Corpus Christi Car Accident Lawyer

Top 10 Things To Do In An Auto Accident

1. Call the Police

  • Law enforcement needs to be contacted immediately in a situation involving an auto accident. They are responsible for making sure that more accidents do not occur because of altered traffic paths.
  • It is also a good idea to make sure the police are involved because they have the ability to congruently contact all other medical and enforcement professionals that may need to be involved in order to ensure that everyone is safe and cared for.
  • Donā€™t wait! As soon as a victim is able, police should be contacted, regardless of the opinions of others.

2. Ask for medical assistance as soon as possible

  • Your health and well-being are of the utmost importance in an auto accident. Often times, victims of these circumstances can be seriously injured without outward signs. EMS will be able to evaluate your situation and make allowances for injuries that may not yet be visible.
  • Always listen to the attending medical personnel, they possess the training and expertise necessary to ensure that you are properly evaluated and transported.

3. DO NOT move automobile unless instructed by police

  • Now is not the time to be a superhero. Victims must make sure to follow the instructions of the authorities who are responsible for the safety of all involved.
  • A bad situation could turn worse very quickly if coordination efforts conducted by law enforcement are not adhered to.

4. Collect personal & insurance information from all drivers

  • If you are able to make sure you collect personal & insurance information from all drivers. Even if someone suggests that this should be handled out of court, make absolutely sure you complete this step if you are not too injured to do so. Adjustments can always be made later, but this is your chance to make sure that you are covered no matter the outcome.

5. Note the date, time, and location of the incident

  • Good record keeping is so very important. Keep a notepad and pen in your vehicle so that you can jot down the details of the accident. Not only is a victim often shaken from such a traumatic incident, but jotting down this vital information will be an honest reference of the circumstances if needed.
  • Be proactive, write down everything, even if it seems unimportant at the time.

6. Look for any witness and collect their names, telephone, and driver’s license numbers

  • A victim must take every opportunity to ensure that facts and information are collected in order to produce an accurate account of events. The more points of view that are collected, the clearer the picture will become when recounted at a later date.
  • The account of the people involved in the accident will most likely be different from those who observed, all points of view are crucial.

7. DO NOT admit any liability or fault

  • Often a victimā€™s initial response may be skewed because of the trauma associated with the incident. Anything that is stated may be recorded or later recited so victims should try to focus on making sure the police are contacted, medical assistance is underway and the proper information is documented.
  • Taking pictures, collecting information and taking notes are of more importance at this point than communicating about what just happened.

8. Take pictures of the automobile

  • There is no better documentation that a photo of the incident. Many facts can be gathered from pictures. A victim should make sure to take pictures from all vantage points, close up, far shots and everything in between.
  • A camera should always be readily available. An inexpensive camera kept in a vehicle will help to ensure that it is there when needed.

9. DO NOT make a deal with an insurance company

  • Victims are not often capable of rational negotiations following such a traumatic event. Now is not the time to try to navigate experts in this field. Focus on collecting information and making sure that medical authorities are attending injuries.

10. Call Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C.

  • Even if it is post-accident, negotiating with insurance companies is not within the training of most victims. It is the daily job of insurance companies to deal with situations like this, so even when the victim is in a rational state, the guidance of an expert is essential.
  • Our legal team possesses over 100 years of personal injury claims experience. In addition, members of our team have unique insights into how the opposing side handles claims of negligences.

In order to be as prepared as possible in the unfortunate instance that you are in an auto accident, donā€™t stress yourself out even more than you will be. Print this guide out and keep it in a small bag in your glove box with a pen, paper, and a camera. Hopefully, you will never use it but being prepared may make the difference.

If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in an car accident, a Corpus Christi car wreck lawyer at Herrman & Herrman is prepared to move into action. Connect with us as early as you can after the accident so that we can collect and preserve the evidence that will support your case.

At Herrman & Herrman, we have an extensive background in car accident injury cases and have successfully resolved over 20,000 cases to date. With over 100 years of shared experience in personal injury cases, you can be confident that your case will be handled professionally and with the highest level of legal skill.

Car Accident Claims FAQs

Car Accidents

How long after my accident do I have to file a lawsuit?

It is in your best interest to contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Evidence needs to be collected and preserved. Witness statements should be taken while the incident is fresh in the minds of the witnesses. Furthermore, the law imposes a time limit for filing a personal injury claim (known as a statute of limitations). In Texas, it is two years from the date of the accident.

When you work with our firm, we are prepared to investigate your accident to determine who was at fault and to aggressively pursue a claim for compensation against the responsible party. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with no obligation.

What damages can I recover in a car accident case?

Each car accident is different. You should consult with a knowledgeable car accident attorney to find out what damages you may be able to recover from the negligent party responsible for your accident and injuries. Depending on the circumstances in your particular case, among other losses, you may be able to recover compensation for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage
  • Impairment
  • Disfigurement
  • Punitive damages (in some cases)

Punitive damages are designed to further punish the defendant for wrongs committed, in addition to compensation for the victimā€™s losses. These types of damages may or may not be allowed, depending on what the driver did or failed to do that caused the accident.

