Your life changes after a serious car accident. Not only are you dealing with severe injuries, you cannot work and the bills keep piling up. Your car is gone, and there is a possibility you could lose your home. The worst-case scenario is the loss of a loved one in a motor vehicle accident. It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident and the other driver was at fault, you may receive compensation. An experienced Dallas-Fort Worth motor vehicle accident lawyer helps you by pursuing the best financial settlement possible in your situation.
Liability in Texas
Texas is a “fault” state when it comes to motor vehicle accidents, so someone is held liable for motor vehicle accidents. The driver of any vehicle involved in the crash may share a percentage of fault, or only one driver is determined responsible for the accident. Texas does require all drivers to carry liability insurance. However, the minimum required coverage is just $25,000 for property damage and $30,000 for each injured person, up to $60,000. That’s not adequate coverage for serious motor vehicle accidents.
If a driver held at fault for an accident has only this basic coverage or otherwise insufficient coverage to pay medical and other expenses for accident victims, the victims must sue to collect the unpaid amount.
Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents fall into various types, but the most generally fall into single and multi-vehicle crashes. The latter may involve just two vehicles or many in a pile-up.
Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Hit and run
- Rear-end collisions
- Rollovers
- Side impact—also known as T-bone
- Sideswipe
Any of these motor vehicle accidents can result in a fatality or serious, perhaps permanent, injury.
Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents
While driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a major reason for motor vehicle accidents, it is far from the only one. Distracted driving—including the use of a cellphone, texting, or eating—is a growing problem.
Other Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Animal crossings
- Auto design defects
- Dangerous curves
- Disregarding traffic lights, stop signs, and signals
- Distractions within the vehicle
- Fatigue
- Failure to yield
- Improper turns
- Negligent backups
- Lane change issues
- Road conditions
- Road rage
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Tire blowouts or other vehicle issues
- Unsafe passing
- Weather conditions
- Wrong-way driving
Dallas-Fort Worth Area Auto Accidents
If you are involved in a car accident in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, call the police immediately, and seek medical attention. Even if you don’t think you were hurt, it is important to consult a physician. Certain types of serious injuries may not become apparent for some time after the crash. The police and all doctor reports are part of the evidence involving the crash.
You should also contact your insurer as soon as possible. Do not, however, provide a statement—verbal or written—to the insurance company without consulting a lawyer. Calling an attorney is the next step in the process after you have performed these other steps.
Of course, if you were badly injured in the crash, someone else must notify the police and your insurance company. The hospital will document your injuries. If you are not capable at the time, a family member or trusted person must contact an attorney on your behalf.
Dallas-Fort Worth Auto Accidents Involving Wrongful Death
When someone is killed because of a driver’s negligence or recklessness, there may be grounds for a wrongful death suit. The dead person may have been the driver of another vehicle or a passenger in a vehicle. The driver responsible may face criminal charges, but a civil lawsuit is necessary to collect damages. Nothing will make up for the loss of a loved one, but financial compensation can help the dead person’s family have a better future.
Types of Compensation in Wrongful Death Lawsuits
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Loss of companionship/care
- Pain and suffering
Your attorney will provide experts to testify about the value of the victim’s future income, as well as related financial matters.
Texas Auto Accident Statistics
In 2015, a total of 3,531 people were killed in Texas motor vehicle accidents. There were 13,616 serious injury crashes, with 17,011 people sustaining a serious injury. A total of 246,335 people received injuries in motor vehicle accidents that year. In Dallas County alone, there were 239 fatal crashes resulting in the deaths of 259 people.
Statewide Statistics According to the Texas Department of Transportation
- 1 person killed every 2 hours 29 minutes
- 1 person injured every 2 minutes 8 seconds
- 1 reportable crash occurring every 61 seconds
- There has never been a day in which someone was not killed on a Texas road