Car Accident Lawyers San Antonio
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 (210) 405-7039, chat with us live 24/7, or fill out our online contact form to set up a free consultation.
Herrman & Herrman’s San Antonio Car Accident Lawyers represent people who’ve been hurt in car accidents caused by:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Failure to yield
- Improper lane changes
- Reckless or careless driving
- Drowsy driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Defective auto parts or design
Car Accident Lawyers Explain 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 Safety and Driving Risks
Car accidents in San Antonio can happen for many reasons, including distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, unsafe driving decisions, and hazardous road conditions. Drivers can reduce some of these risks by staying focused, driving responsibly, and adjusting their driving to current traffic and weather conditions.
If you are driving in San Antonio, the following steps can help reduce your risk of a serious collision:
- Make sure you are in the right condition to drive. Avoid driving when you are extremely tired or under the influence of alcohol, recreational drugs, or medications that may affect your ability to drive safely.
- Avoid distractions behind the wheel. Activities such as texting, using a phone for directions, adjusting music, eating, applying makeup, or focusing on conversations can take your attention away from the road. TxDOT recommends giving driving your full attention and pulling completely off the road before using your phone. You can learn more from the TxDOT distracted driving safety campaign.
- Pay attention to weather and road conditions. Heavy rain, flooding, fog, ice, and other hazardous conditions can reduce visibility and make roads more difficult to navigate. Slow down when conditions require it and avoid driving when you do not feel that conditions are safe. TxDOT provides additional guidance through its driving safety resources.
If you are involved in a serious vehicle accident in San Antonio that results in an injury or property damage, an experienced San Antonio car accident lawyer can review what happened, explain your legal options, and help you determine your next steps.
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.
Contact San Antonio Car Accident Attorneys After An Auto Accident
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 After An Auto Collision?
You do not always need to contact law enforcement after a car accident. However, Texas law requires a driver to immediately report a collision to the appropriate law enforcement agency if the crash results in an injury or death, or if a vehicle is damaged to the point that it cannot be normally and safely driven. You can learn more about what to do after a crash in our guide on filing a police report after a car accident.
If law enforcement comes to the scene and investigates the crash, the investigating officer may be responsible for preparing an official crash report. Texas law requires an officer who investigates a crash involving an injury, death, or apparent property damage of $1,000 or more to any one person to submit a written crash report to the Texas Department of Transportation within 10 days.
You may also want to contact law enforcement after a crash if the other driver leaves the scene, you suspect the other driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or there is a dispute about insurance or what happened. Having an official investigation can also help document the circumstances of the collision.
TxDOT no longer accepts or retains the Driver’s Crash Report, formerly known as Form CR-2 or the “blue form.” The CR-2 reporting requirement ended in 2017, and TxDOT no longer provides copies of the form. If a crash is not investigated by a police officer and you are given a CR-2 or similar form by a local agency, TxDOT advises keeping that information for your own records rather than submitting it to TxDOT. For current information, visit the TxDOT Crash Reports and Records page.
Contact our San Antonio Car Accident Attorneys 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.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
Our Texas personal injury lawyers help clients who have suffered injuries in various accidents.
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
ABOUT HERRMAN & HERRMAN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
With over 100 years of combined experience among the legal team of Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., our Texas personal injury attorneys have successfully resolved over 20,000 cases. When representing injured Texas residents, we fight for justice against wrongdoing and aggressively pursue the best resolution to complex personal injury claims.
If you or a loved one was injured, please get in touch with us for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., is a locally based law firm that holds negligent individuals and companies accountable for their wrongdoing. We are not a personal injury mill that advertises nationwide. We provide individualized advocacy in attending to all aspects of claims that involve. Our firm has offices in the following locations: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Dallas, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Ft. Worth, TX.
We remain by our client’s side, handling all aspects of their claims and attending to all legal, medical, and financial needs. That dedication combines experience, legal knowledge, and insight from a former insurance adjuster and several former insurance defense attorneys. Whether our clients suffer from physical pain from an accident or the emotional grief of death, we treat clients with compassion. We put their mind at ease during difficult times by answering their questions concerning the length of their claim, medical bills, financial compensation, and their overall need for a lawyer.