’ll be at your side and help you through this process.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident?
Your actions after the collision could help you and your lawyer when you’re taking legal action. While you may feel shocked after a crash, there are steps you can take that will protect your health and your future claim.
- Get to Safety and Call for Help. If you’re in traffic and are able to move, it’s important to get to safety. Once you’re in a safe spot, call emergency services. If you’re unable to move, then stay put and have someone call for help.
- Let Paramedics Evaluate You. When help arrives, allow the paramedics to give you an evaluation. They can take a look at your injuries and render first aid.
- Give Police Your Side of the Story. The police will make a report of the crash and will need to speak with you. When you’re telling them what happened, you need to be as accurate as possible. You may not remember all the details—it’s okay to say you don’t remember how some moments happened.
- Exchange Information. If possible, you need to exchange information with the other driver involved. You’ll need their name, contact information, insurance policy number, and vehicle information.
- Collect Evidence. You can preserve some evidence of the scene after the accident. Photographs of the damages and weather conditions can help your lawyer figure out what happened.
- See a Doctor. Go get a medical evaluation from your doctor so they can assess you for injuries. You may have latent injuries that weren’t apparent when paramedics attended to you. You’ll also have documentation of your injuries and you can start treating them.
- Contact a Car Accident Lawyer. When you’ve taken care of your health, you’ll want to get in touch with a car accident lawyer in Dallas as soon as possible. We’ll be able to get started fighting for you to get the compensation you deserve.
After your accident, an insurance adjuster may begin to contact you. They’re likely going to try to get you to settle your claim. Their main goal is to save the insurance company as much as possible, which means they’re not going to offer you a full and fair amount. Your car accident attorney will take the time to go over the full cost of the accident so you know what your claim is worth.
A Dallas, TX Car Accident Lawyer Can Fight for You
A car wreck can affect so many areas of your life. Your lawyer will see how you have suffered financially, physically, and emotionally and fight for the recovery of those damages. We’ll look into the following:
- Lost Wages. Have you been unable to work and will you need to continue to miss work so you can recover? We’ll count the days of lost wages because of your injuries and fight for compensation that covers it.
- Medical Costs. You may already have medical bills piling up. The costs of care can be high—but you shouldn’t have to worry about how you’re going to afford past and future care. That’s where our lawyers can help. We’ll see how much you owe and what your treatment will cost.
- Property Damage. If your car was damaged, your attorney will see how much repairs will cost and include that in your financial losses.
- Pain and Suffering. The other ways you could be affected is the everyday pain of living with injuries. We’ll calculate how long you’re going to have these injuries.
- Emotional Distress. The emotional turmoil of a car accident can affect your mental health and wellbeing. Your lawyer will include this in your non-financial losses.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life. If you’re experiencing loss of enjoyment of life because your injuries are inhibiting you from living your life as you did before the accident, then this can also be a loss that you can include in your compensation.
Our car accident lawyers in Dallas, Texas will understand the scope of your injuries and how they will continue to affect your life. We’ll fight for your compensation to give you peace of mind that you’ll be able to get the care you need, keep up with your other financial responsibilities, and have the time and means for you to heal.
Reach Out to Buckingham & Vega Law Firm
Our law firm is here to help victims of car collisions. We know how quickly an accident can change someone’s life. We can support you through the legal process and help you hold the negligent party accountable for their actions. We’ll seek maximum compensation so you can get the recovery you deserve.
You can schedule a free case evaluation when you contact Buckingham & Vega Law Firm today. An attorney will review the facts of your case and go over how you’ve been affected. We’ll discuss your legal options and find the way forward that will help you in the future.