Successfully Settle Your Auto Accident Claim

Houston’s sheer size means auto accidents are common. Whether you’re on the Beltway, the Loop, or a neighborhood street, you’re seldom the only vehicle on the road. Thus, it necessitates knowing everything about an auto accident claim.

Add in road construction, and it seems like vehicle accidents are just waiting to happen. Unfortunately, this is often the case, which means you may be involved in a vehicle collision. This may also mean you’re entitled to compensation.

However, a comprehensive assessment for rightful compensation claims isn’t always easy, which is especially true when you’re dealing with both economic and non-economic damages. This is exactly when you want to work with an experienced Houston accident attorney.

So, what can an accident attorney do for you? You may be surprised at what your case is worth after your lawyer performs a comprehensive assessment.

Reporting The Vehicle Accident

Before your attorney can start assessing your damages, you’ll need an accident report, and this is something your insurance adjuster is also going to request. Texas law is pretty specific when it comes to whether or not you’re legally required to report a vehicle accident.

Any traffic accident resulting in a fatality or property damage exceeding $1,000 must be immediately reported to the authorities. There aren’t any exceptions. Since the damage amount is relatively low, almost all accidents in Houston are reported to the police. Don’t panic if you didn’t report the entire accident when it happened; it doesn’t mean you can’t file for compensation.

Texas law gives you a ten-day grace period to make an accident report. Don’t forget, this only applies if the damage is under $1,000 and the accident didn’t result in a fatality.

Why do you need the accident report? Your accident report contains a lot of valuable information your attorney can use to start assessing your damages. The report is also something the insurance company is going to request. The report will help support your auto accident claim as the non-fault driver, include contact information for any witnesses, and more.

What’s Assessed In A Compensation Claim

Every accident is different, so what applies in one case may not be yours. However, your attorney will probably assess the following to determine a fair compensation amount for your claim.

The extent of your injuries. Your assessment will be higher if you have internal or other severe injuries than if you suffered whiplash.

• All medical expenses. This can include long-term care and/or rehabilitation therapy.
• Loss of current income. Your attorney may also assess loss of future earnings if your injuries are severe enough to prevent you from returning to work. Your attorney may also include lost income if the accident prevented you from returning to your former position. For example, you are forced to take a lower position and a pay cut.
• Property damage. Property damage can be assessed at repair or replacement costs. Replacement is often recommended when the repairs are more than the vehicle’s blue book value. The blue book value of your car is often a deciding factor for insurance companies. Property damage. Property damage can be assessed at repair or replacement costs. Replacement is often recommended when the repairs are more than the vehicle’s blue book value. Your car’s blue book value is often a deciding factor for insurance companies.

You may also be entitled to receive non-economic damages—so, what are non-economic damages? These are damages without an intrinsic monetary value. In other words, there isn’t a set value for the damages.

Some examples of non-economic damages include pain and suffering. Mental anguish and loss of your quality of life are also considered non-economic damages.

Get Ready For Multiple Negotiations

Negotiations are a pain, but they’re also necessary. This is also when it’s a good idea to have an attorney by your side. Your attorney is a skilled negotiator; it’s part of the job. Your lawyer is usually the best person to handle the insurance company.

After filing an auto accident claim, the insurance company will propose a settlement amount—don’t be too surprised by the low number since this is common in vehicle accident cases. Don’t accept the first offer unless you believe it’s fair. After you accept an offer, the accident case will be considered closed. Further, you can’t go back and register another claim, even if you end up with additional expenses.

The second and third offers may also be too low to cover your damages. Don’t give up! If the negotiations aren’t going anyway, the next step is filing a personal injury claim in civil court.

Sometimes, this is enough to get the insurance company to respond with an agreeable settlement offer. If not, a judge or jury will review your case and hopefully issue a settlement that accurately reflects your assessed damages.

Don’t Wait Too Long To Contact A Houston Accident Attorney!

Delaying a consultation with a Houston accident attorney can jeopardize your claim, as evidence can diminish and legal deadlines approach swiftly. Proactively contacting an attorney today clarifies the potential value of your claim and sets in motion the necessary steps to secure a timely and favorable resolution.

So, that’s all about settling your auto accident claim successfully. If you liked this article and found it useful, ensure to comment below and share your thoughts on this. Also, if you like our articles, make sure to stay connected. Until then, happy reading!

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