What is negligence in a car accident case?

In order to establish that the other driver in a car accident was negligent, that driverā€™s actions or failure to act must be shown to have caused the accident that resulted in your injuries. In order to establish negligence, an accident victim must show that:

  • The driver had a duty
  • That duty was breached
  • The breach of duty caused the accident and injuries
  • Damages were suffered as a result.

If the driver failed to use ordinary care ā€“ the level of care that a reasonable person would have used under the same circumstances ā€“ a breach of duty occurred. While operating a motor vehicle, we all have a duty to use ordinary care for the safety of other motorists.

The following are some examples of ways that drivers can be negligent:

  • Following too closely
  • Driving too fast
  • Driving too slow
  • Failure to yield the right-of-way
  • Failure to obey traffic signals or signs
  • Driving in an impaired state
  • Distracted driving, such as texting or talking on cell phones.

What types of compensation can I recover?

If you have been seriously injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver in Texas, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical expenses, physical pain, mental anguish, any disfigurement caused by scarring or loss of limbs, reduced ability to earn income, or loss of marital relations.

When should I hire an attorney after a car accident?

If you have been seriously injured in an accident caused by another driver you should seek an injury attorney IMMEDIATELY. Also, if you have significant medical bills, or if you are having trouble getting your own auto insurance company to honor an uninsured motorist insurance policy, you should have a knowledgeable car accident attorney review the specific facts and explain your legal options. If we determine that you have a valid personal injury claim, our attorneys can help you pursue compensation.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim after a car accident in Texas?

Every state sets time limits for filing a lawsuit if you have been injured in an accident. If you have been injured in a car accident in the Lone Star State, Texas law allows two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation. Because of the amount of time it takes to investigate an accident and prepare a lawsuit, it is important to contact a knowledgeable accident lawyer as soon as possible.

How much does it cost to hire a car accident attorney?

Our car accident attorneys take cases on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee arrangement allows people who have been injured in accidents to obtain legal representation without having to pay money up front. If our attorneys are successful in pursuing a settlement or verdict on your behalf, we would then be paid an agreed upon share of any settlement or verdict received.

Does my attorney deal with the insurance companies?

Our experienced car accident attorneys deal with the insurance company representing the at-fault driver and try to negotiate a fair settlement. We deal with insurance adjusters and insurance company lawyers so that you can focus on recovering your health and family.

How will I pay my medical bills if I canā€™t work after a car accident?

In serious injury cases, Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., we can provide loans to clients to cover their living expenses while we pursue personal injury claims on their behalf. We also provide a pharmacy discount card to clients to help reduce the cost of their prescription medications. Our accident attorneys are committed to helping clients get back on their feet after a serious accident caused by negligence. Call to see if your case qualifies.

What if I was partially at fault? Am I eligible for compensation?

Yes, you may still be eligible to receive compensation even if you were partly at fault, but it may reduce the amount you can recover. Texas applies a modified comparative fault rule to personal injury cases in which multiple drivers are at fault. If the court finds that you are partly at fault, you may still be eligible to recover damages as long as you are no more than 50 percent at fault. The amount of compensation that you would be eligible to recover would be reduced by a percentage equal to your degree of fault. For example, if a court found that you were 25 percent at fault for an accident and the court awarded $100,000 in damages, you would be eligible to receive $75,000.

The driver who hit me doesnā€™t have insurance. Can I still file a claim?

If the at-fault driver who hit you does not have auto insurance, you may file an insurance claim on your own uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist policy. The Texas Department of Insurance requires that UM/UIM coverage must be offered as part of every automobile liability policy sold in Texas to protect drivers from damages caused by motorists who do not have insurance. Unless you specifically declined UM/UIM coverage, it is likely that your auto insurance policy protects you from damages caused by uninsured and underinsured drivers. If your insurance company disputes your uninsured motorist claim, have our experienced car accident lawyer review your accident to determine if we can help you.

My child was injured in a car accident caused by the teenaged driver he was riding with. What can we do?

You may have a claim against the teenage driver and his or her auto insurance provider for injuries caused to your child in the accident. If the auto insurance coverage on the vehicle that the teenager was driving was in the name of the teenā€™s parents, you may possibly have a claim against that insurance company. It is important to identify all the potentially responsible parties after an accident to maximize the compensation that an accident victim can seek. Those are the kinds of issues that a car accident attorney will research as part of preparing an accident claim.

How Can I Afford My Medical Expenses if I Am Out of Work Due to an Injury?

If you are unable to work as a result of an injury and we are handling your personal injury case, we may be able to loan you money to pay your expenses if necessary. We are committed to helping our clients receive all the medical care necessary to recover from a serious injury. Through a personal injury claim you may have a legal right to seek compensation for your medical bills and other expenses if someone elseā€™s carelessness or negligence caused your injuries. While pursuing a claim on your behalf, our attorney can contact the hospital that treated you and your other health care providers and inform them that you are pursuing a personal injury claim. Many health care providers are willing to hold off on any billing collection efforts if they understand that litigation is in process and they will be paid eventually.

