A sudden auto accident can have a devastating effect on you, your ability to do your job, your family’s emotional and financial security, and your entire quality of life. If you have been hurt because someone negligently violated the rules of the road, you are entitled to compensation for your losses, including your pain and suffering, past and future medical bills, and lost income. The Dobbs & Porter, PLLC has successfully represented clients injured in Texas car crashes since 1997. We have a board-certified Personal Injury Trial Law Specialist on-site, a title given to just a small percentage of personal injury attorneys practicing in Texas. Our lawyers are determined to manage your case professionally as we strive to deliver the best possible results. If you have been injured in a car, motorcycle, truck, ATV, boat or pedestrian-related collision, Dobbs & Porter, PLLC can help.
There are many different ways in which a traffic collision can occur. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the most common causes of car crashes in 2016 included:
Other top causes were driver distraction, cellphone use, texting while driving, fatigued driving, ignoring traffic signals and stop signs, and making various unsafe maneuvers that could qualify as reckless driving. Such violations of the rules of the road put everyone at risk. When a negligent or reckless driver causes a car, truck or motorcycle accident, we are eager to hold that person fully accountable.
One of the major requirements of any auto accident case is proving that a defendant was at fault by presenting evidence of a negligent act that caused the crash. This can be a complex undertaking. For assistance, Dobbs & Porter, PLLC often consults with knowledgeable and respected experts, such as forensics engineers, mechanics and collision reconstruction analysts, whose expertise helps us obtain the best results. We also consult with medical specialists, including trauma doctors, neurologists, chiropractors and rehabilitation specialists, to prove the extent of a client’s injuries. At trial, having these credible experts testify about the specifics of the wreck, what caused it, and the harms and losses helps the jury understand the plaintiff’s urgent need for a fair damage award.
If you have been in a traffic collision, your first thoughts should be for your own safety and that of your passengers. You must get the vehicle out of traffic to a safe spot on the side of the road. If your vehicle cannot be moved, you have to decide whether you are safe in the car, because secondary collisions from oncoming traffic can be devastating. You also need to call 911 to alert the police and request an ambulance.
Naturally, you need to tend to your own injuries and give your passengers first aid if needed, but the law also requires you to render reasonable aid to injured people in other vehicles. You cannot leave the scene of the accident; if there are injuries, sit tight and wait for the police and the EMTs to arrive. Get yourself checked out medically, even if you are unsure about whether you’ve been hurt. Adrenaline can mask pain, and you might experience symptoms, and even a life-threatening emergency, within hours.
There are also steps you can take to protect your legal rights. If your injuries do not prevent you from doing so, you should try to:
It is also vitally important to speak with an attorney immediately to ensure the preservation of crucial evidence and witness statements. Finally, the Texas statute of limitations places a two-year limit on your right to file a personal injury claim. Dobbs & Porter, PLLC is committed to the timely investigation and positive resolution of your claim.
If you have been hurt in an automobile accident, trust your claim to a firm who only handles injury matters. Call Dobbs & Porter, PLLC at 903-600-HURT(4878) or contact us online to schedule a free consultation at our Tyler office.