San Antonio Car Accident Lawyers

Personal Injury Law Firm Providing Clients With a Chance at Compensation

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than 6 million car accidents in the U.S. every year. And while many of those accidents are just minor fender-benders, others result in serious injury or even death. Over 38,000 people lose their lives in these accidents every year. If you have been injured in a Texas car accident that was not your fault, you may be wondering what your next step should be.

You may want to consider hiring a car accident lawyer to help you create a case for possible compensation. If you’ve never hired a lawyer before, you may not know where to start. When you’re looking for a lawyer, make sure to find one who has experience representing clients in court and who has a good track record of winning car accident cases. The Packard Law Firm has a team of experienced car accident lawyers in San Antonio who are ready to help you with your personal injury claim.

Car accident attorneys will know how to investigate your case, gather evidence, and determine what your next best step should be.

 If you’ve been in a car accident, contact the Packard Law Firm today at (210) 972-8918 for a free initial consultation with one of our San Antonio personal injury lawyers.

What Kind of Damages Can You Seek in a Car Accident Case?

Car accident victims can have to deal with an insurance company. If you were not at fault for the accident, you may be able to get compensated for your damages, both physical and mental. This is especially true if the accident resulted in traumatic injuries or death. Some of the things you may be able to get compensated for include the following:

Economic Damages

Economic damages include financial losses that you can prove with bills and receipts. When you recover compensation for economic damages, you will provide documents showing the losses you’ve sustained. Economic damages include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages due to being unable to work
• Property damage repair or replacement costs
• Funeral and burial expenses (in the event of a death)

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages have more to do with your emotional well-being during and after the accident. These damages cannot be proven with bills; instead, our team will help you calculate the total sum of your losses. Non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Mental anguish

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are additional damages awarded when a liable party behaves maliciously. In most car accident cases, punitive damages are given when an at-fault driver caused an accident because of drunk or drugged driving. If you’re interested in learning more about punitive damages and how they may pertain to your case, contact our firm today.

If your loved one passed away because of a car accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death suits provide compensation to the surviving family members of the car accident victim. This money can be used for funeral costs, burial expenses, medical bills before the death, and more. While no amount of money will bring your loved one back, seeking compensation allows you to hold guilty parties responsible for their actions. Contact our team today if you are interested in pursuing a wrongful death claim.

What Are the Most Common Reasons for Car Accidents?

Car accidents are, unfortunately, all too common. With an average of over 16,000 accidents daily, drivers should know how they are caused. There are many different reasons why auto accidents happen. However, some causes are more common than others. Here are the five most common reasons for car accidents:

• Distracted driving: With the advent of technology, there are more distractions than ever before. From texting to using GPS, drivers are not paying attention to the road. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of auto accidents.
• Speeding is another major cause of car accidents. When drivers speed, they have less time to react to hazards on the road, which can lead to serious accidents.
• Driving under the influence: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous. It impairs a driver’s ability to make sound decisions and react quickly.
• Drowsy driving: Driving while tired is almost as dangerous as driving under the influence. Tired drivers have slow reaction times and may even fall asleep at the wheel.
• Failing to yield: Failure to yield the right of way can cause sideswipes and T-bone accidents. Drivers who do not yield properly may also run into other cars.
• Reckless driving: Reckless driving includes things like tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and running red lights. This type of driving is extremely dangerous and can lead to accidents.
• Weather: Bad weather can make driving conditions more difficult. Rain, snow, and ice can make it hard to see and make roads slick, leading to accidents.
• Road conditions: Bad road conditions like potholes can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles. Mislabeled road signs or poor lighting can also cause accidents.
• Tire blowouts: Old or faulty tires may blow out and explode, especially while traveling at high speeds. This can cause drivers to swerve or spin out of control, leading to accidents.
• Failing to obey traffic laws: When drivers do not stop at stop signs or stop lights, they create dangerous conditions on the road. This can lead to intersection accidents and even multi-car accidents.

The most common type of car accident is a rear-end collision. This happens when one car hits the back of another car. Rear-end collisions are usually caused by distracted driving or following too closely. If you are rear-ended, you must see a doctor even if you don’t think you are injured. Often, injuries from rear-end collisions do not appear immediately.