How Can I Afford to Pay for a Lawyer?

You have no upfront legal fees if a personal injury attorney at Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., represents you. A car accident attorney at Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., will handle your injury case on a contingency fee basis. We will advance all the costs of pursuing compensation from the at-fault parties for your injuries. You will not owe us any money unless we are successful in obtaining compensation for you through a negotiated insurance settlement or a jury award. If we have success in securing money for you, then we would take a portion of the settlement as payment for our legal services and expenses. If we do not win money for you, you will not owe a legal fee.

Heatmap of Fatal Crashes

Types of Car Accidents in Corpus
Christi that We Handle

There are various types of driving behaviors that put innocent people at high risk of injury
or death. The most common negligent driving behaviors include:
car wreck lawyer

Speeding Drivers

Drivers who refuse to adhere to posted speed limits are responsible for many injuries and deaths in the Corpus Christi area. The inability to control the vehicle due to high speed is particularly dangerous for other drivers sharing the road.

accident attorney

Distracted Driving

Drivers who are texting, talking on a cellphone, eating, or simply not paying attention to the road ahead put other drivers and their passengers at high risk of injury or loss of life.

accident attorneys

Types of Car Accidents

We have access to some of the most respected professional accident reconstruction experts to call on when it is necessary to get the case moving in the right direction.

car accident attorney

Aggressive Driving Accidents

People who are aggressive while behind the wheel often tailgate other vehicles, weave from lane to lane, speed through intersections, and engage in other dangerous driving behaviors.

car accident lawyer

Drunk Driving Accidents

A driver who has consumed alcohol may weave from lane to lane, speed, drive the wrong way on streets or highways, or fail to stop at red lights or stop signs, leading to an impact that often has tragic consequences for innocent people.

car crash attorney

Texting While Driving Accidents

Texting while driving is illegal, but many people continue to engage in this dangerous practice, particularly younger drivers. Texting while behind the wheel is exceptionally dangerous as it involves all three types of driver distraction: cognitive, manual and visual.

car wreck attorney

Highway Accidents

Many of the accidents in the Corpus Christi area occur on the highways, including Highway 286, Highway 358, Highway 357, Highway 77, Highway 44, Highway 181, Interstate 37, and Highway 35.

injury attorney

Dangerous Roads & Highways

Car accidents and truck accidents involving dangerous road conditions can occur because of the poor surface condition of a road, improper design, lack of adequate marking or signage, inadequate guardrails, vegetation blocking sightlines, or poor traffic control in work zones.

injury lawyers

Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Accidents

It is estimated that about 20 percent of the drivers in Texas are currently uninsured. The number of underinsured drivers is far higher. When an uninsured or underinsured driver causes an accident, it will be necessary to seek compensation through your own auto insurance company.

Car Accidents in Corpus Christi

There were no days without a traffic death on the Texas roadways in 2020. In fact, Texas traffic statistics reveal that one person was killed in a vehicle accident every 2 hours and 15 minutes in the state, with one person injured every 2 minutes and 34 seconds. In 2020, 14,656 people sustained serious injuries in crashes, and 1,354 people died in fatal traffic accidents. In Corpus Christi in 2020, there were 30 fatal accidents, 134 serious injuries and a total of 6,796 car accidents.

At Herrman & Herrman, we have an extensive background in car accident injury cases and have successfully resolved over 20,000 cases to date. With over 100 years of shared experience in personal injury cases, you can be confident that your case will be handled professionally and with the highest level of legal skill.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can
Help Recover Compensation for Damages

Ordinarily, the at-fault driverā€™s insurance company will contact an injured person and attempt to get a statement or to gain legal access to medical records. Never allow an insurance company to record your statement, or sign a paper that allows them to get your medical records. The process of getting a settlement will involve various actions, and if you hope to be treated fairly, it is vital that you have legal representation to deal with the other partyā€™s insurance company. Based on the facts in the case, our legal team may engage an accident reconstruction expert or other professionals to provide a report or testimony should the case advance to trial.

When our firm is involved in a car accident case, we take all the necessary actions to get your case resolved as quickly as possible, and at the right level of compensation. When the case is not resolved through negotiations with the insurance company, we can proceed to civil court to seek justice. The actions we take on behalf of our clients include:

  • Accident investigation and reconstruction by experts
  • Managing the release of any medical information to protect you
  • Ensuring our clients get medical treatment
  • An extensive expert medical evaluation of your condition
  • Working with insurance adjusters
  • Analyzing insurance policy limits and other sources of compensation
  • Filing insurance bad faith cases when necessary

Talk to our Corpus Christi car accident lawyer today for a no-obligation free consultation. We are available 24/7.

We understand that car accidents happen any time ā€“ day or night. Thatā€™s why our Corpus Christi Accident Attorneys are ready to help you when you need it most. Contact us 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Our Corpus Christi office is located at 5702 South Staples Street, Corpus Christi, TX