San Antonio Car Accident Lawyer

Car Accident Injury in San Antonio, TX?

San Antonio Car Accident Lawyer with No Out-of-Pocket Costs

Were you or a family member injured in an auto accident and find yourself in need of a San Antonio car accident lawyer? Are you worried about how you will pay your mounting medical bills, the wages you are losing from missed work, or getting your vehicle repaired after a collision due to another person’s careless driving? Then you need experienced San Antonio car accident lawyers to fight for you.

The San Antonio car accident lawyers at Thompson Law obtained 15 of the top 50 settlements in Texas in 2021, and we can help you, too. Hiring an San Antonio auto accident lawyer for injury claims with extensive experience in motor vehicle wrecks will allow you to focus on healing from your injuries. Our San Antonio car accident lawyers offer FREE CASE REVIEWS and charge NO FEE unless we win.

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San Antonio Car Accident Statistics

In 2021, there were 38,461 total crashes in San Antonio that included:

  • Fatal crashes:  171 fatal crashes, leading to 182 fatalities
  • Serious injury crashes:  539 suspected serious crashes, leading to 626 suspected serious injuries
  • Minor injury crashes:  4,307 suspected minor crashes, leading to 5,555 suspected minor injuries
  • Possibly injury crashes:  6,263 possible injury crashes, leading to 10,311 possible injuries
  • Non-injury crashes:  24,580 non-injury crashes, leading to 67,272 non-injured vehicle occupants
  • Unknown severity crashes:  2,601 unknown severity crashes, leading to 11,563 individuals with unknown injuries

Bexar County Car Accidents Statistics

For all of Bexar County, there were 46,383 total crashes that included:

  • Fatal crashes:  222 fatal crashes, leading to 237 fatalities
  • Serious injury crashes:  713 suspected serious crashes, leading to 832 suspected serious injuries
  • Minor injury crashes:  5,049 suspected minor crashes, leading to 6,534 suspected minor injuries
  • Possibly injury crashes:  7,234 possible injury crashes, leading to 11,805 possible injuries
  • Non-injury crashes:  30,109 non-injury crashes, leading to 82,823 non-injured vehicle occupants
  • Unknown severity crashes:  3,056 unknown severity crashes, leading to 13,285 individuals with unknown injuries

Texas Car Accidents Statistics

For the entire state, there were 425,074 total crashes in Texas in 2021 that included:

  • Fatal crashes:  2,223 fatal crashes, leading to 2,395 fatalities
  • Serious injury crashes:  10,083 suspected serious crashes, leading to 11,994 suspected serious injuries
  • Minor injury crashes:  46,792 suspected minor crashes, leading to 62,890 suspected minor injuries
  • Possibly injury crashes:  72,312 possible injury crashes, leading to 113,823 possible injuries
  • Non-injury crashes:  274,053 non-injury crashes, leading to 842,270 non-injured vehicle occupants
  • Unknown severity crashes:  19,611 unknown severity crashes, leading to 85,178 individuals with unknown injuries

Source: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT); Texas Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics – 2021; Crashes and Injuries by Cities and Towns; Crashes and Injuries by County.

Leading Causes of Car Accidents in San Antonio

While San Antonio auto crashes happen for a variety of different reasons, TxDOT aggregates these causes at the county level for Texas.  Here are some of the main causes of car accidents and injuries for Bexar County / San Antonio (2021 data):

  1. Distracted Driving Accidents: 18,614 crashes (2,262 injury crashes, 56 fatal)
  2. Speeding Driver Accidents: 2,332 crashes (453 injury crashes, 40 fatal)
  3. Construction/Work Zone Accidents: 2,066 crashes (213 injury crashes, 10 fatalities)
  4. Drunk Driving (DWI/DUI) Accidents: 1,963 crashes (384 injury crashes, 57 fatal)

Most Common Contributing Factors to Car Accidents in San Antonio

The most common contributing factors to San Antonio car accidents reported by the San Antonio Police Department in 2021 are:

  1. Driver inattention was the cause of 16,232 crashes
  2. Failed to control speed was the cause of 4,516 crashes
  3. Followed too closely was the cause of 3,864 crashes
  4. Changed lane when unsafe was the cause of 3,243 crashes
  5. Faulty evasive action was the cause of 2,685 crashes
  6. Failed to drive in single lane was the cause of 1,983 crashes
  7. Failed to yield right of way when turning left was the cause of 1,909 crashes
  8. Backed without safety was the cause of 1,897 crashes

 

Leading Causes of Car Accidents in Texas

At the state level, TxDOT tracks motor vehicle accident data at a much more granular level. So, here is a comprehensive list of the main causes of auto collisions in Texas (2021 data):

