Who Is the Best Auto Accident Lawyer in Houston, TX?
When driving on Texas roads and highways, a duty of safe driving is owed to all other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. It is this duty that necessitates that one refrain from driving while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, prescription medications, and illicit substances. Driving while impaired, even if the reckless risk-taking does not actually cause harm to another person, is grounds for arrest and, upon conviction, fines, jail time, community service, license suspension, and the burdensome and costly installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) in one’s vehicle. Victims of drunk driving car accidents may be asking themselves, “Who is the best auto accident lawyer in Houston, TX?”
When impaired driving results in an accident in which personal injuries are suffered, those that have suffered harms may hold the impaired driver liable and seek financial damages for the consequences wrought. At John K. Zaid & Associates, we have helped countless numbers of drunk driving accident victims get the financial compensation they were entitled to for the injuries they sustained in the crash. If you have been injured in an alcohol-related accident, contact a Houston, TX car accident lawyer from our firm to discuss what legal options you may have.
Impaired Driving Is a Form of Negligence
There is a legal term for impaired driving: negligence. Negligence, the breach of a duty owed that actually and proximately caused damages, is what is known as a “tort.” In the context of auto accident injuries caused by an impaired driver, the duty is the above-mentioned duty of safe driving.
There are many ways to breach this duty (e.g. speeding, swerving, racing), but with regard to driving while under the influence of alcohol, the breach is first measured in terms of blood alcohol content (BAC). In Texas, it is unlawful to drive with a BAC above .08. It does not take very many drinks for such a measurement (typically obtained via breathalyzer at a DUI stop) to result. Often, even one or two within an hour will suffice.
With regard to prescription medications, the instructions on the label will clearly indicate whether it is safe to drive while the medication is active. If one disregards the state’s legal BAC limit, the label of a prescription, or drives while under the influence of illegal narcotics, the duty of safe driving has already been breached. When that breach and the impairment it produces results in a car accident in which the impaired driver causes others to suffer personal injuries, the elements of the tort of negligence are present.
Damages Available to Victims of Negligence
Victims of negligence may seek legal damages (money) for harms suffered. These damages include the cost of medical bills, vehicle repair or replacement, physical and emotional suffering, future medical treatment (including physical rehabilitation), lost income due to missed work, and the consequences of any short- or long-term disabilities incurred.
When You Are Unable to Cover the Costs of Your Medical Care
One reason to think about who is the best auto accident lawyer in Houston, TX is that not all firms are created equal. When you are seeking compensation, you want the best auto accident lawyer Houston, Texas has to offer, and only firms with the necessary skill and experience may be able to give you this peace of mind. Furthermore, establishing fault is not always straightforward or you may struggle to pay for your medical care while you wait for your case to be resolved; therefore, the best Houston, TX auto accident lawyer should be able to assist you in these situations.
Understanding Health Insurers and Liens
Perhaps you’re getting ready to file a personal injury case and have heard about liens. What is a lien? Can your health insurer file a lien against your case? While every individual circumstance will vary, it’s important you understand a few key facts about this topic. Due to its complexities, it is a good idea to discuss medical liens in further detail with the best auto accident lawyer in Houston,Texas.
Settlement Liens
When the plaintiff owes a debt to an entity or other third party, the court can place a lien on the desired settlement. This ensures the debt is paid before the plaintiff receives any of the money for his or herself. When it comes to health insurers, it’s possible yours paid for some of your medical costs while you were waiting for your case to be settled. Any other third party that paid for medical costs could also have liens placed on your settlement. This includes your healthcare provider, auto insurance company, Medicaid, and Medicare. The best auto accident lawyer in Houston, Texas can tell you if there are liens on your case and explain what you can expect from them.
Where They Are Documented
Some health insurance companies embed personal injury settlement liens right into their plans. This allows the injured party to receive medical attention when needed, while also providing a protection to the insurance company. To read up on your health insurance policy about settlement liens, you can contact your insurance company, your employer or the best auto accident lawyer in Houston, TX for assistance.
How Long a Settlement Takes
Settlements can last anywhere from months to several years. Your case will depend on proof of liability, damages to be recovered, defendant assets, and more. With all of these factors considered, it’s possible you will need a generous amount of medical care before the case is complete. After years of medical care in which your insurance company will pay for, it’s understandable your provider will want a pay back. That being said, the length of time it will take to payback the medical lien will largely depend on how fast your case will settle. This is another reason to consider when you are thinking about who is the best auto accident lawyer in Houston, TX.
What You Should Do
If you’re worried about paying for your injuries following an accident, don’t be put off from filing a personal injury claim with your insurance provider to receive financial help. Yes, you might get a lien put on your settlement, but your health is the most important thing to consider. Depending on the damages you receive, you may still collect for pain and suffering, lost wages and ongoing medical costs.
Contacting YourAuto Accident Lawyer
Being injured can cause a lot of stress by itself, but when you don’t have the finances to pay for your medical expenses, it can get worse. Allow your health insurer to step in and cover the cost, and don’t be overly concerned about the lien they’ll place on your settlement. It shouldn’t be any more than what they’ve covered, so it should all equal out in the end. Contact your Houston auto accident lawyer today for more information and to help you walk through the process.
Let a Car Accident Lawyer in Houston, TX Help
If you have been injured in a car accident, you want to know who is the best car accident lawyer in Houston, TX. Contact an experienced car accident lawyer from John K. Zaid & Associates to set up a free and confidential case evaluation and find out how we can help you get the financial compensation you deserve.
