Bedford Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents often result in significant emotional and financial distress. If you’ve experienced losses or injuries from a car accident, having skilled Bedford car accident attorneys by your side is crucial to ensure fair compensation.

At Bailey and Galyen, our team boasts over 40 years of experience and is committed to providing top-notch services to our clients. Contact us online or call our offices at 817-345-0580 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Bedford Car Accident Statistics

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2021, Bedford had 796 traffic accidents. Among these, 564 were multi-car accidents, while others involved collisions with animals, bicycles, and pedestrians.

In 2021, the Texas Department of Transportation recorded 425,074 automobile accidents statewide, resulting in over 4,489 fatalities and 188,707 injuries. Among those injured, approximately 1,200 individuals sustained serious injuries.

Common Types of Car Accidents in Bedford

• Rear-end collisions—These are the most common types of car accidents. They occur when a car following another vehicle fails to stop and collides with the rear end of the car in front. These collisions often stem from distracted driving, speeding, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Head-on collisions—This type involves collisions between two cars moving towards each other. Such collisions typically result from negligent driving or lack of attention on the road.
• T-bone or side-impact collisions—These collisions occur when one vehicle strikes the side of another, often traveling in a perpendicular direction. These incidents typically occur due to a failure to yield the right of way.
• Single-vehicle crashes—These crashes occur when the driver hits roadside objects such as a sidewalk, debris, building, or other structure. Drunk driving, speeding, and aggressive driving often result in such crashes.
• Multi-vehicle crashes—These are the most severe accidents and often result in fatalities. In this type of accident, two or more vehicles collide with each other. Such crashes typically occur due to factors such as speeding, negligent driving, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Hit-and-run accidents—After a car accident, the drivers should stay at the accident site until the police arrive. If a driver involved in the accident leaves the accident site, then it is known as a hit-and-run accident.
• Rollover accidents—These are typically single-vehicle accidents that happen when a driver attempts to navigate a sharp turn at a very high speed. Cars with lower center of gravity are particularly susceptible to such accidents.
• Blind-spot accidents—A car may collide with a vehicle moving in the driver’s blind spot, that is, the space alongside the car that is not visible in the side-view mirror.

Car Accident Law

In Texas, a car accident lawsuit is essentially a personal injury claim. These claims hinge on demonstrating negligence. To prove negligence in a court of law, the injured party must present evidence to show that the defendant acted unreasonably in some way. Then, it’s crucial to show that the defendant’s unreasonable act caused the accident that ultimately led to the injuries sustained by the defendant.

Texas law does not list specific acts that are considered unreasonable. Instead, the jury determines the violation of the standard of due care based on the facts of the case, considering previous rulings on cases with similar facts.

In a personal injury lawsuit, the injured party must prove that the defendant’s recklessness was both the actual and proximate cause of the car accident. “Actual cause” means that the accident would not have occurred but for the defendant’s unreasonable actions. “Proximate cause” means that the accident and resulting injuries were a reasonably expected outcome of the defendant’s unreasonable behavior.

Damages to Claim in a Car Accident Case in Bedford

Damages in car accident cases can be either compensatory or punitive. Compensatory damages reimburse the injured party for actual losses. Punitive damages primarily punish the wrongdoer and are rarely awarded, usually only in cases where the defendant acted intentionally or with reckless disregard for human life.

Two types of compensatory damages are involved in car accidents, economic and non-economic.

Economic damages—Economic damages are easy to calculate, and they usually have supporting documentation. Some examples of economic damages include:

• Lost wages or income
• Cost of physical therapy, medications, rehabilitation, or medical devices
• Damaged or lost propertyIn addition, when a car accident results in a wrongful death, surviving family members have the right to seek compensation for:
• Loss of household services or assistance that the deceased would have contributed
• Expenses related to funeral or burial arrangements
• Lost inheritance (what the deceased would have saved and left to family members had they lived)

