If you suffered serious or minor injuries from a traffic collision and need the help of an experienced auto accident injury attorney, contact Helping the Hurt Personal injury Lawyers in Odessa, TX.
We partner with attorneys skilled in handling car accident claims while helping victims get fair compensation for their pain and suffering.
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2020, there were an estimated 38,000 fatal motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 4.8 million injured accident victims.
The good news is that fatality rates have been dropping for the last decade, primarily due to safety improvements by auto manufacturers and advances in medical science.
Our Odessa car accident attorneys have a long history of helping injured victims recover deserved financial damages that have left them physically and economically constrained.
We take the time to diligently build your case by collecting evidence, thoroughly investigating the accident scene, employing expert testimony, contacting witnesses, and making sure each client knows their case is being taken care of by a reputable and powerful litigation team.
We understand that your accident lawsuit is a lot to handle on your own. Our personal injury lawyers will deal with the complicated insurance policies from the insurance companies, complex paperwork, and any legal matters relating to your case so you can experience a stress-free recovery.
We are on your side throughout the entire personal injury claims process. We will work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome and maximum compensation to cover unexpected expenses and medical costs. Keep scrolling to learn more about what to do after a car accident in Odessa, Texas.
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An experienced car accident attorney is a legal professional with a solid track record, strong communication skills, knowledge, and experience.
They will have extensive knowledge of each law that pertains to your case. They are well prepared and have thoroughly researched prior case results relevant to your accident claim.
A dedicated car accident lawyer will thoroughly investigate and document all economic and non-economic damages, including medical care costs.
An experienced attorney will also have a reputation for updating their clients throughout the case, paying attention to their demands, and diligently negotiating on their behalf.
An experienced auto accident attorney must understand what strategies to execute to win cases.
After a car collision, the first thing you should do is check to see if anyone needs medical attention. If you or anyone else involved in the accident is harmed, call 911 immediately and request an ambulance.
Do not try to move someone who is hurt unless they're in immediate danger or you have been trained to do so.
If you can still drive, you may need to reposition your vehicle to avoid impeding traffic.
Otherwise, it's preferable to leave the accident scene untouched until the cops arrive to complete an accident report. It is important to note that an accident report is a significant piece of documentation for your case.
As soon as the police arrive, inquire about obtaining a copy of the official police report. Your crash report may not be ready for a few days, so you may have to contact the police department for a copy.
Obtain the names and contact information of all participants in the accident, as well as any witnesses. Exchange insurance and contact information with the other people involved in the collision, but avoid getting angry by talking about who was at fault.
Stick to the truth and avoid saying anything that could be regarded as an admission of guilt. It's difficult to determine who is responsible for an accident, and you're not in a good position to do so at the scene.
Take pictures of the accident scene, vehicle damage, property damage, and any obvious injuries.
Take photos of tire marks, important street signs, and traffic lights as well. If you do not have a smartphone to take photos, keep a disposable camera in your glovebox.
Write down any details you recall about the accident, such as the approximate time it occurred, where it occurred, and if weather or road conditions had a role in the collision.
Take the advice of paramedics on the scene. Seek medical care as soon as possible after you were involved in a car accident.
Visit your primary care physician, the emergency room, or urgent care.
Make sure you inform your doctor about all of your symptoms, from your head to your toes, even if they seem insignificant (such as stiffness, headaches, or dull pain).
Internal damage from car accidents might take a long time to manifest symptoms; therefore, seeing a doctor is essential for your health. Get a second opinion if your medical treatment provider isn't taking your injuries seriously.
If the accident is causing emotional pain, talk to a medical professional about the emotional damage the accident caused. This can include PTSD, anxiety, depression, phobias, or substance abuse.
Notify your insurance agent of the collision as soon as possible, but keep to the facts.
Don't bring up the negligent driver.
Finally, please contact our Odessa legal team as soon as possible. Retaining an experienced car accident lawyer early in the process will give you the best opportunity for an adequate accident settlement.
