Corpus Christi Auto Accident FAQs

It’s important to understand that personal injury attorneys are specialized practitioners whose experience with personal injury law makes them uniquely qualified to handle your case in Corpus Christi and get you the best possible settlement. The attorneys at Carabin Shaw are here for you, and we have the knowledge and experience necessary to answer all of your Corpus Christi auto accident FAQs.

Unlike other types of attorneys, personal injury lawyers have:

• Experience with trials and negotiations
• Established relationships with claims adjusters
• Knowledge of medical diagnoses and terminology associated with car wrecks

There are many factors to consider when choosing a personal injury attorney. A few Corpus Christi auto accident FAQs are as follows:

1. Location

• It’s crucial to choose a lawyer who practices in the state in which you were injured, since laws vary greatly from state to state. And in a state as large as Texas, it’s especially helpful to find an attorney located in your region. If your wreck occurred in Corpus Christi, it would be wise to choose a lawyer with experience regarding Corpus Christi car accidents.

2. Accreditation and Reputation

• Is this law firm a member of the Better Business Bureau? What do their online reviews say about them? You want a lawyer who has a positive reputation, so it’s important to do plenty of research.

3. Track Record

• This might seem like a no brainer, but you want a lawyer who wins cases.

4. Experience

• There’s no substitute for experience. You want a lawyer who has been handling cases similar to yours for years. Our legal team at Carabin Shaw has 100 years of combined legal experience, and we’ve been around since 1992.

5. Professionalism

• Does the law office answer calls promptly and politely? Is the firm’s website professional and organized? Is the staff friendly? Does the firm offer a no-cost consultation? If not, it’s best to search for another firm.

6. Availability and Transparency

• Are you able to speak with the lawyers who will be handling your case? If you are unable to speak with the lawyer you are thinking about hiring, that’s a red flag. Ask how often you will receive updates regarding your case. How easy is it to reach the staff members by phone or by email? A good law firm answers calls 24 hours a day and replies to emails promptly.

Keeping these factors in mind, it’s also wise to meet with your top candidates face to face, if possible. It’s important to choose a lawyer with whom you feel comfortable and whom you can trust with your case.

It depends. If no one was injured, the answer is probably no. However, this doesn’t entirely rule out the possibility that you need a lawyer, because each car accident’s circumstances are unique. Consequently, there are many variables that must be taken into consideration before deciding for or against seeking legal counsel after an automobile wreck.

If you were injured in the wreck, consulting a lawyer is a must, especially if the injury is serious (resulting in broken bones, hospitalization, or permanent bodily harm). When determining the severity of injuries, it is important to factor in the type of injury, the length of recovery time, and the projected cost of medical bills.

We strongly advise you to consult a lawyer if:

• The wreck involved pedestrians
• The wreck resulted in a fatality
• The wreck caused you to miss significant amounts of work and have consequently lost wages
• The police report fails to accurately describe the accident
• You have no insurance
• Liability is not clear or is split between the involved parties / the police report does not state who is at fault
• You are unsure how to evaluate your claim
• You have been offered a structured settlement
• You are unsure how to negotiate your own settlement or simply don’t want to negotiate with the insurance companies on your own
• The injured party is a minor

• STAY PUT and remain calm. Don’t drive away from the scene! You might have sustained an injury, even if you feel fine.
• Assess the situation. Was anyone hurt? If so, call 911. Is there significant damage to any of the vehicles? If so, call the police. You might want to call the police even if the accident was minor so as to create an official police report of the accident. This official report can be important when obtaining a fair settlement.
• IF AND ONLY IF it is possible to safely do so, take photographs of both cars before moving them. Get shots from all sides, shots of the road and weather conditions, and shots of reference points (street signs and traffic lights). If there are skid marks on the road, photograph them alongside the cars.
• If the cars are still operational, move them off the road and onto the shoulder. IF NOT, secure the scene by setting up reflective triangles and turning on emergency flashers.
• Take photos of participants. Make sure to get pictures of the at-fault driver and his passengers. This will help you later when you are trying to distinguish between the driver and the witnesses, and will help you to remember who said what – and bolster you against false statements in case the other driver claims to not have been involved.
• DO NOT SAY that the crash was your fault, even if you think it was. Do not say, “I’m fine,” or “I’m all right” (instead, you can say, “I don’t believe I need medical attention at this time.”) Don’t sign documents (unless they are given to you by the police or your insurance company).
• Take notes, writing down everything you remember about the events of the wreck.
• Consider contacting an attorney. Our Corpus Christi telephones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us at 361.444.1111.

The first and most important thing is to NEVER drive away after an auto accident. Even if the wreck was minor, you could have unknowingly sustained injuries. Because car accidents cause the body to produce adrenaline, you might feel fine in the immediate aftermath of the wreck and not feel pain symptoms right away.

Similarly, concussion symptoms do not always show up immediately. The best course of action is to seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you sustained visible injuries after your wreck, such as bruises, cuts, or scrapes, you need to document these injuries through photographs. Finally, after you have documented visible injuries and visited a medical professional, make sure you keep your follow up appointments and continue to document your symptoms.

Call 361.444.1111 with any questions you have after in addition to these Corpus Christi Auto Accident FAQs. You initial consultation is free .