Odessa Car Accident Lawyer

How Can an Odessa Car Accident Lawyer Help?

Being involved in a car accident can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what steps to take next. If you’ve been injured, you may be facing mounting medical bills, lost wages from missed work, and pressure from the insurance company to settle quickly.

That’s where we come in. Our Odessa car accident lawyers are here to guide you through the legal process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. We understand the challenges you’re facing and are committed to helping you every step of the way.

Here’s how Thompson Law can assist:

• Connect you with trusted medical care providers, if needed
• Notify the insurance company about your injury and intent to file a claim
• Handle all communication with insurance adjusters on your behalf
• Gather and organize your medical bills and other damages
• Draft a demand letter designed to maximize your recovery, leveraging our knowledge of what similar cases are worth in court
• Negotiate a fair settlement that reflects the full extent of your losses
• If necessary, represent you in court to fight for the justice you deserve

With our Odessa car accident lawyers by your side, you can focus on healing while we handle the complexities of your case. We’re dedicated to protecting your best interests and will work tirelessly to get your life back on track. Call now for a FREE CONSULTATION.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Odessa, TX

Knowing what to do after a car accident is critical to your safety and physical health, as well as protecting your finances and legal rights. After an auto accident, be sure to take these important steps:

1. Protect Your Safety. If you are physically able and your car is drivable, move to a safe spot off the roadway. If your car cannot be moved, turn on the hazard lights as a signal to other drivers that an accident has occurred, and move yourself and other passengers off the road. If you are injured and unable to move, at least try to turn on your hazard lights.
2. Dial 911. The police can protect your physical safety by setting up flares and diverting traffic. They can also call an ambulance, if needed, and create an Odessa crash report that will be an official record of the accident. Be honest in your assessment of the accident but do not accept blame or provide a written or verbal statement to the other driver’s insurance company.
3. Get a Medical Check-Up. Even if you do not feel injured, it is best to get checked out by a doctor, as many car accident injuries present in a delayed fashion. If you are injured, seeing a doctor will serve as the first step in establishing your damages are related to the accident.
4. Take Pictures. Take photos or videos of the accident scene showing the damage to all vehicles involved. Photograph the other parties’ license plates, drivers license, and insurance information. If you have any visible injuries, photograph them, as well. The information you collect will serve as the basis for you injury claim.
5. Look for Witnesses. Witnesses to the accident may include other drivers around you who witnessed the accident, people with dash cameras that might have captured video footage, or cameras at nearby businesses.
6. Document Everything. We suggest keeping a folder that includes receipts for all expenses related to the accident, such as repair costs or estimates, medical bills, lost wages, etc.
7. Call Our Odessa Car Accident Lawyers. Call us for a free consultation regarding your accident today. Time is of the essence in personal injury claims, as witnesses forget things, injuries health or get worse, and insurance companies will do everything they can to delay or deny claims.

If you follow the steps above, you will protect your right to full and fair compensation after an accident. Whether you live in Odessa, were visiting Odessa, or were simply driving through town when your accident occurred, our Ector County car accident lawyers can help.

DOs and DON’Ts After an Accident

What to Expect During Your Free Consultation

A free consultation gives you the chance to ask questions and understand your legal options without any pressure. Here’s how it usually works:

• The meeting takes about 30 to 60 minutes
• You must bring your documents, like the police report, medical bills, and photos
• You can also ask about compensation, timelines, and how our firm works
• If you want to move forward, then we’ll explain the next steps in detail

The meeting ends with you having the answers you need, and a clearer idea of your options.

If you’re ready to begin, contact our Odessa Falls car accident lawyers today for a FREE CASE REVIEW and get the clarity you need.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim?

The statute of limitations (SOL) in Texas states that most parties have 2 years after the date of an accident to file a lawsuit for a personal injury claim related to a car wreck. If you miss this deadline, generally you will have no recourse against the person who injured you. There are some exceptions to the SOL, but they are rarely accepted by the courts, so our Odessa car accident lawyers do not recommend waiting.

Exceptions to the Personal Injury Claims Statute of Limitations in Texas

How long do people have to file a claim under the exceptions listed below?

1. Minors:  2 years from the time you turn 18.
2. First-Party Insurance Claims: Depending on the contract you have with your own insurer, you typically have 2 to 4 years.
3. People of Unsound Mind:  2 years from the time their disability resolves.
4. Wrongful Death Claims:  2 years from the date of death.
5. Claims Against the Texas State Government:  6 months from the date of accident

Our car accident lawyers in Odessa, TX strongly encourage you not to wait to file a claim. These exceptions largely exist to protect vulnerable people or groups, and do not apply to the average personal injury claim.

What Happens if I Share Fault in Odessa for a Car Accident?

Odessa is under Texas, in which determining fault is not as straightforward as in some other states with different negligence laws, so it’s important to be familiar with the laws and regulations. Hiring a Odessa Falls car accident lawyer will ensure you are legally protected and get the compensation you deserve.

