Seven Situations Where You Always Need an Automobile Accident Lawyer

Accidents happen – but whether you’re behind the wheel, you’re a passenger in the vehicle, or you’re a pedestrian, if you’re involved in a car accident, then you may need legal representation to advocate for your rights to fair compensation. Automobile accident lawyers in Houston, TX understand how accidents happen and the type of compensation you may be entitled to as an injured party. So, when do you need an accident lawyer? More often than you may think.

Seven Situations Where You Always Need an Automobile Accident Lawyer

Most people initially believe that the only time you need representation with an automobile accident lawyer is when you are a driver who is involved in a car accident. But the truth is that car accident lawyers are necessary for anyone who has been involved in a car accident, regardless of whether or not they were involved in operating a vehicle. Some of the most common situations where you will need an automobile accident lawyer include:

1. Car Accidents

Car accidents like fender benders or other smashes that happen because the rules of the road aren’t being followed are very common. Often, speeding on highways, tailgating, and signaling miscues are all reasons why a car accident may happen. Distracted driving, such as having the music too loud or texting on the road, are other common causes of car accidents.

If you are the driver who caused the accident or you were a motorist involved in the accident, then you will need legal representation to help you get the monetary benefits you deserve. If you are a passenger in a vehicle involved in a car accident and you were injured, you may also be entitled to compensation, particularly if you sustained a serious injury.

2. Drunk Drivers

Drunk driving is illegal, so no matter the amount of intoxication, drunk drivers will face strict penalties. The penalties for drunk driving increase based on whether or not other vehicles or people were involved in the accident. If your accident only involved your car and private property then the penalties will be different than a drunk driving accident that injured or caused the death of another person. If you were a drunk driver, then you will need legal representation.

If you were injured by a drunk driver, then you will also need legal advice so you can receive the compensation you deserve for your injury, disability, personal property damage, or other losses associated with the accident. For families who lost loved ones due to drunk drivers, you will be able to seek compensation for wrongful death.

3. Bus Accidents

While bus accidents are comparatively rarer than everyday car accidents, they do happen, and usually, because bus drivers are hired by civil services, these cases are more complex. Both city bus accidents and school bus accidents are best handled with legal representation if you are injured or require compensation.

For bus accidents, it’s often the case that these accidents are either caused by company negligence or bus driver error. If you have been seriously injured in a bus accident, then you will be entitled to compensation from the bus company or the people who are responsible for the accident.

4. Defective Vehicles

Vehicle recalls are common and usually happen when a part of a vehicle is defective or dangerous. Unfortunately, not all drivers are alerted to vehicle recalls and that can lead to serious car accidents. If your car accident was caused by defects in your vehicle or the vehicle of the driver who injured you, you will need legal representation to get fair compensation from the car manufacturer.

5. Motorcycle Accidents

While cars and motorcycles share the road, motorcycles usually have special road rules that apply to them. When motorcycles are involved in accidents, it can be difficult to prove who was at fault. Additionally, motorcycle riders often sustain more serious injuries than car drivers, so the risk of death is much higher. If you are a motorist who was injured by a car, you will need legal representation to secure the compensation you are entitled to – especially if you were not at fault for the accident.

6. Commercial Truck Accidents

Big rigs and 18-wheelers are the warriors of the road, but they can also pose great risks to motorists. Many highway accidents are caused by commercial trucks. Sometimes, commercial trucks are faulty because of company negligence or driver error, and in fact, because truck drivers notoriously do not get enough sleep to stay on schedule, it’s possible that your accident was caused by reckless driving.

Commercial truck accidents usually result in fatal injuries for other motorists. There are several laws in place that are designed to keep cars safe on the highway around big rigs. Whether or not you violated those rules will determine the compensation you deserve for your accident, along with other factors such as the truck driver or the regulations for the big rig.

7. Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare apps like Lyft and Uber are more popular than ever before, but that also means that many passengers are involved in car accidents in these shared taxis. Unfortunately, the insurance applied to passengers in these rideshares isn’t always clear. If you were injured as a rideshare passenger, then you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.

If you are a rideshare driver, you may also need legal representation. Some companies may not extend insurance coverage to you under certain circumstances, which means you may not be compensated for your injuries regardless of whether or not you were at fault for the accident. You will need legal representation to protect your interests.

What Are Common Car Accident Injuries?

There are many injuries that can happen as a result of car accidents. The most common injuries are bruises, lacerations, and broken bones, which are all relatively minor. Occasionally, severely broken bones can result in temporary or permanent disability. Another common injury related to car accidents is TBI – traumatic brain injury can cause lifelong health conditions or even death.

More serious car accidents, such as bus accidents, can result in gasoline explosions or fires in the engine that can cause burn injuries. Recovering from burns is expensive and extensive, and because you will be permanently scarred, you will always live with the reminder of the accident. Some burns even result in nerve damage.

How Can a Lawyer Help?

So, how can a car accident lawyer help you? Legal representation is incredibly important so you can receive the compensation you are entitled to, particularly if you were not at fault and you sustained serious injuries. Securing compensation for current and future medical bills, especially in the case of disability, is one of the most important roles of a car accident lawyer. Compensation for loss of current and future wages is also important.

Your car accident lawyer may also help you finalize a settlement with reluctant insurance companies. Because insurance companies like to low-ball survivors of car accidents, it’s best to hire a lawyer to protect your interests and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for all of your injuries, lost wages, or wrongful death.

When you’re involved in a car accident, the best thing you can do for yourself is hire a competent automobile accident lawyer. Your lawyer will gather evidence for your case and advocate for your rights. Contact Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner in Houston, TX today to learn more about how a car accident lawyer can help you.