According to the latest report on car accidents published by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Dallas reported 35,355 automobile collisions in 2021. The figures suggest that there is roughly a car wreck every 15 minutes. In addition, the report showed that the number included 1,705 serious crashes that severely injured 1,284 people and 206 fatal accidents that killed 227 individuals. Motor vehicle crashes can change people's lives forever. Besides having to pay expensive medical bills, those injured in a car wreck can experience prolonged pain, emotional distress, lost income, property loss, and more. In the worst-case scenarios, victims can suffer disfigurement and permanent disability. However, injured people have the right to get compensated, especially if the accident was caused by others' negligence or recklessness. Therefore, they should seek legal assistance from a reputable law firm to file insurance claims and take legal action against liable parties. Dallas car accident lawyers can help victims fight for their rights, prove that they were not at fault, and get compensation for the pain and losses they suffered because of the crash. At Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we have an experienced team of lawyers ready to handle all car accident cases and help those affected seek justice. Here's what we can do for our clients.
Over $1 Billion Recovered
“When you get hurt, you need someone on your side who understands how things work here.”
What Our Clients Have To Say
I have worked with Schuerger Shunnarah twice and they have been very helpful on my personal injury cases. They went above and beyond my expectations and did a great job both times.
- Ashley C.
Schuerger Shunnarah helped me receive a settlement on my case in just months. I was treated with respect and dignity. Thanks to their help, I have been able to get my life back to normal.
- Michael S.
They provided me with excellent service throughout my personal injury case. They were available to answer my questions and helped me understand the process. I am very grateful for them!
- Deshawn B.
Common Causes of a Car Wreck
Latest reports from the Dallas Police Department have shown that speeding is the leading cause of car crashes. However, there are other actions and driving conducts that can result in accidents, including the following:
-
Failing to drive in a single lane
-
Failing to yield the right of way
-
Changing lanes when unsafe
-
Following too closely
-
Faulty evasive action
-
Disregarding stop-and-go signal
-
Unsafe speed
All these causes can be avoided by following the safety precautions experts and authorities often recommend. Therefore, victims of car accidents should seek help from an experienced personal injury attorney if they sustain injuries in an incident that resulted from people's failure to comply with safety regulations or dangerous conduct.
What to Do After a Car Crash
Whether they live in Dallas or are just visiting the city for a special event, those involved in a car crash should follow some crucial steps, especially if they plan to file a claim against the at-fault party. These are:
#1 Stop and Move to a Safe Place
In any type of accident, drivers must stop to avoid being cited for a hit-and-run case. That is the first step all people involved in a car crash must follow.
Moreover, drivers, passengers, or any other person affected must move to a safe place off the roadway to avoid being injured by other oncoming cars. It is also important to turn on hazard lights to warn other drivers that an accident has occurred in that place.
#2 Call 911
After an auto accident, people should dial 911 to alert local police and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) or call an ambulance if necessary.
#3 Describe the Accident to the Police
Victims must also describe how the car wreck occurred in detail to the police. However, they should never apologize for the accident, as it can be considered an admission of fault.
When talking to the police, people should only explain the possible causes and what happened before, during, and after the crash.
#4 Gather Key Information and Take Pictures
If possible, victims should take photos of the accident scene and their injuries, as they can serve as evidence to support the car accident claim. Taking photos of the vehicles involved can also prove property damage.
Moreover, those affected should collect information about other drivers, including their driver's licenses, vehicle identification numbers (VIN), license plates, and insurance cards.
#5 Look for Potential Witnesses
Witness testimony can also be key in determining fault in a car accident. Therefore, victims should inspect the surroundings to see if anyone witnessed the crash.
#6 Seek Medical Treatment
Even if they cannot see serious injuries or feel no pain, victims should seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
Besides being essential to getting prompt treatment for any non-visible injury or condition, seeking help from a doctor can help injured drivers establish a causal relationship between the crash and their injuries.
#7 Document Everything
A personal injury claim can take months or years to resolve. Therefore, victims should document their injuries in photographs, if possible, before they heal.
It is also essential to document lost wages if they missed work and keep any repair receipts if their vehicles were also damaged in the accident.
#8 Call Dallas Car Accident Lawyers
Another essential step after a motor vehicle accident is to call an experienced attorney. Professionals understand how personal injury law works and can help victims obtain satisfactory results and fight for fair compensation.
