Car accidents can result in serious injuries. Depending on the type and severity, you could experience medical complications and long-term disabilities that force you to take time off from work and affect your relationship with your family.
AccordinglyTexas Department of Transportation, there is a reportable accident in the state approximately every 57 seconds, while one person is injured every two minutes and 12 seconds. While some injuries are relatively minor, others are catastrophic and can leave victims with hefty medical bills, months of expensive treatment, and no way to make a living. If this happens to you or a loved one, the San Antonio accident attorneys at Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS can help you obtain the necessary car accident settlement to aid in your recovery.
Why should you hire Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS for your San Antonio car accident settlement?
Our personal injury law firm has decades of collective legal experience, which puts us in the best position to secure favorable auto accident settlements in San Antonio. When you hire us to fix your car accidentComplainbenefit from the following legal skills and services:
- We know Texas auto accident law inside out and use that knowledge to make it happenbetter results. While each case is unique, we have received millions of dollars in settlements for aggrieved customers.
- We limit the number of clients we represent in order to provide you with the best possible service and results.
- We will keep in touch with you at every stage of your car accident claim, ready to answer any questions and help you whenever you need it.
- Because we accept these cases on a contingency basis, you don't have to worry about paying our fees until we've received your compensation back.
Our experienced attorneys know how to calculate auto accident damages so you can get the result you need to cover your current and future medical and living expenses.
What Damages are Available in San Antonio Auto Accident Policies?
Traffic accidents often lead to damage that goes beyond the actual physical injuries. Texas law recognizes the right to compensation for economic and non-economic damages when the negligent or reckless behavior of another person is responsible for your car accident and injuries.
In general, compensation for damages should serve to make the injured party “healed”. While personal injury can't eliminate your pain, heal your traumatic brain injury, or bring back a loved one who tragically passed away, it can compensate you financially depending on the extent and severity of your injury.
Compensation claims are divided into economic and non-economic losses, all of which are specific to each car accident damage. So there is no middle ground for these cases in San Antonio; The amount you receive depends on the factors described below.
economic damage
Economic damage is much easier to calculate because it is associated with tangible monetary values. They can include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost revenue
- loss of earning capacity
- Direct expenses such as prescription drugs and help with housework
- property damage
Receipts and invoices can be used as proof of economic damage that has already occurred. The future impact of the accident also requires supporting evidence, such as: B. Salary projections (if you have worked outside the home), medical reports describing future care, and expert opinions on your ability to work or even function in the future.
non-economic damage
Non-economic damage does not have a monetary scope. Although they cannot be quantified as economic damages with financial records and receipts, they are still valid losses as they increase the impact of the accident on your life. Depending on the circumstances, non-economic damages may include:
- Physical and mental pain and suffering
- mental trauma
- cure
- distortion
- consortium loss
- loss of zest for life.
If necessary, your attorney will work with specialists to determine how much your non-economic loss is worth. Calculations are usually based on formulas or computer programs that start with estimated damage and then multiply that by factors unique to each case. This is an area where insurance companies and their attorneys tend to downplay claims significantly, but a strong attorney can go a long way in getting a fair outcome for you.
punitive damages
If your case is not resolved and goes to court, you can receive penalties and damages. These rewards are not intended to compensate the victim for their losses; rather, their purpose is to punish wrongdoers and discourage others from behaving in a similar manner. Because of this, they are reserved for cases of extremely reckless or egregious behavior, such as B. drunk driving after accumulation of a series of previous DUIs.
While Texas caps punitive damages at $200,000 or twice the value of the non-economic damage, up to $750,000 (whichever is greater), they can significantly increase your total premium. Your attorney will inform you whether these damages apply to your case.
What determines the value of auto crash settlements in San Antonio?
Most auto accident claims are settled before the court hearing, but the settlement amount will be affected by what a judge or jury is likely to decide. Factors that personal injury attorneys and insurance companies consider include but are not limited to:
- The extent of the injury or injuries. For example, a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury has more devastating effects on your life than a broken bone or soft tissue injury.
- How long your recovery is expected to take. Longer recoveries are more expensive in terms of medical bills and salary replacement.
- If you become unable to work. If you are no longer able to work, reasonably expected years of reduced earning capacity must be taken into account. That number would be different for a 25-year-old than for someone nearing retirement.
- When the blame is shared. If you were partially responsible for the car accident, this could affect the amount of your settlement.
