Texas Car Wreck Lawyer

Every year, millions of car accidents take place in the U.S. Many of these accidents lead to injury, and in some cases, even fatalities. When car accidents aren’t serious, parties involved typically exchange information, file a police report, and move on. However, if the accident results in damage to property, injuries, or death, the situation is much more complicated.

In such cases, victims are entitled to compensation for their losses, compensatory damages, and possibly even punitive damages. If you’ve been in a car wreck, the attorneys at Ted Machi & Associates are here to help. We’ll make sure that you receive the full compensation you deserve for your injuries and lead you through the entire legal process from start to finish.

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DFW Car Accident Statistics

• In Fort Worth, there were a total of 103 fatal crashes leading to 110 total fatalities in 2017.
• The total number of vehicle crashes in Fort Worth was 16,446. More than 5,500 injuries resulted from these crashes.
• There were 25 fatal crashes in Arlington, leading to 27 fatalities.
• Arlington saw 6,788 car wrecks in 2017, thus making it one of the most dangerous cities in Texas in terms of car accidents.
• In 2017, there were 182 fatal crashes in the city of Dallas. A total of 197 people were killed.
• The total number of vehicle crashes in Dallas was 32,056. More than 13,000 people were injured in these crashes.

Common Types of Car Accidents

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of car accidents that occur in the DFW area. These accidents frequently occur at intersections, in heavy traffic, at stoplights, and in other locations where drivers stop frequently, and they often result in significant injuries in addition to property damage. In most cases, these accidents are preventable and occur because the driver in the back was not paying close attention and/or was following the car in front too closely.

Rollovers

Rollovers occur when one vehicle rolls during or after the crash. Some vehicles are more prone to rollover accidents than others. For example, if you have an SUV or truck with a high center of gravity, the vehicle is more likely to roll over. In some cases, the court will find that a design flaw is the cause of the rollover, which means that injured parties may be entitled to compensation from the vehicle manufacturer.

Broadside Collisions

Broadside collisions occur when one vehicle hits another vehicle’s side. When the crash resembles a right angle, it’s often referred to as a T-bone crash. When both vehicles are traveling in the same direction, it may be called a sideswipe accident. Broadside collisions are most common at intersections when one driver fails to yield the right-of-way to the other.

For example, the driver at fault may run a stop sign or fail to stop at a red light. These crashes can be severe, depending on the specific circumstances. In some cases, drivers and passengers involved may suffer serious injuries, including spinal fractures, broken bones, and brain damage. Some of the factors that affect the outcome of the crash include the weight of the vehicles, traveling speeds, and the part of the vehicle struck.

Left Turn Accidents

Some accidents occur when a car or truck turns left in front of an oncoming vehicle. In most cases, the driver who is turning is found to be at fault. Drivers turning left at an intersection must yield to all oncoming traffic, and they cannot turn until they have enough time to complete the maneuver safely.

Highway Construction Accidents

Highway construction accidents may occur because of unsafe driving or negligence on the part of the organization overseeing construction. If proper signs and warnings are not in place or if construction equipment isn’t properly secured, these areas can be dangerous even for drivers who are obeying the law. Regular inspection of these locations is required.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Almost any type of injury can result from car accidents. The most common types of injuries sustained in car accidents include:

Broken Bones

Virtually any bone can be broken during a car accident. In some cases, these injuries may heal quickly and completely. In other cases, extensive rehabilitation may be required, and the affected body part may never return to its former condition.

Spinal Injuries

Spinal injuries occur when impact leads to any type of damage to the spinal cord. These injuries can lead to a variety of symptoms – from numbness and tingling to complete paralysis.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries refer to any injury impacting connective tissue or muscles. Examples include pulled ligaments, sprains, and torn tendons. These injuries often improve over time; however, in some cases, a soft tissue injury will never heal completely.

Head and Neck Injuries

One of the most serious types of injuries that can occur due to a car accident is an injury to the head or neck. Traumatic brain injuries occur when a strong jolt to the head is severe enough to injure the brain. Whiplash injuries occur when the neck moves forcefully in a back-and-forth motion. Both of these common injuries – in addition to other head and neck injuries – can lead to expensive medical bills and even disability.

