Have you have been involved in a car accident in Houston that has resulted in an injury? If your accident was the result of the reckless or negligent actions of another driver, working with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you recover the money you deserve. Even if you feel that the accident was obviously not your fault, filing an insurance claim and be tricky. Insurance companies will work against you to minimize or deny your claim, in order to pay you as little money as possible.
When you hire Houston car accident lawyer, Beverly R. Caruthers, she will work with you throughout the process of filing your personal injury claim. Attorney Caruthers has over three decades of experience working with her clients to get fair settlement offers for her clients that have been injured in a car accident.
Our law firm understands how overwhelming it can be to be left footing the bill for your property damage, lost wages, and medical bills. This is why we work hard for our car accident victims, to help them recover these costs as well as compensation for the pain and suffering they have endured. If you are dealing with car accident injuries, contact our Houston car accident attorney to hold the responsible party accountable in your case.
Should I File A Police Report After My Accident?
There are very few instances in which filing a police report after you car accident is a bad idea. If you are planning to seek financial compensation for the injuries you have sustained, the property damage that has resulted, or other damages, a police report can help to strengthen your case.
If you filed a police report at the time of your accident, you will want to bring a copy of this report to you initial car accident consultation with our legal team. This will provide helpful insight to your attorney, allowing them to determine how much they will be able to assist you in recovering compensation for your case.
Additionally, having legal documentation outlining the events that occurred will make it much harder for insurance adjusters to attempt to deny your claim. Without a police report they will work tirelessly to find inconsistencies or exaggerations in your account of what happened. A police report legitimizes what you say and the injuries you sustained as a result of the accident.
The only time you should not push to have a police report filed is if you believe you are innocent but that it may not be immediately apparent to a bystander or officer that shows up on the scene. If you have reason to believe the circumstances surrounding your accident are complex, it will be better to speak directly to your attorney and avoid, if possible, having a police report filed.
Should I Speak To The Other Driver’s Insurance Company?
You Are Not Required to Speak With the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
Let’s quickly answer the question that the title of this article poses: No, you are not legally required to speak with the other insurance company’s representative. Speaking to your own insurance company after a car accident is a different story, however.
Now the question is whether you should speak with the other driver’s insurance company. The answer is less straightforward and will depend on the facts of your accident. Generally speaking, you shouldn’t talk to the other insurance company when there is the potential for anyone involved in the accident (you, the other driver, a passenger) making a claim for serious personal injuries. You also shouldn’t speak with the other driver’s insurer if you have a car accident attorney or adjuster from your own insurance company who can speak on your behalf.
Having said that, in some situations, it may make sense to speak with the other insurance company.
When Is it a Good Idea to Speak with the Other Insurance Company?
It may be a good idea to speak with the other insurance company in the rare instance where the other driver was clearly at fault, but has either refused to speak with, or has lied to, their own insurance company. In that case, the other insurance company may have no idea who was at fault, and will probably not be aware of the extent of your car accident injuries and/or your vehicle damage. In those circumstances, if you don’t speak with the other driver’s car insurance company, it will be a long time before you get a settlement check from the other insurance company, if at all.
Ideally, your attorney or a representative from your own car insurance company will talk to the other driver’s insurer, but this isn’t always possible or practical, especially if it was a very minor accident. So communicating this information will sometimes fall on you. In these situations, you have to be careful what you say.
Tips When Talking with the Other Driver’s Car Insurance Company
- First, always remember that the primary goal of the other driver’s car insurance company is to pay out as little money as possible. The company does not have your interests in mind. It wants to find evidence that you were at fault for the accident, and that your damages or injuries are minor (or nonexistent). So, you shouldn’t tell the insurer that you feel fine or that your injuries are minor. Even if you believe this is the case, some car accident injuries don’t show up right away, and minor injuries can turn out to be much more serious than expected.
- Second, anything you say to the other driver’s car insurance company can serve as a basis for refusing to pay you anything, or reducing the value of your claim.
- Third, only answer the question asked. Do not volunteer additional information or agree to have your statement recorded, whether it’s over the phone or in writing. The purpose of a recorded or written statement is to lock you into a certain version of events, including the extent of your injuries or property damage. However, what you know or feel can easily change just days after the accident.
- Fourth, do not guess or speculate as to what happened. If you don’t know, it’s okay to tell the car insurance company that.
- Finally, if you need to provide more than just basic, objective details about the accident (beyond the date of the accident, where it occurred, names of any witnesses or the police officer who prepared the police report), ask to have your own car insurance company’s adjuster on the line during the phone call. Even better, just provide the detailed information to your own car insurance’s company’s adjuster and have your adjuster speak directly with the other driver’s insurer. Getting assistance from your car insurance company’s adjuster may help prevent you from accidentally saying the wrong thing, or saying more than you have to.
What Is A Wrongful Death Claim?
Wrongful death claims are filed when somebody is killed as a result of another person or entity’s negligence or misconduct. While there may be a criminal prosecution related to the fatality, a wrongful death lawsuit is a civil action that is separate and distinct from any criminal charges. The standard of proof is lower in a civil case than it is in a criminal case for murder or manslaughter.
Many different circumstances can lead to the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit, such as medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, toxic torts, manufacturing defects, or criminal activity. Each state has its own wrongful death statute, with its own criteria and procedure for bringing a wrongful death lawsuit. In some cases, there may be certain.
Spanish Speaking Car Accident Lawyer in Houston, Texas
Spanish-speaking individuals can have a more difficult time seeking justice in their personal injury cases due to language barriers. This causes them to not take action against those who have left them with financial devastation and physical trauma. At the Law Office of Beverly R. Caruthers, our team refuses to let a language barrier affect your right to justice and compensation. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident and is in need of Spanish-speaking legal advice, our team is here for you.
We make it easy for those who have been injured due to the actions of others to navigate the legal system in order to get the results they need to continue on in their lives. Schedule your no-obligation car accident consultation with Attorney Caruthers today. Our team will work with you every step of the way to ensure your needs are being met and that you are getting the treatment you deserve in your car accident case. Don’t hesitate, the sooner you call the more we can do to get you results.
Personal Injury Law Office in Houston, Texas
If you or someone you love has suffered an injury, experienced loss of income, or are unable to work due to a car accident, you can benefit from the services of a Houston car accident expert in your personal injury case. Whether you missed work due to an injury or due to not having access to a vehicle, Attorney Beverly R. Caruthers can help you!
Our team works hard to bring the most efficient and practical solutions to your car accident case. Beverly R. Caruthers proudly serves and defends the Greater Houston area including but not limited to Baytown, Conroe, Crosby, Humble, Huntsville, Lake Jackson, Missouri City, Pasadena, Spring, Tomball.
Caruthers Law Firm
Address: 4141 Southwest Fwy, Suite 400
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 526-9557
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