Rear-End Collision Lawyer in Dallas, TX
If you sustained injuries in a rear-end car crash in Dallas that someone else caused, you may be entitled to seek compensation from the insurance company of the driver who hit you. You should not have to bear the costs of a rear-end collision if you were not at fault.
Contact Kraft & Associates, P.C. to discuss your legal options after a rear-end accident. Our experienced attorneys have represented accident victims since 1971. With our experience and positive case results, you can rest assured you’ll have an experienced legal team fighting for you.
Get started with your free consultation by calling Kraft & Associates, P.C. at (214) 999-9999 today.
What To Do After a Rear-End Car Accident
If you are injured in a rear-end collision caused by another motorist, it is vital to take certain steps to protect your rights to seek compensation. You should report the rear-end accident to local police and go to the hospital after leaving the accident scene for a complete evaluation of your injuries. If your doctor recommends additional treatment, follow up with the necessary medical providers.
Delaying medical care, skipping appointments, or deviating from the recommended treatment plan won’t help you. The insurance company might view the gaps in treatment or lack of follow-up treatment as an indication that the injury is minor and doesn’t merit significant compensation.
Evidence is crucial after any car accident. You should maintain documentation associated with the rear-end collision, such as medical bills, vehicle repair estimates, prescription medications, and doctor notes on treatment progress. These types of documents can help support your claim and show the effects the crash has had on your life.
You should have an experienced attorney at Kraft & Associates, P.C. review the details of the accident and discuss the appropriate steps to take. The consultation is free. If you have a valid case, your attorney can start gathering evidence to support your claim while you focus on follow-up treatment of your injuries. They will file your claim, gather evidence, and work toward holding the at-fault motorist financially accountable.
Why Hire a Lawyer To Represent You in a Rear-End Car Accident?
Accident victims must deal with physical pain, emotional trauma, and other struggles. Trying to deal with adversarial insurance companies while trying to recover from injuries puts you at a disadvantage. You should have an attorney to protect your rights and pursue legal action against the driver responsible for your injuries.
Hiring a rear-end accident lawyer can help in many ways, including:
- Collecting evidence before it disappears. Evidence can deteriorate or be lost soon after a crash. Skid marks fade with time, and crash debris may be swept off the road eventually. Your attorney can visit the scene to take pictures and document the evidence before it’s too late.
- Talking to eyewitnesses. When you hire a lawyer, they can track down witnesses and get their statements before their memories of what happened fade.
- Determining the value of your case. An attorney will calculate the total value of your medical expenses and accident losses to determine the compensation necessary to cover your accident-related expenses and make you financially whole.
- Speaking with the insurance adjuster. If you don’t hire an attorney, the insurance company will likely use various strategies to discount your claim. Your lawyer can communicate with the adjuster on your behalf to let them know you’re serious about the claims process and recovering the full compensation you deserve based on your injuries.
- Adhering to the statute of limitations. Car crash victims have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit in Texas. Although that seems like a long time, it’s not. A lot of work must be done to prepare a case. Your attorney will keep your case moving efficiently so you don’t run out of time to sue the at-fault driver if necessary.
Why Choose Kraft & Associates, P.C. for Your Dallas Rear-End Accident?
Kraft & Associates, P.C. has helped accident victims seek justice for five decades. We know how to overcome obstacles and handle complex legal issues that often arise during a rear-end collision case.
Our experience gives us the skills and knowledge to negotiate with the insurer and push back against their tactics to avoid paying the full value of claims. When you select Kraft & Associates, P.C., you can depend on our team to advocate aggressively for you.
What Are Recoverable Damages or Settlements in a Dallas Rear-End Accident?
After a rear-end accident, it’s normal to want to know how much money you’ll receive from an injury claim or lawsuit. The compensation you recover will depend on various factors, including the determination of fault, the seriousness of your injuries, and the expenses you incur.
