Car Wreck Attorney in Dallas

We get that some people think it's a big deal to get a lawyer involved in their legal matters, which is why they hesitate. You may have many unanswered questions, and you may not even know which questions to ask. So, here are some of the pros and cons of working with a lawyer to successfully resolve a car accident dispute:

Pros of Working With a Car Accident Attorney

Protection of your Rights - One of the most important roles of a car accident attorney is to protect your rights. Many car accident victims have a whole mess of problems thrust upon them out of the blue, and it can be overwhelming. The aftermath of an accident is often a confusing time when you're trying to figure out the appropriate steps to get your life back on track. It helps tremendously to understand your rights so that you can make informed decisions.

Your lawyer will educate you on the legal protections you're entitled to and lay out all available options to pursue compensation. However, protecting your rights doesn't end with making you aware of them. We'll also ensure you don't make mistakes that could jeopardize your claim, such as giving statements to the other party's insurance company that could be mischaracterized or failing to meet critical procedural deadlines.  

Gathering Evidence- A car accident attorney will also help gather vital evidence to support your insurance claim, including witness statements, police reports, and medical documents. While gathering evidence might sound simple, the added stress of making repeated calls and fighting bureaucracy can take an additional toll on your health when you're seriously injured. At Morgan and Morgan, we empower our attorneys by providing them with support staff and access to professional experts such as accident reconstructionists that better enable them to effectively present evidence in client cases.

Establishing Fault - With greater access to resources, establishing fault for the accident becomes easier, especially in front of a jury. Expert witnesses are often needed to break down complicated evidence so that everyone can understand how it affects your case. Support staff enables your lawyer to focus on the critical details of your case and avoid getting bogged down with routine administrative tasks, which can take their attention away from what really matters - establishing fault and recovering compensation for you.
 
Negotiating - Ultimately, the most important service your lawyer can provide is negotiating on your behalf to secure fair payment for your troubles, losses, and injuries. A reasonable settlement often hinges on the strength of the evidence and your lawyer's negotiating skills. Morgan and Morgan Law Firm has a reputation for winning because we equip our lawyers with the best tools, training, and resources. Your lawyer will possess the negotiating insight to gain the desired outcome.

Trial Representation - Furthermore, your Dallas car wreck lawyer will be prepared to take your claim to trial if necessary. Although most cases are successfully concluded using negotiating tactics, some claims can only be resolved in court. Usually, negotiations go south because the other party won't agree to a fair settlement. Instead of asking our clients to make do with an unfair offer, our lawyers will advance the case through the court system to pursue justice, even as a last resort.

Cons of Working With a Car Accident Attorney

When you're in over your head, there is rarely a negative to getting professional help. Still, we understand the misgivings some people may have when considering if they want to work with a lawyer. Here are a few reasons why accident victims, such as yourself, may hesitate to hire a lawyer after being involved in a motor vehicle collision and our counterarguments to sway your opinion:

Cost - One of the biggest fears of working with a lawyer is the cost. Suppose you've ever needed a lawyer for another legal matter. In that case, you may be familiar with retainer and other fees, which can be off-putting. However, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning no upfront fees and no charge if we cannot conclude the matter in your favor.

You may also wonder if the cost of hiring a lawyer outweighs the benefit. However, you may be surprised to learn that claimants represented by a lawyer have a greater chance of getting their claim approved and receiving higher settlement offers. That's a fact that insurance companies discovered through statistical research. Given what their own data has revealed, it's unsurprising that insurance adjusters often try to convince claimants that hiring a lawyer will only complicate things. It won't.

Complexity - We understand that you're already under a lot of pressure and possibly dealing with a difficult recovery from your injuries. You may wonder if adding another person to the mix won't make matters even more challenging and draw out the process. This couldn't be further from the truth. Instead, a lawyer streamlines everything and helps cut through the red tape. You won't have to worry about getting the runaround from insurance desk jockeys. Your lawyer assumes the brunt of the work, allowing you to regain peace of mind and feel confident about the future.

