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HablamosIf you or a loved one have been injured in a serious auto accident, use our online car accident case evaluation quiz or send us a message to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with the Houston Car Accident Attorneys of Gibson Hill Personal Injury.
Our experienced Houston car accident claim attorneys know how devastating these situations can be physically, emotionally, and financially for accident victims and their families. We are here to help you get maximum compensation for your injuries so you can focus on recovering.
No matter how carefully we may drive in Houston, car accidents happen, as do the serious injuries, lost wages, and fatalities that come with them. The actions of just one negligent driver can change the course of a day, a year, or even the rest of someone’s life. For drivers who fail to follow the rules of the road, there must be some form of accountability and this is why you need an experienced auto accident attorney. These negligent drivers may not only cause physical harm, but they may also endanger the livelihood, mental health, and financial security of the people around them — while driving up the costs of car insurance for all of us.
The legal team at Gibson Hill Personal Injury understands that you’re facing difficult and uncertain times following your car accident. While you should be focusing on your recovery, you may be anxious about how to pay your medical bills and make up for lost income. Our experienced Houston personal injury attorneys are proud to have helped numerous clients recover the compensation they deserve following a serious car accident. We can help you, too.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, the Houston car accident lawyers at Gibson Hill Personal Injury want to help you get back on your feet and move forward. Call our office at (713) 659-4000, use our online car accident quiz as a free case review tool, or send us a message to get in touch with our experienced Houston auto accident lawyers.
Our Houston car accident lawyers care about the clients that hire us. We’ll always make you and your car accident claim a priority from the beginning to the end of your case. Our legal team is available 24/7, so you can reach us when it’s most convenient for you. We have the experience, knowledge, and skills to effectively fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
We understand the financial burden you’re already facing. After a car crash, you’re trying to recover and have to pay for expensive medical bills, while experiencing lost wages. As auto accident attorneys, we don’t want to add to the stress you’re already experiencing. That’s why we work on a contingency-fee-basis. That means there are no upfront fees or costs. We don’t collect any legal fees unless we win an insurance settlement or lawsuit for our client. If we lose your case, you won’t have to pay us.
Reach out to our law firm today for a free consultation regarding your Houston car accident claim. The Houston Car Accident Attorneys of Gibson Hill are here, ready to help. Speak with an experienced Houston, TX car accident lawyer today.
There are essential steps you should take following your accident to help protect your right to compensation:
When you hire Gibson Hill Personal Injury, we’ll open a thorough investigation into what caused the accident and who was at fault. We’ll begin by collecting vital evidence, such as:
Texas follows a fault system when it comes to auto accidents, which means the person who caused the crash is automatically liable for the resulting injuries and losses. We’ll review their liability policy to determine how much coverage is available, and we’ll review the details of your case to estimate damages. Contact an auto accident attorney from Gibson Hill about your car wreck today.
One of the first questions that a car accident victim asks a car wreck is, ‘What type of compensation can I expect after my accident?’ The answer any experienced attorney will give you is, ‘It depends.’ There is no way to calculate a compensation value without first examining all the evidence and reviewing all the facts surrounding the case. Every car accident is different and carries with it its own unique set of circumstances.
A diligent and experienced car wreck attorney will want to review as much information as possible before throwing out figures. In general, these are a few of the more common types of compensation that a victim may be able to recover following a serious car accident:
When calculating car accident compensation, Texas is considered a ‘modified’ comparative fault state, which means that following a car accident, a jury would look at two factors when determining how to allocate damages: the total dollar amount of the damages and the percentage of fault that lies with each party involved in the accident.
For example, if a jury were to determine that the victim is 20% responsible for causing the collision, that victim would be entitled to the total amount of damages minus 20%. The ‘modified’ in modified comparative fault means that if you are found to be more than 50% at fault for an accident, you cannot recover any financial damages at all.
Texas car accident law also gives you a time limit, or statute of limitations, for when you can file a legal case as it pertains to a car accident. By law, you only have two years from the crash date to start to pursue any legal action, although the actual case may last longer. So, you don’t want to wait to contact an attorney. Not only could you lose valuable time, but critical evidence for your case could also get lost or destroyed if not secured immediately following your car accident.
An experienced car accident lawyer will be able to answer your questions. Reach out to Gibson Hill today.
The majority of car accidents that happen on the roads of the Houston, TX area are due to distracted driving and driver error. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that approximately nine people are killed every day in the United States, and more than 1,000 are injured in car crashes with distracted drivers. The victims can suffer common car accident injuries ranging from comparatively minor injuries, like whiplash, to serious injuries, like traumatic brain injuries, and even injuries that result in death.
In 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that 2,841 lives were claimed by distracted drivers alone.
