Galveston Car Accident Attorneys
Advocating for Car Crash Victims in Texas
When a car accident happens, it can be hard to know where to turn. The legal process can be complicated, and the insurance company is not your friend. At Fertitta & Givens, our Galveston car accident attorneys are here to help you through the process from beginning to end.
We have a proven track record of success, with our attorneys having received numerous awards and accolades for their work. Most importantly, we are committed to getting you the compensation you deserve.
Call (346) 258-5803 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our auto accident lawyers in Galveston, TX.
What to Do After a Car Accident
After a car accident, it can be hard to know what to do. However, taking the right steps is crucial to your future recovery. The most important thing is to stay calm and focused. Do not admit fault, even if you think you may have been to blame. In the immediate aftermath of an accident, you may not be aware of all the factors that contributed to the crash.
Here are the steps you should take after a car accident:
- Check on everyone involved in the accident: If anyone has been injured, you should call an ambulance immediately. If no one is injured, you should still call the police to report the accident.
- Move to a safe location: If possible, you should move your vehicle to the side of the road to avoid blocking traffic. Leaving your vehicle in the middle of the road could cause another accident to occur.
- Exchange information: You should exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver involved in the accident. You should also gather contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident.
- Document the scene: If you have a smartphone or camera, you should take pictures of the scene of the accident, including any damage to your vehicle or others involved. You should also take pictures of any visible injuries you have suffered.
- Report the accident to your insurance company: You should report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. You should provide them with the basic facts of the accident, but you should not give a recorded statement until you have spoken to an attorney.
- Seek medical attention: Even if you do not think you have been injured, you should still see a doctor after a car accident. Many injuries, like whiplash, may not show symptoms right away. If you wait too long to see a doctor, the insurance company may claim that your injuries were not related to the accident.
- Contact an attorney: An experienced car accident lawyer in Galveston can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit?
In Texas, you have two years from the date of the car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline, known as the statute of limitations, is generally strictly enforced. If you attempt to file a lawsuit after the statute of limitations has expired, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case.
How Is Fault Determined in a Car Accident?
In order to get compensation after a car accident, you will need to prove that the other driver was at fault. To do this, you will need to show that they were negligent. Negligence is a legal term that means that someone did not act with the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would have under the same circumstances.
In a car accident case, negligence could take many forms. For example, if the other driver was speeding, ran a red light, or was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they would likely be considered negligent.
In order to prove that the other driver was at fault, you will need to establish:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care
- The other driver breached that duty of care
- The other driver's breach of the duty of care caused the accident
- You suffered damages as a result of the accident
In some cases, more than one party may be at fault for a car accident. For example, if the other driver was working at the time of the accident, their employer may also be liable. If a defective auto part, such as a faulty airbag or tire, caused the accident, the manufacturer of the part may be liable.
How Much Is a Car Accident Worth?
When determining how much your car accident case is worth, you will need to consider both your economic and non-economic damages.
- Economic damages are the financial losses you have suffered as a result of the accident, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
- Non-economic damages are the more subjective losses you have suffered as a result of the accident, such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
In some cases, you may also be able to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are not meant to compensate you for your losses but to punish the at-fault party for especially bad behavior.
Contact Fertitta & Givens Today
If you have been injured in a car accident, you do not have to go through this difficult time alone. At Fertitta & Givens, we have helped thousands of clients get the compensation they deserve.
Our Galveston car accident lawyers will fight for you every step of the way, from negotiating with the insurance company to taking your case to trial if necessary. We will work to get you the full and fair compensation you need to recover from your injuries.
Call (346) 258-5803 now to schedule a free consultation with our team.