After a crash, a car accident lawyer can investigate what happened, communicate with insurance companies, and pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses while you focus on recovering. Many people are unsure whether hiring a lawyer is necessary after a crash, but the answer often depends on the severity of the injuries and how the insurance company responds.
What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Actually Do?
A car accident attorney’s work generally begins with an investigation into how the crash occurred. This can involve reviewing the police report, gathering witness statements, and collecting evidence such as photos, medical records, and repair estimates.
Once liability becomes clear, an auto accident lawyer typically handles communication with the insurance companies involved. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Working with a lawyer for a car accident to manage that communication can prevent an early lowball offer from being accepted before the full extent of the injuries is known.
A lawyer can also help calculate the true value of a claim, which often includes more than the obvious costs. This can include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship in cases involving a severe injury
Do You Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
Not every fender bender requires legal representation, but many situations make hiring a lawyer important. If you suffered a serious injury, if fault is disputed, or if the insurance company is delaying or denying your claim, a lawyer can help protect your interests.
Some cases tend to be more complicated, such as those involving:
- Commercial vehicles
- Rideshare drivers
- Multiple liable parties
- Drivers who were on the job
- Hit and run drivers
These cases often involve corporate insurance policies, additional layers of liability, and procedural rules that differ from a standard two-car collision, which makes legal guidance especially valuable.
Applying the Law After a Car Accident in Texas
Texas law generally requires a car accident lawsuit to be filed within two years of the date of the crash under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003. Keep in mind that this two-year deadline applies to filing a lawsuit, not to notifying your own insurance company, which usually requires much faster reporting under your policy’s terms. Beyond the insurance deadline, waiting too long to speak with a lawyer can also make it harder to gather evidence, since witness memories fade and surveillance footage is often deleted within weeks.
Texas also follows a modified comparative fault rule under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001 that can reduce your compensation if you are found partially at fault for the crash, so building a clear picture of what happened early on and applying the law accurately matters for the outcome of your claim.
What Happens If the Other Driver Is Uninsured?
Texas requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but not every driver follows that requirement. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may need to pursue a claim through your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, if you have it.
A lawyer can review your policy to determine what coverage applies and help you pursue every available source of compensation, rather than assuming the at-fault driver’s insurance is the only option.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident?
If you are able to, seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor at first. Some injuries, such as whiplash or internal bleeding, do not show obvious symptoms until hours or days after the crash, so an early medical evaluation also creates a record connecting your injuries to the accident.
Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster before speaking with a lawyer, since adjusters often ask questions designed to get you to downplay your injuries or accept partial blame. Keep copies of every medical bill, repair estimate, and piece of correspondence related to the crash, since this documentation becomes the foundation of your claim.
Finally, consult a car accident attorney as soon as you can. They can assess your situation and outline the best path forward for your claim.
Contact Jones Injury Law Group After Your Car Accident
Recovering from a car accident is hard enough without navigating insurance companies on your own. Our team at Jones Injury Law Group can review what happened and help you understand your options. Call us at (713) 714-6519 or reach out online to schedule a consultation.