While this dangerous, negligent driver behavior is one of the leading causes of car accidents, it isn’t the only cause. There are a variety of factors that contribute to collisions between cars. Here are some of the more common causes:
No matter the cause, the attorneys at Gibson Hill Personal Injury are committed to helping you seek the compensation you deserve for your Houston, TX car accident. Your focus should be on recovering from the car wreck, but it may feel like dealing with the other driver’s insurance company is a full-time job. Having an experienced Houston auto accident lawyer on your side means that you can focus on healing while we take on the burden of fighting for your legal rights.
Reach out to the Houston, TX car accident attorneys at Gibson Hill today for a free consultation regarding your auto accident claim.
Many different factors cause car accidents. No two Houston car accidents, even under the same circumstances, will happen in the exact same way. That’s why if you or a loved one has been the victim of a serious car accident, it is important to put your trust in someone who has experience handling these types of personal injury cases. An experienced car accident attorney will have the resources and knowledge to collect and gather critical evidence and use it to build a case with a solid legal foundation.
At Gibson Hill Personal Injury, we treat every case and every client with the compassion and dignity they deserve while vigorously fighting to protect their rights. We have the know-how to tackle a variety of different car accident cases. These are a few examples of the types of accidents that may lead to personal injury lawsuits here in Houston, TX:
Use our online case evaluation tool to send us the facts surrounding your particular Houston, TX automobile accident and to find out how we can build a strong case for you and your family.
Single vehicle accidents and car collisions can result in serious injuries to the drivers involved and their passengers. Even what appears to be a minor fender-bender can lead to injuries and serious complications from concussions, whiplash, and back injuries. More serious car accidents can result in debilitating or serious injury that requires costly medical treatment. These types of injuries may end up requiring extensive surgery and long-term rehabilitation, along with a stack of medical bills and other medical expenses.
The prospect of a long recovery is daunting enough, but victims can also be saddled with huge bills that can put their financial future in serious jeopardy. While every car accident is unique, these are some of the more common injuries that can result from car wrecks:
Severe injuries can require lengthy hospital stays, multiple doctor visits, prescriptions, and even long-term care, rehabilitation, and physical therapy. Your medical needs will result in numerous medical bills that can set you back financially. When you’re worried about your financial situation and how to pay the bills, you can’t properly focus on recovering from your injury. Victims concerned with medical costs may also choose to skimp on necessary medical treatments because they are worried about how they will ultimately pay the bill.
At Gibson Hill Personal Injury, our auto accident attorneys never want to see a victim miss out on their care because they are worried about the financial cost. That’s why the primary concern of our law firm is getting you the compensation you deserve.
At Gibson Hill Personal Injury, we work on contingency. There are no upfront fees or costs to receive quality legal services from a dedicated lawyer backed by a supportive law firm. We don’t expect payment unless we win financial compensation in an insurance claim or personal injury litigation lawsuit. If we don’t win your case, you won’t owe us any money. We know you’re already facing a financial burden and don’t want to add to it.
It’s important to pay attention to the filing deadline for a lawsuit. There’s a statute of limitations you can’t ignore if you want to sue the negligent driver for their actions. In Texas, the statute of limitations for car accidents is two years. That means you have two years from the crash date to file a lawsuit in the civil court system.
There are some exceptions to this rule that could put a pause on the clock:
Many victims of car wrecks will use the legal theory of negligence to prove fault in their case. Negligence refers to one party’s failure to provide a reasonable duty of care to prevent harm to another. If you use this theory in your lawsuit, you must show the following five elements existed:
There’s a specific court system where you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for your damages. Typically, civil actions get filed within the county where the accident happened. Your Houston car accident lawyer will review the details of the crash to determine the correct court.
Your lawsuit proceedings will include the following steps:
Step 1: Prepare the Complaint. This document refers to all the elements associated with a Texas car accident claim and gets sent to the defendant.
Step 2: Prepare the Summons and hire a process server. The Summons notifies the defendant that they must appear in court for the reasons listed in the Complaint. Typically, a process server or local sheriff’s office will serve the defendant with legal documents.
Step 3: File the documents with the civil court. Every court has an online portal where you can submit legal documents and pay filing fees. Our Houston Car Accident Lawyers have logins and can file everything on your behalf. This could include the insurance claim, police report, medical expenses, and other information.
Step 4: Once the defendant receives our Complaint, the process server or sheriff will send us an Affidavit of Service. That lets us know that the intended party received our legal documents.
Step 5: The defendant will have 20 days from the date they were served to file an Answer to our Complaint.
Step 6: Both parties will file discovery requests, such as:
Each side will have 30 days to respond to the other party’s requests for discovery. In some situations, you can ask for an extension to the deadline if you need more time to locate documentation or confirm details.
Step 7: Schedule depositions. These are interviews provided under oath by the plaintiff and defendant. There’s a variety of questions associated with the Texas car accident that each person will have to answer.