If you have been in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced car accident lawyer will be a tremendous advocate for you. The Packard Law Firm has helped many people who have been in car accidents. We will fight for you and get you the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation.

What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents?

Similar to the cause of a car accident, the type of car accident you’re in can impact the other driver’s liability and who is at fault.

The most common types of car accidents include:

Sideswipes

Sideswipes happen when the side of one vehicle “swipes” the side of another vehicle. In most cases, both cars are traveling in the same direction. This type of accident often causes minor injuries but extensive property damage.

T-Bone Collisions

In a T-bone accident, the front of one car collides with the side of another car. This type of accident often happens at intersections when one car fails to stop or yield properly.

Head-On Collisions

When two cars traveling in opposite directions collide, it results in a head-on collision. These types of accidents are often fatal and can cause extensive injuries.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end accidents happen when one car hits the back of another car. Rear-end collisions are common and often occur when the rear driver is going too fast to stop. Most rear-end collision cases hold the rear driver at fault.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

When one driver leaves the scene of the accident without exchanging information with the other driver, it’s a hit-and-run accident. Hit-and-runs are against the law and can lead to both civil and criminal charges.

Multiple-Vehicle Accidents

Multi-car collisions can cause extensive injuries to multiple parties. Because of the many parties involved, these types of accidents are difficult to resolve legally.

What Are the Most Common Injuries Following Car Accidents?

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of personal injury in the United States. While some car accidents are not serious and result in only property damage, others can be much more severe, resulting in life-threatening injuries or even death. When auto accidents do result in personal injuries, it is often the victim’s family members who suffer the most emotionally and financially.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident that resulted in the following personal injuries, you may have a personal injury case available to you. Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer today.

Whiplash

One of the most common injuries following a car accident is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the head and neck are suddenly and forcefully jerked forward and then backward, causing the neck muscles and ligaments to stretch beyond their normal range of motion. Whiplash can occur even in low-speed collisions and is often seen in rear-end collisions.

Symptoms of whiplash can include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, ringing in the ears, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and sleep disturbances. In some cases, symptoms may not appear for days or weeks after the accident. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you must see a doctor as soon as possible.

Back Injuries

Car accidents can also result in back injuries, ranging from mild strains and sprains to more serious injuries, such as herniated discs and spinal cord damage. Back injuries can be extremely painful and may require extensive medical treatment, including surgery, physical therapy, and medication. In some cases, back injuries can lead to permanent disability.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries happen when the spine is damaged upon impact. Spinal cord injury victims may suffer from chronic pain, temporary paralysis, or permanent paralysis. In most car accident cases, spinal cord injuries take extensive medical treatment and years of recovery time. Spinal cord injuries can result in permanent disabilities.

Amputation

In severe car accident cases, victims may injure their limbs so severely that it results in amputation. Losing a hand, arm, leg, or foot impacts the way you complete daily tasks. Amputation may require extensive surgery and physical therapy, leading to thousands of dollars in medical bills.

Brain Injuries

Brain injuries are another common type of injury following auto accidents. Even minor brain injuries can cause significant cognitive impairments, mood swings, and sleep disorders. More severe brain injuries can cause coma or even death.

Broken Bones

The significant impact from a car accident can lead to bone fractures and breaks. Some broken bones heal with the help of a cast, but other broken bones require surgery and physical therapy. Broken bones can cause life-long pain and symptoms, especially if they do not heal correctly.

Burns

Many cars heat up or even catch on fire after a wreck. Being stuck in a car while it’s on fire can cause severe burns across the entire body. Burn injury victims may require skin grafts and other medical treatments to heal fully.

Permanent Scarring

Any type of injury has the potential to cause permanent scars or disfigurement. In a car accident, the debris from the vehicle can fly into your face and arms, causing permanent scars. These life-long marks can impact you for years and may require surgery.

If you or a loved one has suffered any type of personal injury in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and options and fight for the maximum compensation available to you.

How Do I Find Out Who’s at Fault in a Car Accident?

The answer to this question is not always simple, and it may take some investigation to determine what happened. There are a few things to keep in mind that can help you figure out who was at fault in your car accident.

