Get The Representation You Need After A Jefferson County Car Accident

In the aftermath of a car accident, so much is going through your mind. Is everyone involved OK? How badly damaged are all vehicles involved? Do we need to get insurance involved? You may not immediately think about contacting a lawyer, but in many cases that is what at least one of the parties involved will have to do.

Car accidents often go beyond a simple traffic violation, especially if one of the parties suffers a personal injury. A skilled and experienced Texas car accident attorney is necessary if you have suffered an injury in a car wreck. If you are injured in an accident that occurs in Mid-County or southeast Texas and need representation, then call Branick & Devenzio at 409-403-1370. Attorney Trent Devenzio is experienced in a range of traffic accident cases, from car and motorcycle crashes to wrecks that involve large-scale trucks.

A Responsive And Caring Nederland Car Accident Attorney

Branick & Devenzio is a firm where clients feel they can always talk directly to their attorney, that they will be listened to, and they will have their questions answered. Led by Trent Devenzio, it is a very hands-on firm. Trent takes a personal interest in every case. Clients are not just a case number to him, but a member of the community, and helping them out is an opportunity for him to give back to the community.

Trent is an attorney who does not want to see his clients being forced to prove why they deserve compensation for an injury. Trent will be the one doing that fighting for you. He will work to:

• Relieve the burden of paperwork, phone calls, and other stressful case-related affairs
• Establish the value of a case and clearly lay out your options
• Inform you of your rights as you pursue a case
• Provide his guidance and counsel throughout the process

With Trent on your side, you will be fairly represented throughout your Texas car accident case. There will be no surprises or sudden changes because Trent communicates clearly and often. He knows he is representing members of his community in the courtroom, and he takes that very seriously.

What Are The Most Common Types Of Texas Car Accident Injuries?

After a crash, injuries may not always be immediately visible. Some show up hours or even days later. In Texas, the most common car accident injuries include:

• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries: Often caused by rear-end collisions, these injuries can lead to long-lasting neck and back pain.
• Head and brain injuries: Concussions or traumatic brain injuries may result from sudden impact or airbag deployment.
• Broken bones: Fractures in the arms, ribs or legs can take months to heal and often require surgery or physical therapy.
• Spinal cord injuries: These are among the most serious and can result in partial or total loss of mobility.
• Internal bleeding: A dangerous condition that may not show external signs but can be life-threatening without prompt treatment.
• Psychological trauma: Many people develop anxiety, sleep issues or fear of driving after serious crashes.

Getting proper treatment right away is also important for your auto accident claim. However, insurance companies often question delayed medical care, using it to argue that your injuries are less severe than claimed. As part of a critical step in strengthening your motor vehicle accident case, Trent helps ensure that no detail is overlooked.

How Do Injuries Impact The Amount You Are Compensated After A Car Accident?

In Texas, compensation largely depends on the severity of your injuries and how they affect your daily life. Serious or long-term injuries generally result in higher settlements because they involve greater medical costs, missed work and lasting pain.

When determining compensation, several factors are considered, including:

• Medical expenses: Includes emergency treatment, follow-up care, rehabilitation and medications
• Lost wages: Compensation for the income you lose while recovering.
• Future earning capacity: If your injuries limit your ability to return to your job or profession.
• Pain and suffering: Accounts for physical pain, emotional distress and reduced quality of life.
• Comparative fault: Texas’s modified comparative negligence rule means that if you are found partially at fault, your compensation may be reduced accordingly.

When Trent handles your motor vehicle accident claim, he focuses on accuracy and fairness to pursue the full car accident compensation you deserve.

What If The At-Fault Driver Doesn’t Have Texas Auto Insurance?

If the at-fault driver has no insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover your losses, you can opt for Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Texas law allows you to pursue compensation through uninsured/underinsured coverage, which is part of your own auto insurance policy.

UM/UIM is designed to protect you when the driver who caused your injuries cannot fully compensate you, or flees and cannot be identified. In Texas, this coverage is optional but highly recommended because it can save you from big losses.

