Negotiating a Settlement in a San Antonio Auto Accident Case

Many people are reluctant to file a personal injury lawsuit after an auto accident for fear of legal expenses or social stigmas surrounding the litigation process. This makes initial settlement offers appealing, as the client can resolve their issue quickly even if the compensation doesn’t cover all losses. The legal process doesn’t have to be this way, and injured victims in San Antonio who hire a lawyer to negotiate a settlement maximize their compensation and limit financial losses after a car wreck.

People seeking maximized compensation and an expedited legal process should contact the San Antonio law firm, Carabin Shaw. Our team has decades of experience in personal injury law, and we know how to ease the legal process. Our client reviews show our compassion and transparency, and we offer our services on a contingency-fee-basis, which means you don’t have to worry about initial legal fees. Contact our office for a free consultation by calling our toll-free number at 800-862-1260. We have English- AND Spanish-speaking staff ready to take your call 24/7.

In an auto accident, there may be more than one at-fault party. According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, the court may hold all liable parties proportionately responsible for damages. Circumstances where there may be more than one liable party include:

• Multi-vehicle crashes
• Commercial vehicle accidents
• Accidents with borrowed vehicles
• Product liability cases (such as brake manufacturers)
• Construction zone accidents

An experienced attorney will help you to sue the correct parties. If a plaintiff is partially at fault for an accident, the court will still award compensation as long as their portion of the fault is not more than 50%. An attorney is instrumental in collecting evidence and proving another party’s fault.

Auto accident compensation in San Antonio, Texas is based on damages, which can be economic and noneconomic. Economic damages are those which come with a bill or receipt. They include:

• Medical bills
• Cost of medical devices
• Lost income
• Auto repairs
• Predicted future monetary costs of the injury

Noneconomic damages are more difficult to calculate. A San Antonio TX car accident attorney may base their numbers on previous cases, a multiple of the monetary losses, or a combination of detailed arguments and formulaic processes that accurately represent the unique facts of the case. Noneconomic damages include:

• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement
• Loss of consortium (relationship)
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disability
• Injury to reputation

In addition to economic and noneconomic damages, the court may award punitive damages to plaintiffs when it classifies the actions of the defendant as gross negligence.

A lawyer will rarely recommend that you accept an initial San Antonio auto accident settlement. Insurance companies and the legal team of the defendant will propose a less-than-fair settlement in an attempt to mitigate losses. The initial settlement offer is generally low, and a lawyer must negotiate to maximize compensation.

Depending on the severity of injuries and the cause of the auto accident, negotiation may or may not be successful. However, you and your attorney are likely to reach an agreement before going to trial. This may require mediation or arbitration with a neutral third party. If necessary, a good lawyer will take your case to court to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Trusting a legal team to represent you in your personal injury case is important to maximize your compensation. The personal injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw have decades of experience and access to legal resources that are unknown or unavailable to the average person. If you want a positive legal experience during your journey to personal injury compensation, call our office and hire the best attorneys in the Laredo area.

For more information:

• Statutes Capitol Texas
• Statutes Capitol Texas
• Cornell Law