Generally, it is best to leave communication with other parties to your Houston car accident lawyer. This includes even your own insurance company.

It is essential that you do not accept blame or fault in any type of accident. Often, your biggest opponent in an auto accident claim is the other driver’s insurance company. Insurance firms typically have their own investigators and insurance adjusters who seek to undermine your claim and your case. Additionally, they may offer you an initial settlement hoping you’ll accept it without really thinking about it.

When you work with a car accident lawyer in Houston, TX, you have an advocate against these companies. Attorneys know when a settlement offer is not in your best interests and can fight for the compensation you deserve.

Driver inattention is the leading cause of accidents in the United States. At highway speeds, you travel roughly the distance of a football when you look down at your phone for 5 seconds. Distracted driving puts you and those around you in great danger. 

If a car accident damages or completely totals your vehicle, we urge you to contact a local car accident attorney. Property damage is one of the losses to calculate into your settlement award. Buying a new car is an investment, and it is not a cheap one. 

A skilled car wreck attorney can help you recover the damages you need to replace your vehicle.

You have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. 

Texas has a statute of limitations on personal injury and negligence. According to that statute, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim or lawsuit. This rule applies to any type of personal injury, including motor vehicle accidents. 

However, there’s an important exception for claims that involve a minor. While there are a few exceptions to this two-year limit, it’s important to file a claim or lawsuit before this deadline passes. With an experienced attorney on your side, you have someone to keep track of paperwork, filing, and deadlines on your case.

Some of the most common mistakes people make after an accident include: 

• Fleeing the scene, which is illegal in Texas
• Failing to call the police to report the accident. A police report is an important part of your claim. 
• Waiting to see a doctor. Adrenaline can mask injuries for a time, so we recommend you seek medical attention as soon as possible. 
• Forgetting to take pictures. Photos and video help your attorney reconstruct the scene of the accident. 
• Not consulting an attorney before they accept a settlement. An experienced attorney can help you get a better settlement offer. 

These are relatively easy mistakes to avoid. The earlier you speak to a lawyer in your area, the better. A Houston car accident lawyer can answer your questions, guide you through the claims process, and build a claim insurers can’t deny.

In a city like Houston, we rely on our vehicles to get us everywhere we need to go on a daily basis. From commutes to and from work to dropping our kids off at school or heading out to meet friends, our cars take us there.

Oftentimes, we don’t think about vehicular problems until something happens. Typically, there are warning signs to let us know something is wrong, too. However, as Houston car accident lawyers, we know all too well that some defects don’t offer a warning.

Unfortunately, this has the potential to cause deadly motor vehicle collisions. Below, we look at some of the more common vehicle defects that cause car wrecks.

In many of these cases, there’s potential to file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer.

To learn more about your car accident claim, schedule a free case evaluation with our auto accident attorneys.

Tire Blowouts

The faster you move, the more pressure your car puts on the tires. Moreover, if you overfill your tires, it increases the pressure even more. When the wall of a tire has a weak point from manufacturing problems, it’s possible for a tire to blow.

This sends your vehicle spinning out of control. In severe cases, this causes multi-car accidents with severe damage and injuries.

When you need to hold a manufacturer accountable for their negligence, our Houston car accident lawyers are the advocates you need.

Brake Failure

Brakes are one of the most crucial components of a vehicle. They make all the difference between safety on the road and severe car accidents.

When brakes fail, it often results in devastating car wrecks. Every year, manufacturers recall thousands of vehicles for some type of brake issue. If your brakes fail and cause an accident, you might be eligible for compensation.

Overheating Engine

Engines heat up. That’s entirely normal. Moreover, it’s why there’s a temperature gauge on your dashboard.

Additionally, that’s why cars have radiators and cooling systems. However, when a manufacturer fails to properly construct an engine, there’s nothing to keep it cool. Then, it overheats.

When an engine overheats, it has the potential to cause a catastrophic system failure. As Houston car accident lawyers, we help injured drivers hold negligent manufacturers accountable.