  1. Moving Violations Accidents: 290,967 crashes (42,923 injury crashes, 1,955 fatal)
    • Backed Without Safety Accidents: 8,983 crashes (227 injury crashes, 6 fatal)
    • Changed Lane When Unsafe Accidents: 42,638 crashes (3,263 injury crashes, 89 fatal)
    • Disregard Stop and Go Signal Accidents: 21,881 crashes (4,459 injury crashes, 124 fatal)
    • Disregard Stop Sign or Light Accidents: 14,831 crashes (2,867 injury crashes, 98 fatal)
    • Failed to Drive in Single Lane: 45,743 crashes (6,780 injury crashes, 836 fatal)
    • Failure to Yield Right of Way: 94,754 crashes (15,706 injury crashes, 385 fatal)
    • Fatigued or Asleep Accidents: 8,848 crashes (1,910 injury crashes, 139 fatal)
    • Faulty Evasive Action Accidents: 21,460 crashes (3,824 injury crashes, 243 fatal)
    • Followed Too Closely Accidents: 20,724 crashes (2,222 injury crashes, 14 fatal)
    • Turned When Unsafe Accidents: 11,105 crashes (1,665 injury crashes, 61 fatal)
  2. Speed-Related Accidents: 163,969 cashes (23,191 injury crashes, 1,362 fatal)
    • Failed to Control Speed Accidents: 134,125 crashes (17,324 injury crashes, 554 fatal)
    • Speeding Accidents: 2,605 crashes (787 injury crashes, 320 fatal)
    • Unsafe Speed Accidents: 27,239 crashes (5,080 injury crashes, 488 fatal) 
  3. Distracted Driving Accidents: 98,896 crashes (14,174 injury crashes, 412 fatal)
    • Cell/Mobile Device Accidents: 3,655 crashes (707 injury crashes, 48 fatal)
    • Distraction in Vehicle Accidents: 12,536 crashes (2,020 injury crashes, 73 fatal)
    • Driver Inattention Accidents: 82,705 crashes (11,447 injury crashes, 291 fatal)
  4. Intoxication Accidents (DUI/DWI): 28,366 crashes (6,787 injury crashes, 1,236 fatal)
    • Had Been Drinking Accidents: 9,104 crashes (2,136 injury crashes, 212 fatal)
    • Taking Medication Accidents: 274 crashes (70 injury crashes, 12 fatal)
    • Under the Influence of Alcohol: 15,558 crashes (3,700 injury crashes, 662 fatal)
    • Under the Influence of Drugs Accidents: 3,430 crashes (881 injury crashes, 350 fatal)

Source: TxDOT; Texas Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics – 2021; Crash Contributing Factors.

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Most Dangerous Intersections and Roadways in San Antonio

Top 12 Most Treacherous Roads & Interstates in San Antonio, TX

San Antonio has two major loops that surround the city but the inner loop, Interstate Loop 410 holds the record for the most car accidents with 4,059, representing more than 8% of the city’s wrecks. There are more than 3,000 roadways in San Antonio that had at least one car wreck on them in 2021. The 12 roadways below lay claim to more than 500 vehicle accidents on each of them, all of them representing approximately 50% of all the city’s 2021 accidents.

It is interesting to note that all but two of the top 12 are major highways or interstates. One of those (ranked #9) is the 13-mile corridor of Culebra Rd going right through the city and a major hot spot for commuters and accidents with speeding being largely the issue over the years.

  1. Interstate Loop 410:  4,509 auto accidents
  2. Interstate 10:  3,415 auto accidents
  3. Interstate 35:  3,056 auto accidents
  4. State Highway Loop 1604:  2,258 auto accidents
  5. US Highway 281:  1,422 auto accidents
  6. State Highway Loop 13:  1,055 auto accidents
  7. US Highway 90:  951 auto accidents
  8. State Highway 151:  628 auto accidents
  9. Culebra Rd:  597 auto accidents
  10. Interstate 37:  594 auto accidents
  11. FM 2252:  518 auto accidents
  12. State Highway Spur 421:  510 auto accidents

Top 10 Most Dangerous Intersections in San Antonio, TX

With the multiple interchanges inside San Antonio including two major loops and three major interstates running east and west or north and south, it would make sense why historically most accidents occurred where these major highways intersect. However, over the last several years, San Antonio has undergone one of the largest roadway improvement projects in the city’s history and this has dramatically reduced the number of vehicle accidents that happened at all major interstate intersections just a few years ago by creating multiple overpasses to reduce congestion and risk.  However, San Antonio still has no shortage of vehicle accidents along major roads intersecting with each other, especially those intersecting with the city’s inner Loop 410.

