Injured In a Car Accident?

Missouri City Car Accident Lawyer

At Ramsey Law Group, we understand that the time following a severe car accident is stressful, and we want to help you through the difficult process. If someone else’s negligence injured you or killed your loved one in a car accident, our attorneys can help you recover the compensation you need, while holding the responsible party accountable.

Why Ramsey Law Group?

Ramsey Law Group is an experienced, nationally known law firm based in Texas. Our Missouri City car accident attorneys are:

  • Client-focused;
  • Results-oriented; and
  • Recipients of top ten Texas and national verdicts.

We are proud to represent car accident victims in Texas and throughout the United States. Call Ramsey Law Group today to schedule a free claim consultation and have your legal questions answered.

A Missouri City Car Accident Attorney Can Help

Ramsey Law Group’s Missouri City car accident lawyers guide you through the legal claims process step-by-step. Our attorneys protect you from insurance companies and their settlement tactics, defend your rights to a fair and full settlement, and fight to hold the at-fault party responsible for injuring you or your loved one.

Additionally, Ramsey Law Group does the following:

  • Negotiates with the insurance companies;
  • Determines the value of your claim;
  • Files any civil lawsuits promptly;
  • Conducts a thorough accident investigation;
  • Gathers all relevant evidence; and
  • Brings the case to court on your behalf, when needed.

Ramsey Law Group’s attorneys build your case as if it were going to trial, and we will go to trial if that is best for you. Our legal team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay legal fees when we win your claim. Call Ramsey Law Group today to learn more about how we can help you recover from your injuries: (713) 489-7577.

Leading Causes of Car Accidents in Missouri City 

Car accidents happen for a variety of reasons, many of which involve driver error. Some of the leading causes of collisions in Missouri City include:

Distracted Driving

Cell phones, eating, daydreaming, children in the backseat, or following directions can easily take a driver’s focus away from the road. Getting distracted, even if only for a split second, can result in a catastrophic accident.

Impaired Driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, even prescription medications, can dramatically impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.

Drowsy Driving

Fatigued drivers are three times more likely to be involved in an accident, according to the National Safety Council

Speeding 

Speed limits are in place to promote safety. The faster a vehicle travels, the longer it takes to stop to avoid an accident.

Aggressive Driving

This is a combination of driving behaviors, including speeding, erratic lane changes, failure to yield the right-of-way, and failure to obey traffic signs and signals. All of which can easily contribute to an accident. 

Road Conditions

Construction, weather, gravel, and dirt roads can all pose a serious threat by causing a shift under the tires and leading a vehicle to become unstable.

What Does Car Accident “Liability” Mean, and Why Do Insurance Companies Accept It?

When someone is liable for a car accident, it means their negligent actions are responsible for causing the collision. If a party can be proven liable, they can be held financially accountable for the resulting property damage, injuries, and related losses. Liability is a crucial element to prove in order to recover compensation. If an auto insurance company accepts liability on their policyholder’s behalf, they are assuming legal responsibility for the accident and your injuries. 

However, the main reason that insurance companies immediately accept liability is to cut their losses and try to offer a lower settlement amount, and get the claim resolved quickly. Therefore, If an insurer is offering this deal, it is best to consult a car accident attorney before accepting. 

Is Texas a No-Fault State for Auto Accidents?

Texas is an “at-fault,” not a “no-fault” state when it comes to responsibility for car accidents. 

The Difference Between Fault and No-Fault States

In an at-fault state, drivers must carry liability auto insurance to pay for any property damage or injuries they cause. To recover compensation after a car accident, victims must either: 

  • File a third-party claim directly with the at-fault party’s insurance company. However, the insurer can accept or deny liability for the claim. 
  • File a claim with their insurance company depending on auto coverage, but you are responsible for the deductible. If you have collision coverage, your auto insurer will cover your losses up to policy limits and then pursue a subrogation claim against the at-fault party’s insurer. A subrogation claim allows them to recover compensation for the benefits they paid on your claim. If your insurer recovers compensation, your deductible may be reimbursed. 
  • File a personal injury lawsuit. If you do not have collision coverage and the at-fault party’s insurer denies liability or refuses to offer fair compensation, a lawsuit is typically your only option. You generally have two years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit. 

In no-fault states, drivers must carry no-fault insurance or Personal Injury Protection (PIP). After an accident, each party involved files a claim with their own auto insurer, regardless of who was at fault. There are typically only a few exceptions when you can step outside the no-fault system and seek compensation directly from the at-fault party or their insurance company. 

What If The Other Driver Was Uninsured?

Your options for compensation after an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist will likely depend on your auto insurance coverage. Texas law does not require car insurance policies to include uninsured motorist coverage, but they must offer it. 

Therefore, you will have to check what type of coverage you carry. Here is how you will potentially be protected: 

  • Uninsured motorist coverage (UM): Another driver is at fault and does not have liability insurance. Your insurer will help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and property damage, up to your policy’s limits. 
  • Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM): The at-fault driver’s insurance policy limits are not substantial enough to cover your losses from the accident. Your insurer will help pay for your expenses that go above and beyond what the at-fault driver’s policy covers. 