The faster experts get into the game, the stronger the cases can be. In fact, compared to the compensation unrepresented victims often get, car accident lawyers can reach settlements three times higher.
Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys' team has a proven track record of providing first-class legal assistance to our clients and helping them get the best possible outcome.
Injuries that Car Accident Victims May Sustain
Even if car accidents are minor, people can suffer mild to severe injuries. These are the most frequent:
-
Bruises
-
Broken bones
-
Cuts and bruises
-
Back and spine injuries, including paralysis in severe cases
-
Head and brain injuries
-
Neck injuries, including whiplash
-
Serious burns
-
Compartment syndrome
While some injuries are minor and only require a few weeks of treatment and healing, others can be serious enough to result in chronic pain, amputation, disfigurement, or disability.
All these severe consequences can affect a person's ability to earn money or carry out their daily activities in the future. That's one of the main reasons why victims should seek help from a seasoned car accident attorney and take legal action against at-fault parties.
Our professional car accident lawyers can help those involved in a vehicle incident file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for everything that may affect their well-being.
Even if they don't feel pain or can see wounds after the car accident, victims may have sustained injuries. Some appear days, months, or years later. Without proper treatment, these conditions could worsen and affect their lives even more. Furthermore, proving how they have impacted their physical health can be much more difficult in these cases.
We know that anyone who has been in a car crash has the right to seek legal help and fight for their rights. Thus, our team is ready to help all victims through the entire process!
slip and fall lawyers in Dallas
premises liability attorney in Dallas
product liability attorneys in Dallas
DOs and DONTs After an Auto Accident
Victims' actions after a crash can have an impact on their car accident case and the compensation they could receive. Therefore, there are some things that they should and shouldn't do. These are:
DOs
-
Call 911 and request a police report
-
Seek medical attention after the accident
-
Exchange information with other drivers, such as vehicle VNI or details of the insurance company
-
Document information about the accident location with a diagram
-
Gather weather information
DONTs
-
Don't admit fault
-
Don't record a statement with any insurance company
-
Don't settle or negotiate
-
Don't sign any document
-
Don't post photos or statements about the accident on social media
-
Don't wait to contact Dallas car accident lawyers
Understanding the Statutes of Limitations
Calling car accident attorneys as soon as possible after a crash is essential for a reason: there is a limitation on the time victims have to file a lawsuit.
The statute of limitations is a law that defines a time limit on how long a person has to take legal action against liable parties after an incident. Under Texas law, for personal injury cases, it is two years after the incident.
In other words, people who cannot settle a car accident claim with the insurance company have two years to file a lawsuit from the day the crash occurred.
Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations
In some rare car accident cases, the statutes of limitations may have some exceptions that extend the time limit to file a lawsuit.
They include the following:
-
Accidents involving children: If the plaintiff in a car accident case is under age, the statute of limitations is tolled until they turn 18.
-
Victims are mentally or physically impaired: In some cases, victims are unable to file a lawsuit within the two-year timeframe because they are physically or mentally impaired. In that scenario, the statute of limitations is tolled until they can take legal action.
-
Victims learn about the other party's fault after the period: In some cases, the statute of limitations is tolled due to the "discovery rule." The time limit starts when a victim learns that the other party was at fault.
Regardless of the auto accident's severity or injuries sustained, those affected should not wait until the last minute to seek professional help. While many may think a two-year timeframe is a lengthy period, settlement negotiations can take a long time.
If settling with the insurance company is impossible or negotiations are unsuccessful, collecting all the evidence to support a car accident case can also take weeks or even months. Therefore, to avoid reaching the end of the statute of limitations period without legal support, victims should seek assistance from a professional car accident lawyer and secure the best chance of obtaining the desired outcome.
Why Call Dallas Car Accident Lawyers
Besides getting help to file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations period ends, calling Dallas car accident attorneys offers other benefits to all victims. Here are the reasons everyone involved in a crash should consider it:
-
There is already a lot of stress: Victims can suffer physical injuries, psychological trauma, chronic pain, anxiety, worry about expensive medical bills peeling up, property loss, and much more. Dealing with insurance company negotiations or evidence collection can be much more stressful. However, an experienced attorney can handle all those aspects.
