The value of a car accident claim in Texas isn’t guaranteed. However, you can ensure maximum compensation with the help of an experienced Texas car accident lawyer.
At Bailey & Galyen, we understand that car accident survivors are eager to know the value of their case before deciding to pursue justice with the help of a legal professional.
While we cannot provide an exact dollar amount for your claim, we can explain the factors determining its worth and how we work to secure maximum compensation for our clients.
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Factors That Affect the Value of Car Accident Claims
Several key factors can affect the value of a car accident claim, including:
- Severity and extent of injuries sustained: For more severe and long-lasting injuries, you can expect higher compensation.
- Medical expenses: This includes all current and future medical bills related to your injuries caused by the accident.
- Lost wages: If you cannot work due to your injuries, you may recover lost wages through a car accident claim. This also applies to any future loss of earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish caused by the accident can significantly affect the value of your claim.
- Property damage: Your claim may include the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property, such as your car or personal belongings.
- Comparative negligence: Your responsibility for the accident could affect the total compensation you receive. Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule where you cannot recover damages from the other party if you are 51% or more at fault.
You should never assume your claim is not worth pursuing due to these factors.
Often, what initially seems like a minor injury or insignificant property damage can lead to significantly worse consequences.
Always consult an experienced car accident lawyer who can thoroughly evaluate your case and ensure that you receive fair compensation for all damages.
What Damages Can I Recover From a Car Accident in Texas?
Texas allows injured parties to recover economic and non-economic damages in a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Economic damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage, have a specific dollar amount.
Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental anguish.
Sometimes, you may also pursue punitive damages for the at-fault party’s particularly reckless or malicious actions. These damages punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.
Trust the experienced car accident lawyers from Bailey & Galyen to provide you with a thorough evaluation of your case and recover maximum compensation for all damages.
How Much Does a Car Accident Cost?
You’ll need to hire a lawyer to learn the value of your case.
However, you can get a general idea by examining the costs of your collision, which may include:
- Emergency medical services: If your accident requires ambulance rides, on-scene paramedic care, or ER treatment, you’ll likely have $1,000 to $7,000+ in medical expenses.
- Inpatient hospitalization: When accident injuries require surgical procedures, hospital stays, or other in-patient care, fees could skyrocket to over $50,000.
- Outpatient care: Sometimes, injuries necessitate prescription drugs, visits to specialists, and regular physiotherapy—all of which cost money. In Texas, the average cost for an office visit with a physician is $150, not including any additional required treatments or medications.
- Home modifications: Severe accidents can leave survivors with new disabilities, which may require special accommodations in and around the home. Ramps, altered doorways, or other modifications range from a few thousand dollars to $25,000+.
- Medical devices: Accident survivors often require medical devices to help them recover. These could include anything from a back brace to crutches, wheelchairs, or prosthetic limbs. While some items cost only a few hundred dollars, others can average $25,000 per device.
- Home healthcare: When the burden of care is too much for loved ones, they may need to hire a professional caregiver. The average cost of an in-home care attendant or nurse is $20+ per hour. At full-time hours, that cost could reach $41,000+ annually.
- Lost income: With the average annual income for Texans being $52,000, even a few weeks away from work can bring financial disaster. Car accidents may force survivors to take days or weeks off, leading to thousands in recoverable damages.
If a car crash causes the wrongful death of a loved one, your compensatory damages can include those costs. While the price of funeral expenses varies, it typically averages $7,000+ in Texas.
These figures only represent a broad estimate of accident-related damages. This highlights the importance of consulting a car accident lawyer to account for all of a claim’s potential costs, which include the subjective non-economic damages that you will need a lawyer to calculate.
A lawyer will typically multiply your economic damages by a number, called a “multiplier” to derive your noneconomic damages. The worse your damages, the higher the number.
Your lawyer will then add your economic and noneconomic damages to determine your total damages.
Who Is Responsible for Paying Damages After a Car Accident?
You could hold many parties responsible for compensating you for damages following a car accident in Texas, including:
- The at-fault driver: In most cases, the other driver’s liability insurance will cover your damages up to their policy limit.
