Car accidents are the top cause of unintentional injuries and deaths in Texas. Motor vehicle collisions can inflict severe to catastrophic injuries on victims, including injuries that cause permanent disability. If your life has been forever changed by a car accident, it’s vital to understand your legal rights under Texas’s automotive accident laws. Make sure to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer in San Antonio for legal guidance.
Common Types of Permanent Disability From Car Accidents in Texas
Every car accident involves three collisions. The first, the vehicular collision, is when the car halts its forward motion by striking another vehicle or a fixed object. The second is the human collision, where a vehicle’s occupant’s momentum is stopped by colliding with an object inside the car. The third is the internal collision, which describes impacts between a victim’s internal organs due to the velocity of the crash.
The second and third collisions are what can inflict serious and catastrophic injuries on car accident victims. In many cases, these injuries result in long-term and permanent effects. Common examples include compound bone fractures, spinal cord injuries with paralysis, traumatic brain damage, severe burns, amputations, loss of vision or hearing, and internal injuries.
Who Is Responsible for Paying for Car Accident Injuries in Texas?
A permanent disability from an automobile accident in Texas can have exorbitant related costs and losses for the victim. Crash survivors with disabilities often face significant physical pain, emotional suffering, medical costs, lost wages and the need to make significant lifestyle adjustments.
Under Texas’s fault-based car accident law, the party that is financially responsible for paying for car accident injuries is the one that caused the crash. The injured person must prove using evidence that the other driver was negligent, this resulted in the car accident and that injuries were suffered as a result.
If a victim sustained a long-term injury or permanent disability, this will need to be proven using medical evidence. Common examples of evidence include medical records, scans and x-rays, photographs, and testimony from a medical expert. Proof of related losses will also need to be submitted, such as hospital bills and lost wage statements.
What if the Other Driver’s Insurance Isn’t Enough?
In Texas, all drivers are legally required to carry a minimum of $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident and $25,000 in coverage for property damage. While this may be enough to fully cover mild to moderate car accident injuries, it is likely not sufficient when a victim suffers a catastrophic or permanent injury.
If you max out another driver’s insurance coverage, your next option is to file a claim for supplemental coverage from your own car insurance provider. You may also be able to bring a lawsuit against the at-fault party directly to sue outside of insurance coverage limits. Another option is to bring a claim against a third party for additional compensation, such as the manufacturer of a vehicle part or the government.
Learn Your Rights by Consulting With an Attorney (For Free)
If a car accident causes a life-altering injury or disability, it is critical to have an experienced attorney handle your injury claim. Otherwise, you are at risk of an insurance company taking advantage of you and convincing you to settle for less than you need and deserve.
A San Antonio personal injury attorney can provide you with an accurate estimate of how much your car accident case is worth using tools and experts such as Certified Life Care Planners to determine the lifetime costs of a permanent disability. Then, your lawyer can take over negotiations with an insurance claims adjuster to fight for a fair settlement.
While most car accident cases in Texas reach settlements, an attorney will have the ability to take your claim to court, if necessary, to achieve a fair amount for your severe injuries. To learn more about a specific car accident case, contact Hill Law Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers to request a free case review.