If you’ve been in a car accident, you may wonder whether it’s worth getting an attorney involved.
Maybe the extent of your damages doesn’t seem worth it, or maybe you feel like it will only add more complications.
But it’s quite the opposite: Having an attorney at your side will take a lot of stress off your back, and they may find damages you hadn’t previously considered.
In fact, it’s worth getting an attorney for a car accident in Texas, no matter how the case initially looks to you. At the very least, you should book a consultation — it's free, after all!
The truth is, navigating the legal complexities of a car accident case can be daunting without the proper guidance.
At No Bull Law, we believe in cutting through the noise and giving you straightforward answers to help you make informed decisions for your unique situation. We’ll discuss when to consider hiring an attorney, how they can assist with your claim, and the risks of going without legal representation—all in this article.
This Article Contains:
- When Should You Get a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Texas?
- Why It’s Worth Getting an Attorney After a Car Accident in Texas
- What Are the Consequences if You Don’t Get an Attorney?
- 3 FAQs About Getting an Attorney For Car Accidents in Texas
We always recommend consulting with a lawyer when you’ve been in a car accident. Even if the case seems straightforward, there may be elements you haven’t considered.
Having a lawyer at your side can get you a higher payout and keeps you from making mistakes that incriminate yourself.
It’s particularly important to contact an experienced car accident lawyer if:
- You are not at fault
- You’re finding it challenging to prove liability
- You incurred costs greater than your insurance caps
- You sustained an injury that could be long-term, permanent, or life-threatening
- You’ve had a delayed onset of injuries
- Your quality of life or ability to earn is compromised
- Multiple parties are involved
- Several people suffered an injury of any kind, severe or otherwise
- A fatality has occurred as a result of the auto accident
- The incident involved a drunk driving accident, which can complicate liability
- The insurance company is stalling or denying your personal injury claim, or their offer is too low
Remember to act quickly and don’t wait months before initiating the claims process. At the very least, you should get a free consultation to explore your case.
Having a lawyer after a driving accident in Texas can make all the difference.
Here’s why having an attorney on your side can be a smart decision.
Let’s be frank:
A car accident lawyer has years of experience handling cases like yours, and this expertise isn’t something you can easily pick up.
Texas car accident law is complicated, and misunderstanding its rules and requirements can significantly affect the outcome of your case.
Also, time is of the essence since a personal injury case in Texas is subject to a two-year statute of limitations —i.e. That’s how long you have to file your claim.
For an accident victim, dealing with these legal requirements alone can be overwhelming. This is even more true in complex cases, where proving liability and securing fair compensation often demand extensive legal expertise.
So, it’s best to have personal injury lawyers for guidance throughout the process and help avoid mistakes that could impact your final settlement.
For instance, the legal team at No Bull Law has years of experience and understands Texas law inside and out. Contact us for a free consultation, and let us help you get the justice you deserve.
A reputable car accident attorney will take over the tedious and complex process of settling a personal injury claim:
- Acquiring witnesses
- Getting police and medical reports
- Assessing the evidence
- Writing a demand letter
- Negotiating the settlement
- Etc.
You also won’t have to deal with insurance providers, medical professionals, the police, etc, yourself.
An injury attorney will be familiar with all legal procedures and strict deadlines, so you won’t miss any.
Insurance companies will try to reduce the settlement to as little as possible to protect their own financial interests.
They employ experienced adjusters to negotiate settlements that are generally in their favor, which can result in you receiving less compensation than what you deserve.
Without legal representation, you may find it difficult to counter these lowball offers and advocate for a fair settlement.
Leveraging the expertise of a car accident attorney helps you secure your claim and get a higher settlement.
In fact, studies have shown that car accident lawyers, on average, help you get 3-3.5 times the amount compared to doing it yourself.
An experienced attorney will be well-versed in the tactics used by insurance companies and can counter them by building a rock-solid case on your behalf.
Personal injury lawyers tend to operate on a contingency fee basis, such as No Bull Law’s “No fee ‘less we win” policy. So, you only pay if they win your car accident case or obtain a settlement for you.
Fees are based on a percentage of your compensation, generally between 33% and 40%. However, their fee can vary on several factors, including the case’s complexity, the amount of work needed, and their experience. It’s a win-win situation for you as the client.
Insurance companies will often look to lowball your settlement or even blame you for the auto accident so they don’t have to pay at all. Conversely, if your car accident claim is too high, it might sabotage your chance of winning the case.
A personal injury lawyer will help you file a claim that is accurate, which boosts your chance of the insurance company accepting it without too much hassle.
They can help prove the other party was at fault — particularly important in a drunk driving accident — and assess the full extent of your damages so they can support your claim with evidence.
This process involves:
- Examining the scene
- Checking road and weather conditions
- Looking at traffic signs
- Reviewing police reports
- Gathering witness statements
They may also look at surveillance footage and black box data or hire accident reconstruction experts to boost your case. Car accident lawyers have seen hundreds of similar cases like yours and would have an idea of how much your car accident claim should be worth.
You might be in a situation where the at-fault driver lacks the insurance coverage or personal assets to fully compensate your damages. In this case, a car accident attorney can explore alternate avenues to secure the compensation you deserve.
