Austin Intersection Accident Lawyers
Were you hurt in a collision at an intersection in Austin or the surrounding area? Was the other driver distracted, speeding, driving aggressively, or otherwise driving negligently? If so, you could be owed significant compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, repairs to your vehicle, and other losses. Don’t wait until it is too late to take decisive action. Let the Austin car accident lawyers of Gibson Hill Personal Injury put our skills, experience, and resource to work getting you the justice you deserve.
Because two or more roads or streets meet at intersections, vehicles have a higher likelihood of colliding here than anywhere else. According to the Federal Highway Administration, 50% of serious accidents and 20% of fatal accidents occur at intersections.
Drivers approaching an intersection must yield to others when necessary and obey all traffic signs and signals. However, that doesn’t always happen. If you’ve been hurt or if you lost a loved one in a collision at an intersection, contact Gibson Hill Personal Injury right away to speak to one of our compassionate and knowledgeable attorneys right away. We’ll be ready to help you get the full and fair compensation you’re owed when you call (737) 249-6300 or reach out to us online.
Common Causes of Intersection Accidents
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 763 people died in accidents at an intersection or related to an intersection in 2017.
Data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows the most common causes of accidents at intersections include:
- Obstructed view: When a driver can’t see another vehicle approaching.
- Inadequate observation: One or multiple drivers failed to look for other cars in the intersection.
- Incorrect assumption: When a motorist incorrectly guesses what another driver will do, such as assuming they’ll stop just because the traffic light turned yellow.
- Misjudgment: Wrongly thinking another driver is traveling at a low rate of speed towards the intersection.
- Driver distraction: One or more driver is on their phone, talking to passengers, or changing the radio instead of paying attention to what’s in front of them.
When people make poor decisions behind the wheel, it could lead to detrimental consequences. Any of the above reasons could cause a collision at an intersection. Problems with the car itself or a lack of proper signs could also contribute to an accident. Whether minor or severe, the injuries involved require medical treatment many can’t afford.
What Should I Do if I’m Involved in an Intersection Accident?
A lot of victims of car accidents don’t realize the necessary steps to take before leaving the scene. Gathering evidence is useful in proving someone else was at fault, and you deserve compensation from an insurance claim. Even if your injuries don’t seem that serious, you should still follow the steps below:
- Call the police: Calling an officer to the scene to write a traffic crash report provides physical evidence showing what happened and who caused the accident.
- Exchange insurance information: Write down the other driver’s name, contact information, insurance carrier, and policy number so you can file a claim.
- Seek medical attention: Go to an urgent care facility or hospital immediately after the collision. Undergoing a medical evaluation will ensure there are no life-threatening issues and documents your injury.
- Take photos: If possible, take pictures of the scene, including any damage to both vehicles.
- Get witness information: If there are any bystanders or other people involved in the crash, get their names and phone numbers, so you’re able to contact them later if necessary.
- Write down detailed notes: Recall vital information about the accident. Take note of the exact location, how it happened, injuries or physical symptoms you experienced after, and anything else you can remember.
Collecting as much information and documentation as possible could help significantly if you decide to pursue legal action. If you leave the crash site before cops get there, the other driver could easily dispute the details you provide to an insurance adjuster. That could prolong the claims process and delay any settlement you’re entitled to receive.
Do I Need a Lawyer to File An Auto Insurance Claim?
You don’t need a lawyer to file a claim; however, it helps. If you seek legal representation immediately after a car accident, it enables you to build a solid case. When you hire an experienced intersection accident lawyer from Gibson Hill Personal Injury, we will handle all legal aspects of your case so you can focus on your recovery.
After retaining our services, we will open a complete investigation into the accident to prove the other motorist’s negligence caused it. We know the ins and outs of Texas laws and statutes to ensure you receive a full and fair settlement in your claim. Many people who try to handle their claims alone end up with a lot less money than they deserve.