  1. Loop 410 & Ingram Rd.:  140 auto accidents
  2. Loop 410 & Culebra Rd.:  89 auto accidents
  3. Loop 410 & Fredericksburg Rd.:  77 auto accidents
  4. Babcock Rd. & Huebner Rd.:  73 auto accidents
  5. Loop 410 & San Pedro Rd.:  73 auto accidents
  6. Loop 410 & McCullough Rd.:  72 auto accidents
  7. Loop 410 & Marbach Rd.:  69 auto accidents
  8. Military Hwy & Zarzamora:  65 auto accidents
  9. Nacogdoches & O’Connor Blvd.:  63 auto accidents
  10. Loop 410 & Babcock Rd.:  61 auto accidents

By population, San Antonio ranks as the 2nd largest city in Texas, larger than Dallas and Austin.  When you add the tourism component to this, with San Antonio being a top 10 destination in the United States, daily driving throughout city  is more risky and more dangerous than other major Texas cities.   In fact, the Alamo City held the record over Dallas for having more car accidents in 2021. If you live in San Antonio or are just visiting and find yourself in an accident by no fault of your own, call our San Antonio office today for a free consultation.

Most Dangerous Intersections in San Antonio TX- San Antonio car accident lawyers

What to Do After a Car Accident in San Antonio, TX

In 2021, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recorded 38,461 auto accidents in San Antonio and 46,383 in all of Bexar County. Obviously that’s a significant number of car accidents, dropping San Antonio to 138th on Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report. The average San Antonio resident goes only 8.2 years between accident claims compared to a national average of 10.6 years.

Given almost one-third of San Antonio auto collisions resulted in injuries in 2021, it is important to understand these 10 steps you should take after a car accident before even speaking with one of our San Antonio accident lawyers.

10 Things You Should Do After a Car Accident

  1. Remain at the Accident Scene: Do not drive away from any accident, even if it is a minor collision, or you could be cited for a hit-and-run accident (Texas Transportation Code § 550.022).
  2. Maximize Safety at the Scene: Put on your hazard lights, set up flares, and move to a safe location if your injuries allow you to do so.
  3. Call the Police: A police officer can help redirect traffic, take witness statements, assess blame for the cars colliding, prepare accident reports, and call for medical attention. Further, the police can help you understand how to get a San Antonio car accident report.
  4. Provide an Honest Statement: Be accurate describing how the wreck occurred without speculating. Accident injuries are often not felt immediately, due to adrenaline and delayed soft tissue swelling. Therefore, if asked about your injuries, it is preferable to say “I do not know”. If you say “No”, insurance companies will use your statement against you.
  5. Exchange Information: If a police officer is present, they will usually obtain this information. However, if a police officer does not or will not come to the scene (e.g., police typically will not come to accidents in a parking lot or on private property without severe injuries), be sure you exchange names, insurance information, and license plate numbers.
  6. Take Pictures: Take pictures of all vehicles involved in the accident, including their location(s) on the accident scene, property damage incurring, and identifying information, such as a license plate or vehicle identification number (VIN). Further, take photos or video of weather conditions, skid marks, and the location of debris from the accident in the roadway. Also, take pictures of the driver license and insurance card of the other party or parties involved. If the other party does not have a driver license, take a picture of them as proof they were driving the vehicle.
  7. Scan for Evidence: If your injuries allow for it, search the area around the accident for any witnesses or cameras which may have caught the accident on video, including dash cameras from nearby vehicles.
  8. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: A medical professional can check you out and possibly diagnose any injuries you may have sustained. Many injury accident victims ignore pain or stiffness when they have soft tissue injuries requiring medical attention. Even short delays in treatment open the window for the insurance companies to argue you were injured by something other than the accident and deny your bodily injury claim.
  9. Create a File: It is important to maintain an organized folder with information related to your car accident. The time it takes to settle an injury claim can vary widely, and thus it is important you know the location of your documents.
  10. Consult with Our San Antonio Car Accident Lawyers: Studies show personal injury cases handled by an attorney typically result in about 3 times more compensation to victims relative to those without legal representation. Call an attorney for accident claims at our office today.

DOs and DON’Ts After a Car Wreck in San Antonio

What-Should-I-Do-After-a-Car-Accident-Dos-and-Donts

 

What Will a Car Wreck Lawyer Do for You?

If you are injured in a car wreck, you should speak to a San Antonio car accident lawyer today to ensure your rights are protected. Our San Antonio personal injury lawyers can fight the insurance companies for you. Do not let an insurance adjuster take advantage of you when you are injured!

Our San Antonio car accident lawyers offer FREE CONSULTATIONS 24 hours a day, 7 days a week no matter where you live in Bexar County. We handle all automobile and other personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means accident victims do not have to pay anything unless our San Antonio car wreck lawyers recover money for their injuries.

