Car Accident FAQ

Dallas Car Accident FAQ

Do I Really Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

During difficult times, we’d like to be able to just trust our insurance company to do the right thing. Unfortunately, that’s not always what happens. The insurer may offer you less than you need and deserve. Once you accept their check, you can’t go back later because your expenses turned out to be higher.

Consider talking to a car accident lawyer if:

You or your loved one suffered serious injuries. Lawyers are trained to take the long view. And with experience, they understand how an injury today can continue to cause medical bills years in the future. They can also gather the medical records needed to prove the seriousness of your injury.
It’s not clear who or what caused the accident. Texas is an at-fault state. It’s important to know who was at fault so you can recover money for your injuries. Experienced Dallas car accident lawyers may also have some insights into other possible causes. They’ve handled a wide variety of cases before and may see similarities that could identify new contributing factors.
Your insurance company is giving you the run-around. Our experienced car accident attorneys work with insurance companies all the time. We may be able to cut through red tape – or file a court case – to get an insurer back to the table with a better offer.

Remember, personal injury lawyers offer a free initial consultation, so it costs you nothing to get a better understanding of your potential legal case. Call 877-833-5966 to talk to a car accident lawyer at Ted B. Lyon & Associates.

Can I Afford a Car Accident Lawyer?

A majority of personal injury attorneys accept cases with a contingency fee. That means you do not pay attorney’s fees until they recover money for you. You may be asked to pay other fees as your cases progresses. It depends on the firm and what your case needs. Ask the attorney about this during your free initial consultation.

Should I Talk with the Car Insurance Company?

Immediately contact your own car insurance company to report that you have been in an accident. This starts the claims process.
Stick to the facts you know. Don’t try to speculate about things you are unsure about. Don’t share opinions or assumptions. You could be wrong.
Be careful when talking to the other driver’s insurance company. You may want to talk to a lawyer first, especially if there were serious injuries or expensive property damage.

The Insurance Company Says My Injuries Aren’t Serious. What Can I Do?

One of the most important things to do, before considering a settlement offer, is to get complete and accurate medical information. It can take several weeks before the full extent of the victim’s injuries is known. That’s why our injury attorneys don’t rush to settle a case. We make sure that we have all of the facts before we allow settlement negotiations to proceed.

What Can I Do If the Insurance Company is Offering Me Too Little Money?

If you need to file an injury claim, be sure that you have a qualified Texas personal injury attorney beside you from the start. Many insurance companies are notoriously resistant to paying injury claims and will start with a low-ball offer.

With more than 50 years of experience, we have a good understanding of the value of a case. We’ll give you our honest opinion of that value and whether the insurance company is being reasonable. If they are not, Ted B. Lyon & Associates prepares every case as if it is going to trial. We’re ready to fight for you.

How Do I Pay My Bills if I Can’t Work?

The time after a serious accident, one of the biggest stresses is loss of income. Everyone’s situation will be different, but here are some potential sources of money to pay your bills while you wait for a settlement:

Use your existing health insurance plan to pay medical bills. You may have to pay deductibles and copays up front, but you will be reimbursed when you receive a settlement or verdict.
See if you qualify for Medicaid while you are unable to work.
The PIP coverage from your own auto insurance policy can pay medical bills.
You may be able to negotiate with creditors to temporarily defer payments until you receive a settlement.
You may be able to get a cash advance against your future settlement (pre-settlement funding).