Houston Auto Accident Attorney
The roads in Houston, Texas can be described in one word: busy.
Unfortunately, when roads are busy it generally leads to dangerous driving conditions, especially in unpredictable weather. Safe drivers who follow the rules of the road and take every precaution can even be involved in auto accidents in Houston and Katy, Texas. These drivers should not be held responsible for the negligence of another driver. Negligent drivers cause accidents for numerous reasons, contact our experienced Houston auto accident attorney today for help.
Driving Distracted
Most car accidents occur because a driver was distracted. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 80% of accidents occurred because of a distracted driver. Today, it is easy to be distracted while driving. People often times text, make phone calls, use their GPS navigational device, eat, assist children, or put on makeup at the expense of other’s safety. the state of Texas has not banned texting while driving in the state entirely, but various cities in Texas have enforced safety laws to prohibit texting and driving.
Violating Traffic Laws
An automobile driver can be negligent and violate traffic laws in a number of ways. Laws can be violated in terms of speeding, tailgating, incorrect lane changes, or failing to yield the right of way. it is important to note of any traffic citations given at the scene of the car accident for future reference regarding your car accident claim.
Driving Fatigued
Truck drivers are the most susceptible to driver fatigue due to long, extraneous hours at work. Although, it is very common for automobile drivers to experience driver fatigue as well. Fatigue can be caused by long work hours, or even driving during the wrong point of day. Drivers are most fatigued between 12:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m., and 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. When an individual is drowsy between these hours, or in general, their judgment is impaired. They may not act quickly and have a slow reaction time, while also being unaware of their surroundings.
For your safety, common signs of a driver being fatigued include:
- Constant yawning
- Lane drifting
- Sore eyes
- Daydreaming
- Inability to keep head up
- Zoning out and not remembering the past few minutes
- Variations in speed
- Delay in reactions
Alcohol or Drug Abuse
Driving Under the Influence is a criminal offense. a driver’s judgment is impaired after their first drink. Their own safety, as well as all of the other drivers on the road, is immediately at great risk. in Texas, many auto collisions occur due to the abuse of alcohol. If you have been injured by a drunk driver in Texas, contact Houston auto accident attorney, Sue E. West, immediately.
Road Conditions
An auto collision can occur because of various weather conditions such as rain, snow, ice, or hail. Other road conditions that can affect a driver’s driving include road construction, potholes, and debris. if a car accident occurs in a bad road condition area, it is often times due to the negligence of a driver.
It is important to drive safely during harsh weather conditions. This includes following traffic laws and not speeding or tailgating a driver, avoiding the fast lane, and keeping your eyes moving for possible distractions at all times.
Car Defects
A car can easily get into an accident when there is a defect preventing it from working properly. Some defects exist as soon as the car leaves the factory. These are usually design or manufacturing defects. Other defects are caused by wear and tear. A diligent mechanic should identify problems and fix them correctly, but some mechanics are careless in how they perform their jobs. For example, a mechanic might overlook that the brake pads are worn out or put new brake pads on improperly.
We can’t rule out a car defect in an accident. Because of a defect, even a careful driver could get involved in a crash through no fault of their own. Instead, the fault rests with the person or business that didn’t do its job properly.
Insurance and Houston Auto Accidents
Texas requires that most drivers have insurance before they can register a vehicle. The particular type of insurance is liability insurance which covers accidents caused by the person who purchased the policy. Liability insurance should cover bodily injury or death, as well as damage to property. For this reason, fault is a key concern in a car accident. If a driver isn’t at fault, they don’t have to pay. That’s the simple rule in Texas. At the West Law Office, we go over the case from start to finish to fully understand who is to blame.
Making an insurance claim is harder than most people expect. An insurer might deny that their insured is at fault for the crash. Instead, they could even blame you. Comparative negligence often comes into play to reduce or sometimes even eliminate a victim’s right to compensation. As an example, the insurance adjuster might claim you ran a red light, which is why you were struck at the intersection.
Compensation for Your Accident
Auto accident victims benefit from our experience. In addition to determining fault, we can fully document your economic and non-economic damages. You should not have to suffer financially when a negligent or dangerous motorist plows into you and causes injury.
Our clients often receive compensation for economic losses like medical bills, any future medical care, lost income, and future diminished earning capacity. Any damage to your car is also an economic loss for which you should receive compensation. Please share with your attorney any repair estimates for your car, as well as all medical bills or insurance statements. This evidence helps document a claim.
Non-economic losses include things like pain, suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and similar losses. These losses are often harder to calculate in dollars and cents. But our team is fully committed to getting you the compensation you deserve. We have negotiated many settlements, so we know how much is fair.
In some accidents, you might qualify for punitive damages, which punish the driver for especially dangerous conduct. For example, a driver who intentionally hits you or drives with gross negligence might need to pay punitive damages. A drunk driver is a clear example.
Contact a Houston Auto Accident Attorney
Whether the collision was large or small, it is possible an individual suffered from an injury. Contact a Houston auto accident attorney, Sue E. West, today. You deserve compensation for your injury, pain, and suffering because of a negligent driver. for customized and sensitive legal advice, contact the West Law Office to make sure you receive the attention you need for your injuries. for a free consultation call 281-347-3247.