How is San Antonio traffic accident compensation calculated?
The first step in calculating damage is to consider your medical expenses. This treatment cost is first multiplied by an amount between 1.5 and 5, depending on variables such as your recovery time, the extent of your treatment, and the invasiveness of the procedures you underwent. A light recovery has a multiplier of 1.5 to 3, while a heavy injury with a long recovery can have a multiplier of 5 or more.
You can usually determine which multiplier you use based on the cost of your medical expenses. For example, if your total medical expenses are $500, it likely means you've had few doctor's appointments and recovered relatively quickly. If your medical expenses were $50,000, you must have undergone more extensive treatment with multiple visits, resulting in a higher damage multiplier. Your San Antonio auto accident attorney can advise you on this.
What if I was complicit in the accident?
Some assaults are clearly the fault of one person, while others involve multiple parties. As a result, many states have introduced comparative negligence or tort laws.
As a result of Texaslaw of comparative guilt,Each party is liable for its pro rata share of blame for an accident. If you are partly to blame for the accident, the compensation to which you are entitled will be reduced accordingly. For example, if a court awards you $100,000 and finds that you are 40% responsible for your injuries, you will only be awarded $60,000, which represents the other party's share of the blame.
Additionally, the Texas Judgment Act provides that the courts further reduce damages if plaintiffs settle with more than one party. In these cases, damages will be reduced by a percentage equal to the claimant's share of responsibility. Additionally, Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system, which means you cannot claim damages if you are more than 50% responsible for the accident.
This is one of the reasons you should hire a San Antonio personal injury attorney to protect your interests. Insurance companies are notorious for attempting to evade responsibility by unfairly assigning blame to victims of car accidents. Your attorney will anticipate and discourage any attempt to affect your compensation in this way.
What is the Average Car Accident Settlement?
The amount of money you can recover after a car accident depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, how long you have been unable to work, the extent of the damage to your car, and similar criteria. Each case is unique, so there is no such thing as an "average" settlement in Texas - predicting the value of a claim requires careful consideration of all elements affecting the outcome.
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, settlement amounts can range from a few thousand to over a million. There are many formulas online that purport to calculate billing values. However, they are seldom accurate as they do not take into account the costs involved in achieving maximum medical enhancement.
Getting a better understanding of the potential value of your claim is easier when you consult an experienced personal injury attorney. With their knowledge and experience, they can assess the specific facts of your case and determine the best legal strategies to maximize your settlement.
How long does it take to get a car accident settlement in San Antonio?
Several factors determine the time it takes to solve a car accident in Texas. While most claims end without a trial, each case is unique and you can't really predict how quickly things will be resolved, either at the negotiating table or in court.
With a full recovery and liability cleared, a simple car accident can be resolved in weeks, while complicated cases can take a few years. Factors that may affect the schedule include, but are not limited to:
- The value of your claim - you usually have to wait longer to solve your case if it's worth more. Insurers spend more time and money defending a high-value claim than one worth less than $10,000. Although few personal injury cases go to court, claims involving large sums of money are the usual exception.
- The severity of your injuries: Cases with serious injuries or disabilities last longer than cases with minor injuries. To ensure a fair and fully compensatory settlement, you must also achieve the greatest possible medical improvement before settling your case. Depending on your injuries, you may have to wait a while.
- Accountability - If accountability is clear, your case will likely be resolved sooner. A case may take longer to resolve if responsibility is unclear, if multiple parties are at fault, or if you are complicit in the accident.
Your compensation attorney can help you understand how these factors affect your case.
Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
You are not legally required to hire an attorney for your car accident claim, but you can expect a better outcome if you do so. Insurance companies try to make arrangements quickly, hoping you'll be stressed enough to accept the offer and stop. What they won't tell you is that these initial liquidation offers are low and don't take into account all the economic and non-economic damages that future losses might involve. Without a qualified auto accident attorney to look after your interests, you could be left with far less money than you need to recover.
Get a free consultation with a San Antonio auto accident attorney
To get full compensation in your car accident settlement, you should work with an experienced personal injury attorney. At Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, we understand the tactics Texas auto insurers use to minimize your financial risk and we know how to investigate and determine the full amount of your auto accident claim. If you are involved in an accident, you do not have to bear the consequences alone. To schedule your free consultation with a San Antonio auto accident attorney, call (512) 800-0000 orContact us online.
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