After a car accident, one of the most stressful and frustrating experiences you may face is dealing with insurance companies. While insurance providers are supposed to help cover your losses, the reality is that they are businesses focused on protecting their profits. Their goal is to pay out as little as possible, often at the expense of accident victims who need financial support for medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
If you try to handle your claim alone, you may find yourself facing delays, denied claims, or settlement offers that do not fully cover your expenses. Without legal representation, you are at a serious disadvantage. This is why working with an experienced car accident attorney is essential. At Caruthers Law Firm in Houston, we help car accident victims fight back against unfair insurance practices and secure the compensation they deserve.
How Insurance Companies Work Against You
Many people believe that their insurance company will fairly compensate them after a car accident. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers who are trained to find ways to minimize payouts. They use various tactics to reduce the amount of money they owe you.
One of the most common strategies is offering a quick, lowball settlement. After an accident, you may be dealing with medical bills, car repairs, and time off work. Insurers know that accident victims are vulnerable, so they often offer an early settlement that may seem tempting. However, these initial offers rarely reflect the true cost of your damages. Once you accept a settlement, you cannot go back and ask for more money, even if your expenses increase.
Another tactic is disputing liability. If the insurance company can prove that you were even partially at fault for the accident, they may try to reduce or deny your claim. Texas follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning that if you are found to be more than 50 percent responsible for the accident, you may be ineligible to recover damages. Insurance adjusters may try to use your words against you, twist your statements, or misinterpret the evidence to shift blame onto you.
Insurance companies also delay claims in hopes that victims will become frustrated and accept a lower offer. They may request excessive documentation, claim that they are still investigating, or fail to respond in a timely manner. This is an attempt to wear you down and pressure you into settling for less than you deserve.
Why You Should Never Handle an Insurance Claim Alone
Filing a car accident claim may seem straightforward, but without legal representation, you risk making costly mistakes. One wrong move could jeopardize your claim, resulting in reduced compensation or even a complete denial. Here are some reasons why hiring an attorney is in your best interest.
An experienced attorney understands the tactics used by insurance companies and knows how to counter them. They can handle all communications with the insurance adjusters, ensuring that you do not say anything that could be used against you. They also gather and present evidence to prove liability, such as police reports, witness statements, medical records, and accident reconstruction analysis.
An attorney can accurately calculate the full extent of your damages. Many accident victims focus only on immediate expenses, such as medical bills and car repairs, but a strong claim considers long-term costs as well. Future medical treatments, rehabilitation, lost earning capacity, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering should all be included in your claim. Without an attorney, you may accept a settlement that does not account for these additional losses.
If the insurance company refuses to negotiate fairly, an attorney can take your case to court. Many insurers prefer to settle rather than go to trial, especially when faced with a well-prepared legal team. By having an attorney on your side, you send a clear message that you will not accept an unfair offer.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
The actions you take immediately after a car accident can impact your ability to recover fair compensation. Following these steps can help strengthen your case and protect your rights.
First, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you feel fine, some injuries may not show symptoms right away. Delayed treatment can be used against you by the insurance company, as they may argue that your injuries were not serious or were caused by something other than the accident. Keep all medical records, prescriptions, and bills, as these will be crucial when proving your damages.
Next, call the police and file an accident report. This report will serve as an official record of the crash, documenting important details such as the location, time, road conditions, and statements from those involved. The police report can also include an officer’s assessment of who was at fault, which can be valuable when negotiating with insurance companies.
If it is safe to do so, gather evidence at the scene. Take photos and videos of the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Get the names and contact information of witnesses, as their statements can help support your claim. Exchange insurance and contact details with the other driver but avoid discussing fault. Anything you say can be used against you later.
Notify your insurance company about the accident, but be careful about what you say. Stick to the facts and avoid admitting fault or downplaying your injuries. Insurance adjusters may ask you to provide a recorded statement, but it is best to decline until you have spoken with an attorney.