Non-economic damages—Non-economic damages encompass losses and injuries that do not have a monetary value, often with minimal or no tangible documentation, making their value challenging to ascertain. Non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering: Physical pain or suffering experienced by the individual due to the accident and any emotional or mental distress linked to the accident.
• Loss of companionship or consortium: The incapacity to maintain close or intimate relationships with family members due to the accident
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Inability to perform and enjoy activities that the injured person did prior to the accident. It may involve basic tasks like grooming, moving around, and participation in hobbies like sports.In wrongful death cases, surviving family member can also seek damages for:
• Loss of guidance, affection, counseling, and companionship
• Loss of support or assistance that the deceased would have offered

Contact our experienced car accident lawyers at Bailey & Galyen to learn more about accident claims in Bedford, Texas.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Bedford

• Speeding—Some people drive at a very high speed, making it challenging to stop or control the car in time, leading to collisions.
• Inattention—One of the primary causes of car accidents is distracted driving. This includes using handheld devices, eating, grooming, being distracted by roadside attractions, or engaging in conversations with passengers while driving.
• Changing lanes when unsafe—Lanes should be changed in a manner that other drivers in the vicinity can anticipate. When a driver recklessly switches from one lane to another, they may collide with a vehicle in the other lane.
• Running a stop sign or red light—Running red lights is a prevalent cause of car accidents. When a driver fails to stop at a red light or stop sign, they can collide with vehicles coming from the opposite direction.
• Failure to yield the right of way while turning left—Car accidents can occur when a driver fails to pay attention to approaching traffic, or miscalculates the speed of oncoming cars while executing a left turn.
• Reversing when unsafe—When backing out of a driveway, drivers sometimes act negligently and fail to watch for approaching vehicles, leading to a collision.
• Driver fatigue—Frequently, drivers extend their time on the road too long without breaks or fail to rest before driving. Fatigue can affect driving by slowing reaction times and impairing judgment.
• Defective or malfunctioning car components—Faulty tires, steering mechanisms, or brakes can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle.

Common Car Accident Injuries

• Whiplash—Whiplash is a prevalent neck injury in rear-end collisions. It occurs due to forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck. The sudden movement tears the neck’s tendons and ligaments, resulting in chronic pain. During a rear-end collision, the brain can bounce within the skull, which can lead to inflammation, tissue damage, and internal bleeding.
• Abrasions and lacerations—Car accidents can cause abrasions and deep cuts. Some abrasions may not result in bleeding but nevertheless cause severe pain.
• Broken bones—Car accident victims may suffer multiple fractures, depending on the intensity of the collision. These may include arm, wrist, ankle, or leg fractures. The intensity of these fractures can vary from minor hairline fractures to severe breaks.
• Joint injuries, such as sprains, strains, and tears—Joint injuries include strained or torn ligaments, cartilage, muscles, or meniscus. Joints may also get inflamed due to the impact of the accident.
• Burn injuries—A car accident may result in a fire that burns the driver or passengers.
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis—Spinal cord injuries are caused by trauma to the cells of the spinal cord, which damages the nerve tracts, resulting in permanent impairment or disfigurement.
• Back and neck injuries—Back and neck injuries include bulging discs, fractured vertebrae, disc or muscles tears, sprains, or strains.
• Traumatic brain injuries and concussion—Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) occur due to a bump or blow to the head during a collision. Mild TBIs are generally referred to as “concussions” and can involve open or closed head injuries.

Who Pays the Medical Bills After a Bedford Car Accident?

Texas is an “at-fault” state, so it provides for at-fault liability in car accidents, which means the at-fault driver’s insurance company pays the medical bills. If you have opted for a Personal Injury Protection policy with your insurer, your health insurance provider may also cover some of the bills.

The amount of compensation you receive through an insurance company depends on the policy limits of the at-fault driver. The insurance company will only compensate medical bills up to the policy limits.

However, if the insurance claim is insufficient to cover your out-of-pocket medical costs, the defendant may be required to compensate you for the difference. If you are considering a settlement with the at-fault driver, medical expenses must be part of the settlement.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Bedford Car Accident?

The Texas Statute of Limitations states that a car accident claim must be filed within two years of the date of the accident or the date on which you discovered or should have discovered your injuries. Consulting an experienced Bedford car accident attorney can help you file all the documents on time.

