Car Accident Lawyers in Bedford - Bailey & Galyen Attorneys at Law
Author : The Texas Attorney | Published On : 16 Apr 2024
Proven Attorneys to Help Maximize Your Recovery after a Motor Vehicle Collision
In Bedford, when the unexpected occurs on the road, navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be daunting. However, with the expertise and dedication of our seasoned team of Car accident lawyers in Bedford, you can find the support and legal counsel needed to reclaim your rights and seek the justice you deserve.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than 7 million car accidents in the United States every year. On average, for every minute that goes by, there are more than 13 motor vehicle wrecks, with most of them resulting from the carelessness or negligence of other motorists. When you or someone you love has suffered needless injury in an auto accident Bedford, you want experienced lawyers to help you protect your legal rights. You want Bailey & Galyen.
For an appointment with an experienced Bedford car accident attorney, contact Bailey & Galyen online or call our offices 844-402-2992. Your first consultation is free.
How Is Liability Established in a Texas Car Accident Lawsuit?
In most personal injury claims in Texas, including automobile accident cases, liability is based on the legal theory of negligence. To establish negligence and get financial compensation for your losses, you must prove that the defendant (person from whom you seek compensation), at the time of the accident, was not acting as a reasonable person would.
You may, for example, allege that the defendant was speeding, ran a red light, or made an illegal turn. Once you’ve proven that the defendant acted unreasonably, you must also show that the unreasonable behavior caused you to suffer actual losses.
What Are the Most Common Factors that Lead to Car Accidents in Bedford, Texas?
Motor vehicle accidents may be caused by the wrongful acts of other drivers or by external factors. Other motorists may cause an accident by
- Violating traffic laws—Speeding, reckless driving, failure to use appropriate caution, illegal lane changes, failure to maintain proper distance, or running a traffic signal or sign
- Driving while intoxicated or impaired—Operating a motor vehicle while high or inebriated
- Driving while distracted—Focusing on anything other than the road while behind the wheel, including handheld devices (phones or tablets), tuning the car radio, eating or drinking, engaging in personal grooming, talking to other passengers or looking at roadside attractions
- Driving aggressively—Weaving in and out of traffic, making rolling stops, excessive lane changes and tailgating
- Driving without proper rest
- Failing to take rain, ice, sleet or snow or other inclement weather into account while driving
- The external factors that can cause or contribute to an auto accident include:
- Mechanical problems—Dangerous or defective vehicles or vehicle parts, such as tires or brakes, or failure to properly maintain a vehicle
- Roadway issues, such as missing, broken or hidden signs, or potholes, uneven lanes, loose gravel or dirt on the road
What Types of Collisions are Most Frequent in Bedford, Texas?
The most common motor vehicle accidents in Texas are:
- Rear-end collisions, typically caused by tailgating, aggressive driving, or distracted driving
- T-bones, usually the result of a motorist running a traffic sign or red light, or failing to yield to the right of way of another vehicle
- Head-on collisions, often when one vehicle is making a left turn, but also due to driver fatigue
- Side swipes resulting from improper lane changes or aggressive driving
What Measures Should You Take in the Immediate Aftermath of an Automobile Accident?
After any type of accident, including a car wreck, the first thing to assess is your health and safety. If you can do so safely, stay right where you are until medical professionals get there. Once they arrive, defer to their knowledge and expertise—they are trained to handle this type of situation and chances are they’ve seen accidents and injuries very similar to yours.
They know the right questions to ask and can quickly determine what needs to be done. If they recommend that you go to the hospital by ambulance, you should go.
Even if you are able to walk away from the accident, you want to immediately seek medical attention, whether at a hospital ER, an urgent care facility or from your primary care physician.
When getting medical care, be thorough when telling doctors and nurses about your injuries. Don’t belabor the obvious ones, such as fractures, cuts or bruises, and fail to talk about other sources of discomfort, such as a stiff neck or back. In many cases, the injuries that will be the most debilitating are the ones that take a few days or weeks to fully develop.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Lawsuit for Damages after a Bedford Car Accident?
The time period for filing a personal injury claim in Texas, commonly referred to as the “statute of limitations,” is two years. That’s typically from the date of the accident.
The statute of limitations helps ensure that evidence is gathered and introduced before memories fade. Furthermore, it frees the defendant from having to live with a potential lawsuit hanging over his or her head for a long period of time.
The statute of limitations can be extended, though, under what is known as the “discovery rule.” If an injury is not easily discoverable for a period of time, the statute of limitations won’t start to run until the injured person either becomes aware of it or should reasonably have discovered it
Will It Help Your Attorney if You Try to Gather Evidence at the Scene of the Crash?
Absolutely. The more information and evidence you can get at the time of the accident, the better. That includes contact information from anyone else involved in the accident, as well as potential witnesses. Pictures are also extremely helpful, including shots of your injuries, any damage to the vehicles, any roadway conditions and even the weather.
What Losses Can Typically Be Recovered in a Texas Auto Accident Lawsuit?
In any personal injury claim, you have the right to ask the court for full and fair compensation for all your losses, including:
- Wages and income
- Any physical or mental pain and suffering resulting from the accident
- Any unreimbursed medical expenses
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage or loss
What Can You Expect from Your Auto Insurance Company?