Our San Antonio car accident lawyers will take care of every facet of your claim, including:

  • Holding the responsible party or parties liable for your injuries
  • Obtaining and processing supporting documentation for your claim
  • Gathering all relevant medical records
  • Proving up damages from your injuries
  • Calculating your claim’s value
  • Filing your claim with the insurer(s)
  • Acting as the primary point of contact with adjusters
  • Negotiating your claim to the top offer
  • Filing a lawsuit if a settlement offer is too low because a claim is misevaluated

How to Choose the Best Auto Accident Lawyer in San Antonio

The outcome of your case can be dramatically improved by selecting a San Antonio car accident lawyer with significant trial experience and specialization in personal injury law. Thus, here are some tips for selecting the best accident law firm for your accident injury case:

  • Results: Choose an attorney with a proven track record of winning recent settlements in Texas. Thompson Law had 2 of the top 3 biggest personal injury settlements in Texas in 2020.
  • Experience: Pick a lawyer with significant trial experience in the courtroom that is held in high esteem by their peers. Ryan Thompson is a lifetime member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and is one of the Top 100 National Trial Lawyers. The insurance companies track which attorneys are willing to take a case to verdict at trial and offer better pre-litigation settlements to clients of those law firms.
  • Resources: Ensure that the lawyer you select has the resources to employ field investigators, accident reconstruction experts, and traffic safety engineers. If liability is disputed or litigation is required, for instance, you may need experts such as these to do research and testify on your behalf.
  • Service: Talk to people in your community and see what they have to say about their experience using various accident attorneys, or look at online reviews. Thompson Law prides itself on offering the best client service in the personal injury arena. You want a law firm that puts your needs first.

At Thompson Law

We provide car crash victims with dedicated and tenacious legal representation, ensuring that you get fair value for your claim. Our San Antonio car accident lawyers will build a strong case with supporting evidence so that you recover the money that you deserve.

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What Types of Compensation Can I Get for My Accident Injuries?

The types of compensation you can received for auto accident injuries depend on a variety of factors, such as: how badly you were injured, whether your injuries will fully heal, how much insurance is in place, how negligently the other driver acted, and a other considerations. Generally, the types of compensation (referred to legally as “damages”) you can claim for car accident injuries fall into three primary categories:

Special Compensatory Damages

Special compensatory damages are also referred to as “economic damages” because they relate to monies lost due to the accident. These damages are the most common form of monetary compensation available to car accident victims, and include things like:

  • Damage to your vehicle
  • Lost wages (past in most cases, and future in severe cases)
  • Medical bills (past in most cases, and future in severe cases)
  • Other expenses, like having to change travel plans, hire a houseworker to help with chores, etc.

General Compensatory Damages

General compensatory damages are also referred to as “non-economic damages” because they are not related to monies lost; rather, they are meant to compensate for non-monetary losses. These damages are more common in severe accident cases with large insurance policies – such as truck accidents, excess policies for individuals, 18-wheeler accidents, and commercial vehicle accidents – and can include:

  • Past and future pain and suffering
  • Lost quality of life
  • Physical impairment
  • Disfigurement
  • Past and future mental anguish
  • Loss of consortium (in wrongful death cases)

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are intended to punish highly reckless or negligent behavior, such as drunk driving, especially when serious injury was caused in, for example, a pedestrian accident. The amount available here will depend on the injuries, the degree of recklessness, the venue in which the accident occurred, as well as other factors.

Our San Antonio accident lawyers can help you assess the value of your injury claim, and maximize your chances of receiving the full amount of compensation that you’re owed. Call us today for a free consultation.

Insurance Company Tactics to Deny Accident Claims

If you are without legal representation, the insurance company will do everything they can to pay as little as possible in claims. That’s because the primary job of an insurance adjuster is to reduce the amount that must be paid out in injury settlements and court-awarded damages. Some of the tactics insurance companies use to minimize the value of an injury claim include:

  • Claim Denials: Insurance companies will deny claims due to issues like improper paperwork or policy coverage exclusions, with the hope you will get frustrated and go away.
  • Early Settlement Offers: Adjusters may offer you a lowball settlement early in your case before you know the true extent of your injuries.
  • Delay Claims: Insurers may drag out the claims process so an accident lawyer cannot take your case. That’s because the statute of limitations for filing an injury claim in Texas is 2 years after the accident in most cases.
  • Partially Blame the Victim: Texas is a comparative negligence state, where an insurance company may try to hold a victim partially responsible for a car accident.
  • Minimize Injuries: Adjusters may try to claim your injuries were pre-existing, or the treatment was excessive.

