A car accident can change a life in an instant. One moment, you could be traveling to your destination, and the next, you could be facing injuries that will require weeks, months, or even years of recovery, and you may have to live with them for the rest of your life.
Additionally, you could be left with expenses for medical bills and property damage.
Plus, paying for those becomes harder if you are forced to miss work due to your injuries. An El Paso personal injury lawyer at Zinda Law Group can investigate your case and help you seek the compensation you deserve. Call today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced El Paso car accident lawyer today.
What to Do After a Car Accident in El Paso
There are a variety of actions you can take after a car accident to put yourself in the best possible position. This is true for both your physical and financial health. Some of the steps you can take include:
- Seeking medical attention
- Filing a police report
- Not admitting fault
- Documenting the accident
- Filing an insurance claim
- Contacting a reputable legal advocate
Seek Medical Attention if Necessary
A significant number of car accidents result in immediate injury in one form or another. For instance, the driver of a rear-ended vehicle may suffer whiplash from a car accident, leading to acute neck and back pain. On the other hand, some car accidents result in delayed injury.
For example, car accident victims may have sustained a spinal injury that did not manifest until hours or days after the collision. Because both immediate and delayed injuries are prevalent in car accidents, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible following a wreck. Seeking prompt medical attention will allow your injuries to be properly treated, putting you in a better position to recover as quickly as possible.
File a Police Report
Another critical step following a car accident is reporting the accident to the police. This is especially true for car accidents that result in substantial vehicular damage or severe physical injury.
A police officer will draft an accident report, which will allow you to disclose all the essential details relating to the accident and how it occurred. Because a formal police report will serve as an official record of the accident, the report may prove to be very helpful in eventually strengthening the value of your claim.
Do Not Admit Fault
After the accident, you may be tempted to apologize to the other driver to de-escalate the situation. Resist that urge. If you say anything that could be interpreted as an admission of fault, it could be used against you to prevent you from recovering maximum compensation.
Document the Accident
A critical step following any car accident is to “document the accident.” You can do this by maintaining an organized, running file of every document relating to the car accident. This file should include important documents and materials such as:
- A copy of the police report
- Copies of your medical bills
- Photographs of the damage to your car
- Photographs of your physical injuries
- Car repair estimates
- Copies of witness statements
Documenting these materials can be used as evidence to strengthen the value of your claim. Be sure to request a crash report in El Paso.
File Your Insurance Claim
File your insurance claim soon after the accident to try to receive compensation from the other driver. However, be careful when speaking with the insurance agents and avoid admitting fault for the accident. Speak with a car accident attorney at our firm to learn more about how to communicate with an insurance company after an accident.
Contact an Experienced El Paso Car Accident Attorney
Your final step following a car accident should be to contact a car accident attorney in El Paso, TX. In addition to providing valuable legal advice, we will be able to utilize valuable resources which may strengthen the value and legitimacy of your claim. We can fiercely negotiate with insurance companies to prevent them from paying less than what your claim is worth. Finally, should your case go to court, we will advocate on your behalf to seek fair and just compensation for your injuries and damages.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationComparative Negligence in El Paso Car Accidents
In Texas, a modified comparative negligence rule is used when assessing fault for an accident under Tex. Civ. Pract. & Proc. Code §33.001. This rule makes it so fault for an accident can be assigned to multiple parties. It also allows accident victims to pursue compensation if they were partially at fault for their injuries as long as their fault level is 50% or below.
However, the amount of money you are eligible to pursue will be affected proportionate to the level of liability you hold. For example, if you are 10% to blame, you will only be able to recover 90% of the full value of your claim. In this example, if your case is worth $100,000, you will qualify to recover $90,000.
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationCar Accident Cases We Handle in El Paso
We handle a wide variety of car accident cases in El Paso. If you have been in an accident other than those listed below, speak with a car accident lawyer in El Paso, TX, at Zinda Law Group to learn whether we can still help you with your case. Some of the car accident cases we handle most often include:
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Texting while driving accidents
- Uninsured driver accidents
- Bus accident cases
- Pedestrian accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Accidents resulting in wrongful death
- Defective motor vehicle parts accidents
- Pizza delivery accidents
Common Causes of Car Accidents in El Paso
There are many different causes of accidents in El Paso, and you could be compensated for your injuries if you are not at fault for the accident and you sustained an injury.
