Is a Lawsuit Necessary After a Car Accident in Texas or New Mexico?

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Texas or New Mexico, you don’t necessarily have to file a lawsuit to receive financial compensation. For instance, filing an auto insurance claim can pay for damages in accidents with minor property damage.

However, if you suffer serious injuries in a crash, you may be facing medical bills, lost days at work, and even a permanent disability. If this describes your situation, consider protecting your rights by speaking with a car accident attorney in Texas or New Mexico, depending upon where your accident occurred. .

When Should I Seek a Car Crash Compensation Lawyer?

In both Texas and New Mexico, you always have the right to seek legal counsel after a car crash, no matter who was at fault or how severe your injuries were. However, contacting a vehicle accident injury attorney is especially important in the following situations:

• Your injuries are serious, and you worry that insurance will not cover your expenses 
• Your accident was with a big rig or 18-wheeler truck
• The at-fault party’s insurance company denies your claim
• The insurance company does not present a reasonable offer
• Multiple parties contributed to the accident 
• You want someone on your side when negotiating with insurance companies

How Can an Auto Accident Lawyer Help Me?

A car accident attorney in both Texas and New Mexico will answer your questions, protect your legal rights, and support you from start to finish. Even if you decide not to file a lawsuit, a lawyer can help you file an insurance claim and negotiate a fair settlement. Your attorney will do the following:

• Evaluate the facts of your accident, including the severity of your injuries and the amount of your losses
• Determine any negligent parties, including the at-fault driver, other drivers, auto manufacturers, trucking companies, etc.
• Gather evidence to support your case, such as witness statements, security camera footage, and more
• Explain any relevant Texas or New Mexico laws that may apply to your case
• File all necessary paperwork for you
• Ensure that your case meets the Texas statute of limitations (timeframe for filing a lawsuit)
• Represent you in court if your case goes to trial
• Help you seek fair financial compensation for your injuries, including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more

What Should I Do After a Car Crash?

Car accidents are stressful, no matter how serious they are. Staying calm and following the proper steps can protect your health and legal rights.

On scene, you’ll want to exchange information with the other driver (and any witnesses), take photos of the accident, and report the crash to the police. After leaving the scene, consider doing the following:

1. Seek medical care: Even if you don’t feel bad immediately, make an appointment to see a doctor. Seeking medical care can prevent health problems and serve as proof of your injury for legal purposes.
2. Keep documentation: Hold on to medical bills, pictures of the accident scene, witness contact information, and other relevant evidence that could support your case later on.
3. Avoid making a statement: While you must notify your insurance company of the accident, try to provide only the basic information and avoid admitting fault. If the at-fault driver’s insurance adjuster contacts you, do not make a recorded statement or sign a written statement. These statements can hurt your case or even prevent you from filing a claim later.

Contact a Car Collision Attorney

A auto wreck law firm, with offices in both Texas and New Mexico,  can tell you how to proceed to protect your legal rights and seek fair financial compensation for your injuries.

Contact Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway, P.C., at 800-433-2408 for more information about how an experienced car accident attorney in Texas can assist you.