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Types of Car Accident Injuries

According to the CDC, unintentional motor vehicle traffic deaths are the second leading type of unintentional injury death in the United States. As noted previously, the risk of dying in a San Antonio car wreck is low in any one year. Only about 0.44% of accidents in San Antonio involve a fatality and would need the services of our wrongful death lawyers. However, the risk of being injured and needing a San Antonio car accident lawyer is about 66 times higher than the risk of dying, with roughly 29% of accidents involving injuries.

Although progress has been made in reducing motor vehicle injuries, they still occur all too frequently. At Thompson Law, our San Antonio car accident lawyers unfortunately see common car accident injuries every day, such as:

  • Brain Injury: Brain injuries typically involve either a blow to the head, or a rapid deceleration whereby the brain impacts the skull. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are generally classified as mild, moderate, or severe depending on the objective findings and symptoms. Brain injuries can have serious long-term consequences.
  • Spinal Cord Injury: Automobile accidents account for over 38% of spinal cord injuries in the United States since 2010. These types of injuries can range from mild bruising to severe (e.g., paralysis, quadriplegia) and require lifetime care.
  • Amputation: The loss of a limb is obviously a devastating injury and involves lifetime disfigurement for the victim.
  • Internal Injuries: Internal injuries common to car accidents are more difficult to diagnose and treat, simply because they are unseen. So, if you think you have suffered an internal injury in a car accident, seek immediate medical help and then call Thompson Law.
  • Disfigurement or Scarring: People often remember to take photos of visible injuries after a car accident. However, it is also important to take photos after those injuries have healed, especially if you are left with a permanently altered surface to your skin.
  • Burn Injury: Burn injuries can vary from airbag burns to car fires, and like other injuries to the skin it is important to document before and after photos for your attorney.
  • Lacerations, Cuts, Contusions, Abrasions, and Bruising: These visible injuries to the skin and underlying tissues are often ignored by victims and adjusters following a car wreck. Then, over time they heal, often with little or no residual scarring. As a result, if you have any of these types of injuries it is important to take pictures to document them for use later in your case.
  • Neck Injuries: Whiplash is a type of cervical acceleration-deceleration injury to the neck that is typical of rear-end car collisions. Moreover, whiplash is the most common injury associated with car accidents, with 83% of people experiencing whiplash.
  • Back Injury: Back injuries are some of the most common car wreck injuries, and can range from soft tissue (e.g., muscle) injuries to nerve injuries to spinal disc injuries.
  • Broken Bones:  Bone fractures often occur in car accidents either as a result of bracing for an accident, or a collision with an object such as the steering wheel. Fractures to the hands and wrist are common in moderate collisions, and rib fractures are often caused by seat belts and airbags.
  • Joint Injury:  Injuries to the shoulder, wrist, knee, and hip are the most common joint injuries we see in car accidents. The damage to these joints is often to the cartilage or ligaments, and is to do dislocations and jarring movements. Joint injuries often present with a sharp pain that gradually subsides, and then reemerges once inflammation appears.
  • Wrongful Death:  A wrongful death injury is a death that occurs due to the negligence or intentional misconduct of another person or entity. Family members who have lost a loved one in such a tragedy may be entitled to compensation for their losses, including medical and funeral expenses, lost income, and emotional anguish. If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, here’s what you need to know about wrongful death in Texas.

If you’ve been injured in a wreck, call our San Antonio car accident lawyers today for a FREE CONSULTATION.

No Upfront Cost Representation by Our San Antonio Car Accident Lawyers

Call Our San Antonio Car Accident Lawyers Today!

If you’re asking yourself when is the right time to contact a personal injury attorney after an auto accident, the answer is NOW! Our San Antonio car accident lawyers offer FREE CONSULTATIONS. You will not incur any attorney fees, court costs, legal expenses, or any other costs unless we recover money on your behalf. If we do obtain a settlement for you, our fee will only come out of a portion of the settlement.

When you have been injured, do not just search for “car accident lawyers near me”. You need the San Antonio car accident lawyers at Thompson Law that have received awards and honors for serving as champions of their clients. It does not matter whether you were visiting San Antonio or living here when your accident occurred, our San Antonio car accident lawyers can help.

No Win No Fee San Antonio Accident Lawyer

The statute of limitations in Texas is 2 years in most injury accidents. If you have been injured in an accident, call our experienced San Antonio car accident lawyers today for a ZERO COST, NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION, or contact us online. The sooner you know your options, the faster you’ll be on the path to recovery.

Auto Accident FAQs

Auto Accident

If you are injured in any type of accident, your first priority should be to seek immediate medical attention, even if you are not certain that you are injured. Seeking immediate medical treatment does two things: 1) it ensures injuries you sustained are diagnosed and treated; and, 2) it helps eliminate any doubt by the insurance company that your injuries were caused by the accident.

