Temple Car Accident Lawyer

When two cars collide, the resulting impact can be significant. A collision can be extremely hazardous even when both vehicles are traveling at low speed. Weighing more than 2,000 pounds, clunky automobiles can cause extensive property damage and lasting bodily injuries to anything they collide with. If a crash is the result of another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to significant monetary compensation.

If you or a loved one were severely injured in a car crash, a compassionate personal injury attorney can fight for your rights. A Temple car accident lawyer can review your case, help you construct a sound defense, and assist with pursuing legal action against the negligent driver. En Español.

Common Causes of an Automobile Collision

A majority of vehicle incidents occur due to the negligence of a third party, but other factors can often lead to a crash. Almost every potential cause of a collision can be tied to a different potential defendant. Multiple factors could even combine to result in a severe wreck.

Many accidents occur due to the other driver’s negligence, but that is not always the case. Anything from poorly maintained roads, weather hazards, or mechanical defects can be responsible. Common causes of car wrecks include:

Intoxicated driving
Distracted driving
Mechanical defects
Fatigued driving
Following another vehicle too closely
Disobeying a traffic light
Dilapidated roads
Aggressive driving

No matter how an accident occurred, a well-practiced Temple attorney can help a person injured in a car accident seek compensation from the person or entity responsible.

Common Injuries After a Car Accident

A motor vehicle collision can result in severe injury. Heavy weight and high speeds make automobiles extremely dangerous. Negligent drivers turn their cars into battering rams when they divert their attention from the road. An automobile accident can irreversibly alter the path of an individual’s life.

Common vehicle collision injuries include, but are not limited to:

Broken bones
Concussions or brain injuries
Spinal cord injury
Whiplash or other neck issues
Cuts or gashes
Paralysis
Death

A skilled car accident attorney understands the physical and mental toll that these injuries inflict on a person. They can help an individual navigate the aftermath of an incident by providing knowledgeable legal counsel.

Recovering Damages after a Crash

Many car accident victims are eligible for financial compensation, and there are three types of damages that a skilled attorney can help an injured person recover. These include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Each of these types of reimbursements requires evidence of their nature, proof that they were caused by the defendant, and in some cases an explanation of their specific dollar amounts.

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate an injured person for losses that have a dollar amount attached to them. These losses are measurable, meaning that an attorney can establish their value using documents like receipts or invoices. Common examples include medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost income, and property damage.

These types of damages require proof of the amount of financial harm that actually occurred or will occur in the future. A wounded plaintiff could use evidence like billing information, repair bills, and expert estimation of future costs to validate their setbacks. A detail-oriented attorney can help a plaintiff navigate the legal process in an effort to maximize economic damages.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are for those intangible losses that come with a car accident. Unlike economic damages, this form of compensation is subjective. This makes it more of a challenge to apply a dollar amount to these damages during the course of a jury trial. Because these damages are more ambiguous, proving them often requires testimony from experts or witnesses to provide the jury with the context of how serious these conditions are.

Some common examples of non-economic damages include the loss of consortium, pain and suffering, and mental anguish. While these damages may not have a specific dollar amount attached to them, they are no less valuable. Many of these setbacks could amount to a substantial settlement in a successful case.

Punitive Damages

The least common type of damages that can be awarded in a car accident case are known as punitive damages. Unlike the other types, these damages are not intended to compensate an injured motorist. Instead, their purpose is to punish a defendant for egregious behavior. They are only available when a plaintiff establishes that the defendant acted with malice, fraud, or gross negligence.

Statutory Limitations of Filing a Complaint

Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003 states that an individual must file a claim within two years of a car collision. A trial court will almost certainly dismiss any cases submitted after this period of statutory limitations. This time limit is designed to protect individuals from baseless lawsuits filed years after a crash.

Those injured in a car accident shfould seek the assistance of a savvy Temple litigator immediately after an incident to ensure that their case is assembled in a timely manner. Strong lawsuits take time to construct and waiting too long can cause an injured driver to lose their opportunity to collect compensation for damages.

Speak with a Temple Car Accident Attorney

The stress and uncertainty that follows a car accident are understandable. For most people, serious collisions are rare occurrences that happen without warning. It is important not to let this stress prevent you from filing a personal injury claim. You may be entitled to significant compensation if you submit a legally persuasive lawsuit.

If you were injured in a severe collision, a Temple car accident lawyer can outline your legal options and help you take decisive action against the driver that caused the crash. Call today to schedule a consultation.