Insurance adjusters do whatever it takes to pressure claimants into accepting the initial offer. If you’re unfamiliar with the claims process, you might not realize there’s always room for negotiation. Your lawyer will aggressively negotiate compensation to cover your expenses.
How Much Money Could I Recover?
Texas operates by a fault system when it comes to car accidents. That means the person responsible for the crash pays for the victim’s damages. If the injured person decides to file a claim, the at-fault party’s insurance carrier is held responsible for the reimbursement of expenses.
Damages are losses suffered as a result of an accident or injury. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you’re legally able to seek compensation for your damages. Damages cover both economic and noneconomic losses, including:
- Lost wages: Past and future earnings you can’t receive because the crash prevented you from working.
- Medical Expenses: Treatment needed for your recovery, such as physical therapy, surgery, outpatient services, and prescription medications.
- Loss of household services: Compensation for tasks, such as vacuuming, your injury prevented you from completing and resulted in the need to hire someone to do it for you.
- Pain and suffering: The pain you endured after the accident that negatively impacted your overall happiness.
- Mental anguish: Significant emotional trauma that caused a high level of psychological pain. The diagnosis of PTSD or depression increases the potential of receiving compensation for this damage.
- Physical impairment: A severe injury that prevents you from enjoying your life. Injuries like blindness and paralysis constitute physical impairment.
- Disfigurement: An injury altering the physical appearance of your body, including scars, an amputation, or facial dislocation.
- Loss of Consortium: Immediate family members qualify for this damage if the dynamic of their relationship with the victim changed after the accident occurred.
Be sure to discuss the specifics of your case with an experienced car accident lawyer to understand what types of compensation you could be owed. Your lawyer will review the details and evidence in your case and can give you a more accurate estimate of what your case is worth.
What’s the Difference Between an Insurance Claim and Lawsuit?
When you file an insurance claim, the settlement you receive from negotiations comes directly from the at-fault party’s insurance carrier. The bodily injury limit reimburses you for the damages you incurred after the crash. In a lawsuit, you could sue the insurance company if they refuse to settle or deny your claim entirely. Additionally, you could sue the other motorist directly for their behavior that resulted in the accident.
When you file a lawsuit against another person in your intersection accident, you seek punitive damages. Rather than reimbursing you for your expenses, punitive damages punish the individual responsible for your injury. Their financial obligation provides you with an extra award for the suffering you endured.
Your Austin intersection accident lawyer will need to file suit before the statute of limitations runs out. A statute of limitations is the time limit placed on an individual’s ability to pursue legal action against another person or entity. In the state of Texas, the statute of limitations for auto accidents is two years. That means you have two years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit against the negligent driver. If two years pass, you lose your right to seek compensation directly from them.
Call Gibson Hill Personal Injury Today for Your Free Consultation
The Austin car accident lawyers from Gibson Hill Personal Injury are ready to stand up for you and demand the full and fair compensation that you’re owed if you were hurt in a crash at an intersection downtown, on the East Side, in Westlake or Bee Cave, in Round Rock, or anywhere else in the surrounding area. We know how to get you the money you need to pay your medical bills, recoup lost wages, and put this crash behind you.
We provide a free consultation to every prospective client. Additionally, we work on contingency, which means you won’t have to pay any upfront costs or fees. Our legal fees come out of your settlement at the end of your case. We don’t get paid unless you get paid.
We’re committed to providing top-notch client services you can depend on, no matter what. We’re available 24/7 through our live chat feature for real-time assistance whenever you need it. We’re happy to answer any questions you have and advise you on your best options moving forward. It’s our goal to ensure you receive the maximum compensation available.
You won’t be just another number to our Austin car accident lawyers at Gibson Hill Personal Injury. We handle each case personally and take an individualized approach to meet your needs. When you call us, you’ll get connected to an experienced and knowledgeable professional you can trust. Call us at (737) 249-6300 today if you were the victim of an intersection auto accident in Austin.