What can You be Sued for in an Auto Accident?

You’ve been in an auto accident in San Antonio. You’ve begun the claims process, had the damage to your car inspected, and are confident things will be back to normal quickly. Months go by, then one day you receive a notice in the mail. You’re being sued by the other party. What should you do?

If you’re received notice from a lawyer that you’re being sued after an auto accident, you want to know what you can be sued for in an auto accident, what’s going to happen, and how to respond. This requires an understanding of how negligence laws work in Texas. An experienced attorney representing your own side will have the requisite knowledge to evaluate the circumstances of an accident, but not everyone has access to that kind of legal assistance.

The law offices of Carabin Shaw believe everyone should have an experienced attorney in their corner to bridge the gap. We understand the panic legal problems can stir up. That’s why we have assembled a team of some of the best lawyers in Texas.

The first thing to understand about Texas negligence laws is our state works under what is known as comparative negligence liability rules. What this means is that each party in an accident may be assigned a percentage of negligence contributing to the accident. Any individual who has not contributed 51% or higher to a car wreck may be entitled to compensation for their damages and injuries. It’s important to note, however, that what they collect will be diminished by their percentage of negligence.

For example, if someone is deemed to be 20% at fault for an accident in San Antonio, they are entitled to receive payment, but it will be 20% less than the value of their costs.

Establishing who is at fault is a key element when determining what you can be sued for in an auto accident. In many situations, such as in a rear-end collision, who is at fault is not difficult to assess. However, there are a few occasions when liability in an auto accident is not as certain. This can be especially true when multiple vehicles are involved.

There are also myriad issues to consider when determining fault. Weather, road conditions, and obstructions to line of sight are just a few of the factors that play into an auto accident investigation.

If you are determined to be at fault for an accident in San Antonio, then you should immediately contact your insurance company. The best place to start is with the person who handled your original claim. In many cases, your insurance policy will be able to cover any money to pay to the other party. Before you agree to any amount, however, you should make sure to get the guidance of an attorney.

Regardless of what you believe about your San Antonio auto accident, it’s never a good idea to proceed without your own attorney. The process of a lawsuit requires a knowledge of legal procedures and the law, and if you are not skilled or only have a general understanding of these matters, you could put yourself in a more difficult situation than is necessary.

If you’ve been injured in an accident in San Antonio and or are being sued as the result of one, the lawyers at Carabin Shaw area ready to help you. Your first visit with one of our attorneys is free of charge and we never collect any fees until we win your case.

To schedule an appointment for a free consultation with a San Antonio accident lawyer today, call 210-222-2288 or toll-free at 800-862-1260.