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Common reasons for Texas car crashes have caused an increase in fatalities statewide. 

car crash

Texas – October 3, 2022

Common reasons for vehicle accidents include distracted driving, mechanical failures, driver fatigue, manufacturer defects, poor weather conditions, speeding, and driving while intoxicated.  The Fatality Rate on Texas roadways for 2020 was 1.50 deaths per hundred million vehicle miles traveled which is an 18.94% increase from 1.26 in 2019. The 2020 death toll of 3,896 was an increase of 7.54% from the 3,623 deaths recorded in 2019. These numbers reveal that elevated levels of damage to property, catastrophic physical injury and death are all too common in Texas motor vehicle accidents. Car accident victims may wonder: “Where can I find accident attorneys near me?” when physical injury or property replacement require insurance settlements and damage compensation to pay for medical care and any negative impacts to the accident victim’s livelihood. Experienced car accident lawyers provide detailed information as to reasons that contribute to claims of negligence.

Recoverable compensation.

Seasoned Texas lawyers will utilize state-specific accident laws and sue for damage compensation on behalf of car accident victims.  They can apprise clients on how the law applies in each situation and discuss variations to the imposed time constraints for filing legal actions in state-specific courts. A car accident attorney will review the damage valuation determinations for auto insurance claims, and other accidents requiring the payment of:

  • Compensatory damages for economic losses including lost wages, medical bills, medical care, and treatment, plus household expenses and non-economic losses that include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, or companionship.
  • Punitive damages when a car accident lawyer can prove that a defendant deliberately, with reckless disregard, acted in a manner to cause harm to another person, punitive damages may be awarded based on the specifics of a case.

Comparative Negligence (51% Rule).

Texas utilizes the 51% rule, whereby an injured person can be up to 50% responsible for an accident and still collect damages in a Texas personal injury claim, but if fault is decided above 50%, victims cannot receive relevant compensation from another driver. In personal injury, or wrongful death lawsuits, economic damages; non-economic damages; and punitive damages may be awarded specific to an automobile accident case.

Hire legal counsel.

Experienced professional attorneys who understand Texas motorist responsibilities and regulations are available at The Cooper Law Firm.  They possess valuable resources to determine the percentage of fault applied to each driver after reviewing police reports, witness reports, car damages, roadway marks and other factors present at the time of the accident.  They can communicate with insurance companies toward comprehensive insurance settlements, or work with opposing counsel in jury awards when a case is litigated in Texas.

Cooper Law Firm
N. Eric Cooper
Mailing: P.O. Box 2222
Longview, TX 75606

Address: 501 N Third St,
Longview, TX 75601

Telephone: (903) 297-0037
Toll-Free: 1-855-297-HURT (4878)
Facsimile: (903) 236-0035

 

Sources:

 

  1. Texas Motor Vehicle Crash Facts (txdot.gov)
  2. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.601.htm#601.051
  3. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/SDocs/CIVILPRACTICEANDREMEDIESCODE.pdf