Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer

Vehicle collisions are common sources of injuries that occur as a direct result of someone else’s negligence. Some people take their responsibilities to drive safely far too lightly, putting other drivers at significant risk on the roads around the area.

If you get hurt in an automobile wreck, or a loved one becomes so seriously injured that they cannot enforce their legal rights on their own, hiring a Fort Worth car accident lawyer to pursue compensation on your behalf could be critically important to your recovery. A dedicated personal injury attorney could work with you to hold a negligent driver accountable for their behavior and protect your financial well-being moving forward. En Español.

What Are the Duties of Automobile Drivers?

Most auto collisions are accidents. However, this does not mean that one party is not responsible for the resulting damage. All drivers assume a duty to keep others safe while behind the wheel. This means following the rules of the road and maintaining their concentration at all times.

The injured party and their attorney bear the burden of proving negligence in their claims for damages. This can involve obtaining a police report, examining traffic camera footage, or tracking down third-party witnesses. A Fort Worth car collision attorney could take the lead in building negligence claims against at-fault drivers.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Auto Accident Claims?

One of the most important things for potential plaintiffs to know about car wrecks in Fort Worth is that they do not have an unlimited amount of time to file a lawsuit, as a lawyer could further explain. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 requires personal injury lawsuits grounded in negligence—including those that come from injuries sustained in vehicle crashes—to be filed within two years of the date the accident occurred. Retaining the help of an auto wreck attorney well before that deadline expires could help victims ensure they can put together their best arguments for compensation.

Typical Physical Injuries that Result from Car Crashes

Even car crashes that occur at relatively low speeds have the potential to inflict serious harm. Cars weigh thousands of pounds and contact with another vehicle will impart significant force onto the bodies of the people inside. The most common injuries include broken bones, separate joints, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). A knowledgeable attorney in Fort Worth could use medical bills, medical history, scans, and reports to prove the extent of the claimant’s injuries.

What Could a Victim Recover in a Successful Lawsuit?

Civil law in the state aims to compensate accident victims for all their injuries and losses, which typically extend well beyond just medical expenses. Comprehensive car accident lawsuits may seek compensation for damages such as:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of consortium for the victim’s family
  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Property damage, including the costs of repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle

Depending on the circumstances, other forms of compensation could be available to victims. Talking with a Fort Worth car crash lawyer could be a crucial starting point for identifying recoverable losses and crafting a thorough settlement demand.

Comparative Liability

Some car crashes in the area may be partially the fault of the party filing suit for that accident, in addition to the other negligent driver. For example, a negligent driver could have caused a crash by merging onto a highway without signaling, but the severity of the victim’s injuries could have been exacerbated by not wearing a seat belt.

If multiple parties share blame for a car crash in Fort Worth, the rules of comparative negligence apply to the case. The court would assign a percentage of fault to each one of the parties involved in the crash, and if the plaintiff bears more than 50 percent of the total fault, they would be barred from recovering any compensation.

If they are 50 percent or less at fault, though, the plaintiff could still recover damages, but their final damage award would be reduced proportionately. In light of this, providing strong evidence that the victim was not responsible for the incident that injured them may be crucial for the outcome of a case.

Contact a Fort Worth Car Accident Attorney

If you were hurt in an auto wreck in or near the area, finding legal representation to argue on your behalf could be the most important decision you make. Invoking your rights to compensation is not easy, but an attorney could help you do so in a proactive and productive way.

There is no reason why you should have to pay for the costs of someone else’s negligence. Call a Fort Worth car accident lawyer today to schedule a consultation.