Car accidents in Houston, TX, can cause catastrophic injuries and long-term impairments. If you were injured in a car crash in Houston, Texas, you need experienced legal representation to protect your right to fair compensation for injuries.
At Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, our Houston car accident lawyers have over four decades of combined experience handling accident claims. We have extensive trial experience and are equipped to handle the most complex car accident cases. Since 2014, we have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts.
Contact us today at (281) 667 4081 to schedule a free consultation with a Houston car accident attorney. Let us help you get the money you deserve and need after an accident.
How Simon & O’Rourke Law Firm Can Help You After a Car Accident in Houston
Navigating a car accident claim can be confusing and frustrating. Insurance companies are not interested in being fair. They do not consider your best interests when making a settlement offer.
Our award-winning Houston personal injury lawyers at Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers level the playing field with the insurance company. We aggressively pursue a claim for the maximum value of your damages.
When you hire our top-rated Houston car accident lawyers, you can trust we will:
- Thoroughly investigate the cause of your car accident
- Gather evidence proving fault and liability, including hiring expert witnesses when needed
- Assess the value of your claim by documenting your damages
- File insurance claims and handle all matters with the insurance company
- Aggressively negotiate a fair insurance settlement
- Take your case to trial if the at-fault party refuses to pay a fair amount for your claim
Our legal team has received numerous awards and recognition from national legal organizations, including Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, The American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, and The National Association of Distinguished Counsel. We are also members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Contact us for a free consultation with one of our Houston car accident lawyers.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
If you are wondering whether you need to hire a car accident lawyer, you probably need a car accident lawyer. An accident attorney plays a vital role in the outcome of your personal injury case.
Reasons to hire a car accident lawyer include:
- Handling the insurance company for you
- Proving the legal elements required to win your case
- Determining how much your case is worth
- Gathering evidence to support your claim
- Protecting you from unjust allegations of blame
- Explaining settlement options
- Filing a court case if necessary
The insurance company for the other driver has a team of lawyers, investigators, and claims adjusters to protect its best interests. Hiring a car accident lawyer means you have someone on your side to protect your interests. Your lawyer protects you from bad-faith insurance practices and other tactics to undervalue and deny valid car accident claims.
How Much Money Can I Get From a Car Accident Case?
The amount you receive for a car accident case depends on the factors and circumstances in your case.
Factors that impact the value of your case include:
- The injuries you sustained
- The length of your recovery period
- The extent of impairments and disabilities
- The evidence proving the other party caused the crash
- Whether you can return to work
- The availability of insurance and the policy limits
- The parties involved in the accident
- Whether you are partially at fault for causing the accident
Our lawyers analyze all factors in your case to determine how they impact the value of your damages. We work to maximize the compensation you receive for your claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Case?
The Texas statute of limitations for most car accident cases is two years from the accident date. You could lose your right to pursue a claim if you do not file a lawsuit within that time.
However, exceptions could extend or shorten the deadline to file a lawsuit.
Discovery Rule Exception
In some cases, injuries or damages resulting from the accident may not be immediately apparent. Under the discovery rule, the statute of limitations may be extended until the date the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. This exception is particularly relevant in cases involving latent injuries that manifest long after the accident.
Minor Plaintiffs
If the injured party is a minor (under 18 years of age), the statute of limitations does not begin to run until the minor turns 18. Because of this exception, the individual has until their 20th birthday to file a lawsuit for injuries sustained in the accident. This allows minors the opportunity to seek compensation once they reach adulthood.
Mentally Incapacitated Plaintiffs
For individuals who are mentally incapacitated at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations may be tolled (paused) until the incapacitation is lifted. This could occur if the individual recovers from their mental incapacity or if a legal guardian is appointed to act on their behalf.
Government Claims
If your accident involves a government vehicle or government entity, special rules apply. In Texas, you generally must provide notice of your claim to the appropriate government agency within six months of the accident. This notice is a prerequisite to filing a lawsuit, and failing to meet this requirement can bar your claim.
Wrongful Death Claims
In cases where the car accident results in death, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the deceased’s death, which may be different from the date of the accident. This allows the deceased’s family members to seek compensation for their loss.
Understanding and navigating the statute of limitations can be complex, and a qualified attorney can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation. Seeking prompt legal advice can help you avoid losing your rights.
What Type of Compensation Is Available After a Car Accident?
Damages are the remedy offered for personal injury claims. They represent the losses and harm you sustained because of the car accident.
Most car accident claims include compensation for:
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate you for the monetary losses and expenses related to the accident.
