San Antonio Car Accident Lawyer
Were you or a loved one injured in a car accident? Determining who is responsible isn’t always easy and sometimes getting fair compensation is even harder. By contacting a San Antonio car accident lawyer, you gain an advocate on your side who checks the facts of your case and helps you make the best decisions moving forward. Our firm handles cases in San Antonio and all over the great state of Texas. We have the experience to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact Hill Law Firm today for questions or to schedule a free case evaluation, (210) 960-3939.
Why Choose Our San Antonio Auto Accident Attorney?
- Attorney Justin Hill has recovered millions in damages for past clients.
- He is a native of Texas and has helped clients across the state since 2007.
- Accident cases are taken on a contingency basis. You only pay if we win!
- All car accident cases get a free initial consultation.
Car Accident Resources:
- Why do I need an attorney after an accident?
- The benefits of hiring a car accident attorney
- How soon should I hire an attorney?
- How much do car accident lawyers charge?
- Who is the best car accident lawyer near me?
- What types of car accident cases do we handle?
- How is fault determined in a car crash?
- What are the most common injuries in auto accidents?
- What to do after an auto collision?
- Texas car wreck statistics
- Increasing accidents in San Antonio
- San Antonio car accident FAQs
- Do you have a case? Contact our experienced attorneys
Why Do I Need an Attorney After a Motor Vehicle Accident?
Although you may think that your accident was minor or you do not need a lawyer, there are many ways that our law offices can help, including:
- Speaking with insurance companies, guiding you through the process, and advocating on your behalf.
- Using our expertise to sift through the evidence, evaluate police reports, and interview witnesses.
- Estimating fair compensation based on the severity of the damage, your injuries, and your pain and suffering.
- Ensuring that you are getting the best deal possible based on the facts of your case.
- Taking the responsible party to court if necessary.
The Benefits of Hiring an Accident Attorney in San Antonio
If you’re on the fence about hiring an accident attorney to represent you after a car crash in San Antonio, know that there are benefits you can only receive with a licensed attorney by your side. Hiring a lawyer goes beyond simply getting help with your claim; it can mean the difference between winning and losing your case. When your future and the financial stability of your family are on the line after a serious accident, you deserve the best possible odds of case success.
You deserve the benefits of hiring an attorney, which can include:
- In-depth knowledge of the law and how these cases work in Texas.
- Connections to judges, courts and experts in your area.
- Comprehensive accident investigation and evidence collection.
- Expert consultants and witnesses to re-create your accident.
- Exceptional attention to detail when prepping your case.
- An honest and fair calculation of how much your case is worth.
- The ability to handle insurance companies and other powerful adversaries.
- Trustworthy answers to all of your questions.
- A lawyer with trial experience to represent you in court, if necessary.
- Greater odds of obtaining maximum compensation for your serious injuries.
Overall, hiring an accident lawyer will take the burden of the legal process off of your shoulders and give you greater peace of mind during a difficult time in your life. You won’t have to worry about determining or proving fault, collecting evidence to support your case, or dealing with an insurance company. All you will have to focus on is healing from your injuries and rebuilding your life while a lawyer handles the rest.
How Soon Should I Hire an Attorney?
The simple answer is it is never too soon to hire an attorney after an auto accident.
The at-fault party’s insurance company will contact you right away for a statement. The insurance company is not looking out for your best interests. They will do everything in their power to not pay you what you deserve. Consult with an experienced San Antonio car accident attorney at Hill Law Firm before giving your statement. Having a lawyer deal with the insurance company will maximize your financial recovery and protect you from unfair insurance practices.
In Texas, the statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit is two years. A statute of limitations is a law that restricts the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit against another party. After two years have passed since the accident, you will no longer be able to file a claim to recover compensation for your personal injuries. The sooner you contact a personal injury lawyer, the sooner they can get started on filing your claim. Two years may seem like a long time, but when dealing with a serious injury, it can go by fast.
How Much Do Car Accident Lawyers Charge?
You are not charged a dime unless we win.
There is no risk to you. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. You will pay no costs or legal fees unless we obtain compensation for you. Our firm will cover all of the upfront costs associated with filing a lawsuit. We can even help you with your medical bills. When you hire any of our San Antonio personal injury attorneys at Hill Law Firm, there will be no out of pocket expenses for you. Our goal is to ease your concerns by taking on your burdens.
