Galveston Car Accident Lawyer

Most drivers will likely be in a motor vehicle crash at some point. In many cases, a vehicle accident causes little more than an inconvenience. However, certain other car crashes result in injuries that cause significant personal and financial losses.

If you were injured in a wreck, a Galveston car accident lawyer could help you file a claim for your injuries and pursue the responsible party for damages. With the aid of an experienced personal injury attorney, you could receive reimbursement for your out-of-pocket expenses and compensation for your non-economic losses.

Fault-Based System for Car Accident Liability

Texas follows the traditional rule that the driver who causes an accident is responsible for paying the damages of anyone who suffered injuries in the crash. Texas drivers must carry at least $30,000 of liability insurance for bodily injury to one person, $60,000 for injuries to multiple people, and $25,000 for property damage. Commercial transportation companies and ride-share operators typically hold insurance with much higher coverage limits.

An injured person files a claim for their injuries with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The defendant’s insurance could pay a plaintiff’s damages up to their policy limits. Most often, the insurance company and the plaintiff’s attorney will negotiate an appropriate settlement.

If the at-fault driver carried insurance with the minimum coverage limits, an injured person’s losses could exceed the coverage available from the at-fault driver’s policy. The driver is personally liable for any amount their insurance does not cover; but if the driver has few assets, it could be impossible to collect the debt. A Galveston auto collision attorney could seek other sources of coverage to provide an adequate settlement to the plaintiff.

Other Parties Liable in a Car Wreck

Although one driver is usually deemed “at fault,” multiple parties often have potential liability in a wreck. Identifying these parties and bringing them to the negotiating table could ensure that an injured person receives a settlement that covers all of their losses.

If any of the involved drivers were working when the accident occurred, the employer likely has liability. A manufacturer could be liable if a mechanical failure contributed to the crash, while a local government might be at fault if inadequate or missing road markings or maintenance played a role in the accident.

An attorney could make a claim with each potentially responsible party. Insurance companies are often willing to contribute to a plaintiff’s settlement to resolve the claim and avoid possible court action if they feel they are unlikely to win.

What if the Plaintiff Held Some Negligence?

When an accident occurs, the insurance companies for each involved driver negotiate between themselves to assess fault for the accident. Police reports, driver and witness statements, and the physical evidence at the crash scene all provide evidence that could indicate what happened and whose fault it was. In some cases, an injured person’s actions contributed to the crash that caused their injuries.

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001 allows for proportionate responsibility. As long as the plaintiff is not primarily at fault for the wreck, they could collect the portion of their damages attributable to others. For example, someone who is 20 percent responsible for an accident could collect 80 percent of their total damages from other negligent parties.

Insurance companies often try to assign significant responsibility to an injured person to reduce their liability. A car accident attorney in Galveston could ensure that an accident victim receives a full and fair portion of their damages, given the facts of the case.

Contact a Galveston Car Accident Attorney After a Serious Crash

The claims process for securing compensation after a wreck is complicated, and someone unfamiliar with it could end up leaving money on the table. Insurance companies do not hesitate to take advantage of people who try to manage their claims without legal advice.

A Galveston car accident lawyer knows how the system works and how much your claim is worth. They will not stop fighting until you have the settlement you deserve. Call today to schedule a case review, whether you live in Tiki Island or Galveston island.