Examples include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages and benefits
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage
- Rehabilitative therapy
- Decreased earning capacity
Document economic damages by keeping copies of invoices, receipts, bills, and other evidence of expenses and financial losses. Don’t forget to document out-of-pocket expenses, including over-the-counter medications, and help with household chores.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages represent the pain and suffering you experience because of the car crash.
Examples include:
- Physical discomfort
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Impairments and disabilities
- Diminished quality of life
Pain and suffering damages are subjective. They are based on the facts and evidence in your case. Our Houston car accident lawyers work to obtain the highest value for these damages.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Our Houston car accident lawyers represent clients for a contingency fee.
Our fees are a percentage of the amount we recover for your claim. In other words, we are not paid until we recover money for your car accident case.
Can I Get Money if I Was Partly at Fault for My Car Accident?
Texas has adopted a modified comparative fault standard for car accident cases. The proportionate responsibility statute bars damages if a car accident victim is more than 50% to blame for causing the crash.
You can receive compensation for your damages if your fault is less than 51 percent. However, your damages are reduced by the percentage of your fault. Therefore, if you are 20% to blame, the judge reduces your damages award by 20 percent.
Will My Car Accident Case Go to Trial?
Most personal injury cases are settled through private negotiations between the parties. In fact, it is estimated that over 95% of personal injury cases are settled out of court. This high settlement rate is due to various factors, including the desire to avoid the time, expense, and uncertainty associated with a trial.
However, some cases may go to trial. This typically occurs when the parties cannot reach a fair settlement agreement through negotiation or mediation. Factors that might lead to a trial include significant disputes over liability, the extent of the injuries, or the amount of compensation due.
Additionally, if the insurance company or the defendant is unwilling to negotiate in good faith or offers a settlement that is far below what is considered fair, taking the case to trial becomes necessary.
Our Houston car accident lawyers are fierce trial attorneys. We aggressively pursue your claim in court if the other parties refuse to negotiate in good faith to settle your claim.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Houston?
The moments following a car crash can be confusing. However, your steps could help or hurt your car accident claim.
Steps to take after a car accident in Houston include the following:
- Call 911 to report the accident to the police
- Exchange information with the other driver
- Gather evidence by taking photographs and making a video of the accident scene
- Ask witnesses and bystanders for their names and contact information
- Do not admit fault or apologize for the accident
- Seek immediate medical attention for your injuries
- Notify your insurance company
- Document your injuries and medical treatment
- Keep copies of all documents you receive related to the accident and your injuries
- Avoid social media
- Consult with an attorney
Contact our office to schedule a free consultation with one of our Houston car accident attorneys. We review your case at no cost and explain your legal options and rights.
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
At Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, our legal team has experience handling all types of car accident claims in Houston, Texas.
We handle claims involving:
- Head-on collisions
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Rear-end crashes
- DUI accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Intersection accidents
- Sideswipe accidents
- Crashes caused by defective car parts
- Distracted driving accidents
- Speeding accidents
- Fatigued and drowsy driving accidents
Many factors can cause a car accident. Regardless of how your collision occurred, we can help you pursue a claim against the parties who caused the crash.
Common types of car accident injuries
Even minor car accidents can cause severe injuries. Car accident victims sustain injuries including:
- Crushed, fractured, and broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury and paralysis
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Soft tissue injuries
- Neck injuries and whiplash
- Crushing injuries
- Back injuries
See a doctor as soon as possible after a car accident. Medical records are crucial evidence in a car accident case.
Delays in medical treatment could be used to claim that the accident did not cause your injuries. You may also be accused of failing to mitigate damages. Prompt medical care protects your health and supports your personal injury case.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Houston, TX
Car accidents happen for many reasons. Common causes of car crashes in Houston include:
- Drunk and drugged driving
- Fatigued and drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Road rage and aggressive driving
- Defective car parts
- Poorly designed intersections
- Road debris and conditions
Determining the cause of the crash is a crucial step in the investigation. The cause of the crash helps identify the parties who could be liable for your damages.
Houston Car Accident Stats
There were 427,008 traffic crashes reported in Texas in 2023. A reportable crash occurred every 56 seconds, and someone was injured every two minutes. A traffic fatality occurred every two hours that year.
Houston car accidents totaled 67,644 that year, including 274 fatal car crashes and thousands of serious injury crashes. Over 2,000 car accidents in Houston involved drunk drivers. Unfortunately, car accidents continue to occur daily in Houston.
Call Our Houston Car Accident Lawyers Today for Help
Have you been injured in a Houston, TX, car accident? If so, we can help. Call Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers to request a free case review with one of our Houston car accident attorneys.
Visit Our Car Accident Law Office in Houston, TX
Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
440 Louisiana St Suite 2300-A, Houston, TX 77002
(281) 667 4081
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
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Car Accident Infographic