Who is the Best San Antonio Auto Accident Lawyer Near Me?
Choosing the right attorney is crucial to your claim, but it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process. The best personal injury lawyer will have these five characteristics:
- Compassionate – One of the most important characteristics, as you are in one of the most painful and stressful situations of your life. The best attorney will be empathetic about your current state and understand your suffering.
- Responsive – You need an attorney who is 100% focused on your case. They should respond swiftly to your questions and concerns.
- Involved – The best attorney is involved in every aspect of your case. They won’t pass it off to let staff members such as paralegals and legal assistants.
- Experience – Your lawyer needs a solid track record of success against auto insurance companies. They also need experience prosecuting car accident cases like yours.
- Positive Reputation – The best lawyer will have positive testimonials from past and current clients. They should also be recognized by their peers for their achievements.
Types of Auto Accidents We Handle
Car crashes happen every day in the United States and can lead to life-altering injuries. Over 200,000 injuries occur every year throughout Texas from crashes, which is an injury about every two minutes. Fault in car wrecks is often disputed and insurance adjusters do not always have your best interest at heart. What happens when your claim is denied? You need an experienced car accident attorney who will stick up for you and fight for your rights to compensation.
We have experience handling a variety of different claims, including:
- Fatal car accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Wrong-way collisions
- Driver error or reckless driving
- Multiple vehicle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Accidents involving livestock
- Inexperienced drivers
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving accidents
- Car rollover accidents
- Road rage incidents and aggressive driving
How is Fault Determined in a Texas Car Accident?
Texas is a “fault” state, meaning that Texas law holds the at-fault party liable for compensating the injured party. In other words, whoever causes the car wreck is responsible for paying all relevant damages; economic (e.g. property damage, medical expenses) , non-economic (e.g. pain and suffering), and punitive damages. Determining liability in an auto accident can be very easy, such as in the case of drunk drivers, but it can also be quite difficult. Evidence is the key for proving fault.
If the at-fault driver admits to causing the accident on record, it should be simple to prove your innocence and win your claim. If they do not admit fault, however, any photographs, statements to insurance companies or authorities, or witness interviews will be used to determine who was at-fault. It is up to the insurance firms to review the evidence and determine who is responsible for causing the car collision. If the at-fault driver’s insurance company denies liability, a lawsuit is the only option for injury victims to receive justice and restitution.
What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries in San Antonio?
The most common injuries in motor vehicle collisions are:
- Brain Injuries: According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 20% of all traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in 2014 were caused by vehicle crashes. A brain injury can mean recovery within a few days, or at worst, a lifetime of around-the-clock care.
- Burn Injuries: These injuries can occur when car accident victims comes in contact with heated surfaces, such as hot metal or steam from a damaged radiator. Certain chemicals can also cause burn injuries, such as toxic substances carried by commercial trucks.
- Neck Injuries: Whiplash, herniated discs, and cervical dislocations are all examples of common car accident neck injuries. At best, these injuries will cause pain and discomfort for a short amount of time. At worst, a neck injury can cause paralysis and lifetime care.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCSC) reports that nearly 40% of all spinal cord injuries result from motor vehicle crashes. These injuries are caused when fractures or dislocations are severe enough to damage the spinal cord. In many cases, spinal cord injuries frequently result in lifelong injuries that demand consistent care.
- Limb Injuries: These injuries can take shape in many forms, including broken bones, ligament tears, lacerations, fractures, soft tissue injuries, and amputations.
If your loved one died in a car crash, our San Antonio wrongful death attorneys can fight for justice and restitution.
What to Do After a Car Crash in San Antonio?
- If you are able, call 911 to report the accident and immediately seek medical attention for any serious injuries.
- When the police arrive, give them a full account of what happened, with as much detail as you can to help develop their accident report. Include every detail possible, including the possible odor of alcohol or whether the other driver was distracted by their phone while they were driving.
- Do not give any statements, written or recorded, to anyone, especially the opposing driver’s insurance agent.
- Get the name, contact information, and insurance information for the driver and any potential witnesses.
- Take pictures of the scene and your injuries.
- Get a copy of the police report as soon as you can and make sure it is accurate.
- Contact one of our San Antonio car accident lawyers for legal representation.
Texas Car Accident Statistics
- Texas experienced a decrease in the number of motor vehicle traffic fatalities. The 2017 death toll of 3,721 was a decrease of 1.92% from the 3,794 deaths recorded in 2016.