What To Do After a Car Accident in Bedford

• Seek medical care—Check to see if you can move on your own or if you have sustained any injuries. In case of neck or back injuries, or any other severe injuries, stay in place until medical professionals arrive. Even if you can move yourself and have no apparent injuries, seeking immediate medical attention at a nearby hospital is still important.
• Report the accident—Call 911, report the accident, and inform them about the location of the accident and whether anyone has been injured. They will send the police and medical assistance.
• Seek help from a Bedford car accident attorney—Contact an experienced car accident attorney who can help you collect the evidence necessary to build a strong case. The attorney will be sure to protect your rights and negotiate with the insurers and at-fault parties.
• File an insurance claim—File an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurer to recover your medical bill costs.

Do’s and Don’ts After a Car Accident in Bedford

Do’s

• Check for injuries and seek medical assistance.
• Call 911 and inform them about the location and severity of the accident.
• Exchange name, address, and contact information with the other driver, as well as passengers and witnesses.
• Take pictures and videos of injuries, wounds, weather conditions, road irregularities, and damaged vehicles.
• Document any details of the accident that might be useful for accident reconstruction.
• Consult an experienced Bedford Car Accident attorney.

Don’ts

• Don’t pretend that you are not hurt if you are.
• Don’t admit any fault in the accident.
• Don’t record any statement without first seeking the advice of an experienced attorney.
• Don’t sign any documents.
• Don’t settle or negotiate with the at-fault driver on your own.
• Don’t post anything on social media until you reach settlement.
• Don’t wait to hire a proven Bedford car accident attorney.

How To Choose the Right Bedford Car Accident Lawyer

Hiring a proven attorney after a car accident is crucial. They will deal with the insurance providers and carefully investigate all the facts and circumstances related to your accident, ensuring that all the legal documents are accurately prepared and filed at every stage of the process.

Below are some considerations when choosing a car accident lawyer in Bedford:

• Consider the lawyer’s experience and proficiency in handling car accidents.
• Browse their official website to gather more information.
• Consider the accessibility of the lawyer and how promptly they respond to your queries.
• Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and evaluate the lawyer’s suitability.
• Examine the history of the lawyer and law firm in handling car accident cases.
• Discuss fees and payment options, including any contingency fees.
• Read client testimonials.

At Bailey and Galyen, we have more than 40 years of experience in dealing with car accident cases, and our experienced attorneys have secured fair and adequate compensation for many victims.

How much does a car accident claim cost in Bedford?

Car accident attorneys in Bedford charge on a contingency-fee basis. This fee is a proportion of the recovered amount, which means the attorneys charge a portion of the award as a fee for any legal work done for you. They do not charge you on an hourly basis, and the contingency fee has to be paid only if the attorney wins you some compensation. Most attorneys charge a contingency fee of 33% to 40%.

The contingency contract may provide that the client will have to bear out-of-pocket expenses such as filing costs, copying expenses, and expenses related to expert witnesses and depositions. The cost to file a lawsuit varies by county but is usually around $350. Many attorneys cover most costs upfront and later deduct them from your settlement. However, paying close attention to the details of your financial agreement with your attorney is essential.

Conclusion

If you have been injured in a car accident, then you can legally recover economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault driver. You have a right to be compensated for medical bills, loss of earning capacity, mental and physical trauma, loss of property, loss of consortium, and emotional and physical pain.

Damages can be sought by filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer. If the at-fault driver’s insurance policy limit is insufficient, then you may also seek reimbursement from your own insurer, provided that you have Personal Injury Protection.

An experienced car accident attorney can assist you in securing fair and adequate compensation. If you file a legal claim, you will need to establish that the other driver acted negligently and unreasonably. Bedford car accident attorneys will make sure that there is sufficient evidence to back such claims.

Most car accident attorneys do not charge an upfront fee. They charge on a contingency basis, and the fee must be paid only if the attorney is able to secure compensation for your losses. However, you will have to pay some out-of-pocket expenses, such as filing costs, deposition costs, and possibly expert witness fees.

You can discuss your case with Bailey and Galyen by emailing us at contact us or calling our office at 817-345-0580.

Bailey & Galyen Attorneys at Law Office Location

1901 Airport Fwy.
Bedford, TX 76021
817-345-0580