Car accidents always happen when you least anticipate them. For the first few seconds, you are disillusioned. Then you begin to take stock of the situation. Texas, and the city of Houston, account for a high number of vehicle collisions in the USA.
The state recorded 12,107 serious injury crashes in 2020. Approximately 1,354 deaths occurred as a result of run-off-the-road crashes. Those statistics are alarming enough and ought to make you take notice.
Although you can never be ready for a car crash, what you can do is hire a Houston Car Accident Lawyer to fight for you when the need arises. They will help you receive fair compensation, negotiate with the insurance company, and file litigation on your behalf.
But what are the most common types of car accidents in Houston? What are the various claims available, and what is the statute of limitations? Read on to find out.
Types of car collisions
Rear-end
Rear-end crashes are the most common car accidents in Houston. They often occur because of distraction, tailgating, speeding, and random lane changing. They are dangerous because the head and neck are thrown forward and backward abruptly.
Head-on
Compared to others, they are the most dangerous types of accidents. The fatality rate is also high. A few reasons behind them are driving under the influence of alcohol, distracted driving, ignoring road signs, and turning incorrectly or without signaling.
Side-impact
A side impact is also known as a T-bone accident. These mainly occur in intersections in the city of Houston, where vehicles crash at right angles. These may lead to any kind of injury, from minor bone fractures, to brain and spinal injuries, depending upon the speed, size, and weight of the colliding vehicle.
They are often caused by excessive speeding, carelessness at intersections, ignoring traffic signals, and not driving according to the weather conditions.
Filing a claim
Texas is an at-fault state. This means that, to receive compensation, you will have to prove the negligence of the other party. That will require the expertise of an attorney or a lawyer. If your Houston car accident lawyer can prove that it was the other party who caused the accident, they will have to cover all your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and suffering.
However, you should also note that Texas is a modified comparative fault state. If you are responsible for the accident in any way, it will impact your total compensation. You won’t receive any damages if the other party can prove that you were at least 50% at fault.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit in Texas or Houston is two years from the date of the accident. If a case is not filed within that period, you will lose the right to claim compensation for your injuries. The court will most likely dismiss your case. The time frame can be extended if the victim is a minor or the defendant leaves Texas before the proceedings begin.
Whatever the type of crash, your Houston Car Accident Lawyer will help you receive fair compensation and see that justice is served. They will handle the documents, deal with the intricacies, file the right kind of claim and negotiate with the insurance companies.
