The Gutierrez Law Firm can help you and your family through the legal process after a Bellaire car accident.
Our Bellaire personal injury lawyers understand that a car accident doesn’t impact just you, but your whole family.
To learn more about your legal options if you’ve been injured in one of these accidents, contact us today for a free consultation.
When Do You Need a Lawyer?
Hopefully, your car accident is only minor in nature. That will likely mean that you won’t need a lawyer. However, as you’re probably aware, many car accidents can be quite serious. The more badly you’re injured or the more damage there is, the more our team can help you. Here’s how:
- We gather and review evidence, such as medical records and accident reports.
- We negotiate with the other party’s insurance company to reach a fair settlement.
- If necessary, we prepare and file a lawsuit against the at-fault party and represent you in court.
- If the insurance company or responsible party refuses to settle, we take your case to trial.
Our team has extensive experience in handling car accident claims, and we’re here to help drivers, passengers, and pedestrians in Bellaire. More than that, we want to make things easier on you so you can focus on getting better.
What Are Your Damages in a Car Accident?
Every car accident is different.
This doesn’t just mean the type of accident, although there’s a number of them, too.
The best way to understand your damages is to look at it in terms of your injuries first. This will go a long way in understanding what your legal damages are.
Because accidents are unpredictable and everyone’s body responds differently, you could sustain one or several types of injuries, including:
- Whiplash
- Head, neck, and shoulder injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Lacerations
- Fractures and broken bones
- Bruises
- Facial injuries
- Burn injuries
- Muscle strains
- Ligament damage
- Limb injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Paralysis
- Internal bleeding
- Back strains
- Emotional trauma
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Damages in a Claim
When you decide to move forward with legal action, it means filing an injury claim. Typically, this is done either inside the court system with a lawsuit or outside of the court system with an insurance claim. With our team, we can give you guidance on what the best option for your claim is and what you can recover. Typically, it involves things like your:
- Medical expenses.
- Lost wages
- Future income loss if you can’t work
- Vehicle repair costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life or companionship
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Wrongful death expenses, if it’s a fatal accident.
What you’re ultimately able to get in an injury claim depends on the circumstances of your accident. There’s also the statute of limitations and comparative negligence to worry about. You have to file your injury claim within two years of the date of the accident in order for it to be valid. Also, if you’re found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you’re not able to file a claim. Regardless of these two hurdles, our team will be there to support your claim.
Who’s Liable For My Damages?
At its core, a car accident is a personal injury claim. This gives us the guidelines for figuring out liability–or the legal responsibility of paying for your damages. In a car accident, the liable party is the one that acted with “negligence.” In the context of a car accident, this means:
- The other driver or party had a responsibility to drive safely and not put others at risk.
- They failed to meet this responsibility.
- Their failure directly led to the accident.
- As a result of the accident, you suffered injuries and other losses.
Once you understand these points, you can determine who is accountable for your injuries and damages. Keep in mind that fault can be shared among different parties involved, including yourself. Typically, those who might be responsible for a car accident include:
- Other drivers involved in the accident
- Car owners if the driver isn’t the owner
- Car makers if a defect or part failure causes the crash
- The city or state government if bad roads or maintenance issues are a factor
- Employers if the driver was working or using a company car
- Auto shops if bad repairs cause the accident
Figuring out liability is a huge step in the claims process, setting the course of how it moves forward. Obviously, the type of accident and other factors are going to play a role in liability, so it’s important to understand which types of accidents you could be involved in.
What Are Some of the More Common Types of Car Accidents in Bellaire?
One of the most difficult things about a car accident in Bellaire is that it can happen at any time–often when you can least afford it. Whether you’re driving along Hillcraft Avenue while heading to Bayland Park or driving along Loop Streep to the Nature Discovery Center, you could be in any number of different kinds of car accidents. Here a few of the more common types there are:
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone or side-impact collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Sideswipes
- Parking lot accidents
- Bicycle or motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Truck accidents
- Uber or Lyft accidents
No matter what type of accident you’re in, it’s important to act quickly to prioritize your health and protect your rights.
Strengthening Your Car Accident Claim
After a car accident in Bellaire, it’s natural to feel shaken and uncertain about what to do next. However, taking immediate steps can ensure your safety and strengthen your claim. Better yet, it applies to any car accident or other circumstances. So, when you’re in a car accident, make sure to do the following:
- Check for injuries and call 911 if needed – First, make sure everyone is okay. If there are injuries or uncertainty, call for emergency help immediately. Once the ambulance arrives, get checked out by the EMTs.
- Move vehicles to a safe spot – If possible, move the cars out of traffic to a safe area to avoid further accidents.
- Report to the police – Call the Bellaire Police Department (BPD), especially if there are injuries or significant damage.
- Exchange contact and insurance information – Swap names, phone numbers, and insurance details with the other driver(s) involved.
- Take pictures of the scene – Snap photos of the cars, any damage, and important signs or signals nearby.
- See a doctor – Even if you feel fine, get checked out further by a doctor after everything else is taken care of. Some injuries won’t be apparent right away.
- Contact your insurance company – Let them know about the accident and start the claims process.
- Keep all paperwork – Save any documents related to the accident, like medical bills or repair estimates, for your records.
Stay composed and follow these steps to navigate the aftermath of your car accident effectively. For further guidance on legal options and what you can do, consider talking with our team of Bellaire personal injury lawyers when you’re ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I file my car accident claim?
You can file your claim anytime within two years of the date of the accident. Usually, the sooner you file your claim, the better, as it’s easier to connect your injuries to the accident.
Does it matter what kind of car accident I’ve been in?
No. Regardless of the type of car accident you’re in, you have legal rights to file an injury claim–so long as it was caused by someone else’s negligence.
How much is a car accident case worth?
It depends on the circumstances. Unfortunately, if your injuries and damages are more serious, the more your case may be worth. Our team can fully evaluate your damages and let you know what you need to do for a successful claim.
Experienced Car Accident Lawyers in Bellaire
Facing a car accident on your own can quickly become overwhelming, especially if you’re injured.
With so much on your shoulders, our experienced Bellaire car accident lawyers at The Gutierrez Law Firm will be there to support you.
We can guide you through the claims process and make sure you get the results you need to recover from your injuries.
Don’t wait–contact us today for a free consultation.