Often, the shock and adrenaline of an accident can mask symptoms of injuries, so making the mistake of skipping a medical examination can have profound consequences. By seeking prompt medical treatment, you protect both your health and your ability to seek compensation for your injuries with the help of your attorney.

If you were in a motor vehicle accident we have also detailed here what to do after a car accident.

A skilled personal injury lawyer is necessary to get full and fair compensation for injuries you sustained in an accident. Most defendants, whether individual drivers or commercial vehicle operators, are covered by liability insurance. Those insurance companies are not obligated to protect or take care of you. Insurance companies exist to protect the defendant (their customer) who caused the wreck. 

A personal injury attorney can help you obtain compensation for every category of damages to which you are legally entitled. These damages can include things like: medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain & suffering, punitive damages, loss of limb, diminished mental function, physical impairment, scarring or disfigurement, emotional or mental trauma, and loss of consortium (in wrongful death claims). Further, you may be entitled to future medical bills, future lost income, future pain and suffering, and other damages in severe injury cases.

The largest factor affecting your claim’s value is the severity or magnitude of your injuries. More severe injuries typically require more medical treatment. So it is essential to have all your injuries documented properly by seeking immediate treatment with doctors or hospitals, and continuing under the care and direction of your doctors as long as necessary to heal. Without prompt and consistent medical treatment and documentation, an injury claim becomes very difficult to pursue, let alone win. 

Of course, other factors an also have an impact, and each and every case is different. Were you injured in a commercial vehicle wreck or truck wreck that totaled your car, or was it a fender bender that did very little damage? Was the other driver intoxicated or drunk, or speeding? A multitude of factors may play into your claim’s overall likely value. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to visit with you and talk to you more specifically about factors which may affect your particular claim.  

In Texas, you usually have two (2) years from the date of incident to file a personal injury claim before it is barred by the statute of limitations. There are exceptions to this 2-year time limit in Texas, for minors and others. Further, other states have different time limits, and the limit that applies is typically for the state in which the accident occurred.

The safest course of action for someone injured in a car wreck, truck wreck, slip and fall, or any other type of accident is to consult with a personal injury attorney. This will help ensure that you do not miss the applicable limitations period. Moreover, it will ensure the right investigations are conducted, and the proper steps are taken to preserve the evidence, photos, witness statements, and records needed to successfully pursue your claim. 

If you are injured in a hit-and-run wreck (and are unable to locate the driver) or are hurt in a collision where the other driver does not have insurance, you are not necessarily out of options in terms of financial recovery. You may still be able to recover for your personal injuries if your own policy has Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage or Personal Injury Protection (PIP). It’s a good idea to contact your insurance company to confirm what types of coverage you have on your policy before an accident, but if you have been hit be sure to ask these questions before finalizing your claim request. Even if you do not have UM or PIP, the attorneys and investigators at Thompson Law can work to track down the other driver in a hit-and-run accident. To do this, we rely on witnesses who may have captured a photo of the car or license plate and/or available surveillance camera footage that might have captured the wreck.  

Typical damages you can recover in a personal injury claim include: medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and in some cases even punitive damages. In severe injury cases, other damages may be recoverable, such as: future medical bills, future lost income, future pain and suffering, loss of body member or mental function, physical impairment, disfigurement, emotional or mental trauma, and loss of consortium (in wrongful death claims).

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage can help save the day if you are hit by an uninsured driver or if you are the victim in a hit-and-run collision. In short, UM coverage is an add-on coverage that drivers can add to their auto insurance policies that will protect them in the event that they are in an auto accident with a driver who either does not have insurance or cannot be located. You can contact your insurance provider to confirm whether your policy includes UM. If you do not have this coverage, the personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law recommend that you consider adding UM to your auto insurance policy today. 

Knowing how comparative negligence works is vital if you live in a state that uses it. In simple terms, comparative negligence implies both drivers can share fault for an accident, but one driver can be more at fault than the other. For example, you are texting while driving when another driver runs a stop sign and hits your car.

A jury finds that the driver who ran the stop sign is 80 percent at fault, but they believe you would have had a better chance of avoiding the accident if you were not texting at the time. They find you 20 percent at fault. You can only collect enough compensation to cover the other driver’s fault. In this case, you would get $8,000 if the jury thinks your case is worth $10,000.

Having the police respond to the accident scene is of paramount importance. Make sure that YOU call them and insist that they come and investigate the accident. When the police arrive, they will separate the drivers and witnesses from one another and take statements from everyone involved. Be cooperative, detailed, and firm in describing the accident. The investigating officer will usually determine fault based upon these statements, and it is essential that your version of the events is heard and believed. If you think that you may be injured, make that clear to the officer. If an ambulance or other medical professionals arrive on scene, get checked out. If not, make plans to visit an emergency room or doctor soon after you leave the scene. Before you do leave for this care, the officer will provide you with a report number and their contact information. Make sure this information is safely saved, as it will be very important in any auto accident injury claim you may have.  

