Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys in San Antonio
While car accidents might seem commonplace, we should never write off the injuries, fatalities, and damages they cause.
People involved in these accidents can suffer for weeks, months, or even a lifetime. They deserve full and fair compensation for their preventable injuries.
After a negligent driver caused a car crash in San Antonio that injured you--even if you only think you suffered minor injuries--contact an experienced San Antonio car accident lawyer at the Wyatt Law Firm for a free initial consultation right away. An experienced auto accident attorney from our legal team will review your case and inform you of your rights and options to recover compensation. If you qualify to pursue an injury claim, you can count on us to provide assertive legal representation and dedicated support throughout the process to increase your chances of obtaining the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Table of Contents
- About Wyatt Law Firm
- Wyatt Law Firm: Car Accident Case Results
- Causes of San Antonio Car Accidents
- Common Car Accident Types
- Car Accident Injuries
- What Types of Compensation Can an Attorney Help Me Get for My Car Accident Injuries?
- What's the Car Accident Claims Process in San Antonio?
- San Antonio Car Accident FAQs
- Injured in a Car Accident? Contact the Wyatt Law Firm Today
About Wyatt Law Firm
At Wyatt Law Firm, we know the safety risks people face daily on San Antonio roadways--we drive them too.
It only takes a moment for a collision to occur and impact your life and those you love. At first, your car accident might seem like a minor inconvenience, but it can potentially cause ongoing physical, mental, and financial burdens.
After suffering an injury in a motor vehicle accident, the last thing you need to worry about is how to file an insurance claim and pursue your rights to a fair settlement.
When you hire an experienced car accident attorney at the Wyatt Law Firm, you won't need to worry; we are here to help.
Your car accident and the injuries you sustain are unique. As such, take an individual approach to every car accident claim.
When you hire our skilled car accident attorneys, you can rely on personalized representation and attention from beginning to end.
Personal injury representation isn't just our job; it's our calling in life. Our clients and their best interests are what drive us.
When you meet with us, you'll understand why our firm has many awards and accolades for our legal services.
To learn more about how we can help, please get in touch with our office for a no-obligation car accident consultation.
You can potentially receive more compensation, but hiring a lawyer has other benefits. Letting them care for your claim allows you more time to heal from your injuries. An experienced car accident lawyer can also help you keep track of your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Additionally, our car accident lawyers charge nothing upfront to represent you. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won't owe us attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. This way, you can get the quality, effective legal representation you need from an experienced personal injury attorney without having to worry about the cost. This arrangement also provides us an incentive to help you get the most from your San Antonio car accident claim.
Our San Antonio car accident attorneys can:
- Determine who is liable for your injuries.
- Protect your rights and build a strong claim for you.
- Identify and value your damages.
- Deal with the insurance company for you and fight any defense tactics they may try to use.
- Negotiate a fair settlement or litigate your case if necessary.
Wyatt Law Firm: Car Accident Case Results
You should remember that every case is different, which means that the results from previous cases will never serve as promises of what you might receive when hiring an attorney at the Wyatt Law Firm.
However, our case results reflect our deep commitment to excellence in the personal injury legal field and how we fight for maximum compensation for each client.
We’ve recovered over $500 million for our clients.
Some of our recent car accident case results include:
- $10.25 million for a family who lost a loved one when a truck rear-ended a car
- $1.375 million for a client who was a Sheriff’s Officer responding to a crash when a truck slammed into him, causing head, neck, and back injuries
- $1.3 million for a client who suffered injuries when an inattentive driver slammed into the back of their car
- $421,345 for a client who sustained injuries due to a defective vehicle part
You should also note that the compensation you receive depends on the details of your accident, the specific circumstances, and the severity of your injuries and damages.
You can trust that our San Antonio car accident attorneys can handle high-dollar claims carefully.
Causes of San Antonio Car Accidents
When you hire our San Antonio car accident lawyers, we will examine the factors and circumstances that might have led to your accident. These details will steer your case in the right direction.
Common driver-related causes of traffic accidents include:
- Distraction
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Drowsiness
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Drivers can also cause accidents by:
- Making unsafe lane changes
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Tailgating
- Turning improperly
Other factors that can contribute to car accidents include:
- Road conditions like sharp turns in the road or potholes
- Missing, damaged, or malfunctioning street or stop signs or traffic lights
- Driving carelessly in ice, snow, rain, fog, and high winds
- Vehicle issues, for example, loose objects in the car, vehicle design defects, and tire blowouts
Common Car Accident Types
No matter what type of car accident you were involved in, a skilled car accident lawyer can help. They can investigate how your accident occurred and determine who is at fault for your injuries. Here are the most common types of car accidents:
Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end collisions are the most frequent on American roadways, making up 29 percent of all accidents and accounting for about 1.7 million accidents annually.
