You must be overwhelmed with questions after your Dallas car wreck.  Why not get the answers from a Texas board-certified personal injury attorney?

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  • What is the time limit to file my lawsuit in my car accident case?

    The amount of time you have to file your complaint in court against the negligent driver who caused your injuries in a car accident is called the statute of limitations. It is crucial to understand and comply with this deadline because the penalty for failing to do so is very harsh.

    Statute of Limitations in Car Accident Cases

    Every state has its own laws setting the time period that victims have to file a lawsuit in an auto crash cases. In Texas, the deadlines are as follows:

    Personal Injury

    Two years from the date of your accident

    Property Damage 

    Two years from the date of your accident

    Wrongful Death 

    Two years from the victim’s date of death

    What Happens If You File Your Lawsuit After the Statute of Limitations Has Expired?

    If you file a complaint after the statute of limitations has passed, the judge will most likely dismiss your lawsuit. While there is no deadline to file a claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company, they will have no incentive to offer you a settlement of your claim once this deadline has passed because they know that you cannot take legal action against them. 

    Five Reasons Not to Wait to Retain an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

    You may feel like you have plenty of time to retain an experienced car accident lawyer if your auto crash occurred recently. However, it would be a big mistake to wait to do so. Here are five reasons that it is important to hire an attorney as soon as possible after your accident:

    1. He can conduct a more thorough investigation if you retain him soon after your wreck.
    2. Witnesses may disappear or have their memories fade if their statement is not taken quickly. In addition, evidence can be destroyed or lost if it is not collected right away.
    3. Your lawyer can help you avoid inadvertent mistakes that hurt your case, such as signing the insurance company’s medical authorization, agreeing to give a recorded statement, or settling your case too fast for less than it is worth.
    4. He can guide you through the process of filing your claim.
    5. He can take over communications with the insurance adjuster so that your legal rights are protected and you receive what you deserve in settlement of your claim.

    Have You Been Injured In A Texas Car Accident?

    If you've been hurt in a Texas car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.

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  • How much does an experienced car accident attorney cost in North Richland Hills?

    A major decision you will need to make when filing a claim for compensation following an auto collision in North Richland Hills is whether to retain an experienced car crash attorney. The cost of doing so may be a worry that is holding you back from calling an attorney. However, lawyers handling these cases generally charge their fees in a unique way that is completely affordable for crash victims.

    How Contingency Fee Agreements Work in Car Accident Cases

    The most common way car accident attorneys charge their fees is by a contingency fee agreement. In this type of fee arrangement, you would not owe any up-front attorney fees, and the attorney is only entitled to a fee if he wins you compensation through a settlement or a trial. His fee would be a percentage of your award and would be paid out of your proceeds.

    The Hart Law Firm Car Wreck Lawyers

    Besides attorney fees, you would also owe the costs associated with your case. Some attorneys will front these fees and be reimbursed once a settlement is reached, but other lawyers require that these fees be paid up front. Some of these costs include

    • Record copying fees
    • Expert witness fees
    • Filing fee for your complaint
    • Service fee to serve your summons and complaint on the negligent driver
    • Deposition costs

    Other Important Factors to Consider When Retaining an Attorney

    You should not base your decision on the attorney to hire solely on the cost. You want an experienced attorney who handles many car crash cases in his practice, has a successful record of settling and trying these cases, and is someone you believe you can trust. He should also communicate well with you and be available when you have questions.

    Have You Been Injured In A Texas Car Accident?

    If you've been hurt in a Texas car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.

    We help car accident victims throughout Texas including Arlington, North Richland, Grapevine, Bedford, Hurst, Euless, Irving and all points in between.

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  • What Should I Do If a Negligent Driver Hits My Parked Car in Euless?

    Not all car crashes in Euless happen at DFW or on SH 183 or 360. A crash can happen when your vehicle is parked at Albertsons, Target, or another downtown business. While these wrecks can cause less damage and serious injuries than other types of crashes, you still need to take your collision seriously. Here, we explain the steps you need to take to protect your legal rights.

    What to Do If You Are Involved in a Parked Vehicle Accident in Euless

    If another driver crashes into your vehicle while it is in a parking lot in Euless, he is responsible for fully compensating you for your injuries and damage to your vehicle under Texas law. Here is what you will need to protect your right to compensation:

    Parked Car Damage The Hart Law Firm

    Driver contact information.

    If you witnessed the crash or the other driver waited for you, you want to collect contact information for him and his insurance company and a statement of how the wreck occurred.

