Pasadena Car Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a car accident in the Pasadena area and someone else is at fault, turn to a car accident lawyer from Fleming Law to help you seek the compensation you need to get your life back on track.
For more than 30 years, Fleming Law has advocated for the interests of injury victims in Pasadena and throughout Texas. When you choose our firm to represent you, you can expect to work directly with the attorney handling your case, not to be passed off to a junior associate or staffer. We will take the time to review the facts of your case carefully and get to know you personally so we can develop a case strategy tailored to your unique needs.
Our legal team has 100-plus years of combined legal experience and attorneys with board certifications from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. You can rest assured that we have the knowledge and skill to handle even the most complex accident claims with compassion and an unstoppable drive for excellent results.
Contact Fleming Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation to speak with a Pasadena car accident lawyer about recovering compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Pasadena, TX?
Pasadena sees thousands of motor vehicle accidents annually. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Pasadena had 3,549 crashes in one recent year. That number includes 14 fatalities, 82 severe injuries, and 751 possible injuries.
Many of these accidents occurred due to driver negligence or recklessness. Some of the most common causes of crashes include:
- Speeding
- Tailgating or following too closely for conditions
- Reckless driving
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Unsafe or illegal lane changes and turns
- Not using turn signals or mirrors
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Driving under the influence
- Driving the wrong way on a one-way street
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Backing up without looking
- Driver inexperience
- Mechanical failures from manufacturing defects or poor maintenance
- Poor visibility from low lighting or heavy precipitation
- Poor road conditions, including potholes, roadway debris, and missing signs
What Injuries Occur from a Car Accident?
A car accident can lead to a wide range of injuries, such as:
- Whiplash
- Nerve damage
- Bulging or herniated spinal discs
- Dislocated joints
- Ligament sprains or tears
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, or tears
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
- Facial scarring or disfigurement
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Burns, including road rash
- Hearing or vision loss
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Traumatic amputation or limb loss
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Pasadena?
After getting hurt in a car accident in Pasadena, you can take certain steps to protect your health and your right to pursue compensation for your injuries. These steps include the following:
- Documenting the accident by taking photos or videos of the scene, including vehicle damage, skid marks on the road, debris, traffic control signals, and visible injuries you’ve suffered
- Exchanging insurance information with any other drivers involved in the accident
- Reporting the accident to law enforcement and requesting a copy of the police crash report
- Seeking immediate medical attention for any injuries you might have suffered in the accident
- Following your doctor’s treatment recommendations and documenting your recovery progress by starting a “pain journal”
- Notifying your auto insurance provider about the accident per your policy requirements
- Keeping all bills, invoices, and receipts of expenses you incur as a result of the accident, including car repair invoices and medical bills
- Gathering pay stubs or bank statements to document your lost income if you have to miss work or accept part-time or light-duty jobs while recovering from your injuries
- Contacting a Pasadena car accident lawyer at Fleming Law to learn more about your legal options and discuss the next steps for your case
How Do I Prove Who Is At Fault for the Car Accident?
Proving fault in a car accident case requires extensive evidence. A knowledgeable Pasadena car accident lawyer can help you identify, preserve, and present the following types of evidence to prove your claim:
- Police accident reports
- Accident scene photos and videos
- Eyewitness statements
- Video footage from traffic cameras or dashcams
- Vehicle event data recorder (“black box”) logs
- Driver cell phone records
- Driver alcohol or drug test results
- Post-accident vehicle inspection reports
- Car maintenance records
- Accident reconstruction reports
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Car Accident Lawsuit?
With a successful car accident lawsuit, you could recover compensation for the following types of personal and financial losses:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation expenses, including the costs of hospital care, surgeries, pain management, prescriptions, and physical or occupational therapy
- Costs of long-term care and support for permanent impairments resulting from your injuries
- Loss of income due to missed work or reduced earnings while on part-time or light-duty work
- Loss of future earning capacity and benefits if you become permanently disabled from work
- Pain and suffering, including reduced quality of life due to disabilities, visible scarring, or permanent disfigurement
- Car repair expenses, including alternative transportation costs and reimbursement for the value of your vehicle if it is a total loss
What Happens If I Am Partially At Fault for the Accident?
If you bear partial blame for a car accident in Pasadena, you could still have the right to claim compensation from another at-fault party. Under Texas’s comparative negligence law, you can still pursue a car accident claim if your share of responsibility for the accident is 50 percent or less. However, the amount of money you can get for your injury claim will be reduced in proportion to your share of fault.