You can prove that a driver who caused your accident was legally negligent by showing that the driver failed to uphold a duty of care that they owed you and that the driver’s breach of that duty of care injured you. Some of the most common causes of car accidents include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failing to follow basic traffic laws
- Driving while distracted
- Driving while fatigued
- Inclement weather conditions
Common Injuries Sustained from Car Accidents
You should visit a medical professional to address your injuries soon after the accident. Many of the injuries sustained in car accidents can affect you for years after the accident, especially when left untreated. Common injuries from car accidents include:
- Head injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Chest injuries
- Cuts and bruises
- Broken bones
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationThese Types of Compensation May Be Available to Car Accident Victims in El Paso
Following a car accident in El Paso, there are a variety of damages you will likely be able to recover. The specific damages for which you qualify will depend on the details of your case. They often include:
- Economic damages
- Non-economic damages
- Punitive damages
Economic Damages
Economic damage compensation is quantifiable costs and expenses that you may suffer in your car accident. They are the easiest types of losses to evaluate. Examples of economic damages may include:
- Medical and pharmacy expenses
- Lost income and lost wages
- Future economic losses
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are intangible losses subjectively evaluated by a jury in a car accident case. Although non-economic damages are harder to quantify than economic damages, this form of damage can be greater in value than economic damages. Types of non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Permanent disability
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are a form of damages that are not intended to restore an injured party as described under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §41.001. Instead, these damages are awarded to punish a wrongdoer. Although punitive damages are not typically awarded in a standard car accident case, they may be available in instances where the actions of the at-fault party were especially reckless, egregious, or intentional.
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationEl Paso Car Accident FAQ
Following a car accident in El Paso, you will likely have a variety of questions about your case and what you should do. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
How Long do I Have to Make an Accident Injury Claim in El Paso?
The statute of limitations can be considered a legal time limit setting a deadline for when a person must pursue a type of claim. If the person does not bring a claim by the deadline, that person is effectively barred from litigating the claim in court. In Texas, there is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under Tex. Civ. Pract. & Proc. Code §16.003.
This includes injuries that are caused by car accidents. This means that a person injured in a car accident must file a lawsuit within two years of the date of the accident. In cases of minor children, the statute of limitations is “tolled,” or extended, until the child reaches the age of majority or until the child is legally emancipated. The child then has two years from that date to pursue their claim.
How do I Get My Medical Bills Paid After My Car Accident?
Usually, a victim of a car accident will need to pay their own medical bills, even if someone else was at fault. However, in many cases, an experienced personal injury attorney should be able to help you recoup those expenses. That is why it is critical to keep track of all of your medical expenses. Read more about how to pay your medical bills after a car accident.
Who Is at Fault in a Collision Involving a Right-Hand Turn?
Often, this type of accident occurs when a driver fails to yield to on-coming traffic. In this case, the person who stopped at the intersection could be at fault if they misjudged the amount of space they had to make the right-hand turn. Read more about who is at fault in a right-hand turn car collision.
What Should I Do if I’m in a Car Collision with an Uninsured Driver?
Insurance is key in helping you get back on your feet after an accident. But what if the other driver doesn’t have car insurance? Here are five things you should do if you’re hit by an uninsured driver.
What Should I Do if Someone Hit My Parked Car?
Remember that in order to bring a personal injury claim against an insurance company, someone must have suffered an injury due to the actions of another. If someone has collided with your parked car and no one was inside the vehicle at the time, then you may have a claim for property damage but not personal injury. Read more about what to do if someone hits your parked car.
How Is My Case Different if I Was Hit by a Drunk Driver?
Unfortunately, we get asked this question all the time. These accidents can be complex, and it’s important that you speak to an accident attorney right away. Read more about what to do if you are in an accident with a drunk driver.
How do I Get a Crash Report in El Paso?
Learn how to get a crash report for an El Paso car accident.
Why You Should Choose to Work with a Leading El Paso Car Accident Lawyer at Zinda Law Group
Our team of honest and aggressive injury attorneys will fight to help you get the compensation you need to get back on your feet. We offer free consultations 24/7, and we never collect a fee unless we win your case, so there is no risk in contacting us.
If you were involved in a collision, your El Paso car accident attorney at Zinda Law Group can help you pursue the money you deserve.
Use our online chat tool, complete our contact form, or give us a call to schedule your free consultation today, and we can help you form a plan for your case. You can also contact us to make an appointment to visit our El Paso office located at 2300 George Dieter Dr, El Paso, TX 79936. Please note that in-office visits are by appointment only.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
