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Reckless Driving and Accidents in Corpus Christi

It will only take the act of one reckless driver to change how you live your life. Residents of Corpus Christi know how tough traffic can be. Throw in just one reckless driver into the mix and what you get is havoc. If you get into a car accident in Corpus Christi, keep in mind that the legal clock will begin ticking at the moment of impact. This time counts down to your allowable limit to begin a civil lawsuit. For your protection, make sure to get in touch with a Corpus Christi car accident attorney if you ever figure out a car accident that caused serious injuries or fatality.

Reckless Driving and Accidents in Corpus Christi
Dangerous Driving While Writing Sms Text Message

Defining Reckless Driving in Texas

According to the Texas transportation code, reckless driving refers to the act of operating a motor vehicle with deliberate disregard for safety of other motorists and pedestrians, and personal property. Depending on the severity of the harm caused by reckless driving, it may be considered a misdemeanor and/or a felony.

Reckless driving may include the following:

  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Drunk driving
  • Purposely tailgating
  • Running stop signs and red lights
  • Failure to yield

Keep in mind that the above examples are just part of a long list of acts that are considered reckless driving. What is known for sure is that when a driver fails or neglects to obey road rules, he/she puts everyone within proximity in danger. If you or someone you know has been through a traumatic vehicle accident that caused a severe injury, call a Corpus Christi lawyer who specializes in reckless driving. With criminal charges in place, the offender could be punished. Although the conviction is justified, it will not compensate you for damages. Keep in mind that an injured individual will have to face expenses such as medical expenses, lost income, and financial stress.

You might feel that you are on your own during this low period, but you could actually turn to legal assistance for much-needed help and advice. A Corpus Christi lawyer who specializes in car accidents can ensure that your legal right to compensation is protected. Although financial awards are not 100% guaranteed, they are still worth pursuing especially if you have suffered from physical and emotional injuries as a result of another person’s willful negligence.

Are There High Incidences of Reckless Driving in Corpus Christi?

Corpus Christi is unfortunately known for bad traffic. It has ranked No. 8 among U.S. cities for worst traffic congestion. Local residents can attest to this. They know how nerve-wracking it can be to sit still for long periods of time waiting for traffic to ease up. Some people become annoyed and others angry. However, this is not a reason or an excuse to make reckless decisions.

Reckless drivers tend to fail to watch out for stopped traffic and they like changing lanes to find a faster route. They take their chances while disregarding the well-being of other commuters. This often leads to catastrophic results, such as a sideswipe, a rollover, or a rear-end collision.

It is important that drivers in Corpus Christi operate their vehicles responsibly. Remember that your driver’s license is not a right but a privilege. Although a criminal court could effectively revoke an erring driver’s license, it will not compensate you for your financial losses.

If you happened to encounter a reckless driver who caused you or someone you know serious injury, get in touch with a Corpus Christi law firm specializing in car accident cases right away. A trained lawyer has the experience and legal skills to help you with your case so you can make a physical and mental recovery. Think about this carefully because it could be one of the biggest decisions you can make for yourself.

Common Car Accident Injuries in Corpus Christi

Just one single action from a reckless driver can cause these injuries:

-Neck and Back Injuries

If severe damage occurs in the tissues found in the neck or in the discs of the spine, physical mobility may become difficult.

-Internal Injuries

Internal injuries can lead to internal bleeding and/or organ damage that, if left untreated, could become fatal.

-Broken Bones

The type, location, and severity of the fracture will determine how long the recovery process is, along with the type/s of treatments and therapies that need to be used.

-Burns

If the victim suffers from burns, he/she may require specialized treatment at a center for an extended period of time.

-Spinal Cord Injury

Serious spinal cord injuries could result in complete loss of mobility or paralysis. This could necessitate the use of special appliances such as power chairs and require home modifications as well.

-Brain Injury

An injury to the brain can disrupt its normal function and could even lead to permanent brain damage.

Any of these injuries can severely affect the quality of your life and cause disruptions you do not need. You may no longer be able to enjoy the type of activities you are used to and will likely lose precious time postponing what you love. If the injury is catastrophic, it can even result in obscenely high costs over a lifetime – and it’s all because someone was negligent while driving. What’s worse is that you may be forced to pay straight out of your own pocket for the costs associated with your injuries that were caused by someone else’s recklessness. In all likelihood, negligence-caused injuries are preventable had the erring driver simply acted responsibly. You really should not be paying for expenses that should be someone else’s responsibility because of their poor choices.

Of course, the pain and suffering you will have to endure due to the injuries caused by a vehicular accident is unfair and troublesome. That is why we recommend that you work with a Corpus Christi lawyer specializing in car accidents to ensure that you can claim compensation.

What to Do If You Find Yourself Involved in a Vehicular Accident

Gather Evidence.

If you have a smartphone or a camera, you can use either one to document the incident. The images you capture can help support your claims of reckless driving. You can also use your phone to capture the names and numbers of potential witnesses to help you with your case. Your lawyer may want to talk to your witnesses later to obtain more information about the incident.

If you are tempted to post an image and some caption on social media, don’t. It may seem like a good way to keep family and friends informed but even a well-meaning post could be misinterpreted and jeopardize your case. In a worst-case scenario, your insurance company may even place the blame on you!

What you should secure are your medical information and official police reports about the incident. These will help provide important information that your legal team can use. To make sure that your case is built for compensation, your legal team must act quickly. This is why being able to provide them with the necessary information quickly is important for your case. When they have the documents they need, they can get to work immediately.

Do not ignore the smallest pieces of information. You must share what you know with your lawyer because the tiniest evidence can mean a significant difference for your case. Work closely with your lawyer so you can build a case that is solid enough to ensure full compensation to you.