- In 2017 there were 761 people killed in crashes occurring in intersections or related to an intersection.
- There were no deathless days on Texas roadways in 2017.
- Based on reportable crashes in 2017:
- 1 person was killed every 2 hours 21 minutes
- 1 person was injured every 2 minutes 4 seconds
- 1 reportable crash occurred every 59 seconds
- 254,853 persons were injured in traffic crashes in 2017.
- Pedestrian fatalities totaled 614 in 2017. This is a 9.7% decrease from 2016.
- Pedalcyclist fatalities totaled 57 in 2017. This is a 13.6% decrease from 2016.
- In 2017, there were 1,024 people killed in car crashes where a driver was under the influence of alcohol. This is 28% of the total number of people killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes.
Top 30 Causes of Car Crashes in Texas
| Number | Causes of Crash | Fatal Crashes | Suspected Serious Crashes | Non-Incapacitating Crashes | Total Crashes |
| 1 | Failed To Drive In Single Lane | 605 | 1,461 | 4,184 | 37,488 |
| 2 | Under Influence – Alcohol | 544 | 1,035 | 2,391 | 13,847 |
| 3 | Failed To Control Speed | 500 | 2,896 | 13,992 | 139,131 |
| 4 | Unsafe Speed | 437 | 1,398 | 3,630 | 23,793 |
| 5 | Driver Inattention | 294 | 2,043 | 9,414 | 89,037 |
| 6 | Faulty Evasive Action | 249 | 1,031 | 3,342 | 23,123 |
| 7 | Speeding – (Overlimit) | 241 | 283 | 504 | 2,601 |
| 8 | Under Influence – Drug | 227 | 275 | 558 | 3,108 |
| 9 | Had Been Drinking | 208 | 597 | 1,466 | 9,049 |
| 10 | Wrong Side – Not Passing | 181 | 258 | 399 | 2,106 |
| 11 | Fatigued Or Asleep | 160 | 582 | 1,643 | 9,704 |
| 12 | Failed To Yield Row – Turning Left | 120 | 975 | 4,950 | 31,986 |
| 13 | Failed To Yield Row – Stop Sign | 114 | 766 | 3,557 | 26,790 |
| 14 | Disregard Stop And Go Signal | 98 | 677 | 3,410 | 20,591 |
| 15 | Disregard Stop Sign Or Light | 91 | 453 | 1,758 | 11,782 |
| 16 | Ill | 82 | 322 | 830 | 3,726 |
| 17 | Defective Or Slick Tires | 76 | 190 | 640 | 4,159 |
| 18 | Distraction In Vehicle | 70 | 336 | 1,598 | 12,660 |
| 19 | Wrong Way – One Way Road | 59 | 88 | 144 | 1,016 |
| 20 | Changed Lane When Unsafe | 55 | 447 | 2,282 | 37,439 |
| 21 | Turned When Unsafe | 55 | 290 | 1,193 | 10,639 |
| 22 | Disabled In Traffic Lane | 44 | 86 | 212 | 1,290 |
| 23 | Impaired Visibility | 44 | 156 | 507 | 3,476 |
| 24 | Fleeing Or Evading Police | 39 | 122 | 260 | 1,626 |
| 25 | Failed To Yield Row – Private Drive | 37 | 336 | 1,872 | 18,637 |
| 26 | Parked In Traffic Lane | 36 | 43 | 136 | 907 |
| 27 | Failed To Yield Row – To Pedestrian | 31 | 140 | 541 | 1,244 |
| 28 | Passed In No Passing Lane | 25 | 50 | 91 | 1,071 |
| 29 | Cell/Mobile Device Use – Texting | 24 | 38 | 160 | 965 |
| 30 | Cell/Mobile Device Use – Unknown | 20 | 40 | 150 | 1,514 |
*Data retrieved from The Texas Department of Transportation – Texas Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics – 2017.
Locations of Car Crashes: Urban vs. Rural
We analyzed the data provided by The Texas Department of Transportation for 2017 to see the difference between San Antonio car accidents in Urban areas vs. Rural areas. As shown in the charts below, car crashes are 4 times as likely to happen in Urban areas given the vast change in population sizes.
What we found unfortunate was the fact that crashes that end in a fatality are almost the same number for both Urban and Rural areas. That means it is 4 times more likely to be in a fatal crash in a Rural area than an Urban area on Texas roads.
