Grapevine Car Accident Lawyer With A Track Record of Success
Car accidents, especially those involving serious injuries, are an incredibly traumatic experience. Victims and their families often struggle with the physical, emotional, and financial turmoil they cause, not knowing where to turn. If you sustain an injury in a car accident in Grapevine, the Francis Firm can help. We believe that the knowledge and resources offered by a Grapevine car accident lawyer are essential to your claim. Whether you need help finding medical care or managing the various aspects of your case, we’re there for you.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
When you get into a car wreck, your first priority is your own safety. If you think you have an injury, even if it seems minor, call 911 and ask for medical attention. Some injuries, such as internal bleeding or traumatic brain injuries, aren’t apparent at first and may be deadly. That’s why it’s important to go to the hospital if emergency responders think it’s necessary.
Once you are safe, you should try to collect as much evidence as possible at the scene. Taking pictures of vehicle damage, road conditions, and injuries is usually a good place to start. You also should try to get contact information from any drivers involved in the accident or any potential witnesses. All this evidence serves as a strong base for your claim.
Finally, once you receive medical treatment and collect your evidence, contact a Grapevine personal injury attorney. After your accident, the insurance company may ask for a recorded statement about the incident. Anything you say in this statement can be used against you in your claim. Before talking to the insurance company, we highly recommend consulting with one of our attorneys, so we can negotiate on your behalf.
Potential Damages
In Texas, there are two types of damages that victims may pursue in most car accident claims: economic and non-economic. Here is a breakdown of each damage type and how a Grapevine accident lawyer might calculate them.
Economic Damages
Special or economic damages are the tangible losses you incur as a result of your injuries. They typically serve as the backbone of your case, since they include medical bills and lost wages. However, they also include things like future medical treatment costs, accessibility conversions for your home, and job transfers resulting in lower income.
Non-Economic Damages
General or non-economic damages are quite different from the other damages in your claim. Instead of covering losses with a standard dollar value, non-economic damages cover intangible losses sustained by the victim. In other words, the losses don’t have an economic price, but a physical, mental, or emotional one. Some examples of non-economic damages include:
- Permanent disability or disfigurement,
- Loss of quality of life,
- Loss of consortium,
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish.
What If I’m Partially at Fault for the Accident Can a Grapevine Car Accident Lawyer Help?
If you are partially responsible for the accident, you still might have a case. The state of Texas follows what’s known as a comparative negligence doctrine. This means that you may pursue compensation for your injuries even if you share some fault. However, your fault cannot be greater than 50%. In addition, the court diminishes your award based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you have $100,000 in damages but are 15% at fault for your injuries, you may receive only $85,000.
Since insurance companies often try to pin part or all of the blame on the victim, we recommend contacting a Grapevine car accident lawyer. They’ll use as much evidence as possible to show the negligence of the other driver.
What If the Accident Happened Due to a Drunk Driver?
If a drunk driver causes your accident, you might have a case against the bar or restaurant that served them. Under the Texas Dram Shop Act, any licensed provider of alcohol may be responsible for the actions of a customer if:
- The provider gave alcohol to someone knowing that they were intoxicated and presented a clear danger to themselves and others, and
- The intoxication of the recipient directly caused damages to another party.
- The bar did not take the steps necessary to obtain immunity from dram shop prosecution.
Due to this law, it’s sometimes possible to pursue an action against both the driver and the alcohol provider, depending on the circumstances.
Do I Need a Grapevine Car Accident Attorney for My Car Accident Case?
There are a few signs that you may benefit from retaining a car accident lawyer in Grapevine for your case. While not all car accident claims require legal representation, we recommend you contact us if:
- Your injuries are severe or require some recovery,
- You must miss work due to your injuries, or
- The insurance company refuses to negotiate.
The sooner you get an attorney, the better. Over time, evidence degrades and witnesses might forget key moments from the accident. By hiring a car accident attorney in Grapevine, you not only make it easier to manage your claim, but also have more access to the legal resources necessary to take on an insurance company.
Contact the Francis Firm Today
If you sustain an injury in a car accident in Grapevine, don’t count on the insurance company to give you a fair settlement. At the Francis Firm, we have more than 25 years of experience fighting for the compensation clients need to recover. Our goal is to provide a second-to-none personalized experience for every client. If you can’t make it to our office, we’ll come to you.
To schedule a free, confidential consultation with a Grapevine car accident lawyer, give us a call at 817-329-9001 or contact us online.