One vehicle following another too closely, known as tailgating, is often the cause of rear-end accidents.
Some rear-end collisions occur when a car has already stopped at a red light, causing traffic flow to slow unexpectedly. Distracted drivers might fail to notice the stopped or slowed traffic in front of them with enough time to prevent an accident.
Side-Impact Collisions
Side-impact collisions happen when one car crashes into the side of another vehicle.
These collisions are hazardous because there is less space on the side of a car to absorb the accident’s impact and help protect passengers.
A common type of side-impact collision is a T-bone crash. A T-bone crash occurs when one vehicle perpendicularly impacts the side of another. This usually happens when a vehicle runs a red light, then collides with a car traveling through the intersection on a green light.
Crashes While Merging
When two lanes of traffic merge and one car sideswipes another, a merging crash occurs. Crashes while merging are typically caused by drivers attempting to merge because they fail to check their blind spots for other vehicles when changing lanes. Speeding can also contribute to these types of accidents.
Head-On Accidents
Head-on crashes are extremely dangerous and often deadly. They generally occur at high speeds, making it hard for the seat belt, airbag, and other car safety features to absorb the powerful impact enough to protect the vehicle’s passengers from severe injuries or death.
Head-on collisions don’t always involve other vehicles. They can include animals and other fixed objects, like road signs or trees. Frequently, wrong-way drivers and those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are the ones who cause this type of accident.
Car Accident Injuries
Car accident injuries can be as simple as scratches and bruises or more serious injuries, such as broken bones or internal organ damage.
The type and severity of injuries depend on the speed and force of the accident, as well as the types of vehicles involved and their protective features. Also, an individual's pre-accident health status or previous medical conditions can impact the type and severity of car accident injuries they sustain.
Common car accident injuries include:
- Head and brain injuries such as concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), internal bleeding, skull fractures, or lacerations
- Back and neck injuries, including sprains, whiplash, herniated discs, and spinal cord injury (SCI) that can result in partial or complete paralysis
- Severe and extensive burns
- Soft tissue injuries to muscles, tendons, or ligaments, such as tearing or stretching
- Bone fractures that might require surgery and take a long time to heal
- Emotional trauma such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression
If you suffered any of these injuries, an experienced San Antonio car accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation you need.
What Types of Compensation Can an Attorney Help Me Get for My Car Accident Injuries?
After a San Antonio car crash someone else caused, an attorney can help you pursue various types of compensation to cover your losses and damages. Here are some common types of compensation that an attorney can help you seek for your car accident injuries:
- Medical Expenses: This includes compensation for past, current, and future medical bills related to the injuries sustained in the car accident. It may cover expenses such as hospitalization, surgeries, doctor visits, prescription medications, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and any necessary medical equipment.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries have caused you to miss work or resulted in a reduced earning capacity, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. This includes both the income you've already lost due to time off work and any future income you may lose as a result of your injuries.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for pain and suffering is intended to cover the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish you've experienced as a result of the car accident and your injuries. This type of compensation is more subjective and may vary depending on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life.
- Property Damage: If your vehicle was damaged in the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the repair or replacement costs. This includes not only the damage to your vehicle but also any other personal property that was damaged in the accident, such as a cellphone or other belongings.
- Loss of Consortium: In cases where the car accident results in a loss of companionship or support from a spouse or family member, the injured party or their family may be entitled to compensation for loss of consortium.
- Punitive Damages: In cases where the at-fault party's actions were particularly reckless or egregious, you may be entitled to punitive damages in addition to other types of compensation. Punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
- Funeral Expenses (in cases of wrongful death): If a loved one dies as a result of the car accident, their surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for funeral and burial expenses, as well as other damages resulting from the loss.
An experienced car accident attorney can assess your case, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and advocate on your behalf to help you obtain the maximum compensation available for your injuries and damages.
What's the Car Accident Claims Process in San Antonio?
The car accident claims process in San Antonio typically involves several steps, which may vary depending on the specifics of your case. Here's an overview of what you can generally expect:
Seek Medical Attention
The first and most important step after a car accident is to seek medical attention for any injuries sustained. Your health and safety should always be the top priority.
Report the Accident
Texas law requires you to report a car accident to law enforcement if it results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. You should also exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. Official police reports can serve as valuable evidence for your claim. Your attorney can help you obtain a copy of the accident report.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Promptly notify your insurance company about the accident. Provide them with all the necessary details and cooperate with any investigation they may conduct.
Gather Evidence
Collect as much evidence as possible from the scene of the accident, including photographs of the vehicles involved, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries. Obtain contact information from any witnesses who may have seen the accident occur.