For example, let’s say you bear 25 percent responsibility for a car accident that left you with $100,000 in losses. In that case, the court might reduce your recovery by $25,000 to reflect your share of the fault. Because Texas’ comparative negligence rule could reduce or eliminate your right to financial recovery, you should work with an experienced Pasadena car accident lawyer from Fleming Law. Our team can fight to hold the at-fault parties responsible for the crash and maximize your compensation.
How Does the Insurance Claims Process Work?
The insurance claims process begins when you file a claim with an insurance company. Filing a claim with an insurer typically involves submitting the claim through the insurance company’s mobile app or website or calling the insurer’s claims hotline.
Once you’ve submitted an insurance claim or demand letter, the insurance company will assign an adjuster to investigate the accident and determine your eligibility for coverage. If the insurance company denies your claim or offers you less compensation than you deserve, you can request reconsideration of your claim through the insurer’s internal appeals process.
A car accident lawyer can submit a demand letter to the insurer on your behalf. A demand letter details the evidence supporting your claim and documents the losses you’ve demanded compensation for. The demand letter usually begins the settlement negotiation process with an insurer. Your attorney and the insurance company might exchange settlement offers until both sides reach a mutually acceptable compensation figure.
Parties sometimes pursue alternative dispute resolution through mediation or arbitration if they cannot agree. If you cannot resolve your claim with the insurance company, you might need to file a lawsuit to seek compensation in court.
What If the Other Driver Has No Insurance?
If you were hurt in a car accident involving a driver who didn’t have liability insurance, you could still have options for recovering compensation for your losses, which could include:
- Collision coverage – This type of optional coverage will pay for the costs of repairing accident damage to your vehicle or reimburse you for the value of your car if the insurance company deems it a total loss. If you leased your car or have an outstanding auto loan balance, you likely have collision coverage.
- Uninsured motorist coverage – If you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, your auto insurance provider can provide the coverage the at-fault driver should have had. Insurers must offer UM coverage to Texas policyholders, though customers can decline the coverage in writing. An attorney can help you read through your insurance policy to determine whether you have this type of coverage.
- Health insurance – Depending on your health insurance policy terms, you might be able to obtain coverage for your crash-related medical expenses from your health insurance provider. Most health insurance policies require you to exhaust other sources of coverage before they kick in to cover your remaining costs.
- Personal injury lawsuit – You can also sue the at-fault driver and attempt to recover compensation from their assets. However, drivers who don’t purchase liability insurance coverage often cannot afford to pay out judgments from a lawsuit.
A Pasadena car accident lawyer can help you evaluate your situation and determine the best course of action for your injury case.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing My Car Accident Claim?
Under Texas law, you usually have two years to file a lawsuit after getting hurt in a car crash. If you file a car accident lawsuit after the two-year deadline, you risk having your case dismissed by the court.
You have even less time to act with a car accident claim against the Texas state government, a state agency, or a local government entity. The Texas Tort Claims Act requires you to provide written notice of your claim to the appropriate government department within six months of the accident. Failing to provide timely notice of your claim to the government could result in waiving your right to seek compensation.
Because of the strict deadlines associated with filing a car accident claim in Pasadena, you should contact a car accident lawyer from Fleming Law as soon as possible after a wreck. Your lawyer can help you to prepare a timely, error-free claim to ensure you don’t lose money to preventable mistakes.
How Can a Pasadena Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Filing a car accident claim is a complex, time-consuming process. You might not have the time or energy to manage your claim when you’re focused on healing from your injuries. Let a Pasadena car accident lawyer from Fleming Law handle the details of preparing and pursuing your claim, including:
- Thoroughly investigating the crash to recover evidence that shows other parties’ liability for the accident and your right to compensation
- Identifying all liable parties, such as another driver that hit your car or the manufacturer of a defective auto part that contributed to the accident
- Calculating your past, ongoing, and future losses to determine what fair compensation looks like
- Evaluating your legal options and determining which insurance policies apply to your situation
- Preparing and filing insurance claims or demand letters on your behalf to begin pursuing compensation from insurance companies or at-fault parties
- Communicating with insurance adjusters and defense lawyers on your behalf to protect your interests and aggressively negotiate for a settlement that provides the resources you need
- Taking your claim to trial and representing you in court if the insurance company or at-fault party denies responsibility or refuses to agree to a fair settlement
Contact a Pasadena, TX Car Accident Lawyer
If you have suffered injuries in a car crash in Pasadena, get the legal representation you need to stand up to the insurance companies and demand fair compensation for your losses. Contact Fleming Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation to see how our Pasadena car accident lawyers can make a difference in your case. Let us fight to help you pursue the financial recovery and accountability you deserve.
