Houston Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents are the leading cause of injury and death in the United States. Morrow & Sheppard LLP is privileged to represent people who are injured in car accidents. If you or somebody you love was injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver, consider speaking with an experienced Houston car accident lawyer on our legal team as soon as you are able. We can discuss your legal rights before they are jeopardized by an insurance company or some other entity looking out for someone else’s best interests.

The statistics regarding car accidents are shocking. In 2013 alone, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than 32,000 people were killed in car accidents, and 2.3 million were injured. Someone is injured in a car crash every 15 seconds, and someone is killed approximately every 16 minutes. Of the fatalities in 2013, 11,977 involved fatalities to occupants of passenger cars, 9,155 to occupants of light trucks, 691 to occupants of large trucks, 4,668 to motorcyclists, 4,735 to pedestrians, 743 to cyclists, with the remaining falling into different categories.

In 2013, of the 32,000 approximate people killed in car accidents, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that over 10,000 were killed in alcohol-related incidents.

While no amount of money can fairly estimate the true cost of a car accident that results in serious injury, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that the annual cost of car accidents costs the country a staggering $871 billion per year.

Some states have better track records than others when it comes to car crashes. For example, South Dakota has 15.99 car fatalities for every 100,000 members of its population. By comparison, Texas has 12.79 car fatalities for every 100,000 members of its population. And Alaska has 6.94 car crash fatalities for every 100,000 members of its population.

One of the most important laws to know in Texas is the statute of limitations, the deadline for filing your personal injury claim. The state imposes statutes of limitations on all types of claims to encourage timely filing. In Texas, car accident victims have two years from the date of the accident to file, according to Section 16.001 of the State Code.

The same deadline applies if your car accident claim only pertains to car damage. The courts may “toll,” or extend, your deadline for up to one year if the crash resulted in the death of a loved one. In some scenarios, the clock might not start ticking until the date you discover your injuries. Speak to a car accident lawyer about more specific deadlines for your particular case. The best way to stay within the deadline is to contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a car crash.

After a car accident in Texas, your first job is to remain calm. Do not panic or lose your temper with the other driver. Remain on the scene of the car accident. Check yourself for injuries, and then see if others have injuries. Move your disabled vehicle to the side of the road if possible. Call 911 and report your car wreck if it resulted in injury, death or property damage of $1,000 or more. Request an ambulance if anyone appears to have injuries.

Exchange information with the other driver, including full names, contact information, and insurance company information. Take photos of the scene of the crash, property damage, personal injuries, and any other relevant details. Seek medical attention for your injuries right away. If you don’t know whether you have injuries, go to the hospital and explain that you were just in a car accident. Keep your medical records, a copy of your police report, and other relevant information. When you’re ready to seek recovery, consult with a dedicated Houston car accident lawyer at Morrow & Sheppard, LLP.

Despite it being illegal to operate a vehicle without adequate auto insurance in Texas, hundreds of drivers do so every day. If you end up in a car accident with one of these negligent drivers, don’t assume you’ll have to pay for your losses out of pocket. There are ways to handle uninsured or underinsured motorist accidents that work in your favor. First, call the police. Never deal with these drivers on your own or agree to settling things without involving authorities. This can easily lead to the driver giving you false information. Call 911 and report the crash.

Next, exchange information with the other driver and call your own insurance company. Give your insurance agent facts about the crash, including the other driver’s insurance company, if applicable. Your insurance agent will be able to tell you if your own policy provides coverage for collisions with uninsured or underinsured motorists. If this is the case, you can recover damages through your own insurance policy. If you do not have this type of coverage, speak with a Houston car accident lawyer about possibly filing a personal injury claim.

Legal action may be the only way to recover damages after an auto accident with an uninsured driver. You may be able to sue the driver, the company (if the driver was on the clock at the time of the crash), a product manufacturing company, or other entity for compensation. Texas’ fault laws make it possible to take legal action against drivers who don’t have insurance.

Common causes of car crashes that our Houston car accident lawyers have seen include:

• Speeding
• Alcohol
• Distracted driving
  • Not watching the road
  • Checking email
  • Accessing the internet
  • Checking social media websites
  • Using a cell phone
  • Texting and driving
  • Other distractions within a vehicle (talking with a passenger, radio, etc.)
• Running red lights
• Driver fatigue
• Not properly responding to road conditions
• Not properly responding to weather conditions

If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a car crash caused by any of the above, speak with an experienced Houston car accident lawyer at Morrow & Sheppard LLP with extensive experience in auto collisions as soon as possible.

Every car accident case is unique. Not all will need a lawyer’s attention, but some claimants will benefit from having knowledgeable legal professionals by their sides. You should retain an attorney if any of the following are true:

• You suffered serious injuries. These include broken bones or other injuries that require hospital visits, surgeries, and/or missed time at work.
• You sustained catastrophic injuries in the crash. Catastrophic injuries are those that result in disability, disfigurement, or permanent scarring.
• Multiple parties are at fault. In many car accident claims, parties other than the other driver are partially at fault for the crash. An attorney can help with these complex claims.
• Your claim involves a government entity (i.e. you want to sue the City of Houston for failing to repair a roadway defect). Claims against the government involve different rules and regulations than typical claims. Ask for a lawyer’s help.
• A loved one died in the accident. Seek a car accident lawyer’s help for wrongful death claims in Houston, as these cases differ from typical car crash insurance claims.

When in doubt, reach out to an attorney. It’s always worthwhile to at least schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Houston following a crash. During this complimentary, no-obligation case evaluation, you can get advice from a real attorney about what you should do next. You may discover that you have a high chance of securing significant compensation from the other driver, a vehicle manufacturer, the City of Houston, and/or another party.