Texas Accident and Injury Lawyers
Auto Accident Statistics
In the United States car accidents are the leading cause of unnecessary deaths and the number one source of personal injury claims. In 2008 10.2 million motor vehicle accidents were reported in the U.S. according to the 2011 statistical abstract published by U.S. Census Bureau. In that same year, the Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents National Summary reports that 37,261 people died in automobile related accidents.
Car Accidents as a Legal Matter
As a legal matter, an auto accident occurs when a passenger vehicle is involved in an event or series of events that causes harm. This could include:
- Property Damage
- Traumatic Brain Damage
- Spinal Injurys
- Death
Statue of Limitations
After an accident occurs, there is a limited period of time in which a personal injury lawsuit can be filed — the law that establishes this is known as a statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits varies from one to six years depending on the state.
Negligence
Negligence is a legal term that means someone has failed to act in a reasonably careful and responsible manner. Negligence must be usually be proven for a court or insurance company to award compensation.
In the matter of car crashes, proof of negligence can be derived from sources such as
- Police Reports
- Witness Testimony
- Photographs
Retain an Auto Accident Attorney
When a motor vehicle accident involves serious injuries or death, it is of the utmost importance that you retain an attorney who is skilled and knowledgeable in litigation. Insurance companies are big businesses that make money by minimizing payments to injured people. While many attorneys understand how to settle a case, the big insurance companies may not offer a fair settlement if they do not respect the ability of the attorneys to beat them at trial.