How much is my car accident worth?

Experienced Houston car accident lawyers committed to our clients

When you’ve been hurt in a Houston car accident, you may not know what to do next. A negligent driver caused the crash that left you hurt, and you deserve financial compensation. You aren’t sure how to go about it, however. The car accident lawyers at Smith & Hassler can guide you through the process every step of the way.

You’ve been in a crash and need medical treatment for your injuries. Now what? Many people aren’t sure what to do next. The driver may deny doing anything wrong and refuse to accept responsibility for what happened. The insurance company made you an offer and wants an answer. An experienced attorney can explain your rights.

One of the first things clients want to know is how much their car accident is worth. There are many factors that affect the value of your claim, including the type and seriousness of your injuries and the other driver’s insurance policy limits. While it’s impossible to come up with an exact figure, our Houston car accident lawyers can give you an idea of what to expect.

How is a settlement value calculated?

When determining the value of your settlement, our attorneys will add up all damages and losses accrued because of your car accident. In general, you can seek compensation for:

Economic damages

These are losses you have suffered that have a specific dollar value. They include:

Medical expenses – This includes all expenses for treatment related to the injuries suffered in your car accident – both now and in the future. It can cover expenses such as diagnostic testing, surgery, hospitalization, follow-up appointments with doctors, home health aides and any home medical equipment you need.
Lost wages – This includes income a person was not able to earn while recovering from an injury.
Lost earning capacity – This includes income a person will be unable to earn in the future because of a permanent disability caused by an injury.
Damage to property – If you were involved in a car accident, this is usually the repair or replacement cost of your car.

Noneconomic damages

These are real losses you have suffered that are more difficult to put a dollar value on. They include:

Pain and suffering
Mental or emotional pain or anguish
Disfigurement
Physical impairment
Loss of companionship
Loss of enjoyment in life

If we represent you, our attorneys can determine the total damages you have suffered. This amount may continue to rise if you need further treatment for your injuries or miss more time from work. Then we demand compensation.

Does negligence affect my settlement amount?

Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system. Under this rule, the compensation you can receive from a car accident settlement is reduced by the percentage of fault you are found to bear up to the 50% threshold.

If you’re found to be more than 50% at fault, you’re not eligible to receive any compensation from the other party’s insurance company.

Let’s say your damages amount to $100,000 and you’re found 20% at fault. Your compensation would be reduced by 20%, you would be able to receive $80,000.

How can a Texas attorney recover damages on my behalf?

Our firm knows how to build strong cases that prove you were hurt because of another driver’s negligence. We gather evidence and carefully review accident reports and medical records. We identify and interview witnesses. If needed, we consult accident reconstruction experts and other specialists who can help us understand what happened.

Insurance companies have many tactics they use to try to limit your compensation. They may challenge the seriousness of your injuries. They may try to blame you for causing the accident. They’ll sometimes make a lowball settlement offer that doesn’t come close to covering the damages you suffered.

All of this is designed to help them save money and leave you with less. That’s not good enough. We take a personalized approach toward each case and will fight to help you recover the compensation you deserve. When insurance companies see that we are ready to fight them in court, they often negotiate a settlement that meets your needs.

How long does it take to receive a car accident settlement?

The timeline for a car accident settlement can range from a few months to a few years. The time it takes to settle a car accident case can depend on the severity of your injuries, the insurance company’s cooperation, disputes over liability, and whether your case must go to mediation or litigation.

It’s important to be patient and not rush into a quick settlement, especially if it doesn’t fully cover your damages. The attorneys at Smith & Hassler can determine the true value of your damages and fight to recover every dollar you’re entitled to.

When should I speak to a car accident lawyer in Texas?

When should you call a lawyer? As soon as possible. Under Texas law, the statute of limitations for taking legal action is two years from the date of your accident. That sounds like plenty of time. But as time goes by, valuable evidence can be lost or destroyed. Witnesses can forget important details about what they saw.

How much does a Houston car accident lawyer cost?

How much will a lawyer cost? Nothing unless we win. That’s how our contingency fee arrangement works. Our firm pays all the costs of moving your case forward through the legal system. There are no upfront fees that you need to pay. Our fee comes out of the financial compensation we recover in your case. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

It also costs nothing to talk to us. One of our attorneys can review the details of your accident and explain your legal options. We can also answer any questions you have. There’s no cost and no obligation. We just want you to have the information you need to decide what to do next.

If you’ve been hurt in a Houston car accident, learn more about how we can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Houston lawyer.