Side Impact Collision Accident Lawyer in Dallas, TX
The aftermath of a car collision can be devastating to injured people and their families. Wrecks have the potential to cause life-changing injuries and high levels of property damage and mental trauma. In side-impact collisions, also called T-bone accidents, the effects of the wreck are often one-sided, with higher amounts of harm caused to the vehicle whose side was hit. In some cases, the collision may result in the struck car rolling over, increasing the risk of serious injury.
Anybody who has been injured in a side-impact collision accident should contact the skilled attorneys at our firm, a Dallas Car Accident law firm. We have worked with clients in a wide range of personal injury cases and car accident claims, and we are familiar with the difficulties of many of the resulting injuries. Get a FREE consultation today to discuss the viability and value of your claim for compensation.
Getting the Compensation I Need
Side impact collisions often cause various kinds of harm to injured people. These myriad damages are split into two categories: one category for those harms that directly affect a person’s finances and the other for more subjective issues.
Economic Damages
Called economic damages, the financial harms you suffer ought to be compensated by the at-fault driver. Examples of this kind of harm include:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Cost of a rental vehicle
- Lost wages due to injury
- Lost potential for future earnings
You are limited in recovering the amount that you spend or are billed for these damages. In other words, if your medical bills amount to $20,000, you can recover $20,000 for them. This limitation is dictated by Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §41.0105.
Non-economic Damages
More subjective harms without readily available price tags are called non-economic damages. Though they do not directly translate to financial values, you are still owed compensation for having to suffer them. Examples of these damages include:
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment in life
- Loss of companionship with a spouse
- Physical pain
There is no limit to the amount you can recover for these, though the testimony of an expert witness with experience in these areas may be needed to appropriately evaluate your damages. Our side-impact collision accident lawyers can put you in touch with expert witnesses who can boost your claim.
Important Steps in the Claims Process
The claims process can be arduous and stressful, with many different steps like depositions, discussions with witnesses, pretrial negotiations, and an actual trial if the claim is not settled. Though every case is unique, there are a few important steps that remain the same for every collision accident claim.
Filing My Claim in Time
Perhaps the most important step is filing your lawsuit in court within the legal deadline. Side impact collisions, rear-end collisions, and indeed all car accidents are considered personal injury claims and have a statute of limitations of two years. This means that you must submit your claim to the court within two years of your accident or lose the right to pursue your just compensation. Though the trial and negotiations can extend indefinitely, the claim has to be filed on time. Our attorneys can ensure that this is done and your rights are protected.
Determining Fault
Texas uses a system of proportionate responsibility when determining compensation. This means that the apportioning of fault for the accident will affect the amount of money you are able to get from the other driver. The two principles that govern this theory are:
- You can receive compensation if you were not more than 50% at fault for the accident.
- Your compensation is reduced by the same percentage as your percentage of fault.
In other words, if the court finds that you were 10% responsible for an accident in which you suffered $10,000 in damages, your compensation will be reduced by 10% as well. You will be able to recover $9,000. Our side-impact collision accident lawyers can focus on providing evidence of the other driver’s fault in order to evaluate the value of your eventual compensation.
Gathering Evidence
The evidence our attorneys use can vary case by case, but there are some general steps you can take to preserve important evidence at the scene, if possible. As with head-on collisions, it may be difficult for the jury to decide who was at fault for the accident when just given a description of the event, since it can be unclear whether the side-impacted vehicle ran through a red light, for instance.
In the wake of your side-impact collision, take the following steps to preserve as much evidence as possible, if you are able:
- Take photos of the scene and property damage
- Get contact information of eyewitnesses
- Contact the police so a report is filed
- Get copies of your medical records
- Note the location of any surveillance or traffic cameras nearby
Dallas Car Accident Lawyers Can Help Me
At our firm, a Dallas car accident law firm, , our experienced a side-impact collision accident attorneys can build a strong claim to ensure that justice is meted out in your case. We provide all prospective clients with a FREE consultation to discuss the merits and details of your claim, and we do not collect a fee unless your claim has been won.
To get in touch with our compassionate attorneys, fill out the form on our contact page or call us today at 469-998-4069.