Misfiring Airbags

Airbags protect us from accidents when they deploy properly. These devices help to protect our upper bodies and heads from injuries. However, if your airbag fails to deploy or misfires, it leaves you vulnerable to severe injuries.

If this is the result of a manufacturing defect, you might be eligible to file a personal injury claim. Contact our Houston car accident lawyers for a thorough review of your case.

Gas Tanks Catching Fire

As you already know, gas is quite flammable. Your engine burns gas to create the power that moves your vehicle. When your gas tank system has a defect, this has the potential to cause sparks or misfires.

The potential there is deadly. When this happens, it can ignite the gas and cause a fire to break out in the vehicle. If this happens, it leaves you and others on the road vulnerable to severe burn injuries and car wrecks.

Sticking Gears

Whether you drive an automatic car or a manual, shifting gears is just part of how you drive. If a gear sticks or slips, it causes the vehicle to become unsteady and uncontrollable.

Often, this results in an accident with potentially severe injuries. While human error happens, the root cause here is often a manufacturer defect in the gear mechanisms.

As Houston car accident lawyers, we investigate your car wreck to find the true cause. Once we know what caused your accident, we hold the liable accountable.

Breaking Axles

The axle of your vehicle is kind of like the spine of your body. It keeps the wheels aligned and straight. Moreover, it is what offers you better control over the vehicle as you drive.

When an axle suddenly breaks, it can cause the tires to come off the car. Additionally, it has the potential to cause the vehicle to careen out of control. Unfortunately, this often results in severe collisions out on the road.

How Our Houston Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

When you experience a car accident, it’s a difficult situation. If a defect causes your accident, it is essential that you hold the manufacturer accountable for their negligence.

As Houston car accident attorneys, we are your advocates in your time of need. With extensive experience in auto accident claims, we help you understand your options. When you have a claim, we work to maximize your settlement.

Moreover, you pay us nothing until we win your case. To schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer Houston trusts, call our personal injury firm today.

Depending on the situation, there are several things that can happen if someone dies in a car accident in Texas. 

• Wrongful death claims: An immediate family member can file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party. The claim can provide compensation for potential earnings, loss of companionship, and other damages.
• Survival actions: These are similar to personal injury claims. The action focuses on the pain and suffering of the deceased as well as medical expenses and funeral costs. 
• Criminal charges: The at-fault driver may face manslaughter charges in certain situations. 
• Insurance claims: Typically, the at-fault driver’s insurance policy is the main source of compensation. However, there may be limits on the policy. 

It is crucial for the family of the deceased to work with a Houston car accident lawyer familiar with wrongful death claims. Your attorney can help you understand your rights and map out your course of action.

What the crash report says has an impact on your case. However, it is not the final word. It’s important to understand what it says and what it means for your claim. 

A Houston car accident lawyer can walk you through the report. If you have any questions or want to set the record straight, talk to a qualified attorney as soon as possible. 

Page 1: Overview

The first page of the report is an overview of what happened. It includes the following details: 

• Date and time
• Location – county, city, street
• Type of area – freeway, intersection, construction zone, etc. 
• The first two vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, etc, involved in the crash
• Injuries visible to the officer

Page one also lists codes applicable to the accident. For example, whether people wore helmets or seatbelts, whether the airbag deployed. Codes can also indicate a drunk driver. 

Page 2: Charges and Crash Narrative

Page 2 documents injuries, citations, and property damage noted by the officer. Understand that this is not the final word on the accident. Injuries often show symptoms after the shock wears off. It is also easy to miss property damage at the scene.

Pay more attention to what the officer lists as contributing factors. These have an impact on liability. There is also a narrative section. This gives the officer space to add details that don’t fit in other parts of the report. 

Page 3-4: Code Sheet

The code sheet explains the definitions of codes used in the report. Look for codes that describe the following: 

• Injury severity 
• Drug tests
• Vehicle damage
• Restraint use 

The “factors and conditions” section is also important. These all play a role in establishing liability for the accident.