If you carry collision coverage, you will also have the option to file a claim under your policy after an accident with an uninsured driver, but you will have to pay the deductible. On the other hand, if you do not carry collision, UM, or UIM coverage, your only option is to sue the at-fault driver for any personal assets. 

What Kind of Damages Can Be Claimed after a Car Accident?

Being seriously injured in a car accident can be financially debilitating in addition to physical. You have the right to recover damages for your injuries and other losses. Damages is the legal term referring to the compensation awarded to injury victims for their losses, financial or otherwise. Some of the damages that you are entitled to include but are not limited to:

  • Medical Expenses: This includes past medical bills, beginning from the time of the accident to future expenses, which are calculated based on the extent of your injuries for future doctor appointments, surgeries, physical therapy, and other medical needs.
  • Lost Wages: The wages you would have earned at your job had you not been injured in a crash. This kind of compensation also covers future lost wages and loss of earning capacity if your injuries leave you unable to do your job at the same level you did before the accident.
  • Property Damage: This can include repairs to or the replacing of your vehicle if it’s totaled. Other objects involved in a car accident may require repair or replacement, such as buildings, mailboxes, and personal property.
  • Pain And Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress that you wouldn’t have had to go through if you weren’t injured in an accident.

In cases that involve a defendant (at-fault party) who exhibited egregious or malicious conduct, Texas courts may award punitive damages. 

How Much is My Car Accident Injury Worth?

The amount your car accident claim is worth depends on a variety of factors unique to your case. For example:​

  • The severity of your injuries and length of recovery.
  • Your age and any pre-existing injuries.
  • The extent of your suffering (e.g., daily physical pain, emotional distress, etc.)
  • Whether you suffered a permanent disability. 
  • Whether you will need ongoing medical care and adaptive equipment. 
  • The amount of income you lost and will lose in the future from being unable to work.
  • The defendant’s degree of negligence (e.g., drunk driving, texting while driving, etc.) 
  • Strength of evidence against the defendant.
  • The policy holder’s limits. 

If the amount of money you should be allowed for your losses exceeds the at-fault party’s insurance coverage, the insurance company does not have to pay the difference. In very limited cases, it is possible to collect compensation beyond policy limits, but it is not always worth the time and money. 

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim? 

Like most states, Texas limits the amount of time a person has to file a car accident lawsuit. This law is known as the statute of limitations, which generally gives accident victims two years to file a claim. If you fail to file within that time, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you will be unable to recover compensation. 

How Much Does a Missouri City Car Accident Attorney Charge?

Most car accident attorneys in Missouri City do not charge up-front fees or retainers when taking on a case. Instead, they handle claims on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no out-of-pocket payments and they will pay for all upfront costs associated with pursuing your claim. Legal fees are only collected once your case is resolved and you recover compensation. If you do not win, you do not have to pay for their representation. Most firms charge a contingency fee of one-third (33.3%) of your settlement, but the fee can vary based on the amount of work involved in your case and whether it goes to trial.

Car Accident Injuries

Every car crash is different, and so are the injuries that result. Car crashes cause several types of injuries, including, but not limited to:

  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI). Extreme force or head trauma can result in traumatic brain injury. Victims of TBI can suffer permanent disability or even death;
  • Broken bones. Crashes may snap any bone in the body. Often injuries occur to the kneecap, ribs, nose, and skull;
  • Lacerations. Debris from inside or around the vehicle may slice or tear open a victim’s skin;
  • Burns. Hot car parts and fires from crashes require immediate medical attention. Severe burns are life-threatening and easily become infected;
  • Spinal injury and paralysis. Trauma to the spinal cord can cause complete or incomplete paralysis below the level of the trauma; and
  • Wrongful death. Wrongful death occurs on impact or after due to accident-related injuries and suffering.

What to do After a Car Accident

There are steps to take after a car accident to protect your health, legal rights, and provide documentation to your car accident attorney in the event a claim is necessary. Follow these steps:

  • Stay at the accident scene;
  • Call for police and medical help;
  • Get the other driver’s information, if possible; if not, allow the police to do so;
  • Get witness information, if possible;
  • Do not admit fault or speculate as to the cause of the accident to anyone;
  • Take photos of the scene and any damage;
  • Get medical care right away; and
  • Contact a car accident attorney.

Even if you feel fine, seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Car accidents can cause injuries that do not immediately appear or require a medical scan or an expert to discover. Do not make any statements to an insurance adjuster or sign any settlement documents before speaking with an attorney.

Call Ramsey Law Group Today

Available 24/7 Se Habla Español (888) 335-7477

Insurance companies will try to settle your claim quickly and for as little as possible. Before accepting a settlement, let Ramsey Law Group evaluate your claim. Our Missouri City car accident attorneys will assess the value of your car accident claim to ensure you receive compensation that covers your current losses along with any future needs.

Call us anytime at (713) 489-7577 or message us online. We are here to support you through this process.