When to Hire an Attorney After a Car Wreck in Odessa

In a state so varied in its geography and population distribution, it is no wonder that so many Texans use cars as their preferred mode of transportation. While car travel has numerous benefits, it also presents some uncomfortable risks. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), there was one reportable car crash per 59 seconds in 2017. One person was injured every 2 minutes and 4 seconds, and one person was killed every 2 hours and 21 minutes. That same year, there were 30 vehicles involved in fatal accidents in Odessa alone. In some of these cases, the assistance of a car accident attorney in Texas was necessary.

If you were in an Odessa car accident, the attorneys at Carabin Shaw can help build your case as you pursue a car wreck lawsuit.

Negligent vs. Reckless Driving

If you are wondering when to hire an attorney after a car wreck in Odessa, knowing more about the distinction between negligent and reckless driving may be helpful. While distracted, negligent drivers cause more car accidents, reckless driving is a critical—often deadly—factor in Odessa crashes.

Lawyers know that negligent driving is a civil traffic offense that occurs when a driver is careless. Unsafe lane changes, running a stoplight or a stop sign, failing to yield, and rear-ending another vehicle are all examples of negligent driving. By contrast, reckless driving occurs when a driving knowingly engages in behavior that is dangerous and against the law. Examples of reckless driving include speeding, racing another car, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If the court determines that a driver is guilty of negligence, he or she might have to compensate the injured party for property damages, medical expenses, and loss of income. If the driver was also reckless, he or she could owe general damages to compensate the injured party for pain and suffering in addition to the special damages listed above.

The Odessa auto accident attorneys of Carabin Shaw have a clear understanding of the law and how it can best serve you as you seek a car accident settlement.

Common Factors in Car Accidents

Though no two car accidents are the same, some common causes of car accidents include:

• Aggressive driving and road rage: According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, accidents involving aggressive driving and road rage injure or kill about 1,500 people per year in the United States. Aggressive driving can include rapid acceleration, tailgating, and cutting off other drivers.
• Alcohol and drug use:According to TxDOT, there were 23,760 alcohol-related car crashes in 2017 that resulted in either fatalities or injuries. The CDC reports that law officers arrested more than 1 million drivers in 2016 for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics; this figure is only around one percent of the 111 million self-reported incidents of alcohol-impaired driving among U.S. adults. The Odessa auto accident lawyers with Carabin Shaw understand how alcohol-related car crashes affect Texas, and they will advocate for your interests.
• Driving while using a cell phone: Today, cell phones are the most common cause of distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that distracted driving killed 3,450 people in 2016 alone. In 2015, 391,000 drivers were injured in distracted driving accidents.

Without an experienced lawyer to support you, getting to the bottom of what caused your accident can be challenging. If you are wondering when to hire an attorney after a car wreck in Odessa, call Carabin Shaw today.

Contact an Odessa Car Wreck Attorney Today

If you live in Odessa and are experiencing car accident pain, know that you may be entitled to compensation for economic losses, medical expenses, property damage, and pain and suffering. The Odessa auto accident lawyers with Carabin Shaw want to see you receive the tools you need to move forward in your life.

It is time to stop thinking about when to hire an attorney after a car wreck in Odessa. At Carabin Shaw, your initial consultation is free and our lawyers will not charge you unless we win your case.

For a car accident attorney in Odessa, call us toll-free at 800-862-1260.

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