If you were involved in an auto accident, it's important to remember that you may be entitled to compensation for damages. However, before you start thinking about filing a claim, you should first consult with a personal injury attorney. You'll want to get legal advice because you may be eligible for benefits under Texas law. An experienced attorney in Harris County, Galveston County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford, Texas at Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC, can help you understand what you're entitled to receive and how to go about collecting those funds.
Know the Texas Statute of Limitations for Property DamageIf you've been injured in an auto accident, it's important to contact a personal injury lawyer right away. You should also get copies of all medical records related to your injuries, including x-rays, MRIs, CAT scans, CT scans, etc. Make sure you keep all of these documents safe until you talk to a lawyer. If you don't, you could lose access to them if your insurer decides to deny your claim.
Get Your Texas Car Accident Police ReportAfter an accident occurs, call 911 immediately. Have a peace officer complete a Police Accident Report (PARC) form. This will help you file your claim with your insurance company. You may also need to fill out a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Claim form. If you're injured, make sure to get medical attention right away.
A Peace Officer's Crash Report is an official document that requires the name and address of all parties involved in the accident. It also includes information about the location of the accident, the type of vehicle involved, the number of occupants, injuries sustained, and other relevant details. A Peace Officer's Crash Report must be filled out within ten days of the accident. If there were no injuries or property damage, then the driver should complete a Blue Form Crash Report instead.
If the Accident Wasn't Your Fault File a Claim With the Other Driver's Insurance CompanyIf you've had an auto accident, you should always hire a personal injury lawyer to help you file a claim with your insurance company. An experienced car accident lawyer knows how to handle all aspects of your claim, including negotiating with the insurance company and filing paperwork with the court system. A personal injury lawyer can also advise you about your legal rights after the accident and help you determine if you need medical treatment. Your lawyer may also be able to help you recover damages for lost wages and other expenses related to your injuries.
If the accident wasn't your fault or was a hit and run and the other driver didn't have car insurance file an uninsured motorist property damage UMPD claim with your own insurance company
If the other driver wasn't at fault, you can still file a claim with your insurer to cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle. You may also want to consider purchasing additional uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage, which protects you against damages caused by drivers who lack adequate insurance. In addition, you should check with your insurer to ensure that you have enough coverage to protect yourself from damages caused by drivers who are not properly insured. The amount of coverage required depends on your individual circumstances. For example, if you are involved in an accident while driving a rental car, you may be able to recover up to the full value of the rental car under the rental agreement. If you are injured in a collision involving a commercial truck, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages and medical expenses.
Texas does require all drivers to carry liability insurance. However, if you're injured while driving an uninsured vehicle, you may still file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver and his/her insurer. You will need to prove negligence on the part of the driver before you can collect damages.
Your insurance company cannot deny you coverage because you've had an accident or filed a claim. If you have only one accident or claim in a year, your insurance company may raise your premium rate. However, they cannot cancel your policy or refuse to renew it for any reason.
If the Accident Was Your Fault and You Choose to Repair Your Car You Can File a Claim With Your Own Insurance CompanyCollision coverage is an optional benefit offered by many auto insurers. If you choose to purchase it, you may be required to pay a deductible before filing a claim. Your deductible will depend on what type of policy you purchased. You can also get a discount if you buy collision coverage at the same time as comprehensive coverage.
You Can Get a Rental Car Either Through Your Own Insurance Company or Through the Responsible Party's Insurance CompanyIf you were not at fault for the accident, you may be entitled to a rental vehicle. You should start shopping for a replacement right away. If you think that the damage to your vehicle was significant enough to be declared a total loss, you should contact your insurance provider immediately. They will then give you an estimate on what it will cost to repair your car. Once they have given you an estimate, you can shop around for a replacement vehicle.
If your car is totaled, usually you can ask your insurance company to give you two to three days extra in your rental when they make an offer on your car, because they will need time to investigate the claim. If you're waiting on the other driver's insurance company to perform its liability investigation, you can wait until they determine that their insured was at fault for the accident, then pay out-of-pockets for a rental, save all your receipts, and ask them to reimburse you once they've determined that your insured was at-faul for the accident. Or you can go through your insurance company, if you know that you have rental car coverage. If you aren't sure if you have rental car coverage, call your insurance company to see what they say.
Get an AttorneyA lawyer is an important tool when dealing with insurance companies. Insurance companies often try to trick claimants into accepting less money than what they deserve. A lawyer will help you understand the process and negotiate the best settlement possible. Lawyers also offer advice on how to deal with the insurance company and any other issues that may arise. Contact us today for a free consultation.