The number of cars, trucks and motorcycles on the roads is ever-increasing. Unfortunately, the number of people involved in motor vehicle collisions also increases every year. Even the smallest accident can cause serious injuries, emotional distress and financial hardships.
If you’ve been the victim of a car accident, you might be suffering the pain of related injuries, confusion about what you should do next and the fear of how to pay for medical bills and other associated costs. You could try to recover the costs of your current and future medical damages alone but it it might be best to consult a Houston auto accident attorney to help you through this tough time.
What You Should Do Immediately After an Accident
After an accident, contact a Houston auto accident lawyer immediately. There are certain procedures that must be followed when seeking compensation for damages, and insurance companies are often quick to get you to sign papers or take a settlement that is less than what you deserve for your accident.
The injured party needs to be represented by a licensed professional who has the ability to get restitution for pain and suffering, loss of compensation and other damages. A knowledgeable auto accident lawyer understands the judicial process and has the negotiating skills necessary to speak with the insured party, as well as their legal counsel.
Advantages to using an Accident Attorney
Some of the things a Houston accident attorney will look at are which driver was at fault and whether there were other factors that could have contributed to the accident, such as:
- obstructed street signs,
- lack of driver awareness,
- driver fatigue and
- distractions to the driver such as cell phone use, GPS usage, road conditions and weather.
Before beginning any type of lawsuit on your behalf, a Houston auto accident lawyer will have to determine the types and extent of any and all injuries you sustained in the accident. The attorney will file the claim for medical benefits with the at-fault driver’s insurance company so that your medical bills can be covered.
Once all of the medical diagnostics are complete and the injuries and damages are established, the next step for the attorney may be to file a lawsuit against the driver and the insurance company.
Timeframe to Settle a Case
The timeframe to settle a case will depend on the specific circumstances of your case, as well as the duration of your settlement or trial proceedings. For instance, an insurance company is more inclined to settle an injury case when there are severe damages. However, some insurance companies will make the case to go through the entire legal process before agreeing to a settlement. Your Houston auto accident attorney will know how to deal with the situation appropriately.
The Cost of Hiring an Accident Attorney
If you are worried about the financial cost of hiring an attorney, DON’T. A Houston auto accident attorney will represent injured parties on a contingency basis. That means the attorney will not get paid unless he or she wins the case. If the case is won, then the accident attorney will get a percentage of the award to cover his or her time and expenses.
If you’ve already been injured in an auto accident, don’t wait another moment. You could choose to go at it alone or you could contact Ricardo N. Gonzalez & Associates and let them help you navigate the difficult process of filing a claim and a lawsuit for the injuries and damages you sustained. You can reach us 24 hours a day at 1-800-454-3074 and you will be charged no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.