Call an attorney. Your first instinct might be to call your insurance company, but it’s best to seek legal council first so you don’t accidentally admit guilt or take responsibility for the accident. In many cases your attorney will call the insurance company for you to prevent that from happening.

Absolutely not. It’s important to leave the investigation to the professionals. They know exactly how to work a case to determine all of the facts and details.

In insurance terms, “totaled” or a “total loss” means that the cost to repair your vehicle to its pre-accident condition is more than the vehicle is worth. Each insurance company has a different threshold for determining if a vehicle is totaled, but generally, if it’s close, you want the insurance company to “total” your car. Following the determination that your car is a total loss, the insurance company will provide you with their assessment of the value of your car. An experienced auto accident attorney should review this estimate to make sure that you are truly receiving fair market value for your loss.  You absolutely have the right to challenge their assessment, and a skilled attorney knows the best way to do so to maximize your recovery.  

Typically, yes. If a family member is seriously injured or killed in an accident, or if the injured party is a minor child, then it may be appropriate under the law for a parent, spouse, relative, or legal guardian to file a claim or lawsuit on behalf of the injured or deceased party.  These types of claims are complex, and usually depend on the type of relationship involved, as well as the individual facts and circumstances of the injury. Calling the experienced personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law is step one to explore filing a legal claim on behalf of your loved one. 

Even if you are partially to blame for a car accident, you may be able to recover some of your damages from the other party. Under Texas’s proportionate responsibility system (also known as comparative negligence), unless you as the claimant/plaintiff are determined more than 51% at fault, you may recover legal damages that are reduced by the percentage you are determined at fault. For example, if you are determined to be 30% at fault, you can recover 70% of your damages from the other responsible party (you can’t recover the other 30% because that was the amount of liability that was determined to lie with you). The personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law can help you navigate this proportionate responsibility system – so reach out online or call anytime for a free consultation.     

If you or a family member are injured in an automobile accident, you cannot afford NOT to hire the very best attorney available. Thompson Law works on a contingency fee basis. What this means is that you only pay legal fees IF we win for you and AFTER your case is settled. We understand that legal fees upfront are simply too much to deal with after a serious accident where you are dealing with property damage repairs, medical bills, missed work and lost wages. The fact that you owe $0 upfront is an added bonus when you hire great legal representation at Thompson Law.  

If you were injured as the result of someone else’s negligence, there is a good chance we can help you out. We will look at the facts of your accident, whether a car wreck, truck wreck, motorcycle accident, or on-the-job-injury and examine whatever reports or records are available. If we believe that you were injured and it was someone else’s fault, it is likely to be a case we can take. The more information and documentation you can give us about your accident and your injuries, the quicker we can evaluate your case and let you know. Give us a call or reach out online anytime! 

The best personal injury attorney has three major characteristics: Excellent customer service, cutting edge technology, and a willingness to take cases and win at trial. Ask your potential attorney about the client experience they offer, what kind of technology they use to make your life easier, and when was the last time they took a case to jury trial. Asking these types of questions will give you guidance on what kind of experience you can expect as a client and what kind of results you can expect at the end of your case.

Thompson Law has high ratings from clients for its emphasis on customer service, and its attorneys have achieved significant results on small, large, and complex cases alike. No matter if you have been involved in a minor car wreck or are dealing with catastrophic injuries from a rarer and more devastating event like a terrible workplace accident, dog bite, or an 18 wheeler wreck, Thompson Law can assist you.  

Yes! Thompson Law is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide free consultations. If you have been injured in a truck wreck or car accident, hurt in a slip and fall incident, or otherwise injured from the negligence of another person or party, give us a call any time at 1-800-LION-LAW. We can speak to you over the phone, chat online through our website or social media outlets, or arrange an in-person meeting at your convenience. Our team is ready to help! 

Thompson Law is available 24/7 to provide free consultations and to sign up new clients. We can sign you up over the phone or we can send one of our experienced licensed investigators to meet you at the hospital or at your home if you prefer. Whether you live in Arlington, Ft. Worth, El Paso, McAllen, or even outside of the state of Texas, we are always here to assist you and provide the resources you need at a difficult time. We do the hard work for you so that you can focus on healing from your injuries.  