Finally, contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you have legal representation, the better your chances of securing maximum compensation. An attorney can guide you through the claims process, handle all communications with the insurance company, and ensure that you do not accept a settlement that is lower than what you deserve.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
The compensation available in a car accident case depends on the severity of your injuries, the extent of your financial losses, and the circumstances of the accident. In general, accident victims may be eligible for economic and non-economic damages. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded to hold the at-fault party accountable for reckless or intentional misconduct. The goal of compensation is to restore financial stability to victims and provide them with the necessary resources for medical recovery, lost income, and emotional suffering.
Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other financial losses. These are tangible costs that can be documented with bills, receipts, and pay stubs. If your injuries prevent you from working in the future, you may also be able to recover compensation for lost earning capacity. Economic damages may also include the cost of ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, therapy, and medical devices such as wheelchairs or prosthetics. If your injuries require long-term care, including home modifications or in-home nursing, these expenses should also be accounted for in your claim.
Non-economic damages cover intangible losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Car accidents can have lasting psychological effects, leading to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. If your injuries have negatively impacted your quality of life, an attorney can help ensure that you are compensated for these losses. Victims who experience significant emotional trauma may require counseling or therapy, and those costs should be included in the settlement. Additionally, if your injuries prevent you from engaging in activities you once enjoyed, such as sports, hobbies, or spending quality time with loved ones, these limitations should also be considered in your claim.
In some cases, accident victims may also be awarded punitive damages. These are intended to punish the at-fault party for reckless or intentional misconduct, such as driving under the influence or engaging in road rage. Punitive damages serve as a deterrent, discouraging similar behavior from others in the future. While not every case qualifies for punitive damages, an experienced attorney can assess whether the circumstances of your accident warrant seeking this additional form of compensation. The amount awarded for punitive damages depends on the severity of the misconduct and the financial impact of the accident on the victim.
How Caruthers Law Firm Can Help You
At Caruthers Law Firm, we are dedicated to fighting for the rights of car accident victims in Houston. We understand how stressful dealing with insurance companies can be, and we are here to take that burden off your shoulders. Navigating the legal system on your own can be overwhelming, especially when insurance companies use tactics to delay claims, dispute liability, or minimize your injuries. Our firm ensures that your case is handled with the attention and dedication it deserves so that you can focus on healing while we take care of the legal process.
Our attorneys have extensive experience handling car accident claims and negotiating with insurance companies. We know the tactics insurers use to reduce payouts, and we are prepared to fight for every dollar you are owed. Insurance companies have legal teams working to protect their interests, and without a knowledgeable attorney by your side, you may end up accepting a settlement far below what you deserve. We aggressively negotiate on your behalf, ensuring that all aspects of your damages, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, are accounted for.
Whether your case is settled out of court or requires litigation, we are committed to securing the best possible outcome for you. Some car accident cases can be resolved through negotiation, but if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we are prepared to take your case to trial. Our firm has successfully represented numerous clients in the courtroom, presenting compelling evidence and expert testimony to ensure justice is served. We do not hesitate to stand up to large insurance companies, and our reputation for aggressive representation often results in higher settlement offers before a trial even begins.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you do not pay anything upfront. Our fees are only collected if we win your case, so there is no financial risk in seeking legal representation. This ensures that anyone, regardless of their financial situation, can access high-quality legal representation. You will never have to worry about paying out of pocket for legal fees, as our compensation is based on successfully recovering funds on your behalf. If we do not win, you owe us nothing.
If you have been injured in a car accident, do not try to fight the insurance company alone. Insurance adjusters may seem friendly, but their primary goal is to minimize payouts and protect their company’s bottom line. Without legal representation, you may not be aware of the full value of your claim or how to effectively negotiate for the settlement you need. Contact Caruthers Law Firm today for a free consultation. We will review your case, explain your legal options, and guide you through the process to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on your recovery.
Caruthers Law Firm
Address: 4141 Southwest Fwy,
Suite 400
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 526-9557
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