How Long Will My Car Accident Case Take?
When a car crash occurs, injured people and their families often have one pressing question: how long will it take for them to get the compensation they deserve? Resolving a claim as quickly as possible is important because injuries can lead to significant complications, such as mounting medical bills and a general disruption of the person’s normal routine. Unfortunately, each case is unique and determining the length of time an individual’s car accident claim will take is difficult. Still, our firm, a Dallas car accident law firm, work hard to resolve our clients’ injury claims quickly so that they can move on with their lives.
The Time Limit for Filing My Claim
Most lawsuits have a deadline by which the claim must be filed, and personal injury claims resulting from car accidents are no different. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003 sets this deadline, known as the statute of limitations, at two years. This means that you must file your car accident claim in court within two years from the date of your wreck. If you fail to file a claim within this timeframe, you risk losing your right to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver.
An experienced Dallas car crash lawyer can help to relieve your post-accident stress by handling all of the necessary paperwork and ensuring that your claim is filed within the two-year time limit.
How Dallas Attorneys Can Help Speed Up My Claim
Though the exact length of your claims process is unpredictable, the attorneys at our firm, a Dallas car accident law firm, can help you speed things up in a variety of ways. Injured people and their families often have no experience in matters of personal injury law, but attorneys who are well-versed in these processes can reduce wait times and prevent errors in paperwork.
The Importance of a Local Lawyer
A major way that Dallas lawyers near you can speed up your car accident case is by having a strong familiarity with the local court system. For example, our attorneys at our firm, a Dallas car accident law firm, have worked with some of the same opposing attorneys, in many of the same courtrooms, and under the auspices of the same local judges, like the ones in your case. This means that we often know the preferences of different judges, the tendencies of local juries, and ways to negotiate more productively with opposing counsel.
Gathering Evidence in My Claim
Another way that attorneys can help you reduce the amount of time you have to wait for compensation is by gathering evidence of your injuries and of the other driver’s fault. Even if you are in the same car as the at-fault driver, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §72 allows you to recover compensation from them under certain circumstances. Regardless of the details of your accident, it is best to consult with skilled attorneys in Dallas who can help you get the most out of your claim. Some of the kinds of evidence used in these cases include:
- Photos of the accident scene
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- The police crash report
- Footage from surveillance or traffic cameras
- Testimony from accident reconstructionists
Other forms of evidence may relate to your damages, such as bills or receipts. It is necessary to gather all of your relevant expenses, especially for medical services, because you are limited recovering the exact amount you spend or were charged for those items, according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §41.0105.
Negotiating with Counsel
In many situations, your claim may not go to trial at all. Pretrial negotiations are often the first attempt to reconcile the accident and get you the compensation you deserve. However, it is important to remember that you should never accept a check or settlement offer without first seeking counsel from experienced Dallas car crash lawyers. Opposing attorneys and insurance companies for the at-fault driver often “low-ball” the initial offer in order to pay as little as possible. Without consulting with our firm, a Dallas car accident law firm, , you may miss out on the true value of your case.
Get a FREE Consultation with our firm, a Dallas car accident law firm,
If you are injured in a car accident, do not try to handle the case by yourself. Often, this can lead to either a long, protracted process or a quick settlement for far less than the true compensation you are owed. Instead, look to the knowledgeable and compassionate attorneys at our firm, a Dallas car accident law firm, for assistance.
We know that injured people are often in dire financial straits after a serious car crash, so we offer you a FREE consultation to discuss how we can assist you. Plus, we do not collect a fee unless we win your case for you and your family.
To schedule a meeting with skilled attorneys who can handle your claim, simply fill out the form on our contact page or call us today at (469) 998-4069.