Step 8: Schedule a mediation. Both sides can come together in front of a mediator to try to settle the case before it goes to trial.
Step 9: If we can’t reach a settlement agreement with the defense attorneys, we’ll begin preparing for trial.
Step 10: While we’re in court, we’ll present the evidence we found, call witnesses to the stand, and argue against the defense’s case. We’ll use strategies to discount the defense attorney’s findings and evidence they submit to the court.
Step 11: The jury will state their verdict.
If someone else caused your car accident, you could file a claim with their auto insurance company. All motorists have a legal requirement to carry auto insurance with minimum limits of liability. Those limits provide compensation for the accident victim’s damages.
In Texas, the minimum bodily injury limit is $30,000, and the minimum property damage limit is $25,000. Your Houston car accident lawyer will request a copy of the at-fault driver’s insurance policy to determine the coverage.
Insurance companies are never on the claimant’s side. Never talk to the insurance adjuster yourself. Your Houston car accident lawyer will handle all communication on your behalf. If you’re unfamiliar with the process, you might say or do something that negatively impacts your case’s outcome. If you admit any fault for the crash, you could end up with a denied claim or much lower compensation than you deserve.
To ensure you don’t ruin your chance of recovering the maximum settlement available, review the list of don’ts below:
If you have more, pressing questions about your case, don’t hesitate to call Gibson Hill to speak with a Houston auto accident lawyer.
At the Gibson Hill Personal Injury and car accident law firm, we are committed to holding negligent drivers accountable for their devastating actions. We want to take the stress and burden of this terrible situation off of your shoulders so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Our Houston car accident legal team has the resources to thoroughly investigate your accident, gather critical evidence, and fight for the full compensation you deserve. Negligent drivers should be responsible for the physical and financial strains their actions have placed upon you and your family. We work diligently to make sure they are held accountable.
At Gibson Hill Personal Injury in Houston, TX, we believe in keeping the lines of communication open, so you understand the entire legal process and status of your case. Our auto accident attorney legal team provides compassionate and understanding service to you and your family to help you work through this traumatic event. You don’t need to go through this alone. Your best bet for getting the compensation you need is to get an experienced firm like Gibson Hill Personal Injury on your side.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, call our Houston personal injury attorneys at (713) 659-4000 for a free, no-obligation case review.
We often receive questions from clients about their legal rights and options following their car accidents. We’ve provided answers to some of those questions below. An attorney from our firm would be happy to answer all questions related to your specific circumstances – don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you would like to discuss your case.
Yes. You might have to pay out of pocket for your treatment, but we’ll factor your costs into the settlement negotiations. We’ll make sure the financial compensation you receive reimburses you for your doctor’s appointments and medical treatment.
If you have personal injury protection on your auto insurance policy, you could use that coverage to pay for medical expenses. PIP pays upfront for all costs associated with medical care after a car accident. It isn’t a legal requirement, but you could use it up to the limit you chose if you purchased it. When you file a PIP claim, your medical providers will submit all your bills to the auto insurance company for payment, so you don’t have to pay out of pocket.
When an insurance company is reviewing your total damages to determine a fair settlement amount, they might consider the following factors:
Two types of pain and suffering exist in a car accident case: physical and mental.
Physical pain and suffering refer to the actual harm suffered from the injuries. It’s the discomfort experienced that affects daily life. It can impact your ability to perform your job, care for your children, and participate in activities you once enjoyed.
Mental pain and suffering is any negative emotion associated with a physical injury, such as:
It could also manifest as a psychological issue, such as:
If you discover that the person who caused your car crash doesn’t have liability insurance, you can file a claim with your auto insurance company. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) covers an injured party’s damages when:
UM isn’t a legal requirement; however, all insurance companies are supposed to offer it to their policyholders. When you file a UM claim, you can seek the following damages:
Under the state’s modified comparative negligence rule, the value of your damages decreases proportionately to your degree of fault. In other words, if you incurred $100,000 in damages but were 20% to blame for the accident, you can only pursue a maximum of $80,000 in compensation.
When you get hurt in a car crash, you should never admit to the other driver or insurance company that you believe your actions were partly responsible. Even if you were texting behind the wheel or driving too fast, never admit it unless someone asks you under oath.
A police report is similar to an accident report, but not the same. A police report is required if a crime has been committed, as in a wrongful death due to a driver under the influence.
To access your accident report, go to the Texas Crash Records Information System and click on the green ‘Accept’ button. Follow all the prompts and fill in the requested information. If the vehicle accident report is available, you can download and print it online. You must pay a $6 fee if you want a regular copy or an $8 fee for a certified copy. Most reports are available within a few days or a few weeks of the accident date.
If you have pressing questions about your Houston, TX car accident, reach out to the Houston auto accident attorneys at Gibson Hill today and schedule your free consultation.