Texas follows what is known as a comparative fault law, which means that if more than one party is found to be at fault in an accident, the damages will be divided according to each party’s level of responsibility. This means that even if you are partially responsible for the accident, you can still recover damages from the other party if they contributed to the accident in any way. However, if you are responsible for more than 50% of the fault, you will not be entitled to any compensation.

Under Texas law, contributory negligence can affect your ability to recover damages in certain circumstances. Contributory negligence refers to any actions on your part that may have contributed to the accident, such as failing to wear a seatbelt or driving under the influence. If the other party can prove that you were partially responsible for the accident, your damages may be reduced or even denied.

Contact our Odessa car accident lawyers for a FREE CONSULTATION, even if you share some of the fault in a car accident because you may still be entitled to damages, such as pain and suffering.

Common Car Accident Injuries We See in Odessa

Some injuries like cuts, lacerations, broken bones, and airbag burns are obvious immediately after an accident, and are easy to diagnose and treat. Other car accident injuries are more difficult to detect, and the onset of pain is delayed. For example, injuries to the discs in your spinal column often do not hurt for days after an accident, until inflammation sets in and you now have pain radiating down your arm or leg. Some of the common accident injuries our Odessa car accident lawyers see every day include:

• Skin Injuries:  Cuts, scrapes, bruises, and burns are common and can sometimes leave lasting scars.
• Spinal Column Injuries:  Whiplash, herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and spinal cord damage can cause long-term pain or paralysis.
• Joint Injuries:  Shoulders, knees, hips, and wrists often take the brunt of impact and may require therapy or surgery.
• Internal Injuries:  The most common type of internal injury is a traumatic brain injury (TBI), such as concussions. Additionally, organ damage such as to the liver or spleen, may not be obvious right away but can be life-threatening.
• Wrongful Death:  If you lost a loved one, you may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim as a spouse, child, or parent of the deceased.

It is important to be aware of common car accident injuries so you know what to expect when listening to your body after an accident. Early diagnosis and treatment will help you make a faster and more complete recovery, and help resolve your claim more quickly. Contact us for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Odessa Car Accident Statistics

The Odessa Police Department and State Highway Patrol reported 2,597 motor vehicle crashes in Odessa in 2021. In terms of severity, these accidents included:

• Fatal crashes:  28 fatal crashes which led to 29 fatally injured people
• Serious injury crashes: 65 crashes with 76 seriously injured people
• Minor injury crashes:  5441 crashes with 746 minorly injured people
• Possible injury crashes:  306 crashes with 513 possibly injured people
• No injury crashes:  2,496 crashes with 7,772 uninjured people
• Unknown severity crashes:  148 crashes with 442 people having no information related to injuries

Most Dangerous Places to Drive in Odessa, TX

There are a number of factors that can contribute to the danger level of an intersection or road. One is the amount of traffic that passes through. Heavily trafficked intersections and roadways are more likely to see auto accidents, simply because there are more opportunities for something to go wrong.

Another factor is the speed limit. The faster drivers are going, the less time they have to react to a potential hazard. Also, the layout of an intersection or road can be a factor. A four-way stop, for example, is typically safer than an intersection with stop signs only on two sides. Similarly, highways tend to be most dangerous near exit and entrance ramps, when slower traffic is merging into faster traffic.

Most Dangerous Intersections in Odessa, TX

In Odessa, many car accidents happen at busy intersections where heavy traffic, high speeds, and driver inattention all converge. These areas are especially hazardous during peak travel times and have become known for frequent collisions, both minor and severe. Whether it’s due to improper turns, failure to yield, or simply too many vehicles converging at once, these intersections demand extra caution from drivers.

Some of the most dangerous intersections in Odessa where most auto collisions occur are:

• East 8th Street and FM 1882 (County Road West)
• East 8th Street and North Grandview Avenue
• East University Boulevard and North Grandview Avenue
• East University Boulevard and North Dixie Boulevard
• East University Boulevard and US 385 (Andrews Highway / Grant Avenue)
• SH 191 (42nd Street) and US 385 (Andrews Highway / Grant Avenue)
• West University Boulevard and FM 1882 (County Road West)
• West University Boulevard and North Grant Avenue
• Eastridge Road and Faudree Road

Most Dangerous Roadways in Odessa, TX

A large share of serious car accidents in Odessa happen on just a handful of major roads. These routes carry heavy traffic throughout the day, often mixing local drivers with commercial vehicles and out-of-town traffic. High speeds, frequent intersections, and congested areas all contribute to the risk. Drivers should stay especially alert when traveling along the following roads:

• I-20 (Interstate 20)
• SH 191 (42nd Street)
• I-20 BL (2nd Street)
• US 385 (Andrews Highway / Grant Avenue)
• Spur 450 (Kermit Highway)
• FM 2020 (University Boulevard)
• FM 1882 (County Road West)
• John Ben Sheppard Parkway
• East 8th Street

Knowing the most dangerous roadways can help you avoid a car accident in Odessa by taking a few extra minutes to plan your route, ensuring a safer and lower stress drive. Call for your FREE CONSULTATION.