San Antonio Drivers Are Increasing and So Are Accidents
In Texas and throughout the country, there was a shocking increase in the number of car accidents in 2021 compared to 2020. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the first nine months of 2021 saw record-breaking car accident fatality rates. About 31,720 people lost their lives in motor vehicle collisions from January to September 2021 – an increase of 12 percent from the same time period in the year before.
The region of the U.S. containing Texas experienced the second-highest jump in car accident fatalities in the country (17 percent). Texas alone saw a 22.3 percent increase from 2020 to 2021 (2,751 deaths compared to 3,365). This drastic increase in the number of deaths has been attributed partly to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, there were fewer vehicles on the road due to major lockdowns. In 2021, however, many people returned to their in-office jobs, in-person shopping and the roads.
An increase in the number of San Antonio drivers in 2021 and 2022 has resulted in a corresponding spike in serious and fatal car accidents in the city. According to Sgt. Anthony Dimmick of the San Antonio Police Department, the police responded to 205 deadly car accidents in San Antonio in 2021 – the highest number on record. Staying safe on the roads of San Antonio has never been more important than it is today.
San Antonio Car Accident FAQs
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Texas?
Two years is the statute of limitations on most car accident cases in Texas. The clock will start ticking on the date of the car crash unless you discovered your injuries later. You may have less time, however, if you are bringing a claim against the government. Texas law requires these cases to be brought within just six months.
Do I have to report a minor car accident in Texas?
Legally, you only have to call the police after a car accident in Texas that results in injuries, one or more deaths, or property damage of at least $1,000. However, notifying the police after a minor accident is smart, as a police report can strengthen your car insurance claim.
Can I still file a claim if I wasn’t wearing my seat belt at the time of the accident?
Yes. The failure to wear a seat belt will not bar you from financial recovery. If it can be proven that your injuries would not have been as severe had you been wearing a seat belt, however, this could reduce your compensatory award.
What if I contributed to the car accident?
You may still be eligible for at least partial compensation under Texas’s comparative negligence law. This law states that as long as an accident victim is found to be less than 51 percent responsible for a crash, he or she can still recover compensation. However, his or her award will be reduced by a matching percentage.
What evidence should I collect after a car accident?
If you can, start building your case from the beginning by taking photographs and videos of the scene of the crash, requesting a copy of your police report, obtaining your medical records, speaking to eyewitnesses, and gathering as much information as possible about your car accident. Then, bring this case file to an attorney.
What should I say when an insurance claims adjuster contacts me?
The main thing to keep in mind is that the claims adjuster is not on your side. Don’t confess guilt or admit fault for the car accident in any respect. Don’t give the adjuster a recorded statement or sign anything sent to you from the insurance company. Before accepting a settlement, consult with an attorney for advice about how to proceed.
If I file a car accident claim, do I have to go to court?
No. In fact, going to court after a car accident is rare. The vast majority of car accident cases in Texas are resolved via insurance settlements. In most cases, negotiations and mediation are enough to obtain a fair settlement from a car insurance company without having to go to trial.
What is the average settlement value of a car accident case in San Antonio?
There is no such thing as an average settlement, as each case is entirely unique. Settlement and judgment awards vary so significantly from case to case that averaging them would not give you an accurate idea of what your case is worth. Instead, ask a lawyer about the value of your case. You can trust a lawyer’s estimate, as he or she is motivated to collect as much financial compensation as possible on your behalf.
Contact an Experienced Auto Accident Attorney Today
Being injured in a car accident can turn your world upside down. Don’t take on the insurance companies alone. Justin is a Top 40 Under 40 Lawyer according to The National Trial Lawyers and has won many successful car accident verdicts over his career. If you or a family member have been injured in an auto accident, we can help. Call the law offices of Hill Law Firm today at (210) 960-3939 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim with one of our San Antonio car accident attorneys.
Our legal team serve clients all over Bexar County and South Texas, including Corpus Christi, El Paso, Houston, Laredo, Brownsville, Austin, McAllen, and Waco.
“My wife and I were in a car accident and we did not know what to do. We called the Hill Law Firm almost immediately. Justin guided us through the entire process and quickly resolved our cases. We were very happy with the outcome. Outside of the law world, I have known Justin for a long time. He is smart and hard working. He is the exact type of person you want on your side in a fight. I keep his cards around in case anyone I know needs a recommendation for an attorney.” – Ryan