Do not try to handle the insurance companies or the at-fault driver on your own.
In recent years, with an increase in the use of technology, the number of distracted drivers has been on the rise.
Spotting and proving distracted driving is the key to winning your Odessa car accident injury case. Look out for the following from the negligent party.
Was the other driver:
There is also a chance that the at-fault driver was intoxicated. Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs is sometimes a felony charge in Texas.
The most recent data by the NHTSA was from 2019, where more than 10,000 people lost their lives to a drunk driver. These fatal car accidents could have been prevented.
If you suspect the person that hit you was a drunk driver, try not to escalate the situation. Immediately call the police to handle the negligent party.
Depending on the facts of your accident, your compensation may include:
Not only can traffic accidents cause serious or permanent injury, but they are also very stressful, both physically and mentally.
Having a personal injury attorney in Odessa who specializes in car crash injuries help you during this difficult time will make the loss recovery process much more bearable.
Accidents can cause many injuries. Increased stress caused by injury, pain, and medical bills can put a damper on your recovery process.
After experiencing a traffic accident, victims often juggle medical bills, car repairs, time off work, and much more. The last thing you need to worry about is how to pay for legal representation.
We won't take your case unless we believe you have a valid accident injury lawsuit, and we won't get paid unless you win. This means you pay nothing until your case reaches a fair settlement.
If you are injured in a traffic collision and believe a distracted driver caused it, our Odessa injury attorneys can start an investigation into the crash to identify the signs of negligent behavior.
Concussions or Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): These are injuries to the brain resulting from a blow to the head, which causes the brain to swell.
A minor concussion may be treated with bed rest and over-the-counter pain medication. A traumatic brain injury may require surgery, and in worse cases, can result in permanent loss of function or death. Please keep in mind that concussion symptoms and TBI symptoms do not always appear right away. It may take an hour or more for the swelling in the brain to show signs.
Spine, Back, and Neck Injuries (including Whiplash): These are the most common injuries seen in car wrecks. Examples are strained ligaments, muscles, and tendons, which may fall into the hard-to-prove "soft tissue injury" category.
These common types of injuries often require future treatment with physical therapy. This category also includes severe spinal cord injuries, often resulting in paralysis.
Lacerations (Cuts): These injuries may occur when glass is shattered or the vehicle's sheet metal is torn.
Deep or serious cuts may result in loss of blood and cause the driver to go into shock. Scarring can also be an issue, so a patient may need to see a plastic surgeon to repair any damage.
Burn Injuries: Severe burns can be very serious and may put the victim at risk of infection. Burns can cause disfigurement, impacting the quality of life of the injured person.
Broken Bones: Breaks are very frequent in terrible accidents. Surgery may be necessary to repair the damage, and the injured person may need to go through weeks or months of physical rehabilitation.
Internal Injuries: Anything internal can be life-threatening and not immediately evident. In a serious accident, it is always best to be checked out by an emergency room team.
To determine what expenses you will be reimbursed for, your Odessa attorney will need detailed information regarding your injuries and accident-related expenses to get compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, towing services, rental cars, and property damages.
One of the most damaging factors to any personal injury claim is what is known as a "gap in treatment." This happens if an individual chooses to wait to seek medical treatment for accident injury damages or fails to show up for doctor's appointments.
Seeking a physician's care immediately after your accident is crucial, even if you feel your injuries are minor. Waiting weeks or even days can greatly impact the result of your auto accident claim.
Without detailed medical records and consistent treatment history, there will be little or no evidence supporting and proving your injuries.
Your injury accident lawyer will review the information obtained during the investigation process to file a lawsuit.
Your personal injury lawyer will include the following in your accident injury claim:
Your attorney will use your claim as leverage for a reasonable settlement for your losses. It is up to your attorney to negotiate on your behalf for a settlement while preparing your case for trial.