What Types of Compensation Can You Expect?

The cost of medical treatment can quickly skyrocket because of the treatments and medications that might be needed for injuries sustained due to a vehicular accident. However, the cost of medical treatment is just one reason why you should file a civil claim.

If you were injured, you may not be able to return to work (at least immediately). Your social life may also be affected and social interactions with friends and co-workers may no longer be the same. On top of that, consider your loss of income.

During your recovery period, you may experience stress and anxiety that can be serious enough to require treatment. That small moment when a reckless driver made the wrong move and collided with your car can change your life. A driver who was willing enough to drive recklessly and disobey the rules of the highway must be willing to own up to his/her careless actions as well. This type of behavior must be coupled with accountability and must be the foundation of a claim for just compensation.

If you work with a Corpus Christi personal injury lawyer, you can be assured that he/she will work to obtain the best possible and fair outcome on your behalf. This will include medical costs and lost wages. Your lawyer knows the kind of negative impact a terrible accident can have to your health, career, relationships, and finances.

The best possible outcome can only be obtained, however, if you retain a legal professional right away. This will allow him/her to work within the soonest time possible to make sure you receive just compensation. Getting a victim compensated can be a daunting task and quite difficult. This is true especially for victims who have no idea how the legal process works. With support from a Corpus Christi legal firm, you will have the information and help you will need.

Insurance Companies Want You to Settle Fast… But Why?

In a difficult situation, you may feel like you should act quickly. This may mean that you will accept a settlement being offered to you. This can be problematic. The settlement may be tempting but it may not be the best compensation for you.

A stressful situation can make it difficult to think about the future. Your Corpus Christi vehicular accident attorney knows exactly how overwhelmed victims feel. They may also fail to comprehend the legal terms and the repercussions of the offer made by the insurance company. It is likely that the victim may be taken advantage of.

If you are approached with an offer by an insurance adjuster and you feel pressured to accept, consider retaining a lawyer first. If you do not have proper legal guidance, you may not have the right information to help you decide. It is also likely that the offer may not protect your interests. Keep in mind that an insurance company is a business and will work to protect itself. If you are on your own, you may agree to a settlement that will require you to waive your rights to further settlement claims. Once you accept the offer, you effectively revoke any further claims. This will prevent you from pursuing further claims even if these are necessary. As a result, you may not have enough compensation to pay for proper medical care.

The whole point of pursuing a claim is not just to ensure that you are compensated for your troubles but also to make the reckless driver accountable. By filing a civil case, you can make this possible and receive full compensation for all your injuries.

Reckless Driving Can Be Fatal

Reckless driving has taken lives before, and it will be no different with one simple wrong move by a negligent driver. There really are no excuses when it comes to reckless driving and holding the erring driver responsible for his/her actions is your responsibility to ensure that someone’s death was not in vain. This is where a trained and experienced lawyer will be able to help you.

Losing someone because of someone’s reckless actions can never be compensated by money. However, receiving financial support at a time when you are stressed, and grieving can help ease out the difficulties of what you are going through. With a settlement for wrongful death, you can expect coverage for these damages:

-Medical Expenses. The final medical expenses provided for the treatment of the victim to the very last will be paid for.

-Cost of Funeral and Burial. The cost of funerals and burials can go up to several thousand dollars in many cases. With compensation, these will be covered as well.

-Loss of Income. Damages will also pay for lost income earned by the victim.

-Future Income. Any earnings and monetary contributions that the victim could have provided if he/she had survived will also be paid for.

There are also other damages that may qualify, including loss of companionship and loss of inheritance. The type of case you have will determine the type of compensation you may receive, whether it’s to cover for economic or non-economic damages. Each reckless driving case is unique, which is why no one can guarantee compensation. Whatever the outcome of one case may be different to another even if they are similar.

If you work with a wrongful death lawyer, he/she can identify the merits of your case to see if you can pursue a wrongful death case and claim. The relationship between you and the victim will determine if you can file a case or not. The types of relationships that qualify include parents, children, and spouses.

In most cases, your Corpus Christi legal professional specializing in wrongful death will offer you a case evaluation for free. You will be treated with respect and compassion because you deserve as much during a very difficult time. An experienced lawyer who has worked with families going through a sudden loss knows what to do.

In truth, you do not have to face an aggressive insurance adjuster on your own. If you are not comfortable with their offer or want to know if it is enough, tell them to talk to your lawyer. You can then focus on your current situation to ensure your recovery.

Protecting Your Interests

During your free consultation, you will be able to come away with the right information you need so you can move forward. Your Corpus Christi attorney can negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company on your behalf. However, note that it takes a lot of skills and years of experience in the field to ensure that a client receives the best possible outcome. This is why you need to hire the right lawyer for your case.

Another thing you should remember is the statute of limitations that covers car accidents in Corpus Christi, which is two years. This is the reason why you and your lawyer need to work fast.

If you choose to go it alone and negotiate without a lawyer, you will be kept from the opportunity to earn an income for your care and daily expenses. In general, insurance companies have the upper hand when it comes to negotiations made by victims without legal representation.

Working with a Corpus Christi attorney specializing in car accidents, you can be assured that your case will meet all the requirements of the court.

Why You Should Retain a Corpus Christi Attorney

Hiring a lawyer may be the best thing you can ever do to obtain fair compensation. A lawyer can deal with insurance companies aggressively to ensure that your case is settled with the best outcome. There is no need to fight for your cause alone. Take the first step now and get in touch with a reckless driving legal firm to help you determine which course of action is best for you and your loved ones.