Car Crashes
Dealing with the aftermath of a car collision is often a complicated and stressful experience. Understanding your rights, the intricacies of liability, and obtaining the compensation you deserve is a daunting task. This is where a seasoned car accident lawyers becomes invaluable. At Perkins & Perkins, we bring years of experience to the table to help you secure the justice and compensation you deserve.
Car Crash Lawyers in Corpus Christi
Careless drivers, distracted drivers, and drunk drivers can seriously injure others they collide with on the road. The injuries sustained may range from minor bruises to loss of limb or life, and not just impact your health but also your livelihood. As a result of your injuries, you could be entitled to several types of compensation, including past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and lost wages, among others.
In the aftermath of car accidents, victims and their families often find themselves burdened with substantial medical expenses and having to deal with uncooperative, and sometimes even deceitful, insurance companies. Regrettably, many families are pressured into forfeiting their rights or settling for inadequate compensation. This underscores the critical importance of consulting with a personal injury attorney immediately following an accident.
Free Consultation With Perkins & Perkins
When choosing an attorney, it is important to choose one with knowledge and experience. Perkins & Perkins has a proven track record of representing plaintiffs in a variety of personal injury cases. Our abilities are demonstrated by an $18,111,232.00 verdict we secured in 2022, which was recognized as the largest construction injury verdict in Texas, that year.
Perkins & Perkins offers free consultations and operates on a contingency fee basis for injury cases. This means that you pay nothing unless we recover damages for you. With our proven knowledge and experience, we stand ready to help you. Contact us today for a consultation to discuss your options and take the first step in claiming justice for a loved one.
What To Do After a Car Crash: Automobile Accident Attorney in Corpus Christi
Immediate Actions Post-Crash
If you or a loved one was in a car crash, it is crucial to know that your immediate actions can significantly impact any potential claim. Here is what you should do:
- Ensure Safety and Health: First and foremost, ensure that everyone at the scene is safe and that emergency services are called. Attend to anyone in need of urgent medical care.
- Contact Law Enforcement: A police report will be a vital piece of evidence in any claim. Make sure to provide accurate information to the responding officers.
- Document the Scene: If possible, take photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damages, and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if there are no visible injuries, it is essential to get a medical check-up to rule out any internal injuries or delayed symptoms.
Proving Negligence after a Car Crash
In order to prove the other driver was negligent, you must prove four elements:
- Duty of Care: The first element is to show that the defendant owed a legal duty of care to the plaintiff. This duty of care varies depending on the circumstances and the relationship between the parties. For example, drivers owe a duty of care to other motorists and pedestrians on the road not to speed or drive while intoxicated.
- Proving Duty of Care: This can often be established through common sense, statutes, regulations, or previous court decisions that define the standards of care applicable to the situation.
- Breach of Duty: The second element is to demonstrate that the defendant breached (violated) the duty of care owed to the plaintiff. A breach occurs when the defendant fails to exercise the level of care that a reasonable person would have exercised in similar circumstances. For example driving through a red light.
- Proving Breach of Duty: This is usually determined by examining the actions (or inaction) of the defendant and comparing them to what a reasonable person would have done. Expert testimony or industry standards can sometimes be used to establish what constitutes reasonable care.
- Causation: The third element is causation, which consists of two parts:
- Cause in Fact: It must be shown that the defendant’s breach of duty was the actual cause of the harm suffered by the plaintiff. In other words, if it weren’t for the defendant’s actions or negligence, the harm would not have occurred.
- Proximate Cause: Also known as legal cause, this part of causation concerns the foreseeability of the harm. The harm suffered must be a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the defendant’s actions or negligence.
- Proving Causation: This often involves analyzing the sequence of events leading to the harm and sometimes requires expert testimony to establish a link between the defendant’s actions and the plaintiff’s injuries.
- Damages: The fourth element of negligence is that the plaintiff must have suffered actual damages. Damages can include physical injuries, emotional distress, property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses directly resulting from the defendant’s negligence.