    Witnesses.

    Whether or not you are able to locate the driver, you want to obtain contact information for any witnesses to the accident before they are lost. In addition, if the driver did not stop, witnesses may be able to provide you with sufficient information to identify him.

    Pictures.

    Take photos of the damage to your vehicle and the negligent driver’s vehicle if he stayed at the scene. Also take photos of anything else you believe would be helpful to prove the other driver’s negligence.

    Police report.

    You should contact the Euless Police Department to report the wreck and obtain a copy of the police report. The police will not always come to a parking lot accident scene, but you may be able to go to the police station to report it or to file a report with a parking lot security company.

    Surveillance tapes.

    A parking lot surveillance tape may have recorded the accident. You should attempt to obtain a copy of it to prove that the other driver was at fault and to locate him if he was a hit-and-run driver.

    Medical care.

    While not all parked vehicle crashes cause victims to suffer injuries, you should be examined soon after the collision if you were in your parked car when it was hit. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injury and back and neck injuries, can take days or longer for symptoms to develop.

    Insurance company.

    You should contact the negligent driver’s insurance company to file a claim. If you are not able to locate him, you can file a claim under your own collision and uninsured policies if you have these coverages.

    Have You Been Injured In A Texas Car Accident?

    If you've been hurt in a Texas car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.

    We help car accident victims throughout Texas including Arlington, North Richland, Grapevine, Bedford, Hurst, Euless, Irving and all points in between.

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  • What are possible sources of compensation for my injuries caused by a drunk driver in Euless?

    When a drunk driver causes a wreck, you could suffer catastrophic injuries or, even worse, a loved one could be killed. If you are in this situation, you need and deserve to be fully compensated for your losses. In order to do this, you may need to turn to more than the driver to pay for your medical treatments, replace your lost wages, and compensate you for your pain and suffering.

    Look to These Sources of Compensation for Your Injuries Following a Drunk Driving Accident in Euless, Texas

    When you must file a claim for compensation for your injuries following a drunk driving wreck in Euless, it is important to understand that the insurance company is only legally required to pay you a maximum of the policy limits. Because of the catastrophic nature of many drunk driving collisions, one insurance policy may not be sufficient to compensate you for your losses. Here are possible sources of compensation that may help you:

    Negligent Driver’s Insurance Company

    In Texas, the drunk driver who caused your injuries is fully responsible for compensating you for your injuries. However, if he only has the minimum liability insurance coverage of $30,000 per victim and $60,000 per collision required under Texas law, this could be much less than you need to just pay your medical bills.

    Your Health Insurance

    If you have health insurance through your job, the Affordable Care Act, or another insurance company, your medical care could be covered under your health insurance policy. However, if you receive a settlement with the insurance company, you may be required to reimburse your health insurance provider.

    Your Auto Insurance

    Unless you waived it in writing, you are required to purchase personal injury protection (PIP) coverage as part of your auto insurance policy, which you can use to pay your medical expenses and lost wages up to the policy limit. You are also required to purchase uninsured and underinsured coverage to protect you if the drunk driver had no or insufficient insurance that may help. If you purchased other insurance coverages, such as collision or MedPay, these could pay for your vehicle repairs and medical bills even if you caused the wreck.

    Dram Shop Liability

    You may be able to hold the bar, tavern, restaurant, or other business who sold alcohol to the drunk driver responsible for compensating you for your injuries if the motorist was a minor or obviously intoxicated. A social host may also face liability for serving alcohol to a minor. These insurance companies may be another source of compensation for your injuries.

    Have You Been Injured In A Texas Car Accident?

    If you've been hurt in a Texas car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.

    We help injured victims throughout Texas including Arlington, North Richland, Grapevine, Bedford, Hurst, Euless, Irving and all points in between.

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  • I was involved in a crash with a drunk driver in Euless. Should I report the accident to my own insurance company?

    If you are the victim of an auto wreck in Euless, you may wonder if there is any reason to contact your own automobile insurance company since the negligent driver’s insurance company would be responsible to compensate you. It may seem like just another thing to do at a time when you are overwhelmed with dealing with your injuries. However, the reality is that you should notify your own insurance company about your crash, and doing so can ensure that receive what you really deserve.

    Important Reasons to Report Your Euless Accident to Your Insurance Company

    It is important to understand that reporting your car collision to your insurance company is simply informing them of it and does not mean that you are filing a claim. There are a number of reasons why you should contact them following an auto wreck—even if you do not plan to make a claim with any insurance company. They include the following:

    You have a duty to report it.

    Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company, and it probably requires you to report the crash. If you fail to do so, you may be in breach of your contract.

    Reporting it could preserve your rights.

    To preserve your right to file a claim later, you need to comply with any contract provision to report it to your insurance company right away. For example, you may need to file a claim with your own insurer if your vehicle repair costs are larger than you thought or the negligent driver had no insurance.

    What Claims for Compensation Could You Need to File With Your Auto Insurance Company Following a Accident in Euless Texas?

    In Texas, the at-fault driver is legally responsible for fully compensating you for your injuries if you prove his negligence in causing your wreck. However, he may have been driving with no insurance or may only have the minimum coverage required under Texas law. This can be far short of what you need to fully pay you what you are owed. Here are coverages you may want to use under your own insurance coverage if you have it:

    • Collision coverage to pay for car repairs
    • Car rental fees if you purchased this coverage
    • Medical payments to pay your medical bills
    • Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to pay your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering

    Have You Been Injured In A Texas Car Accident?

    If you've been hurt in a Texas car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.

    We help injured victims throughout Texas including Arlington, North Richland, Grapevine, Bedford, Hurst, Euless, Irving and all points in between.

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  • How soon after my car accident in North Richland Hills should I retain an experienced car accident attorney?

    It can be hard to make any decisions when you are suffering after a car crash caused by a negligent driver in North Richland Hills. Suddenly, your life is turned upside down as you focus on recovering from your injuries for months or longer and cannot return to work. You may be tempted to wait until you feel better to retain an experienced car crash attorney to pursue your claim for compensation against the at-fault driver. However, this would be a big mistake that could result in you obtaining less than you really deserve in your settlement. The reality is that you need to hire a lawyer as soon as possible after your crash.

    Why Retaining an Attorney Immediately After Your North Richland Hills Auto Accident Is Your Best Strategy

    While it is true that you have two years following your auto accident to file a lawsuit under the statute of limitations, this does not mean that you should wait to retain an attorney. As soon as you have gotten the immediate medical treatment you need, you want to focus on finding an experienced car crash attorney, who will do the following:

    Conduct a thorough investigation.

    Your attorney can conduct a much more thorough investigation of your collision if you contact him right after it. Depending on the circumstances of your wreck, he may want to visit the accident scene or retain a reconstruction expert to do this and inspect the damage to the vehicles before they are repaired or replaced. If you wait to retain a lawyer, you limit his ability to take these actions, which could help him build a stronger case of negligence against the other driver.

    Preserve evidence.

    If you delay retaining an attorney, you may lose helpful evidence to your case. A nearby business surveillance camera may have videotaped your wreck. However, the camera generally tapes over old videos on a thirty-day or less cycle. In addition, third-party witnesses could move or have their memories fade if your attorney does not take their statements soon after your collision.

    Represent you in the insurance company investigation.

    Once the negligent driver notifies his insurance company of your accident, a file will be opened, and his insurance adjuster will begin an immediate investigation. You do not want to be at a disadvantage by not having an attorney on your side doing this as well.

    Help you avoid mistakes.

    Retaining an attorney early on can help you avoid common mistakes that crash victims inadvertently make—sometimes without really realizing it. Agreeing to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance adjuster or signing a blanket medical authorization are a few of the mistakes that hiring an attorney can prevent.

    Avoid settling too quickly.

    One pitfall that you want to avoid is settling your claim too quickly. You need to wait until you fully recovered or reach your maximum medical improvement—the stage where you have recovered as much as you can or can obtain a final prognosis. This ensures that you receive any future medical, wage loss, and other losses in your settlement. You never want to settle your claim before consulting with an attorney who will know the true value of your claim.

    Have You Been Injured In A Texas Car Accident?

    If you've been hurt in a Texas car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.

    We help injured victims throughout Texas including Arlington, North Richland, Grapevine, Bedford, Hurst, Euless, Irving and all points in between.

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  • I was injured by a drunk driver in North Richland Hills. How long will it take to settle my case?

    When a drunk driver causes you or a family member to suffer injuries in a drunk driving auto crash in North Richland Hills, it can be overwhelming to deal with the sudden worries about your health and your lack of income while you are off work recovering. Like other DWI crash victims, you are most likely anxious to complete your settlement with the negligent motorist’s insurance company. However, it is important to be realistic about what this time frame really is and understand why it could take longer to receive your compensation than you would like.

