A car accident can lead to significant losses for you and your family. A serious collision can cause disabling personal injuries, high medical bills, missed days at work, pain and suffering, and/or the death of a loved one. At The Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, P.C., our Houston car accident attorneys are dedicated to helping injured clients recover and move forward. We will listen to your car accident story, give you legal advice, and assist you with the claims process. Start your case today by calling us at (210) 435-7968 for a free consultation. We can come to you if you are too injured to visit our local law office.
Why Hire Our Car Accident Attorneys?
- We are Board-Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law. This practice area is our specialty.
- We are comfortable in and out of court and have a long track record of success in Texas.
- We look out for our clients above all else. Our lawyers bring a passion for justice to each case.
- We tailor our strategies to achieve positive results for each individual case and client.
- We accept Houston, Texas car accident cases on a contingency fee basis.
Do You Need to Hire an Attorney?
After a car accident in Houston, it may seem easier to deal with the legal process yourself and finish it as quickly as possible. If you wish to protect your rights and maximize your financial recovery, however, this may not be the best choice. Insurance companies excel at taking advantage of unrepresented clients. Without a lawyer, you may encounter strategies from the insurer such as offering a lowball settlement or denying your claim outright. If you bring in a lawyer to represent you during your case, however, you will force the insurance company to take you seriously and treat your claim fairly. A Houston car accident lawyer can negotiate your case for you to ensure the best possible outcome while you focus on healing.Injured in a Car Accident? We Can Help
Every year, Texas is one of the top states in the country for the number of automobile accidents, serious injuries and fatalities. In 2019 alone, Texas had 12,897 serious injury crashes and 3,610 traffic accident deaths. At The Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, P.C., our Houston car accident lawyers have many years of experience representing clients during all types of motor vehicle accident cases.- ATV accidents
- Bike and pedestrian accidents
- Bus accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- DUI accidents
- Fatal accidents
- Mass transit accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Passenger car accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Truck accidents
- Uninsured/underinsured driver accidents
Most Common Types of Injuries Experienced in Car Accidents
All accidents involve three collisions: the vehicle collision, the human collision and the internal collision. The vehicle collision is the initial crash between two cars or objects. The human collision is the crash between the occupants of the car and an element inside the vehicle that stops the passenger’s forward motion, such as the steering column or dashboard. The internal collision occurs within the driver. It is when the internal organs stop moving by colliding with other parts within the body. The human and internal collisions can cause a wide range of serious injuries to car accident victims.- Bone fractures. The forces exerted on a victim in a car accident can be too much for the bones to handle. This can lead to hairline fractures or full breaks. A car accident victim could suffer fractures to the legs, knees, pelvis, hips, spine, arms, ribs, face or skull depending on the wreck.
- Soft-tissue injuries. Injuries to the soft tissues of the body are common in auto accidents. These include muscle sprains and strains, pulled tendons, torn ligaments, herniated spinal cord disks, road rash, lacerations, and burns.
- Internal injuries. A victim’s organs can suffer serious damage in a car accident from being bounced around inside the body, from colliding with other organs and the skeleton, and from penetration injuries. Common examples include kidney and liver damage, traumatic brain injuries, punctured lungs, and internal bleeding.
- Permanent injuries. While many car accident victims make full recoveries from their injuries, others live with the aftereffects of an accident for life. Common permanent injuries are spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. The brain and spine are responsible for everything from motor function to the ability to communicate. Any type of brain or spine injury could disable a victim for life.
How to File a Car Accident Claim in Houston, Texas
If you were recently injured in a Houston car accident, filing an injury claim could reimburse you for your losses. You will need to gather certain information and documentation before filing your claim. Start by calling the police from the scene of your car accident. A police report can serve as evidence against the other driver during an injury claim. Take pictures while at the scene of your wreck as well, if possible. Always go to the hospital after a serious car accident in Houston for professional medical care. Fulfill your treatment plan according to your doctor’s exact specifications. In the meantime, hire a car accident lawyer to help you with the insurance claims process. A lawyer can file your initial claim and deal with an insurance adjuster on your behalf while you focus on healing. Your lawyer will guide you through Texas’s fault-based insurance system while fighting for maximum compensation. If the insurer will not offer a fair amount for your losses, your lawyer can take the case to trial in Houston instead. Contact a lawyer within at least two years of your car accident, as this is the deadline to file this type of claim in Texas.Compensation for Your Houston Car Accident Claim
At The Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, P.C., we understand the reasons our clients have for bringing car insurance claims. They often include obtaining justice, closure and validation, as well as to institute safer roads and communities in Texas by holding negligent parties accountable. The main reason most clients come to us for assistance, however, is to obtain maximum financial compensation so they can pay their bills and move forward with peace of mind. A successful car accident claim in Houston could reimburse you for many different economic damages. These are losses you otherwise would have had to pay out of pocket.- Past and future medical bills
- Lifetime medical costs for a permanent injury
- Disability home and vehicle modifications
- Live-in care
- Medications, therapy, and rehabilitation
- Vehicle repairs
- Other property repairs or replacement
- Lost wages
- Lost future capacity to earn
- Legal fees
- Travel costs
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Psychological trauma
- Inconvenience
- Lost of quality or enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Grief, if you lost a loved one
What to Do After a Car Accident in Houston
It is common for car accident victims not to know what to do after collisions or how to proceed with car insurance claims. Car accidents can be frightening, confusing, and overwhelming for victims. Working with an attorney from the very beginning of your case can be helpful in terms of taking the right steps, saying the right things, and protecting your rights. Before you have time to call a lawyer, however, you can still take certain actions to improve your chances of obtaining a settlement.- Stop at the scene. You legally must pull to a stop and render assistance if you get into a car accident in Texas – including if you hit a parked unattended car. Stop near to the scene and make sure it is safe to exit your vehicle. Put your hazards on to prevent further collisions.
- Call the police. Check to see if you, your passengers, and the occupants of the other car are okay. If anyone is injured or you believe there is more than $1,000 worth of collective property damages, you must report the crash to the police.
- Collect information while you wait. While you wait for officials to arrive, obtain the other driver’s contact and insurance information. Write down other details as well, such as how the crash occurred, who was involved, the time and date of the crash, its location, and the weather conditions.
- Take photographs. If possible, use your smartphone or ask a close friend to take pictures of the accident scene while it is still intact. Make sure to get shots up close of property damages as well as far-away shots of the entire scene of the crash.
- Talk to the police. Always give your side of the car accident story to the police. Tell them what happened to the best of your knowledge, as well as who you think caused the crash. Do not admit any fault for the collision, as this could hurt your chances of recovering financially.
- Go to the hospital. Go to a hospital in Houston as soon as you can after a car accident. This is critical not only for your physical well-being but also for your insurance claim. Insurance companies like to see their clients seek immediate medical care for their injuries. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan exactly.
- File an insurance claim. Do not wait to report the car accident to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Most insurers have deadlines after which they will automatically deny a client’s claim. To be safe, file your initial report right away.
- Gather documentation. While the insurance company investigates your crash, collect information on your own to prepare your case. This can include a copy of the police report, your medical records, witness statements, photographs, video and surveillance footage, and repair estimates from a mechanic.
- Call a car accident lawyer in Houston. Before you continue with your car accident insurance claim, contact an attorney for assistance with the legal process. Hiring a lawyer gives you a professional in your corner to look out for your best interests every step of the way.