Everything is bigger in Texas, and that even applies to car accidents. In 2017, 254,853 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes in Texas, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. With this alarming statistic, it isn’t a matter of if you will get injured in a car crash, it’s when. These crashes can lead to serious harm to you and your family. Not only physically, but financially and emotionally as well. This is especially true when another party is responsible due to their negligence. In such cases, suing may help bring some stress relief in the form of compensation for your pain and suffering.
What Caused the Car Accident?
Depending on the situation, you might have to prove different things to win your case. Was the other party under the influence of drugs or alcohol? Was the road poorly maintained? Did someone violate a traffic law? All the different situations can be endless. Naturally, you are unsure of what questions to ask. This is where a car crash attorney comes in. A lawyer can help you figure out what steps you need to take to prove your case for your unique situation. Regardless of the situation, there are some things you need to accomplish before leaving the scene.
- Seek medical attention if necessary.
- Help anyone else that might be injured.
- Call the police.
- Gather information about all the parties involved.
- Take pictures of anything that might help your case.
- Call a personal injury lawyer with experience in car accidents.
Proving Negligence
To win your case, you will have to prove that the other party was negligent. In the state of Texas, your attorney will have to prove the defendant owes you a “duty of care.” In the case of car accidents, all drivers owe each other a duty of care. This includes obeying traffic laws, avoiding accidents, and so on.
Next thing to prove is that the defendant breached his/her duty of care. Let’s say the defendant was speeding or texting while driving. Your attorney can make the case that the defendant violated his/her obligation by performing these actions. However, you might not always end up suing the other driver. If the roads were unmaintained for example, you might sue the city or country responsible for maintaining the road. This is because the country violated its duty to protect others by allowing the road to be driven on in hazardous conditions.
The last step is proving that you have damages. This can be anything from your car being total to lost wages or medical bills. However, you have to be able to show these damages. So, if you were physically injured, make sure you seek medical care. Not only is it important to make sure you are in good health, but it will help your case. Remember to document everything. Every detail you have helps your case.
Villarreal & Begum: The Texas Law Guns
Have you or a loved one been injured in a serious car crash? Dealing with this can be stressful, especially when you don’t know where to go for help. If this is the case, you can always turn to the Villarreal & Begum Law Firm. You might be entitled to financial compensation and the consultation is always free.
The Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS dedicates their time and effort towards helping people in Texas find justice for personal negligence encountered while living their normal, everyday lives.