Houston Car Accident Lawyer

In Texas, car accidents have become an unfortunate, but common occurrence. According to numbers from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, 14,908 people suffered serious injuries in car crashes in 2018. In addition, there were fatalities every day on Texas roadways.

No matter how carefully we may drive, the actions of just one negligent driver can change the course of the day, the year, 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. These negligent drivers may not only cause physical harm, but they may also endanger someone’s livelihood, mental health, and financial security.

The legal team at Gibson Hill Personal Injury understands that you are 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 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 attorneys at Gibson Hill Personal Injury want to help you get back on your feet again. Call our Houston office at (713) 659-4000 for a free case review.

Common Causes of Car Accidents 

The majority of accidents that happen out on the road are due to distracted driving and driver error. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that every single day in the United States, approximately nine people are killed, and more than 1,000 are injured in crashes with distracted drivers. In 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that 2,841 lives were claimed by distracted drivers alone.

While this dangerous 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:

• Distracted driving – Distracted driving can mean anything from texting to taking phone calls, eating, grooming, or using a navigation system while operating a vehicle.
• Reckless driving – This includes actions such as changing lanes too quickly, driving in an aggressive manner, and speeding.
• Road hazards – Road hazards could include potholes, animals, or debris in the road.
• Drunk or impaired driving – Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will impair a driver’s judgment and slow their reaction time to hazards.
• Speeding – Speeding drivers will not have time to react to hazards or the actions of other drivers.
• Poor weather conditions – Sleet, snow, rain, and fog can minimize visibility, and create slippery roads.
• Tailgating – A driver who is tailgating may rear-end the driver in front of them, if the front driver needs to slow down or stop suddenly.
• Road construction – Drivers must be especially cautious when driving near road construction. Missing or unclear signage, debris or oil spilled on the road, or confusing work zones can all lead to accidents.

No matter the cause, the attorneys at Gibson Hill Personal Injury are committed to helping you seek the compensation that you deserve. Your focus should be on recovering from the accident, but it may feel like dealing with the insurance company is a full-time job. Having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side means that you can focus on healing, while we take on the burden of fighting for your legal rights.

Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle 

Car accidents are caused by many different factors. No two 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 experienced handling these types of personal injury cases. An experienced 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 that 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:

• Head-on collisions
• Rear-end collisions
• Side-impact collisions
• Wrong-way crashes
• Hit and run accidents
• Distracted driving accidents
• Drunk or impaired driving accidents
• Work zone accidents

At our free consultation, we’ll review the facts surrounding your particular accident and how we can build a strong case.

Common Injuries Related to Car Accidents

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 injuries such as concussions, whiplash, and back injuries. More serious car accidents can result in debilitating or life-altering injuries. These types of injuries may end up requiring extensive surgery or long-term rehabilitation.

The prospect of a long recovery from injury is daunting enough, but victims can also be saddled with huge medical 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 a collision:

• Concussion
• Whiplash
• Head, neck, and spine injuries
• Fractured bones
• Soft tissue damage
• Damage to internal organs
• Chest and rib injuries
• Cuts and bruises
• Burns
• Wrongful death

Serious injuries can require lengthy hospital stays, multiple doctor’s visits, prescriptions, and even long-term care, rehabilitation, and physical therapy. Your medical needs will result in multiple medical bills that can really set you back financially. When you are worried about your financial situation and how to pay the bills, you can’t properly focus on recovering from your injury. Victims who are concerned with medical costs may also choose to skimp on needed medical treatments because they are worried about how they will ultimately pay the bill.

At Gibson Hill Personal Injury, we never want to see a victim miss out on the care they need because they are worried about the financial cost. That’s why our primary concern is getting you to the compensation you deserve.

What Types of Compensation Could be Available? 

One of the first questions that people ask an attorney after a car accident 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 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:

• Current medical bills
• Future medical bills related to the collision
• Loss of income
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Property damage
• Physical impairment or disability
• Pain and suffering

When calculating compensation, Texas is considered a “modified comparative fault” state. That means that following an accident, a jury would look at two factors when determining how to allocate damages: the total dollar amount of the damages, and what percentage of the fault lies with each party involved in the accident.

For example, if a jury were to determine that the victim is 20 percent responsible for causing the collision, that victim would be entitled to the total amount of damages minus 20 percent. The “modified” in modified comparative fault means that if you are found to be more than 50 percent at fault for an accident, you will not be able to recover any financial damages at all.

Texas law also gives you a time limit, or statute of limitations, on when you can file a legal case as it pertains to a car accident. By law, you only have two years from the date of the crash in order to pursue any type of legal action. You don’t want to wait to contact an attorney. Not only could you be losing valuable time, but critical evidence for your case could also be lost or destroyed if not secured immediately following your accident.

How Can Gibson Hill Personal Injury Help Me After a Car Accident?

At Gibson Hill Personal Injury, 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 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, we believe in keeping the lines of communication open so that you understand the entire legal process and status of your case. Our legal team provides compassionate and understanding service to you and your family, as we 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.