Under Texas law, the UM/UIM coverage mirrors the minimum liability limits of:

• $30,000 per person for bodily injury
• $60,000 per accident for bodily injury if more than one person was injured
• $25,000 for property damage

While this coverage can be a financial lifeline, using it may not be as simple as insurance companies would make it sound. Once you file a claim, your insurer, just like the at-fault driver’s insurance company, may:

• Question the severity of your injuries
• Dispute over who caused the crash
• Dispute over delayed reporting
• Delay the claims process

Additionally, your insurance company does not increase your compensation even if you were not at fault. That is why, without an experienced car accident lawyer such as Mr. Trent, you may unknowingly accept far less than your claim is worth.

In Texas, Can You Sue If The Auto Accident Was Partially Your Fault?

Yes, you can sue the other driver even if you were partially at fault. Texas follows a legal standard known as proportionate responsibility, also known as the modified comparative fault or the 51% bar rule.

That means you may recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. However, your compensation is always reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if your fault is 20% and your compensation is $50,000, your full compensation is reduced by that 20%, which totals $40,000.

Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to shift blame to push you past this threshold since even small increases in assigned fault can make a significant difference in your compensation. For this reason, you need a strong personal injury lawyer for your claim.

Mr. Trent Devenzio is an experienced auto accident attorney who can help challenge unfair fault assessments and protect your rights.

FAQs About Texas Car Accidents You Need To Know

Feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about what steps to take after a car accident is natural. However, knowing that the law protects your rights is equally important. To help you understand the basics of your legal situation, we have gathered some of our clients’ most common questions about car accidents.

What is the No.1 cause of car crashes in Texas?

The Texas Department of Transportation’s recent findings indicate that speeding is the leading cause of car crashes in Texas. In fact, excessive speed not only increases the likelihood of accidents but also amplifies the severity of injuries when collisions occur. Other top contributing factors include:

• Distracted driving (especially texting while driving)
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Drunk driving
• Following too closely (tailgating)

As such, knowing the real cause of your Mid-County auto accident can make legal intervention smoother to some degree.

What can I do to protect my auto accident claim?

Here are steps to take when possible at the scene of the accident:

• Most important is to make sure that you and the other drivers involved in the accident are safe from further injury by removing themselves and or their vehicles to a safe place away from the road way.
• Next, get your phone out and turn on the video function. It is important to video the roadway where the collision occurred, the damage to the vehicles, the conversations with other drivers, witnesses, and police officers. You can also use the video function to document insurance information and driver’s license information provided by the other drivers.
• Upon request, provide your insurance information and driver’s license information to the other involved drivers.
• Before leaving the scene, make sure that the police officer has had an opportunity to understand your description of how the collision occurred.

The following are important actions that can protect your claim after you leave the scene of the accident:

• Acquire appropriate health care to treat injuries that occurred in the collision.
• Use your health insurance, Medicaid or Medicare to access the best health care possible for your injuries.
• Call and file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company. If you are planning to hire an attorney, do not give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company adjuster until your attorney is present.
• If you are unable to work due to your injuries, it is important to have medical documentation of your inability to work. Be sure and ask for this information from the doctor that takes you off of work.
• If you are missing time from work, keep track of the time that is missed.
• Consult with an attorney who is certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

What is the most dangerous road in Texas?

While many roads in the Jumbo state can be hazardous, Interstate 45 is consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous highways in the state. This interstate, which runs from Dallas through Houston to Galveston, has a high rate of fatal accidents per mile. A study by the Accident Data Center found that I-45 averaged 56.5 fatal accidents per 100 miles over an eight-year period. However, all highways, such as I-10 and Highway 69/96/287 in Beaumont and Port Arthur, have had their share of serious accidents.

How common are fatal car accidents in Jefferson County?

Unfortunately, Jefferson County has a higher rate of fatal crashes than the Lone Star State average. Per 100,000 people, Jefferson County experiences more fatal accidents compared to the overall state statistics. This sobering fact underscores the importance of being prepared for an accident.

Communicating with insurance companies after an accident can be stressful and confusing. Many people are surprised to learn that the at-fault driver’s insurance company may not readily pay their bills. It is important not to settle too quickly, as some injuries may take time to manifest fully. Reaching out to a car accident lawyer in Texas can increase your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.

Hire A Mid-County Car Accident Attorney Today

If you are thinking about hiring a lawyer to help you file a claim related to your car crash injuries, do not wait. The earlier you get your case to an attorney, the faster they can help you with taking your next steps forward. Schedule a consultation today by calling Branick & Devenzio at 409-403-1370 or complete a short intake form.