CALL (800) 863-5312 TO SPEAK WITH CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS FOR FREE
A car accident, even an accident where everyone involved can walk away, can be a life-changing event. Car accidents are impossible to plan for and often leave their victims reeling from devastating physical injuries, not to mention the exorbitant medicals bills and insurance companies who are out to pay you as little possible. In a town like Killeen that is bisected by a major thoroughfare in Interstate-14, the consequences of an accident can be even more severe. Picking up the pieces after such an accident will often require the guidance of an experienced Killeen car accident lawyer.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, call (800) 863-5312 for a free case evaluation.
KILLEEN CAR ACCIDENT STATISTICS
Given Killeen’s relatively modest size, at least when compared to cities like Austin and Dallas, the accident numbers do not seem to be as alarming at first glance. However, auto accidents still occur daily with serious consequences.
- In 2019, there were a total of 2,307 car accidents in Killeen, seven of which were fatal.
- In 2018, there were a total of 2,007 car accidents in Killeen, nine of which were fatal.
- According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, newer vehicles are safer and provide more protection than older vehicles—car accident victims are less likely to suffer severe injuries or die in a car crash if they are driving a newer vehicle.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationDETERMINING LIABILITY
A critical component in any sort of personal injury case is to determine exactly who is responsible for the damages. When a victim suffers damages because of the fault of another party, the at-fault party is “liable” for the victim’s injuries. In a car accident, one might think that the party who is liable will always be the other driver. Though a driver will typically share in the fault for an accident, other parties could also share in the liability.
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationThe Driver
The other driver involved in your accident will typically be a party to seek damages from. There are many ways in which a driver could be held liable for injuries that they cause. One common scenario is that a driver will simply fail to follow the rules of the road, such as when a driver rolls through a stop sign and ends up colliding with the side of your car. This failure to follow the rules can be even more serious and lead to more severe consequences in the case of a driver who is driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or is driving while distracted.
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 ConsultationThe Car Manufacturer
Car manufacturers are held to strict standards when it comes to the product that they put onto the road. For example, cars need to have working, dependable braking systems, seatbelts, and other safety features in place. If a car fails to meet the standards prescribed by law, or if a system fails due to a manufacturing defect, then the car manufacturer could share in the liability for an accident.
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationThe City or Township
In rare cases, the state, city, or township where the accident took place could share in the liability. For example, if a traffic light goes out and the responsible government agency is aware but fails to do anything about it, then they could be held liable for any injuries that result from an accident at that intersection.
CASE RESULTS
CAUSES OF CAR ACCIDENTS
On any given day in America, thousands of car accidents take place, and no two are the same. However, there are a few general causes of car accidents that tend to crop up more often than others.
Failure to Obey Rules of the Road
From time to time, many drivers may break the rules in relatively minor ways, like driving over the speed limit or failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign. However, no matter how minor the rule violation is, very serious injuries can still occur.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is becoming more and more of a problem. Most people have probably seen some sort of campaign to end texting while driving, and it is certainly true that texting while driving presents a huge safety issue on the roads. However, cell phones are not the only things that distract drivers. Anything in a vehicle can be a distraction, whether it be the air conditioning control, the entertainment console, or even the child in the backseat who is yelling for attention.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving while under the influence is a serious road hazard to everyone who is driving near the impaired driver. In 2016, over a quarter of all accident-related fatalities were caused by alcohol-impaired drivers. This number does not even include drivers who drive while under the influence of another intoxicant like marijuana. Driving while impaired drastically reduces reaction time and dulls decision-making skills, which can result in devastating consequences.
Read More: Killeen 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys
COMMON CAR ACCIDENT INJURIES
Car accident injuries can vary drastically, both in type and severity. The medical aftermath will likely look a lot different for a rear-ending that happens at a relatively low speed than for an 18-wheeler colliding with a passenger vehicle in an intersection. Some of the more common injuries sustained in car accidents include:
- Lacerations
- Bone fractures
- Neck, back, and spine injuries
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ damage
Other types of injuries might be more difficult to immediately detect because they may not present symptoms immediately, often due to the adrenaline that is released during an accident. These sorts of injuries include:
- Soft tissue damage
- Contusions
- Muscle strains
CAR ACCIDENT COMPENSATION
One of the most pressing questions that car accident victims have is, “How much is my case worth?” Car accident victims are often left with expensive medical bills and extensive damage to their vehicle, if not a totaled vehicle that they need to replace, leading them to seek compensation for their financial and physical injuries. While it is impossible to give an accurate estimate of how much you stand to receive at the outset of your case, damages will come from three general categories.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the category of objectively verifiable damages that intend to put the victim back into the financial position they were in before the accident. These include costs like medical bills, damage to property, and wages lost from not being able to work. Economic damages can usually be proven with a fairly high degree of certainty by providing bills and receipts.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages refer to damages given as compensation for the pain and suffering experienced by an accident victim. These damages are not calculated objectively like economic damages, but generally, the more severe a victim’s injuries are, the higher the number in this category can be.
Punitive Damages
While economic and non-economic damages are intended to restore the victim to the position they were in before the accident, punitive damages serve a different role in the legal system. Punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer for egregious actions and serve as a warning to others not to engage in similar sorts of activity. Punitive damages may not be available in most cases, but if the other driver in your case acted intentionally or with malice or extreme recklessness, then they might comprise a portion of your total compensation.
LEGAL TIME LIMITS
Car accident claims do not last forever. If you are injured in a car accident, you must move quickly to meet the “statute of limitations.” The statute of limitations is the legal term for the timeframe during which an accident victim may file a claim based on a given accident. For car accidents in Texas, the statute of limitations is two years. This means that a victim has two years from the date of their accident in which to file a claim, or else having it dismissed or thrown out.
There are some peculiarities to the general statute of limitations rule, however. For example, if a victim is a minor when they are involved in the accident, then the statute may be paused until they turn 18. It may also be possible for the statute of limitations to begin running sometime after the accident if injuries are not discovered until a later date. The general best practice after a car accident, however, is to consult with a Killeen car accident lawyer as soon as you possibly can.
CALL THE KILLEEN CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS AT ZINDA LAW GROUP
Our Killeen attorneys help car accident victims get back on their feet after an accident. We believe you shouldn’t have to worry about affording legal representation to seek compensation for your injuries. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case. That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, call (800) 863-5312 for a free case consultation.
Meetings with attorneys by appointment only.
Our Awards
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA BY THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (2016-2020)
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA (2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2021), & NEIL SOLOMON (2020-2021)
AWARDED TO JACK ZINDA (2016-2020)
LIFETIME MEMBERS JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