If you have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, one option is filing a claim under your own insurance policy. This coverage is specifically designed to protect you in situations where the at-fault driver isn’t able to fully cover your losses.
Additionally, there may be other parties who share liability. For example, if the at-fault driver was performing work-related duties during the accident, their employer could be held liable under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior.
Insurance companies often use various tactics to minimize or deny legitimate claims. These can include:
- Delaying responses
- Requesting excessive documentation
- Misrepresenting policy information
- Denying claims without proper investigation.
These strategies can lead you to accept unfairly low settlements out of frustration.
While the Texas Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Act mandates that insurers process claims promptly and fairly, these practices can still occur.
With an attorney at your side, insurance companies are less likely to attempt these practices. And when they do, your attorney can respond appropriately by threatening legal action.
If you’re dealing with injuries or emotional distress after a driving accident, recovery should be your first priority. You shouldn’t have to deal with the stress of building your case.
Securing the help of a personal injury attorney after a car wreck allows you to focus on your health and recovery while having peace of mind that your case is in good hands.
While many cases are often resolved outside of court, you'll need an attorney to represent you if your case requires legal action or goes to trial.
A personal injury lawyer can present your case to a judge or jury, using their courtroom and legal experience to advocate for your best interests. Getting an experienced car accident lawyer to represent you can significantly improve your odds of a positive outcome.
If you decide not to hire a personal injury attorney after a car accident, you will be left to manage the claims process and navigate personal injury law alone.
This typically leads to a lower payout or, in a worst-case scenario, to no payout at all.
Without legal representation, you will have to negotiate directly with the insurance company, whose main goal is to reduce the value of your claim. You would go up with insurance adjusters and defense attorneys who are highly skilled at minimizing payouts.
If these negotiations fail, you may need to pursue legal action.
Remember, insurance companies will try to protect their profits, especially when they know they're dealing with someone without legal knowledge.
Without an attorney, you may not know how to properly preserve critical evidence—such as eyewitness accounts, vehicle damage reports, or surveillance footage—that could strengthen your case and increase the value of your claim.
You are also more likely to make mistakes that your opposition could use against you to reduce your claim.
If you’re considering hiring an attorney after a vehicle accident in Texas, you likely have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most common concerns:
It's important to choose a car accident lawyer who's knowledgeable, experienced, reliable, and easy to work with. Additionally, you should be able to trust that your lawyer will act in your best interest. As such, when it comes to picking the best lawyer for you, look for the following signs:
- Experience in car accident cases: Look for a law firm with a successful history of handling car accident cases, especially those similar to yours.
- Transparent fee structure: The law firm should offer clear, upfront information about their fees, whether contingency-based or hourly. They should also provide free consultations.
- Personal attention: Make sure the car accident attorney treats your case as a priority. They should also be focused on what you say and remember the details you provide.
- Understanding your losses and injuries: A good lawyer will understand your injuries and the losses you’ve suffered.
Why not take advantage of No Bull Law’s free case consultation to explore your options and kick-start your case with confidence?
Although it’s tough to pinpoint the average car accident settlement amount in Texas due to the uniqueness of each case, the average car accident settlement case with injuries in Texas was $22,734 in 2022. Claims for property damage averaged $5,314.
Note that these averages can’t speak to the settlement you can expect from your own case, which depends on the specific aspects of your car accident.
That said, having an attorney from No Bull Law can help you pursue the maximum compensation you’re legally entitled to.
As mentioned before, a lawyer can, on average, get their client a 3-3.5x higher settlement — after deducting their own fees.
Under Texas car accident law, the state follows a “modified” comparative negligence system, allowing you to seek compensation for personal car accident injury even if you’re partially at fault, as long as your share of the fault doesn’t exceed 50%. However, if you’re found to be 51% or more at fault, you may be prohibited from recovering any damages.
To prove negligence, it’s necessary to collect evidence and demonstrate a breach of duty and care. Here are some essential points a lawyer will consider when proving negligence in a Texas car accident:
- Establishing duty of care: The Texas car accident lawyer must demonstrate that the responsible party owed a duty of care to the injured party by demonstrating that the responsible party didn't operate their vehicle safely or follow traffic laws.
- Breach of duty: It’s necessary for the law office to prove that the car crash was caused by the responsible party breaching their care of duty by exceeding the speed limit, running a red light, driving under the influence, etc.
- Causation: It’s vital to establish that the breach of duty was the direct cause of the car wreck and the resulting damages. This means the Texas car accident lawyer must demonstrate a clear and direct link between the responsible party’s actions (or lack thereof) and the injuries sustained.
Navigating the aftermath of a car crash in Texas doesn't have to be overwhelming.
As an accident victim, knowing when to hire an attorney and how they can protect your rights is key to securing the compensation you deserve from your personal injury lawsuit.
At No Bull Law, we’ll advocate for you every step of the way. Whether you're involved in a truck accident, bus accident, or any other kind of vehicle accident, we’re here to provide the guidance and support you need.
Take the first step toward protecting your future — contact No Bull Law today for a free case consultation, and let us help you achieve the justice you deserve.