Cuts and Burns

Another common type of injury that may be sustained during a car crash is an injury that affects the skin and/or the layers of tissue directly beneath the skin. Lacerations may occur when a victim’s body comes into contact with metal, glass, or other sharp objects during a crash.  Burns often occur when vehicles catch fire after an impact.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Some of the most common causes of car accidents include:

• Distracted driving – Driving while distracted raises the chances of a car accident considerably. For example, if a driver is texting while operating a vehicle, he or she is more likely to make a mistake and cause a crash.
• Driving under the influence – When motorists are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they cannot react quickly on the road. These substances also impair drivers’ judgment.
• Bad weather – Bad weather – such as heavy rain or fog – often increase the incidence of car accidents in Texas.
• Dangerous road conditions – When road conditions are dangerous, car crashes are more common. For example, if there are large potholes, unsecured construction equipment, or other hazards on the road, drivers may be more likely to be involved in an accident.
• Failure to follow the rules of the road – State law determines how motorists must behave when operating vehicles on roadways.  When a driver fails to follow the rules of the road, such as failing to stop at a red light or stop sign, car accidents are likely to occur.

Following a car accident, you need to take certain actions to protect yourself. After a car accident occurs, follow these steps:

1. Do not leave the scene.

Whether or not you are at fault for the car wreck, you should not leave the scene of the crash until you have spoken to the police. If you are at fault for the crash, you may be charged with criminal penalties for leaving. If you aren’t at fault, leaving the scene may make it harder for you to collect damages.

2. Seek medical treatment for injuries.

If anyone was seriously injured in the crash, call for an ambulance to take them to the hospital for treatment. For less serious injuries, you should seek medical attention after you’ve filed a police report.

3. Call the police.

Following a crash, it is important to contact the police and file a police report. This report helps to determine who is at fault for the accident, and it ensures that all relevant facts are recorded accurately.

4. Take pictures.

If possible, take pictures of the scene and any damage to your vehicle. These pictures provide evidence that can be used later.

5. Exchange information.

Make sure you collect contact and insurance information from other drivers involved in the accident. If any witnesses are present, ask for their information as well. You should also provide your information to the other drivers.

6. Keep track of all expenses.

On the day of the accident and on the days that follow, keep a written record of all of the expenses you accumulate. These records will prove invaluable if you need to take the matter to court.

Steps to Take after an Accident

Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit

In most cases, one or more people involved in a car accident can be held legally responsible. The responsible party may be a driver in the crash, the vehicle manufacturer, and/or someone responsible for maintaining the roadway. Legal responsibility for the crash depends on the specific circumstances surrounding the accident. Sometimes more than one party may share responsibility. If this occurs, the degree each party’s responsibility for causing the wreck will determine who receives compensation and how much compensation they receive.

Types of Damages

If you were injured in a car accident, you may qualify for different types of damages. Many of the damages awarded in Texas personal injury cases are economic damages. Economic damages are damages designed to compensate victims for specific, verifiable expenses. Examples of economic damages include:

• payments for medical bills;
• future estimated medical expenses;
• lost wages; and
• property damage.

Other damages awarded in Texas personal injury cases are non-economic damages. These types of damages are intangible and more difficult to quantify. Examples of non-economic damages include:

• pain and suffering;
• mental anguish;
• loss of consortium;
• disfigurement; and
• physical impairment.

In many cases, the at-fault party’s insurance company will be responsible for paying the damages assessed in a lawsuit. For this reason, Texas law requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance.

Ted Machi & Associates Auto Accident Attorneys

Following a car accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company will try to settle the case quickly. It is in the best interest of the insurance company to settle your case as quickly as possible, and they will often offer you less compensation than you deserve. Before accepting a settlement, you should contact the car wreck attorneys at Ted Machi & Associates. We will provide the advice you need, the honesty you expect, and the compassion you deserve.

At Ted Machi & Associates, our motor vehicle accident lawyers believe that accident victims should receive full compensation for medical costs, lost income, and other damages. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, we’ll put our knowledge of the law to work for you. Contact us to schedule your free car accident personal injury consultation.