San Antonio Car Accident Lawyer

person using phone to call about car accident

Were you injured in a car accident in the San Antonio area? Was your loved one killed in a crash because of a reckless driver? Drivers have a legal responsibility to obey traffic laws and drive with reasonable care to avoid putting others at risk. When they fail to do so, they cause serious and sometimes fatal injuries.

If you or a loved one has been injured because of someone else’s reckless behavior, contact us as soon as possible. We have helped thousands of clients across Texas win millions of dollars in their personal injury claims.

We want to use our decades of experience to help you. As demonstrated by our numerous awards from respected organizations like the Better Business Bureau and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, our skilled car accident attorneys have the knowledge you need on your side.

A trusted San Antonio car accident attorney can help you seek maximum compensation for your injuries. Call us today at (361) 882-4357, chat with us live 24/7, or fill out our online contact form to set up a free consultation.

We’ve represented people who’ve been hurt in car accidents caused by:

What to Do if You Are in a Car Accident?

After an accident, it is important to stay on the scene and report the accident to the police. Leaving the scene of a crash – called a “hit and run” – is illegal and can lead to fines or even jail. On the scene, check yourself and other drivers for injuries.

If the accident wasn’t serious, move your car to a safe area and turn on your hazard lights to help reduce the chance that you or your car will be hit again while you’re dealing with the original crash. If the crash caused injuries or damages, call 911 to get help and request an ambulance if emergency assistance is needed.

If you didn’t require emergency treatment, go to the doctor and seek prompt medical evaluation. Inform the doctor that you were in a car crash. A doctor can help evaluate your condition and may diagnose injuries that were not apparent immediately after the accident. The doctor’s records will serve as an important piece of evidence if you file an injury claim with insurance or if you later need to file a lawsuit because of your crash.

There are some other important steps to take to protect your rights after a San Antonio car accident:

  • Document the scene of the accident: Take pictures of your injuries and damage to your car or other vehicles. Take photos of road conditions around you, such as skid marks, traffic lights, road signs, construction, or potholes. Identify witnesses who saw the accident. Write down what they saw and get their contact information. Additionally, get contact, insurance, and license plate information for the other driver(s). This information will be important if you file a Crash Report.
  • Be careful what you say: When you’re speaking to other people about the crash, don’t tell them that the crash was your fault. Many factors can contribute to a crash, so a full investigation is needed to know the actual cause. However, anything you say to the police or the other driver’s insurance company may be used against you. Don’t speak with the other driver’s insurance company without consulting a lawyer. The insurance company may try to talk you into a settlement that is much lower than the fair value of your claim. Don’t sign any kind of release presented by the other driver’s insurance.
  • Report the accident: Many insurance policies require that you report the crash as soon as possible. If the police weren’t called to the scene, you might need to file a Crash Report. Texas law requires that you file a Crash Report if there were any injuries, fatalities, or property damage worth more than $1,000.
  • Keep good records: Take notes on your medical visits, including days, times, how you’re feeling, and what the doctor said. Keep a record of anyone you speak with about the accident, including your insurance company. If the police were dispatched to the scene, get a copy of the official accident report.
  • Contact an experienced attorney: Dealing with the aftermath of a car crash is complicated. You must prove liability in order to get all the money you’re owed, and insurance companies will do everything they can to try to avoid paying. Recovering from a car wreck is stressful enough without having to deal with insurance companies and Bexar County courts. A skilled San Antonio car accident lawyer can reduce this stress by gathering the evidence you need for your case, negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf, and representing you in court if needed. Learn more about what you should do after a car accident in San Antonio.

San Antonio Car Accident Fatalities Show Another Increase

Hearing the phrase, “Don’t be a statistic,” should bring to mind gruesome figures about the number of car accidents and fatalities caused by a myriad of issues. One such figure is this: the Texas Department of Transportation has recorded another increase in car accident fatalities in San Antonio in the year 2019.

The increase in car accident fatalities could be for a number of reasons. Directly, it means there are more vehicle collisions taking place on the San Antonio roads. This fact could be caused by an increasing reliance on cell phones for GPS and communication, weather conditions, drivers who get behind the wheel under the influence, and more. An increase in the number of deaths could also be attributed to an increase in the overall population in the area.

While we cannot control population growth as individuals, we can control the way we drive. So, if you’re hitting the roads in San Antonio, here are some ways to stay safe and avoid becoming a statistic.