-
Car accident law can be confusing: Understanding how the Texas legal system works in auto crashes can also be tricky. Fortunately, lawyers have extensive experience in this field and can guide victims through the entire process.
-
Victims need time to recover: Those who were injured in a car accident also need some time to recover. By hiring an experienced attorney, they will be able to focus on recovery instead of spending months or years doing paperwork or dealing with every phase of the legal process.
-
Dallas car accident lawyers know how to handle claims: Seasoned attorneys know all the intricacies of the legal system and can handle them properly.
-
More chances of winning negotiations: Handling negotiations with the insurance company can also take time. Fortunately, a car accident lawyer knows all the tactics to reach fair settlements.
Those who go through experiences as difficult, traumatic, and terrifying as a car accident can easily overlook important details in the legal process, whether they plan to negotiate a settlement or file a claim.
However, Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys' legal team is ready to help all victims fight for their rights and get the best results after a car accident.
Dallas Car Accident Information Center
Client Testimonial
They were polite and really cared throughout the entire process and made me feel like my case was important. I would highly recommend them to anyone that didn’t get a fair offer from the insurance company like me!
- Brian D.
Pursuing Compensation for an Auto Accident in Dallas
Under Texas law, victims are entitled to receive compensation for the damages and losses they incur in an accident caused by another driver's negligence or recklessness.
Texas legal system describes all forms of financial compensation as "damages" and divides them into the following two broad categories:
Special Damages
Also known as economic damages, special damages include payments that at-fault parties must make to victims in a motor vehicle crash to cover monetary expenses and losses related to their injuries. They may include the following:
-
Lost wages or income
-
Medical bills, including costs for emergency medical treatment, doctor's visits, chiropractic care, physical therapy, prescription medications, pain management, medical devices, life-care cost, and surgical procedures
-
Future medical expenses
-
Vehicle property damage
-
Damage to personal property
-
Home cleaning, lawn maintenance, and other replacement services
Since they involve specific monetary expenses or losses and are usually documented on invoices, calculating special damages is relatively easy.
General Damages
Car accident victims can also recover general damages, which are intended to compensate for non-monetary losses. However, since they don't involve monetary expenses or financial documents, they are much more difficult to calculate. They may include the following:
-
Physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering
-
Disability, disfigurement, or impairment
-
Decreased enjoyment of life
-
Loss of consortium (applies to wrongful death claims)
-
Loss of companionship (applies to wrongful death claims)
-
Loss of society (applies to wrongful death claims)
If the car wreck was caused by extreme recklessness, such as drunk driving or obvious intent, victims might also be able to recover punitive damages.
Insurers may use different methods to calculate these damages. However, these companies will always protect their interests and often offer unfair compensation to victims.
Fortunately, those involved in a car accident can seek help from an experienced attorney to calculate the special and general damages available in their cases and negotiate a better offer with the insurance company.
We know that even large sums of money cannot compensate for all the emotional and physical damage that a car accident can cause, especially if a loved one lost their life in such a devastating experience.
However, getting fair compensation in a personal injury claim can give victims some relief and help them cover economic losses while giving them a sense of justice. That's why we are committed to helping all people injured in car crashes understand their rights and fight for what they deserve.
How Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Can Help
At Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we are committed to helping all victims of car accidents fight for their rights, get the compensation they deserve, and have peace of mind as they recover from such a difficult experience.
Whether they happen in Dallas, TX, or anywhere else in the country, car collisions can negatively affect people's lives. However, we understand that their well-being and peace should not be harmed by others' negligence and recklessness.
Therefore, our legal team is willing to help all victims prepare solid cases and file strong car accident claims to recover the compensation they are entitled to and get the financial support they need to recover.
Our car accident lawyers have extensive experience in these cases and can help victims through the entire legal process, ensuring their rights are respected at every stage. In addition, we can assist them in their negotiations with the insurance company to get a fair settlement.
Call Us and Get a Free Consultation Today!
Anyone looking for an experienced personal injury lawyer to handle a legal case related to a Dallas car accident can call us today.
Whether you need to file an insurance claim, ask for an accident report from the police, or collect evidence, our personal injury lawyers are ready to help.
We have extensive experience in motor vehicle accidents and have helped many victims recover the compensation they deserve. If you are one of them, don't hesitate to contact us. Get a free consultation as soon as you call us!
Other Practice Areas
© Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys | All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Blog