A car accident can be a traumatic event that causes physical injury and significantly disrupts one’s life. In addition to bodily injury, a car accident likely means you will need to deal with insurance companies, a process that in and of itself can be emotionally and financially draining. However, if you have been injured in a car accident, you may be eligible for reimbursement related to the crash and your injuries. Consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney after your car accident can help you protect your rights and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.

What to Do After a Car Accident

Car accidents can happen at the most inopportune times. For example, suppose you are traveling down the highway in the Dallas metro area when suddenly you are rammed from behind by another vehicle. In shock, you nervously slam on the brakes and are met by the forceful collision of the airbag against your skull. It may be hard to think or comprehend what is going on in the moments following - but the choices you make next are significant. 

If you can, check to see whether you are injured and immediately call 9-1-1. Also, check to see if anyone else involved in the accident has been injured. If others have been injured, get medical help right away. If it is safe to do so, try to move your vehicle out of harm’s way to exchange names, telephone numbers, vehicle IDs, license plate info, and insurance information with others involved in the wreck. Around this time, you should also note where the accident occurred and the names and numbers of all available witnesses. 

The job of an insurance adjuster is to ensure the company pays out the least amount of money in any given case. After all, insurance companies are private for-profit entities, and large payouts can undermine their bottom line. It is important to remember this because insurance adjusters are often trained to be polite, friendly, and to sound concerned and even apologetic. They are skilled conversationalists who are trying to spur an informal discussion in which you might reveal information that could be helpful to their company. No matter how nice the adjuster seems, be wary of their approach and follow these tips when they call after a Texas car accident, truck accident, or any other case involving a personal injury. 

Do Not Give Recorded Statements

An insurance adjuster may ask you to give a recorded statement or ask to record the conversation. You do not have to agree to have the conversation recorded, even if they state that the call is already being recorded. Simply say you do not consent to the call being recorded and end the conversation if necessary. 

Get the Information of the Person Who Calls You

Before discussing any information about the case, get the information of the person calling you. This includes their name, the company they’re calling from, the name of the other party the company insures, and the adjuster’s contact information. This way, you can keep track of the conversation more easily and give your attorney the information they need to contact this person again if necessary. 

Every year, more than 3,000 Americans are killed because someone is driving while distracted, with many hundreds of thousands more injured in such accidents. Tragically, about 20 percent of those killed in distracted driving incidents are pedestrians or cyclists. When crossing the street or responsibly riding your bike is dangerous, our nation has a serious distracted driving problem. 

For those who survive, the injuries sustained in car accidents can be severe and permanently life-altering. Medical expenses can quickly become overwhelming and the prospect of a full recovery may seem dim. While a Texas car accident attorney cannot go back in time and undo the crash, great legal representation can make it possible to recover financial compensation for the suffering you have experienced. 

Common Texting and Driving Car Accident Injuries

Even when a vehicle is not going very fast, drivers and passengers can suffer serious injuries. A list of the most common injuries in car accidents includes: 

Motorcycle riders are at an increased risk of serious injury and death from accidents with other vehicles. Unprotected by the chassis of a car or truck and easily exposed to external hazards, accidents that would be minor for a passenger in a larger, enclosed vehicle can be far more dangerous on a motorcycle. While motorcycle riders have a reputation of engaging in risky behavior, the research shows that most motorcycle collisions actually happen when drivers of larger vehicles do not see motorcycles because they violate the motorcycle’s right of way. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Texas, it is essential to get help from a personal injury attorney who can help you understand how Texas law protects you.

Texas Law Allows You to Obtain Compensation For a Variety of Injuries

While most people know that personal injury victims may be able to obtain compensation for the physical injuries they have suffered, personal injury lawsuits can result in damages for a variety of other physical and nonphysical losses, including:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Motorcycle repairs or replacement
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, distress, and anguish
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Lowered quality of life
• Loss of companionship
• Funeral expenses

Texas Law Can Protect You Even if You Were Partly at Fault

Sometimes an accident is caused because of dangerous or negligent actions from both the motorcyclist and the vehicle with which he or she collided. For example, if a crash happens when a motorcyclist is driving 10 miles per hour above the speed limit and a car turns left in front of the motorcycle because the driver fails to see the incoming bike, both parties may be at fault. But if less than 50% of the fault is yours, you can still bring a suit against the other responsible party.

Millions of Americans are embracing the latest fad to revolutionize the transportation industry: peer-to-peer ridesharing services. With just a few taps on a company's smartphone app, you can hire a safe and convenient ride for a reasonable fee.

In the last few years, companies like Uber and Lyft have become titans in the transportation industry. Although they market their 'green' business models as a solution to American's urban transportation crisis, these companies are actually increasing congestion, hurting transit, and contributing to a national increase in traffic fatalities.

In October 2018, the University of Chicago released a study that claims rideshare drivers are responsible for a 3% increase in the number of traffic fatalities across the country. Uber and Lyft are continually hiring new, inexperienced, and occasionally felonious drivers to expand their areas of business and maximize their daily profits. Consequently, both companies have been repeatedly besieged by costly lawsuits involving passenger injuries and fatalities, insurance disputes, and even claims of driver exploitation.