There are a lot of variables to consider when calculating compensation
Injury expenses can add up fast after a serious car accident in Dallas. Whether it’s ambulance fees to transport someone with a concussion from a rear-end accident on I-30 to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas or the cost of repairing a vehicle damaged in a speeding accident on I-45 in Dallas, car accident expenses can easily end up costing injury victims thousands of dollars or significantly more.
Add in all the other normal bills, and it can be nearly impossible to keep up, especially if someone can’t work for weeks or longer after a serious accident. That’s why injury victims need to make sure they get all the money they rightfully deserve for their injury-related expenses.
In Texas, the at-fault party is responsible for compensating injury victims for their accident-related expenses. This is due to the state’s at-fault car insurance system. But what happens if the at-fault driver’s insurance company makes a lowball settlement offer that doesn’t cover all your expenses? Can you ask for more money? The short answer – yes. And here’s how the process works.
What is the average car accident settlement?
The financial impact of a serious car accident can vary widely depending on a wide range of factors. In general, these factors include:
- Injury severity – The more serious the car accident injury, the higher the medical costs are in most cases.
- Length of recovery – The more time someone needs to recover from an injury, the more expenses can add up.
- Ability to work – If an injury victim cannot work after a car accident, they may not have money coming in to replace their lost income.
To put such numbers in perspective, one study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that every fatal car accident costs families at least $1.4 million during their lifetimes. This is why it’s important to get the maximum financial compensation for a serious car accident.
Who decides how much my accident is worth?
Once a Dallas police officer or Texas Highway Patrol state trooper has investigated your accident and filled out their official Texas car accident report, the insurance companies for all the drivers involved in the crash often have the most to say about how much an accident is worth.
But instead of considering all accident-related expenses – including future ones – many insurance companies only take into account short-term expenses.
Can I ask for more money for my car accident?
Yes. If an insurance company or anyone else responsible for compensating you for your crash makes a lowball settlement offer, you can and should ask for more money. This might sound simple. But convincing the at-fault driver’s insurance company to pay you more money for your accident can be difficult.
Be prepared for the insurance company for the other driver to come up with all sorts of excuses as to why they can’t pay you more.
What are my options if they refuse to offer me more money?
If the insurance company refuses to increase their settlement offer or negotiates in bad faith, you have several options available to you in Texas. Your lawyer can make another effort to get the insurance company to return to the negotiating table. But sometimes, the best way to get the money you need and deserve is to take legal action.
Filing a car accident lawsuit in Dallas can be a complicated process. First, you need to decide where you want to file your lawsuit – in Dallas County District Court or another location. You have several choices depending on the circumstances of your accident, but you only have a limited amount of time to take legal action.
In Texas, the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is 2 years from the date of the accident, according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Title 2 § 16.033. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations.
The car accident lawsuit process in Dallas can be confusing. One mistake could jeopardize the outcome of your case.
Talk to a Dallas car accident lawyer about your options
Our highly skilled legal team can help you every step of the way. We have experience handling complicated car accident claims in Dallas County and throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We understand how the Texas car accident compensation system works, and we have the case results to prove it.
Don’t miss your opportunity for justice. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced Dallas car accident attorney.
