Who is the best auto accident lawyer in Houston TX?
Auto Accident Lawyer Houston, TX
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
- Following an accident, you should go to a safe space if you are able to do so without further putting yourself or others in danger.
- Do not leave the scene of the accident.
- Get the contact information of the person who hit you, even if you do not believe you were injured and did not suffer damage to your vehicle. This will be important in the event that you experience pain later on and you are diagnosed with a serious injury.
- Take pictures of the accident scene. If you are unable to do so, have someone else do it for you.
- Call the police and get a copy of the report.
- Take down the names of any witnesses.
- Write down your account of what happened.
- Gather all medical information that is relevant to your accident. You will need to prove that your injuries were related to the accident. Be sure that you have copies of medical treatment records and costs.
- If the insurance company of the at-fault party offers you a settlement, consider working with an auto accident lawyer in Houston, TX from John K. Zaid & Associates. We can help ensure that you are not taken advantage of or accept an offer that is not in your best interest.
- Take pictures of the injuries you sustained.
- Make sure that you notify your insurance company of the accident and provide them with any details they require.
Covering Medical Costs in Car Accident Cases
In a motor vehicle accident case, coverage of your medical bills depends on where your accident took place (i.e. a “no fault” state or not), as an auto accident lawyer Houston, TX relies on can explain. No fault insurance or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) means the insurance company will pay some or all of your medical bills, regardless of who is at fault. In some “no fault” states, there is a limit to how much you car insurance company will pay. This limit differs from state to state, but is generally $10,000 or less.
After your medical bills exceed this $10,000 limit, however, you are responsible for paying for them. If you have health insurance, Medicare, or a state run health insurance through Medicaid, those entities will pay your medical bills. If you do not have health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, then you are responsible for working out payment arrangements with your health care providers.
If you get into a car accident in a state that does not offer no fault or PIP insurance, generally you are responsible for paying your medical bills, as an auto accident lawyer in Houston, TX can attest. However, some drivers in these states have medical payment insurance coverage (also known as “med pay”). “Med pay” coverage will pay the medical bills of drivers or passengers involved in a car accident with the insured, up to the insured’s “med pay” policy limits, which are generally less than $10,000. After your bills exceed the “med pay” policy limits, you will be responsible for paying them. “Med pay” coverage is not always required, so, if neither you, nor the person at fault, have “med pay” coverage, you are responsible for paying the bills.
In the event of an accident that results in personal injury or monetary losses, it is helpful to hire a personal injury/car accident attorney. These attorneys can make the process very simple for you. An accident attorney –especially a personal injury attorney- can help you go up against big auto insurance companies and their lawyers. Your Houston auto accident lawyer already knows the personal injury laws and procedural rules and can effectively handle all the legwork for you. He or she will act as your advocate throughout the entire case.
Since an insurance company’s lawyers have the knowledge to reduce compensation and even deny the claim altogether, hiring an accident attorney is the best option for people who:
- Have suffered severe injuries.
- Are faced with expensive medical bills.
- Have experienced a significant loss of wages due to their injuries.
You should seek a professional if any of the following apply to you:
- Severe injuries
- Generally, the severity is measured by the type of injury/injuries you’ve sustained, the length of time it takes for you to recover, and the cost of medical bills you’ve incurred
- Long-term or permanently disabling injuries
- Proving long-term and permanently disabling injuries can be tricky business, and your personal injury attorney probably will consult with each medical professional you’ve seen. He or she even might request the presence of your medical professionals during any legal proceedings.
- Disputed liability
- The company states that the policyholder is not at fault (or is at least claiming you don’t have enough proof of fault) and, therefore, the insurance company is not responsible for paying for your damages. An accident attorney will help you provide this proof and show that the other party was indeed at fault.
- Refusal to pay
- An insurance company outright won’t make a fair settlement offer—or any offer at all.
Contact an auto accident lawyer in Houston, TX to ensure proper representation and compensation!