Your case will only proceed to trial if negotiations with the at-fault party are unsuccessful. It will then be up to the judge or jury to determine what amount of compensation you should receive.
If you are a victim of a motor vehicle accident, it is important to keep in mind that you should only speak with and disclose information to your auto accident attorney.
Making statements or comments to the wrong party could potentially harm your pursuit for compensation regarding your personal injury lawsuit.
We have a team of committed attorneys who will help you receive the compensation you deserve for your car accident injury case. You should never have to handle a legal case alone.
Our skilled car wreck attorneys are here to get you the most out of your claim for compensation so you can get on the road to recovery. If you or a loved one needs help after a car accident, hire an expert auto accident lawyer to handle your case.
Please click on the button below for a free case review with one of our skilled car accident lawyers in Odessa, Texas.
Negligence refers to an individual or entity's failure to meet the standard level of acceptable behavior, which includes paying proper attention while operating a motor vehicle, ensuring the safety of others.
The strength of your car accident injury case will be up to your attorney's ability to collect and present evidence that will detail the other party's negligent driving and, therefore, their responsibility for the applicable damages and injuries you sustained.
If you were involved in a no-fault auto accident, you may receive the following economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages from the liable party:
These include the following:
If the at-fault party does not have auto liability insurance, you can file an insurance claim with your auto insurance carrier or sue the negligent driver, though it may not be worth your time and money.
It's good to know that most drivers do have auto insurance, but we can't always rely on everyone else to be insured, so knowing your choices in the event of an accident is important.
When choosing an auto insurance policy, it's vital to choose a policy with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. If you have this coverage, you will be compensated for damages to your vehicle or if you are injured. After an automobile collision with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, do not delay filing an auto accident claim.
When the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, handle your personal injury lawsuit as usual. See a doctor if you haven't already. Some injuries may take days to appear.
Your insurance provider will likely request proof of your injuries, medical treatment, and vehicle damage. If you think your insurance company is undervaluing your claim, you should seek an experienced accident lawyer who is experienced in negotiating with insurance companies and will litigate if necessary.
Injured drivers should not have to worry about compensation when the other motorist does not have auto insurance.
Take a photo of their license plate and driver's license since you won't be able to get their insurance information.
There should be an accident report filed with vital facts against the at-fault driver. It's not your fault that the at-fault driver didn't have insurance; therefore, you shouldn't have to pay for it.
Contact your insurance company and accident injury lawyer as well. If the other driver has inadequate coverage, your insurance carrier will have to cover the damage claim.
Do nothing. If an insurance company reaches out to you, do not say anything related to your case. This is your attorney's responsibility.
Both insurance companies will most likely contact you to make a statement about your accident. Depending on what you say, this can be used against you to reduce the amount of your settlement.
Although you may need to talk with an insurance adjuster at some point, you should always consult with an experienced car accident lawyer first.
To safeguard the value of your case, they will clarify what you can and cannot say to the insurance company.
The length of time it takes to conclude a case in Odessa depends on the conditions.
To begin, call an accident lawyer as soon as possible following your accident so that they may begin their investigation.
Second, the severity of your injuries and the severity of the event might influence how long your case takes. Before settling, insurance firms want the injured person to finish their treatment so that all medical expenditures may be appraised.
Finally, it depends on the settlement size and when you can get a court date (if you cannot settle in mediation). If you want to wrap up your case in a few months, your lawyer will have you accept a smaller settlement. If you are going after a greater settlement, the process is more prolonged and you could end up going to trial.
If you were involved in an auto accident in Odessa, Texas, the type of lawyer you choose to represent you is a personal injury attorney.
The focus of a personal injury attorney is on assisting accident victims. A personal injury lawyer's goal is to get you the financial compensation you deserve if you were in an accident caused by someone else's negligence.
These lawyers, thankfully, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you won't have to pay any upfront legal expenses, and your lawyer will simply be paid a small fraction of your eventual compensation.