One of the best ways to determine who was at fault in a car accident is to find witnesses who saw what happened. These witnesses can provide valuable information about how the car wreck unfolded for the accident report. If you can’t find any witnesses, or if the witnesses you do find aren’t helpful, there are other ways to figure out who was at fault.

One of these ways is to look at the evidence. This includes things like skid marks, damage to the vehicles, and any other physical evidence that can be used to piece together what happened. This evidence can be used to support the testimony of witnesses, or it can be used to contradict it.

In some cases, the police report can also help determine who was at fault in a car accident. The police report will often include a description of the accident and will sometimes assign blame to one of the drivers involved. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the police report is not always accurate and should not be considered definitive proof of who was at fault.

If you’re still not sure who was at fault in your car accident, you may want to consult with an experienced car accident attorney. An experienced auto accident attorney can review the evidence and help you determine who was really at fault. Insurance companies will also hire personal injury attorneys to help them figure out who was at fault, assign blame, and pay out claims properly.

What Should You Do After a Car Accident?

Being in a car accident is traumatic. On top of your physical injuries, you’re likely experiencing anxiety, fear, and stress. Understanding the steps to take immediately after a car accident can help you seek compensation later.

If you’ve been in a car accident, be sure to do the following:

Move to a Safe Location

If your car is driveable, move it to the side of the road and out of the flow of traffic. If you can’t move your car, leave it where it is until the police arrive.

Contact Emergency Services

Call the emergency line and tell them that you’ve been in an accident. The police will create an accident report that you can use in your personal injury claim. If anyone is hurt, ask for an ambulance as well.

Exchange Information

You will need personal information from the other driver to file a claim. Get their name, number, insurance company name, and driver’s license number to use in your claim. If there are any witnesses to the accident, get their contact information as well.

Take Photos

Your photos and videos of the accident can be used in your claim. Take pictures of both vehicles, the area where the accident happened, and any injuries you sustained. Be sure to include any road signs in your photos.

Do Not Admit Fault

When you get into an accident, it’s a natural reaction to say, “I’m sorry,” or otherwise admit fault. However, this can impact your chances to recover compensation. When talking to the other driver or the police, stick to the facts and don’t admit fault.

Seek Medical Care

Even if you don’t feel hurt right away, it’s likely that you have at least minor injuries. Injury victims often go into shock, sending a wave of adrenaline through their bodies. That adrenaline can mask pain signals, making you believe that you’re unharmed. Always get medical attention after an accident to get the care you need.

File an Insurance Claim

Contact your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company to begin the claims process. The sooner you file a claim, the faster you can receive compensation for your injuries. Never admit fault when speaking to an insurance agent.

Contact a San Antonio Car Accident Lawyer

Our team is here to help you get the compensation you deserve after an accident. When you contact us, we will immediately begin working on your case so you get the outcome you deserve.

What Does a Car Accident Attorney Do?

Working with a San Antonio car accident lawyer is the best way to recover the compensation you deserve after an auto accident. When you work with our team, we will immediately begin taking steps to get you the best possible outcome.

As your attorneys, we can do the following:

• Gather evidence, including photos, videos, witness statements, and accident reports
• Investigate liability, especially in multi-party car accidents
• Negotiate with insurance adjusters on your behalf
• Calculate your total damages and argue for a higher settlement
• File a lawsuit and take your case to court, if necessary
• Fight until you get the outcome you deserve

Do I Need an Attorney After a Car Accident?

One of the biggest factors is whether or not you were injured in the accident. If you weren’t injured, you may not need an auto accident attorney. If you were injured, you’ll likely need a car accident attorney to help you get compensation for your injuries. Another factor to consider is who was at fault in the accident. An attorney can help determine fault. This is a very important factor because fault will determine who pays for your damages.

You should also consider whether or not you have a good case. A car accident lawyer can help you understand the legal process and what you need to do to prove your case. If you don’t have a strong case, a Texas car accident lawyer may advise you to settle out of court or give you additional options.

The Packard Law Firm is a personal injury law firm that represents injury victims who have been injured in car accidents. We offer free consultations to anyone who has been injured in a car accident. Call us today at (210) 972-8918 to schedule a consultation.