    Factors That Impact the Time It Will Take to Settle Your North Richland Hills DWI Claim

    Unfortunately, even an experienced drunk driving crash attorney cannot tell you precisely how long it will take him to settle your case. This is because each case is unique and has its own set of issues that may cause delays in resolving the claim with the insurance company. However, there are a number of factors that can impact the time it takes for an accident victim to receive their money. Some of the factors that could make the process take longer include:

    Your medical treatment.

    If you have not fully recovered from your injuries or reached your maximum medical improvement where you have recovered as much as you will or have received a final diagnosis, this could delay your settlement. Your attorney will want to know this information so that he can accurately value your future wage loss, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.

    Disputes with the insurance company.

    Even if the drunk driver’s liability in causing your collision is clear cut, there is a strong likelihood that the insurance company will raise disputes about fault, the severity of your injuries, or both. Depending on how complicated these disputes are, it could take your attorney longer to obtain the evidence to disprove the insurance company’s position and convince them to be reasonable.

    Large claim.

    It could take longer to settle your claim if you suffered catastrophic injuries that makes the value of your claim higher—common in DWI wrecks. In general, insurance companies take longer to investigate and resolve these cases.

    Insurance company.

    Some insurance companies have a reputation for being more difficult to work with—at least in getting what the victims are owed. Part of their goal is to wear the victim down into accepting less than what they are entitled to. If the insurance company for the negligent driver falls within this category, your attorney can file a lawsuit or take other steps to ensure that your case gets resolved as quickly as possible.

    Are you frustrated because of how long it is taking to settle your North Richland Hills DWI crash claim? The important thing to remember is that you may need to wait to receive what you deserve. 

    Have You Been Injured In A Texas Car Accident?

    If you've been hurt in a Texas car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.

    We help injured victims throughout Texas including Arlington, North Richland, Grapevine, Bedford, Hurst, Euless, Irving and all points in between.

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  • What types of car insurance coverage should I have to protect me in a Grapevine car crash?

    texas auto insurance policy optionsIn Texas, a negligent driver is legally responsible for compensating the victims of an auto collision. However, the reality may be that the negligent driver has no or insufficient insurance coverage to compensate you and your family for the injuries he caused in a Grapevine car crash. That is why it is important to be certain that you have enough auto insurance coverage to protect yourself if you end up in this situation.

    What Insurance Coverage Should I Get in Grapevine?

    You need to have sufficient auto insurance to protect yourself as the victim of a wreck. Not being sufficiently insured can make the stress and financial toll of a car crash all the worse and have long-term consequences to your life and the lives of your family. The following are the required and optional insurance coverages that you should consider purchasing:

    Liability insurance.

    You are required to carry a minimum of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per wreck for personal injuries and $25,000 for property damage. This will compensate victims of an auto crash that you caused. You should purchase additional coverage to properly protect yourself because a victim’s compensation could be substantially more than this amount.

    Collision coverage.

    This is optional coverage that you would be required to purchase by your lender if you have an auto loan. It can pay for the cost to repair your vehicle or replace it up to its actual cash value—the current value of your vehicle minus depreciation—if it cannot be repaired.

    Comprehensive.

    This is optional insurance to pay the repair or actual cash value of your vehicle if it is damaged by fire, vandalism, hail, or falling objects.

    Medical payment.

    Medical payment coverage is another type of optional coverage that can be helpful. It would pay your medical bills or those of passengers in your vehicle and other injured people up to the coverage limits regardless of who caused the wreck. It will also pay funeral expenses.

    Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. 

    PIP coverage will pay medical expenses, up to 80 percent of lost wages, and the cost to hire a caregiver for passengers, other injured persons, and you no matter who caused the crash. You will automatically receive this coverage unless you reject it in writing.

    Uninsured/underinsured coverage.

    Uninsured and underinsured property and personal injury coverages pay for your vehicle damage and personal injuries if the other driver had no insurance or too little insurance to fully compensate you. This is another type of insurance that you receive automatically unless you reject it in writing. You should consider purchasing additional coverage over the minimum to protect yourself if you are in a serious crash with a driver who has no or little insurance.

    Towing and car rental.

    These are both optional coverages that would pay your towing and car rental costs if you were involved in an auto collision and your vehicle was damaged.

    Have You Been Injured In A Texas Car Accident?

    If you've been hurt in a Texas car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.

    We help car accident victims throughout Arlington, North Richland, Grapevine, Bedford, Hurst, Eules and all points between.

