At our Texas injury law firm, we often hear from people who have been involved in car accidents and who are very worried. They worry that their actions may have made them partly at fault for the collision. They blame themselves and are concerned that they may not be entitled to any compensation because of their actions.
If you have been in a car accident in Dallas or the surrounding areas, and you’re worried about what to do, talk with an attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can give you solid advice based on your situation and help you avoid common pitfalls.
To start with, don’t assume you’re at fault for the accident. Car crashes happen in a split second, drivers are full of adrenaline at the scene, and they rarely have all the information necessary.
For example, do you know if many other accidents have happened in the same spot? Do you recall whether all of the road signs were intact? Do you know what the other driver was doing as they drove down the road? Are you sure that your actions were a contributing factor, even if you were adjusting the radio at the time or talking to your kids in the backseat?
Don’t assume that you were to blame and, especially, don’t tell the other driver or the other driver’s insurance company that you feel the blame was on you. Don’t jump to conclusions. Talk with an attorney first.
The law on car accidents is different in each state. In Texas, even if you were partly at fault for a car accident, the law does not prevent you from collecting compensation for your injuries.
Our state is a “comparative fault” jurisdiction. That means that a driver who is at least 50% responsible for the accident has to take responsibility. If you were less than 50% responsible, the other driver is considered to be responsible.
However, the amount of compensation you recover will generally be reduced by your own liability. If you are found to be partly at fault, you may recover less. For example, if another driver runs a stop sign and crashes into you, the other driver is at fault. But if you were found to be speeding, your recovery may be less as a result.
If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident in Dallas or the surrounding areas, contact our office to schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney. You can reach us by phone at 877-Ted-Lyon / 877-833-5966 or send us a message. It’s important to reach out, even if you believe that you were partly responsible for the accident.
Our law firm handles personal injury cases on contingency, which means that you do not need to pay upfront for a lawyer. Home or hospital visits are available by request.
