If you have been in a car accident in Baytown, you might be wondering about your rights and responsibilities after getting into a car accident in Texas. If you plan to go to court or file a lawsuit, you also need to know about these rules because they can drastically change your case and the settlement and compensation you can get. Or talk to a Baytown car accident lawyer who knows the rules and laws surrounding your claim. Focus on your recovery. We’ll handle the rest.
Reporting a Car Accident in Texas
You might be wondering if you have to report every single car accident case in Texas. The answer is not necessarily. You may not have to report a car accident unless there were injuries or death. You also have to report the accident if one of the cars was so badly damaged that it cannot be driven away from the scene.
However, it’s recommended you report the car accident even if there are no injuries and even if there is no extensive damage to the car. This is because you need a police report if you plan to file a car insurance claim. You also need a report if you plan to file a lawsuit or take the case to court.
Having a report will also help if you happen to have any injuries or need to seek medical care after the accident. If you don’t report the accident, you might get stuck paying all the medical bills yourself.
The same is for your car repairs. If you don’t report the accident and end up having issues with your car, later on, you won’t be able to reference the car accident later. This means you will get stuck paying all the car repairs on your own.
Car Accident Statute of Limitations
There is a two-year statute of limitations on Texas car accidents. The exact deadline can vary depending on several factors. For example, if your injuries weren’t diagnosed until months after the accident occurred, your statute of limitations clock may not start until that diagnosis date.
In most cases though, you only have two years to file the lawsuit from the time you got into the car accident.
Comparative Negligence
Comparative negligence means the state assigns percentage blames when it comes to determining who is liable for car accidents. You could be found 10% responsible for the accident or 40% responsible for the accident.
If you are found at fault, you will receive less of a settlement and less compensation. If you are found to be 50% at fault or more, you won’t receive any compensation for the car accident. This is because Texas is a modified comparative fault state.
Get Ahold of an Auto Accident Attorney
If you are looking to partner with a Baytown car accident lawyer, Estes Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers is here for you. Call us at 281-238-5400. You can also fill out the online contact form. We have experienced multilingual attorneys that are ready to help you and get you the compensation you deserve.