- Proving Damages: This is typically demonstrated through medical records, bills, testimony from the plaintiff and other witnesses, and sometimes expert testimony to assess the extent of the harm and associated losses.
To successfully prove a negligence claim, all four elements (duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages) must be established by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning it is more likely than not that the defendant’s negligence caused the plaintiff’s harm. Gathering evidence like police reports, witness testimonies, accident scene photographs, and expert opinions helps build a strong case.
PERSONAL INJURY & CRIMINAL DEFENSE
Perkins and Perkins Law is a personal injury and criminal defense law firm based in Corpus Christi, Texas ready to help you and your family. We possess the experience, skill, and resources to effectively manage any case.
CONTACT US FOR A FREE CASE REVIEW
(361) 853-2120
Common Car Crash Questions
1. How much does it cost to hire a car accident attorney?
At Perkins & Perkins, we never charge our clients any upfront costs and represent them in their car accident case on a contingency fee basis. This means, we get a percentage of your case recovery if we settle or win your case at trial. This arrangement allows our clients to challenge large corporations and access superior legal representation regardless of their financial circumstances.
2. Is there a difference between a police report and crash report?
A crash report and a police report are often used interchangeably, but actually refer to two different documents. At Perkins & Perkins, we always try to obtain both the crash report and a police report (if created) when investigating your case. The key differences are:
- Crash Report: A report specifically focused on the details of a motor vehicle accident. It may include information such as the location, time, and circumstances of the crash, diagrams of the accident scene, vehicle and driver information, and statements from involved parties.
- Police Report: A more detailed and broad report generated by law enforcement officers that may include various incidents beyond just traffic accidents. A police report can cover crimes, accidents, disturbances, or other incidents requiring police intervention. It usually includes details such as the officer’s observations, statements from witnesses, descriptions of injuries or property damage, and any actions taken by law enforcement.
- Crash Report: A report specifically focused on the details of a motor vehicle accident. It may include information such as the location, time, and circumstances of the crash, diagrams of the accident scene, vehicle and driver information, and statements from involved parties.
3. What if there is no police report or crash report?
At the Perkins & Perkins law firm, our lawyers will collect evidence, interview witnesses, and hire experts to reconstruct how your crash occurred so we can effectively present it to a jury, with or without a police or crash report.
4. Do I still have a case if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes, you may still have a case even if you were partially at fault for the accident. As long as you can demonstrate that the other party was also negligent and their actions contributed significantly to the accident, you may still be entitled to recover damages for your injuries and losses through a personal injury claim. If there is possibility you may partially be at fault, but want to see if you still have a case, call Perkins and Perkins now for a free consultation.
5. Can I file a claim if I don’t have liability insurance?
In Texas, whether you have liability insurance or not, if another party is primarily responsible for the accident, you can file a claim against them to seek compensation for your injuries and damages. If you have questions about liability, call the trial attorneys at Perkins and Perkins for a free consultation. We are on standby to help you understand your rights in a car crash, 24/7.
6. If the crash was a hit and run, do I still have a case?
Perkins and Perkins has significant experience representing victims involved in hit-and-run accidents. We conduct extensive investigations to locate hit and run drivers, and also actively pursue UM/ UIM (Uninsured/ Underinsured Motorist) claims when the responsible party lacks adequate insurance coverage or cannot be found. This allows us to successfully secure compensation for our clients even in hit-and-run accidents.
7. What if the damage to my vehicle is minor?
Every accident, no matter how minor, is worth something. At Perkins and Perkins, we have a reputation of turning even the smallest of car crashes into cases worth tens of thousands of dollars.
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At Perkins & Perkins, our unwavering commitment to professionalism, civility, and transparent communication enables us to deliver exceptional service to our clients. Whether handling personal injury or criminal defense cases, our firm prioritizes integrity and excellence, ensuring that every client receives the highest standard of legal representation.