First, it’s important that you are in the right state of mind to drive. This means avoiding driving if you are extremely tired if you have had any alcohol to drink, and if you are under the influence of drugs- prescription or recreational.

Secondly, do everything you can to avoid distractions when driving. Some distractions may be fiddling with your phone for directions or to change the music, texting while driving, eating, applying makeup, or conversing with friends or family in the car. Many find it helpful to keep the stereo at a lower volume, as well.

The third tip is to keep an eye on the weather and never drive if you feel concerned about its severity. Extreme rain or dense snow can make driving difficult even for the most experienced drivers. Visibility can also be an issue in these cases. If you ever feel worried about your comfort while driving because of a storm, it’s best to wait out the weather before you get on the road.

If you are ever in a vehicle accident resulting in a fatality, injury, or property damage, make sure you contact the skilled attorneys in San Antonio with experience in car accident cases.

What Are the Most Dangerous Intersections in San Antonio?

As more and more Texans get back on the road for commutes to and from work after a lifted stay-at-home order, the streets are bound to get more congested. Even the most adept and careful drivers are wary of certain intersections, and the San Antonio drivers are no different. While there are intersections to be aware of, you should not feel that you need to avoid these intersections altogether. Here are some of the intersections in the San Antonio area that see the most accidents, fatal and non-fatal:

  • Interstate 35 and Highway 90
  • Braun Road and Loop 1604
  • Bandera Road and Loop 1604
  • I-10 and Loop 1604
  • Ingram Road and Loop 410
  • Loop 1604 and San Pedro Ave
  • Loop 410 at Rigsby Ave
  • Culebra Road and Loop 410
  • Loop 410 and Marbach Road
  • Loop 410 and West Ave
  • Culebra Road and Loop 1604
  • Interstate 35 and McCullough Avenue

 

These intersections may be ones that you frequent in your everyday commute, or perhaps you’ve only driven through them once or twice. Regardless, it may behoove you to commit these intersections to memory, so that you know when you need to be extra vigilant on the road.

Why are San Antonio intersections more dangerous?

Intersections tend to have higher rates of accidents than straightaway roads, streets, or highways because intersections involve a number of vehicles moving in different directions. It is far easier for a driver to collide with another if they’re running a red light, or if they mistakenly turn without a protected arrow. Intersections without stop signs or lights can be all the more dangerous, as they depend on natural traffic flow and driver aptitude.

What should I do if I’m in an accident in San Antonio?

If you’ve been in a vehicle collision, whether you were at one of these intersections or elsewhere, you should contact a San Antonio car accident lawyer. If you were injured badly or your car was badly damaged and you are not at fault, speaking with a San Antonio attorney could help you find some relief for these damages.

Do I Need to File a Police Report?

You don’t always have to file a police report after a car accident. If the crash was minor and no one was hurt, you might be able to deal with the incident without involving the police. However, there are some instances in which you want to or might be legally required to file a report.

If the police come to the scene of the accident, the police will file a car accident report. Even in minor accidents, call the police if the other driver fled the scene if you suspect the other driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or the other driver doesn’t have insurance.

If the police weren’t called to the car accident scene, you, the car’s owner, your lawyer, or your insurance can file a “Crash Report” (form CR-2, known as the blue form) by taking the completed form to the DMV within ten days of the crash. The form asks for all drivers’ information, a description of what happened, and details on weather and road conditions at the time of the crash.

In Texas, you are legally required to file a Crash Report if the accident caused injuries, death, or property damage that is anticipated to cost $1,000 or more. However, you don’t need to file a Crash Report if police were called to the scene and issued an official accident report.

Contact a San Antonio Car Accident Attorney Today

Although you may think that your accident was minor or you do not need a lawyer, there are many ways that our law offices can help. Let the compassionate lawyers at Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C. work for you. We have deep roots in Texas and care about protecting the rights of our fellow Texans. We’ll do everything we can to help you win your case.

Our English- and Spanish-speaking staff at our offices in San Antonio and elsewhere in Texas are ready to assist you. Don’t delay in getting a clear understanding of your legal rights. Call us today at (210) 405-7039, chat with us live 24/7, or fill out our online contact form to set up a free consultation. Our San Antonio office is located at 8122 Datapoint Dr Suite 816, San Antonio, TX 78229.