Personal Injury Law: Auto Accidents
More than 100,000 people are injured each year in accidents involving 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, buses, and trucks. If you were injured in an accident, you have the right to seek fair compensation for your medical and rehabilitation expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, disability, and any other losses you have suffered. Canton, TX, personal injury lawyer Zachary S. Elliott will work hard to maximize your compensation.
Why Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
Minor fender benders with no injuries and little damage can sometimes be handled without an accident attorney. Keep in mind, however, that some injuries can take days or weeks to surface, and even seemingly minor damage can be expensive to repair. Have your car checked out and see a doctor before closing your claim.
In more serious accidents, legal representation is often the only way to ensure that your rights are protected. Here are a few areas in which a car accident lawyer can help:
Determining who is at fault: Texas, like many other states, follows comparative negligence laws. Very few car accidents are 100% the fault of one party or the other. Most of the time, both drivers did something, even if it was very minor, to contribute to the accident. This is expressed as the percentage at fault. In Texas, you are entitled to recover damages for any accident in which you were less than 51% at fault. The amount you are awarded is reduced by your at fault percentage.
This means that the other party and his or her insurance company and attorneys have a strong motivation to push your at fault percentage as high as possible. If they can reach that magical 51% mark, you cannot recover damages at all. Even below that number, the higher your at fault percentage, the less they have to pay.
Legal knowledge: While a car accident is a rare occurrence in the average person’s life, insurance companies deal with them every day. You are at a decided disadvantage when it comes to fully understanding the relevant laws, documentation requirements, and paperwork deadlines. We can help you navigate the complex legal system and ensure that you do not inadvertently forfeit any rights.
Insurance settlement offers: If the other party was obviously at fault, you are likely to receive a settlement offer from his or her insurance company. How do you know if it is fair and reasonable? You are likely in a heightened emotional state, overburdened with such practical matters as repairing or replacing your car, and possibly coping with physical injuries. It is tempting to accept a quick cash offer, but it needs to be weighed against such complex factors as possible loss of income and future medical bills. We have the expertise and the objectivity to help you decide whether to accept an offer.
Lawsuit Representation: While many auto accident cases are settled out of court, filing a lawsuit is sometimes the only way to receive the compensation you deserve. Or the other party might file a lawsuit against you. Either way, the court system can feel foreign and confusing. There are strict timelines to follow, motions to be filed, evidence to be presented, and arguments to be made. With extensive courtroom experience, we know how to advise you each step of the way. After a final judgment is received, we can help you enforce it.
Why Should I Hire You?
Personal injury attorney Zachary S. Elliott is a Van Zandt County native. He graduated from Grand Saline High School before going on to Dartmouth and earning his Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University. While attending law school, he had the opportunity to study international law in Lyon, France.
Mr. Elliott has extensive courtroom experience and is committed to finding the best legal resolution for every case. He will make every effort to settle your case out of court, but he has the expert knowledge to decide when proceeding to a courtroom trial is the best option.
If you are ready to move forward with a Canton attorney who is committed to getting you the compensation that you deserve, call us today at (903) 567-4515. You pay nothing unless we win.