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  • Should I sign a medical authorization release following a drunk driving accident in Grapevine, Texas?

    do not sign a medical release formBeing injured in a drunk driving crash caused by another driver while you are on your way to Tom Thumb or to meet a friend at Winewood Grill is a frightening experience. It is overwhelming to suddenly be dealing with serious injuries and the reality that you will have no income for months or longer while you recover. When you are most vulnerable, the insurance adjuster for the drunk driver could contact you—even before you are out of the hospital—with a barrage of questions and requests. One request that you need to be wary of is to sign a medical authorization for release of information.

    Why You Do Not Want to Sign an Insurance Company’s Blanket Medical Release Following a TexasDrunk Driving Accident

    While it is true that the insurance adjuster will need your medical records regarding your injuries before settling your claim, this does not mean that you should sign the insurance company’s blanket authorization for release of medical information. You should not agree to this because doing so:

    Provides too much information.

    If you sign the insurance company’s release, you are most likely giving them access to all of your medical records. This can give the insurance adjuster the ability to search through your records for prior injuries or mention of an ache or pain to the same body part in the past or other information that he can try to use to deny or reduce your claim.

    Invades your privacy.

    By signing the authorization, you are giving the insurance adjuster access to irrelevant medical information about you that may be private and sensitive. This is an invasion of your privacy, and you are not required to disclose this irrelevant medical information to settle your claim.

    Weakens your case.

    You may make it harder for an experienced drunk driving attorney to settle your claim for what it is worth because you are providing the insurance company with ammunition to dispute your claim. While your attorney will have strategies to defeat some of the insurance company’s arguments against paying you, he may need to compromise on some disputes that are potential weaknesses in your case.

    You should never sign a medical authorization, settlement agreement, or other document provided by the insurance company without first having it reviewed by a lawyer. This ensures that you are not waiving important legal rights and are receiving what you deserve. He can also provide the insurance company with the medical records they truly need and not irrelevant ones that invade your privacy and hurt your case. 

    Have You Been Injured In A Texas Car Accident?

    If you've been hurt in a Texas car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.

    We help car accident victims throughout Arlington, North Richland, Grapevine, Bedford, Hurst, Eules and all points between.

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  • How does a drunk driving auto accident claim differ from other car crash cases in North Richland Hills?

    Your chances of being injured in a drunk driving wreck in North Richland Hills may be greater than in other nearby communities due to the number of college students attending the University of Texas in Arlington and the University of North Texas. If you suffered injuries or a loved one was killed, you can hold the drunk driver responsible for compensating you for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. When filing your claim with the driver’s insurance company, you do not want to make the mistake of treating your claim like a traditional car accident case.

    Key Differences Between North Richland Hills Auto Accident and Drunk Driving Claims

    In some ways, a drunk driving crash is the same as a standard car wreck. In both incidents, one or more vehicles causes a rear-end, head-on, T-bone, or other type of collision. However, there are important differences in the settlement of these claims that is important to understand if you are the victim in a drunk driving wreck, including:

    Fault may be easier to prove.

    While you still have to prove that the driver’s intoxication was the cause of your wreck, this may be easier to prove than fault in other crashes due to how alcohol impairs driving.

    A DWI is a criminal case.

    Unlike many car crashes, the driver could face DWI criminal charges as well as face civil liability to compensate you. You may need to obtain evidence from the criminal case—such as his blood test to prove his blood alcohol concentration—to help prove his negligence. In addition, if the driver pleads guilty in his criminal case, he may be found negligent per se—which is an automatic finding of negligence—in your civil case against him.

    Punitive damages may be awarded.

    Punitive damages are awarded in North Richland Hills auto collision cases to punish the driver rather than compensate the victims. However, you are more likely to be awarded this type of compensation if you are hit by a drunk driver than a negligent driver who was not intoxicated.

    Other parties may be liable.

    You may be able to hold the bar, restaurant, store, or social host who served the drunk driver alcohol liable for compensating you under Texas’ Dram Shop and Social Host Laws.

    The value of your claim may be higher.

    The value of your claim could be higher because you are more likely to suffer catastrophic injuries or death in a drunk driving wreck. The possibility of being awarded punitive damages can also make your claim worth more.

    Insurance companies will sit up and listen.

    Insurance companies tend to take drunk driving cases more seriously. However, you will still need the assistance of an experienced car crash attorney to obtain the settlement you deserve.

    Have You Been Injured In A Texas Car Accident?

    If you've been hurt in a Texas car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.

    Contact Us

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