Don’t be surprised if, when you notify your agent of the accident, you suddenly start getting the runaround. Insurance companies are for-profit entities that have an obligation to maximize their earnings to shareholders.
The less they pay to settle a claim, the more profitable they are. Don’t accept their initial offer—chances are it will be for far less than you are entitled to under your policy. Another common tactic is to delay or even reject your claim. Your first call after a car accident should be to an experienced attorney, who can then be your liaison with insurers.
What Is the Typical Value of an Insurance Settlement after a Car Wreck?
Auto insurance policies typically provide, at a minimum, coverage for vehicle damage or loss. It’s common for them to include some coverage for injuries to other motorists, and for payment of any medical bills that you and/or your passengers incur.
If you paid extra for uninsured and underinsured motorist’s coverage, you may also be able to get benefits if the other driver had little or no insurance.
How Will a Knowledgeable and Proven Auto Accident Injury Attorney Help You?
Typically, when you’ve been hurt in a motor vehicle accident, you’ll need to file a lawsuit to get full and fair compensation. In any legal proceeding, you can expect the insurance company to have a battery of attorneys handling the claim. An experienced lawyer will help you by
- Fully investigating the facts and circumstances of your accident
- Evaluating your case and helping you decide whether to seek a settlement or take your case to trial
- Determining the need for expert witnesses, and preparing them to present the compelling arguments for your full financial recovery
- Preparing and filing all documents required throughout the litigation process
- Advocating for you in all meetings, hearings and proceedings, including depositions, motion hearings and trial
Contact Our Bedford Car Accident Lawyers Today to Schedule a Free Initial Consultation
At the law offices of Bailey and Galyen, with offices throughout Texas, we proudly offer our 100% promise, working hard to ensure your total satisfaction with our services. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Evening and weekend meetings can be arranged upon request and we can travel for an appointment, upon request.
We provide a free initial consultation to anyone who has been injured in a car accident. To set up an appointment, call our offices at 844-402-2992 or contact us by e-mail. We handle all car accident claims on a contingency basis. We will only charge attorney fees if we recover compensation for your losses.
Conclusion
If you have been injured in a car accident, then you can legally recover economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault driver. You have a right to be compensated for medical bills, loss of earning capacity, mental and physical trauma, loss of property, loss of consortium, and emotional and physical pain.
Damages can be sought by filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer. If the at-fault driver’s insurance policy limit is insufficient, then you may also seek reimbursement from your own insurer, provided that you have Personal Injury Protection.
An experienced car accident attorney can assist you in securing fair and adequate compensation. If you file a legal claim, you will need to establish that the other driver acted negligently and unreasonably. Bedford car accident attorneys will make sure that there is sufficient evidence to back such claims.
Most car accident attorneys do not charge an upfront fee. They charge on a contingency basis, and the fee must be paid only if the attorney is able to secure compensation for your losses. However, you will have to pay some out-of-pocket expenses, such as filing costs, deposition costs, and possibly expert witness fees.
You can discuss your case with Bailey and Galyen by emailing us at contact us or calling our office at 844-402-2992.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What law governs a car accident case?
Car accidents lawsuits are personal injury claims governed by Texas state law. Success in a car accident case depends on demonstrating negligence, and the law relating to negligence is outlined in state court opinions. Traffic laws (speed limits, etc.) may also come into play when litigating a car accident claim.
2) What should you do after a car accident in Bedford?
Check for injuries and seek medical attention. Call 911 and report the accident. Inform your insurer about the accident and consult an experienced personal injury lawyer to protect your rights.
3) How much is an average car accident settlement in Bedford?
Check for injuries and seek medical attention. Call 911 and report the accident. Inform your insurer about the accident and consult an experienced personal injury lawyer to protect your rights.
4) How much is an average car accident settlement in Bedford?
In Texas, the settlement amount usually includes medical bills and lost wages. However, the settlement amount depends on the nature of the accident, the extent of the injuries, losses incurred, and evidence supporting your claim.
5) How long after an accident in Bedford can you file a legal claim?
You can file a personal injury claim within two years of the date of the car accident or from the date you discover any injuries caused by the accident.
6) What are common causes of car accidents?
Some of the common causes of car accidents are drunk driving, negligent driving, speeding, and running red lights.
7) What damages can I claim in a car accident?
You can claim economic damages as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills, wages, and property loss. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional and physical distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
8) How long does an insurance company have to settle a claim in Bedford?
As per Texas law, the insurance company must resolve your claim within 35 days of receipt.
9) What happens if the person at fault in an accident in Bedford has no insurance?
You can seek compensation under your uninsured motorist coverage if you have such coverage.
10) Can someone sue you for a car accident in Bedford if you have insurance?
Yes, you can be sued for an automobile accident in Bedford, even if you have insurance coverage, if your insurer does not cover all of the injured party’s losses. In most cases, your insurance coverage will cover those losses.
11) What information should I provide to my car accident lawyer?
Inform the car accident attorney about your insurance policy, the nature and extent of damages sustained by the vehicle or any other property, your medical bills, and the nature of your injuries. Share any other information that might affect your rights and ability to recover for all your damages.