Your compensation might cover losses such as:
- Emergency room visits, prescriptions, imaging tests, and other medical costs
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Physical impairment
- Cost to repair or replace your vehicle
- Loss of household services
Statute of Limitations for Dallas Rear-End Accident Lawsuits
You have limited time to sue someone after a car accident. Missing the deadline can prevent you from holding the negligent driver liable.
The Texas statute of limitations allows a two-year period to file suit. That means you have two years from the date of the rear-end collision to file a lawsuit against the careless driver responsible for your injuries.
Two scenarios could extend the time allowed to pursue a lawsuit. For the extension to apply, you must be under a legal disability at the time of the accident. That means you are:
- Under 18
- Of unsound mind
Either exception to the statute of limitations can extend the time allowed to pursue a claim.
Determining Liability in a Dallas Rear-End Accident
It’s common to assume that the rear driver is responsible for a rear-end crash. That is usually true, but not always the case. Some circumstances allow the front driver to be found liable for injuries sustained in a rear-end accident.
Before you file a claim or lawsuit, you must determine who to hold financially responsible for your losses. That requires a thorough investigation by a skilled injury attorney to identify who is at fault and the contributing factors. Maybe the at-fault driver was tailgating or texting on a cell phone at the time of the collision. Your lawyer will seek evidence to show who was at fault.
How Our Attorneys Can Help You Handle a Rear-End Car Accident
Many people believe they don’t need an attorney, even after a severe accident. They think since they’re filing a claim with the insurance company, they will resolve the issue quickly and receive the money owed to them. However, it’s not always that simple. Insurance companies will try to minimize any claim payment they make to protect their bottom line.
A skilled lawyer from Kraft & Associates, P.C. can take on the insurer that hopes to delay, minimize, or deny your claim. We can handle every aspect of your case, including:
- Investigating the cause of the accident to decide who to hold liable
- Determining which insurance company or companies have financial liability
- Gathering medical records to calculate your total losses, including future medical expenses
- Negotiating with the insurance carrier for a full and fair settlement
- Being prepared to take the case to court if the insurer refuses to settle for a reasonable amount
Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents in Texas
A range of careless behaviors can lead to a rear-end collision, including:
- Tailgating – Following another vehicle too closely is dangerous. It reduces the amount of time and distance the rear driver has to brake if the motorist ahead brakes suddenly.
- Distracted driving – Distractions interfere with a driver’s focus, attention, and driving abilities. Whether someone texts, eats, or sings along to the radio, if they are not focused on driving, they might not notice what is happening in front of them.
- Defective parts – Worn brakes or a defective braking system can fail, preventing a driver from stopping in time to avoid a rear-end collision.
- Poor weather conditions – Adverse weather affects driving conditions. Wet pavement increases the amount of time needed to stop. Drivers must lower their speed in adverse weather, especially around other vehicles.
- Speeding – Speed limits keep traffic moving at a steady but safe pace. Exceeding the speed limit increases the distance a driver needs to come to a stop. A speeding driver might not have enough time to stop the vehicle before colliding with the back of another car.
Common Injuries of Rear-End Accidents in Texas
Rear-end crashes are often fender benders or minor collisions. However, they also can lead to significant injuries. The force of one vehicle crashing into the back of another can jolt drivers and passengers. The injuries can range from minor to debilitating, depending on the speed of the rear vehicle at the time of impact. The most common injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Back injuries
- Pulled muscles
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Concussion
- Brain injuries
- Lacerations
- Nerve damage
- Chest and shoulder injuries
Get Legal Help from the Experienced Car Accident Lawyers Near You
The claims process after a rear-end collision can be stressful and confusing. You don’t have to face it alone. An experienced Dallas car accident attorney at Kraft & Associates, P.C. can communicate with the insurance company on your behalf and help you pursue full compensation to move on with your life.
Call us at (214) 999-9999 or complete our online contact form for a free consultation if someone else’s negligence caused your injuries in a rear-end accident.