Consult an Attorney
Consider consulting with a car accident attorney in San Antonio to understand your legal rights and options. An attorney can advise you on the best course of action and help you navigate the claims process.
File a Claim
Your lawyer can file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurance company to seek compensation for your injuries and damages. They can help you prepare and submit the claim, including gathering evidence, documenting your injuries and losses, and negotiating with the insurance adjuster.
Negotiate a Settlement
The insurance company may offer you a settlement to resolve your claim. However, the initial settlement offer may be too low to cover your injuries and losses. Your attorney will review the offer and negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation.
Litigation (if necessary)
If the insurance company or other party refuses to negotiate a fair settlement, your attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party. The litigation process involves court proceedings, including discovery, depositions, and possibly a trial, where a judge or jury will determine the outcome of your case.
Resolution
The car accident claims process concludes with either a settlement agreement or a court judgment, depending on the outcome of negotiations or litigation. If your attorney reaches a settlement, you will receive compensation for your injuries and damages, and the case will be closed. If your case goes to trial, the court will issue a judgment based on the evidence presented.
Throughout the claims process, it's essential to follow your attorney's advice, keep detailed records of all communication and expenses related to the accident, and stay informed about the progress of your case.
San Antonio Car Accident FAQs
Which San Antonio Roads and Intersections Are the Most Dangerous?
Loop 1604 and Loop 410 are circular roads bypassing San Antonio’s city streets. Tens of thousands of motorists use them daily. Unfortunately, drivers often speed on these bypass roads, putting others at risk.
One report revealed that Loop 1604 has an average of three car accidents per day, while Loop 410 at I-35 is considered the most dangerous road in the entire city.
After Loop 410, I-35 itself is also dangerous for motorists. Interstate 10 is also heavily traveled by both cars and trucks, increasing the number of accidents.
In addition, many accidents occur on San Antonio’s streets and intersections.
Some of the most dangerous intersections around San Antonio include:
- IH 10 and Loop 1604
- Bandera Road and Loop 1604
- Loop 1604 and Highway 281
- Highway 151 and Loop 410
- Loop 410 and San Pedro Avenue
- Rigsby Avenue and Loop 410
- Loop 410 and Old Seguin Road
- Alamo Ranch Parkway and Westwood Loop
- State Highway 151 and West Military Drive
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit?
While most auto accident cases settle out of court, some do not. Injured victims need to understand that there is a two-year statute of limitations for injury claims in Texas.
This means you have two years from the date of the Texas car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. If you miss this deadline, you cannot use the legal system to pursue compensation.
Two years might seem like a long time, but it's not. Your San Antonio car accident attorney needs time to prepare your case and attempt to settle it before moving forward with the entire legal process if necessary. Therefore, contacting an attorney as soon as possible after a car crash is in your best interest.
What Are Exceptions to the Texas Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases?
A few exceptions exist to the Texas statute of limitations in car accident cases.
These exceptions delay when the statute of limitations begins to run:
- If the injured individual is under 18 or, by Texas law, is not of sound mind, the clock for the statute of limitations does not start running until they reach 18 or are of sound mind.
- If the potential at-fault party in the case leaves the state of Texas after the accident but before you file a lawsuit, the clock pauses until their return.
You must be sure how the statute of limitations applies to your case. Speaking with a San Antonio car accident can help you understand your specific deadline for filing your claim. Your attorney can also help ensure you don’t miss the filing deadline and enhance your chances of fair compensation for your injuries.
What is a Hit-and-Run Accident?
A hit-and-run accident occurs when an accident results in an injury or fatality and one or more drivers:
- Didn’t stop their vehicle at the scene of their accident or as close as possible to the scene
- Didn’t stop without obstructing more traffic than necessary
- Failed to stay at the accident scene until they exchanged all essential information with other drivers
- Didn’t stop at the accident scene and failed to return to the accident.
Drivers often flee the scene of an accident because they lack any insurance or adequate insurance coverage. Drivers who do this can face charges of leaving the scene of an accident/hit and run (under the Texas Transportation Code § 550.021), a Class B or Class C misdemeanor.
If you are the victim of such an accident, working with an auto accident attorney in San Antonio is imperative to help recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Injured in a Car Accident? Contact the Wyatt Law Firm Today
Contact the Wyatt Law Firm today if you are ready to pursue compensation for damages caused by your car accident.
One of our compassionate San Antonio personal injury lawyers will review your case and start advocating for you.
Taking this step can give you the peace of mind that someone is on your side and watching out for your best interests.
Contact us online or call our San Antonio office at (210) 340-5550 to discuss your accident and how we can help you.