- Your own insurance company: If the at-fault driver does not have enough coverage or is uninsured, you may need to file a claim with your own insurance company if you have certain types of coverage, such as underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage.
- Third parties: Depending on the circumstances of the accident, third parties, such as a negligent mechanic or road maintenance crew, may bear partial responsibility for your damages.
Just because you are entitled to compensation does not mean it will be easy to obtain. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts and, in some cases, may deny your claim altogether. That is why an experienced car accident lawyer can make all the difference in recovering the full and fair compensation you deserve.
How Do I Know If I Have a Valid Claim for Compensation?
You must seek guidance from a personal injury attorney to understand the validity of your claim.
Generally, key factors that indicate the strength of a claim include the following:
- Evidence of negligence: To receive compensation, your attorney must prove that the other party was at fault for the accident. Your lawyer can do this by providing evidence such as witness statements, police reports, and any photos or videos from the scene.
- Serious injuries or damages: A strong claim typically involves significant injuries that require expensive medical treatment or long-term care, or injuries that prevent you from working and therefore result in lost income.
- Timely filing: In Texas, a statute of limitations for personal injury claims gives you only a certain amount of time to file your claim. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after the accident to ensure that your case is filed within the allotted timeframe.
By consulting experienced legal professionals, you can better understand your legal rights and options for seeking compensation for damages.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help Me Receive Maximum Compensation for Damages and Losses?
Understandably, after an accident, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to seek compensation. That’s when an experienced personal injury lawyer can provide invaluable assistance.
Here are some ways they can help maximize your compensation:
- Conducting a thorough investigation: An attorney will thoroughly investigate the details of your case, gathering evidence and information to support your claim for damages.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims. An attorney can handle all communication and negotiations with the insurance company, ensuring you receive fair compensation.
- Representing you in court: If necessary, an attorney can represent you in court and present your case to a judge or jury. They will use their legal expertise to argue for the maximum compensation you deserve.
- Ensuring all damages are accounted for: An attorney can help identify and account for all potential damages, including medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Overall, an experienced car accident attorney is your best ally in seeking maximum compensation for damages and losses after a car collision.
What Is the Difference Between a Personal Injury Claim and Lawsuit?
One confusing aspect of car accidents is understanding how to seek compensation. You can do this through a personal injury claim or a lawsuit.
A personal injury claim is usually the first step in seeking compensation for damages after an accident. This involves filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company and negotiating a settlement. You will receive compensation without going to court if you can reach an agreement.
However, if negotiations fail or the insurance company denies your claim, you may choose to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. A personal injury lawsuit involves taking legal action and presenting your case in court before a judge or jury. The decision of the judge or jury determines the outcome of a lawsuit.
While both options seek compensation for damages, a personal injury claim is usually less time-consuming and less costly than a lawsuit. However, depending on the circumstances of your case, you may need to file a lawsuit to obtain fair compensation.
Fortunately, with the help of experienced car accident lawyers from Bailey & Galyen, you can ensure maximum compensation no matter which avenue you pursue. Our team of dedicated attorneys has the experience to combat shady insurance tactics and aggressively represent your best interests in court.
Why Should I Not Handle a Car Accident Claim on My Own?
Insurance companies make car accident claims complicated and overwhelming, especially when people need to recover from injuries or deal with other damages. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts and may try to take advantage of individuals without legal representation. An experienced car accident lawyer can level the playing field and protect your rights.
Studies show that people who hire an attorney for their personal injury claim receive higher settlements on average than those who handle it themselves. Additionally, having a legal advocate on your side can greatly reduce the stress and burden of navigating the legal process.
Secure Maximum Compensation After a Car Accident With a Personal Injury Lawyer From Bailey & Galyen
If you want to recover the full extent of your damages and losses after a car accident, you need a lawyer. Otherwise, you could leave money on the table and face financial difficulties.
At Bailey & Galyen, our experienced Texas personal injury attorneys will fight tirelessly to secure maximum compensation for your case. We have a long track record of securing millions in settlements and verdicts for our clients. Trust us to do the same for you.
Don’t wait. Get a free case evaluation with our personal injury law firm today.
