Auto collisions can result in high medical costs and physical and mental turmoil. If you got hurt or your close relative lost their life in a car accident in Tomball, Texas, a Tomball personal injury lawyer with Blass Law could help you pursue damages from the at-fault driver or another responsible party.
How Does the Law Determine Who Is Liable for Your Injuries?
Before you can go after damages, you have to know who is legally liable for your losses. Although it might seem obvious that another driver did something wrong, things are not always that straightforward when it comes to liability.
We have to show that the defendant (the person we pursue for compensation) was negligent and that carelessness caused the accident that hurt you. We have to prove all four of these factors to hold someone accountable for your losses:
The Defendant Owed You a Duty of Care
Everyone who operates a vehicle on public roads has a duty to obey the traffic laws.
The Defendant Breached the Duty of Care
When someone does not live up to the legal standard, their conduct is negligent. The rules of the road require all drivers to pay attention to the street ahead.
Let’s say that a driver was texting and driving. That carelessness violates the duty to pay attention to the act of driving.
Their Negligence Caused the Accident
In our scenario, suppose that the distracted driver crashed into the rear of a car because of his inattention.
You Have Quantifiable Damages From the Collision
The car accident resulted in your pain and suffering, medical bills, and/or lost wages. We can use photographs, video footage, eyewitness accounts, and medical records.
After we identify the party who could be legally responsible for your damages, we can explore the monetary value of your personal injury or wrongful death claim.
Our Attorneys Can Help You Build a Strong Case
While you focus on recuperating from your injuries, we can get to work on your case.
We will:
- Update you on any changes in your case
- Gather and organize evidence
- Manage all forms of communication
- Negotiate a settlement with the insurer
- Follow state deadlines
- Take your case to trial, if need be
How Much is Your Tomball Car Accident Case Worth?
No one can give you an accurate idea of how much compensation you could get for your injury claim without first talking to you and investigating your car accident. Every collision is different. Two people in the same accident could have very different injuries and heal differently.
The amount of damages you could pursue will depend on the unique facts of your accident, injuries, healing progress, and other issues.
Here are some of the common categories of compensation a person might pursue after a car accident in Tomball:
Past Lost Income
Most people miss work because they need time to recuperate from their injuries and medical treatments, like surgery or the side effects of medication.
If you did not get your full typical wages or salary because of the collision and your injuries, the lost income could be added to your claim.
Future Lost Income
Depending on the type and severity of your injuries and whether you have a lasting impairment, you might have potentially recoverable future lost income.
When a person has diminished strength, stamina, range of motion, or other functional limitations from a collision, they might have to reduce their hours or switch to a lower-paying job.
Initial Medical Bills for the Emergency
The initial medical expenses can include things like the:
- Emergency room
- Doctors
- Hospital
- Physical therapy
- Surgery
- Diagnostic procedures
- Prescription drugs needed to treat your injuries right after the accident
Follow-Up Medical Expenses
Sometimes people need to heal for a while and then undergo additional medical treatment, like additional operations or ongoing physical therapy. These expenses that you incurred because of the accident can be recoverable.
Pain and Suffering
Paying your out-of-pocket losses does not recognize the fact that you went through physical discomfort and emotional distress because of the collision and your injuries.
In addition to physical pain, you might have had to worry for weeks or months whether you would ever again be able to walk, use your hands, or support yourself through gainful employment.
Other Intangible Losses
Depending on the type and severity of their injuries, some people can lose their enjoyment of life because of a car accident.
Many people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a traumatic event, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Witnessing or experiencing severe injuries or fatalities can shock the senses and cause this potentially debilitating psychological condition.
Wrongful Death Damages
If your close relative died because of the car accident in Tomball, Texas, a lawyer with Blass Law might be able to go after additional compensation on behalf of the legal beneficiaries.
Some forms of compensation might include:
- Burial and funeral expenses
- Medical bills
- Loss of consortium and financial support
How Long do You Have to Request Damages From the Other Party?
You do not want to delay talking to a car accident lawyer with our firm due to an approaching deadline. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003 gives you only two years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for personal injury or wrongful death.
If you miss the deadline, you could forever lose the right to hold the at-fault party financially responsible for the harm they caused. Filing a claim with the insurance company does not satisfy this requirement. We encourage you to reach out to us in time so that we can conduct the proper investigation to determine whether to file your case with the court.
Connect with the Attorneys at Blass Law Today to get Started on Your Car Accident Case
You can call Blass Law to find out how our lawyers serving Tomball can help you with your car accident claim. Contact one of our team members today for more information.