Houston Car Accident Lawyer

Frequently Asked Questions

After a car accident, you may be overwhelmed and not know where to start when you need compensation from the liable party's insurer. While under medical care and struggling to recover, and getting treatment for your injuries, seeking legal recourse against the responsible parties may be the last thing on your mind. Contact a Houston car accident attorney from our firm for more information on your case, and to protect your right to the compensation you deserve. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions people ask us after an auto accident.

Do I need an attorney?

Even if no one is injured in the car accident, each person involved will have their insurance company trying their hardest to avoid paying out compensation for damages where it is due. A board-certified attorney is absolutely essential to recovering compensation.

What should I do before leaving the scene of the accident?

Before leaving the scene of the accident, it is important to get the names, contact information, and insurance information of every single person that was involved in the accident. One way to do this is to call a police officer to the scene, who will fill out a report and have all parties sign it. Hit and run is illegal, so make sure you have talked with the officer and that it is okay to leave the scene of the accident, or you could be charged with hit and run.

What should I not do at the scene of the accident?

You must remember, even your insurance company will try to minimize the amount of money they pay out to you. With this in mind, never make a statement to your insurance company or anyone else's without speaking to an attorney first. Even if you believe the accident was our fault, there are many other factors that need to be considered first, so never make a statement admitting guilt or responsibility to anyone at the scene of the accident. If a police officer gives you something to sign, it is okay to sign it. A report or ticket is not an admission of guilt.

When should I seek medical treatment for my injuries?

It is important for your own safety to seek medical attention immediately. From a legal perspective this is also advisable, because if you wait days or weeks to seek treatment, the insurance companies involved may try to claim that the injuries were not sustained during the accident, but in the interim between the accident and the medical treatment. Seek medical help right away.

What if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured?

Depending on the type of insurance you have, you may be covered for accidents with an uninsured or underinsured driver. In these cases, your insurance company will pay any costs exceeding the other driver's insurance settlement.

How long do I have to seek compensation?

The state of Texas requires that injury claims be filed within two years of the accident. However, cases that old can be difficult to prove. You should speak with an attorney as soon as possible to discuss the best time to file your claim.

Car Accident Attorney in Houston

Being in a car accident can turn your life upside down, but at Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher & Perry, we are dedicated to helping our clients get their lives back to normal after a devastating car accident. Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience and are ready to put it to work on your case. We understand how upsetting the situation is for you and your family, and we can help you file your claim, and handle all legal aspects of your case so that you can focus on recovering from this traumatic event.

Contact a Houston car accident attorney today to find out more information about your case and to discuss what options are available to you.