Trust - At Morgan and Morgan, we recognize how important your legal matter is and why you might have misgivings about entrusting someone else to take care of it. You may be skeptical that a Dallas car wreck lawyer will genuinely look out for your best interests. But here is the reality. Morgan and Morgan only hire lawyers with a proven track record and the highest regard for their clients. Furthermore, your success is our success, literally. Because we work on a contingency fee, we only get paid for positive results, and nobody likes working for free. Having sworn to protect clients' rights and uphold the law, you can be assured your lawyer at Morgan and Morgan will have your best interest at heart and will fight diligently for a desirable outcome.

Laws surrounding car wreck lawsuits can be convoluted and hard to interpret. However, each case is unique, and certain laws will affect the outcome. It's crucial to consult with a qualified attorney that will review the specific factors regarding your case and determine which laws will be applicable. Here are several Texas laws that could influence your case:

Statute of Limitations - Legal matters that involve car wrecks fall under personal injury lawsuits. In Texas, the statute of limitations for these kinds of actions is two years from the date of the accident. Failure to file within this time constraint may result in losing the right to seek compensation, with few exceptions. For this reason, we urge you to contact a Dallas car wreck lawyer as soon as possible.

In really complicated cases, you might lose the opportunity to have your day in court if your claim is stuck in a back-and-forth dispute with an insurance company. Although highly unethical and possibly illegal, insurance companies have been known to draw out the claims process to ensure a lawsuit isn't an option for car accident victims. This is true particularly when the claim has an exceedingly high dollar value, which is often the situation with severe injury. Don't let this happen to you. Reach out today.

Comparative Negligence - Texas observes a modified comparative negligence rule, which means those involved in car accidents can have their compensation reduced in proportion to their degree of fault for the collision. If you're found to be 51% or more at fault in Texas, you can be barred from collecting compensation altogether. For this reason, it's imperative to work with a Dallas car wreck lawyer who understands how to minimize your involvement while spotlighting the other driver's negligence. A simple 1% difference can have an enormous impact on your ability to pay bills and get the medical treatment you need.

Minimum Liability Requirements - Texas requires car owners to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance. The current mandates are $30,000 in bodily injury insurance per person and $60,000 per accident. Property damage minimums are $25,000. Problems can arise if your damages exceed the at-fault driver's policy coverage. Even so, since Texas is a tort state, you have the option to sue the other driver for the difference. However, in many instances, if the other driver carries the bare minimum for insurance, this means they don't have assets that need to be protected, so suing may be fruitless.  

Anytime you're deliberating which lawyer to choose, there are some questions you should ask to ensure you make an educated selection. Here is a short list to consider:

What Is Your History With Cases Like Mine?

With this question, you can essentially get two questions answered at once. Their response should reveal their car accident claims experience and success record.

What Is Your Assessment of My Claim?

A qualified lawyer should be able to give you an honest assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of your claim and provide you with an opinion on the outcome. It's important to recognize that if you have insufficient evidence and the fault of the accident is contested, you may have to be more generous during negotiations. Additionally, your lawyer should be able to give you an idea of the settlement offer you can anticipate. A lawyer who has worked many car accident cases will have a good understanding of the value of your claim from previous experience.  

How Will You Communicate With Me Throughout This Relationship?

Communication is a critical component. Your lawyer should be able to set expectations on which channels they'll use to keep in touch and how often you should expect to hear from them.

What Are Your Team Member's Qualifications?

As we stated earlier, your lawyer will have many resources at their disposal, including support staff. It's common for support staff to be heavily involved, and knowing their qualifications may help you feel more assured.

What Is the Timeline for My Case?

Claims that are relatively simple can be resolved quickly, while more complicated ones can drag out the timeline. Your lawyer should have a decent sense of the timeline once they've reviewed all the facts of your car accident.

Choosing a lawyer is an important decision because it could have a significant impact on the outcome of your claim. As the largest personal injury law firm in the country, we have a substantial depth of resources, including a large pool of attorneys specializing in car accidents. We offer our lawyers training and development opportunities that smaller law firms can't compete with, which means you get more robust representation and better client service.

Morgan and Morgan also reinvest in the law firm by creating cutting-edge infrastructure that leads to more seamless communication and efficient management of your case. Finally, we have a solid reputation for winning, which we realize is paramount to our clients. You don't have to confront insurance companies on your own. When you work with one of our accomplished Dallas car wreck lawyers backed by our extensive support system, your chances of success can significantly increase.

Don't wait a minute more. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.