Being in a wreck, especially on the highway, can be a terrifying experience. Remember these 6 steps to make sure you are safe and to help preserve your legal case right from the start: 

  1. GET SAFE. Stop your vehicle/move it to a safe place if you are able. Stay close to the scene without obstructing traffic. Activate your emergency flashing lights to prevent other cars from striking you. 
  2. CALL 9-1-1. If you are seriously injured, be sure you request an ambulance when you call. A police report may become critical evidence in determining liability in your case. The police will respond to wrecks involving injuries but may not send a unit for cases involving property damage only.  
  3. TAKE PHOTOS. If you are able to safely do so, take photos of your vehicle, the other vehicle (including the license plate), and the surrounding scene of the accident. You will also want to photograph the other driver’s license and insurance card.  
  4. GATHER INFO. After making sure you and passengers are okay, exchange contact information and insurance information with the other driver.  
  5. FIND WITNESSES. If there are witnesses to the accident, take down their names and contact information. Their statements may help resolve any liability disputes.  
  6. CALL THOMPSON LAW. The experienced team of attorneys, investigators and paralegals are ready to assist you right away. You can even call us to meet you at the scene of an accident.  

Yes! Passengers in auto accidents are entitled to make claims for their damages and injuries too.  As a negligence-free passenger, who you make a claim against (one or both drivers and their insurance companies), and what coverages are available (third-party liability, first-party coverages, and/or personal injury protection), depends on the specific facts and circumstances of the car wreck.  Injured passengers should call the personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law to assist in navigating these complex issues so that they may receive the fair compensation they deserve.

Under Texas law, “bicycles are entitled to all rights of the road that apply to a motor vehicle, including access.” Unfortunately, drivers often don’t respect the rights of cyclists, and bike accidents are increasingly common, causing severe injuries to the cyclist.   

First, stay at the scene.  As soon as it is safe, assess the situation and call 9-1-1 to report the incident.  

Second, when help arrives, receive emergency medical attention.  Get “checked out” even if you think you are okay—the trauma and shock of the collision can cause your body to block out pain and injury, and internal injuries often produce non-specific symptoms. Follow the medical advice of the emergency response team. 

Third, with assistance from the police, exchange and obtain information, such as insurance information as well as the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all witnesses, passengers, and drivers.  DO NOT discuss the facts and circumstances of the bike accident with anyone other than the investigating officer.   

Fourth, document the scene.  Make notes on paper or using your cell phone about the time of day; weather conditions; road or traffic conditions; lighting; location of the vehicles and involved parties; and any relevant road signs, traffic control devices (lights, stop signs, yield signs) etc.  Also, make sure to get photographs of your bike, the driver’s car, and the scene.  

Last, a lawyer to discuss your rights.  The experienced personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law will help you investigate all applicable insurance coverages and fight to get the compensation to which you are entitled.   

An insurance company will not pay medical expenses or other damages as they come due; rather, after they have accepted liability, the insurance company will make a one-time, lump-sum final payment only at the end of your case.  Dealing with medical expenses, and obtaining the proper medical care, after an accident can be tricky. But it does not have to be! Call the personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law, who can explain how to deal with the “day-of” hospital bills, how to continue to receive the care you need, and ultimately how to recover an appropriate settlement that takes care of your bills from the incident as well as fair and just compensation for you.

Let’s be honest: this isn’t a legal show on TV and your case will not settle in the next hour – or even tomorrow.  The true answer is: it depends.  We find that most cases settle within 7-10 months from date of incident; but the timeframe in your case could be shorter or longer depending on: the facts and circumstances of the accident; the length of time it takes you to complete medical treatment; and the character of the insurance company, or companies, involved in your case.  In the event that your case cannot settle pre-litigation and it becomes necessary to file a lawsuit, the litigation process alone can take 1 to 2 years due to the court system and legal process necessary to prepare for trial.  But because so much of the timeline depends on the facts and circumstances of your unique case, call Thompson Law today to discuss the personal injury claims process

See What Clients Say About Thompson Law

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Office Location: 9901 W I-10, Suite 1040, San Antonio, TX 78230

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Rena Talley
Rena Talley
Thompson Law LLP was the first attorney I called after my auto accident, and I’m glad I did, because they really helped me walk through the process of my accident; from referring me to medical providers to therapy, to a 2nd opinion I requested for what was going with... me after a 1st diagnosis. They were very thorough in taking information regarding the accident, and I was able to send pics of my injuries, and damages of my vehicle effortlessly. Thompson Law stayed in contact with me concerning the case and settled very quickly, and really settled for more than I expected.Thank you to all who worked on my case. Scott Koelker, Adam Lippman, Raquel Aguilar, and Juanita Ayala. I really appreciate all you’ve done.-Sheila Talleyread more
jessica thompson
jessica thompson
I owe a huge thanks to Thompson Law and Ryan Thompson for all they did for me after my car accident. They are truly the best car accident attorneys in San Antonio- honest, great communicators who I cannot recommend more.
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Thompson Law Guarantee

Thompson Law receives an attorney fee and you pay no legal fees as our client unless we pay you. Thompson Law has 350 years of combined experience in legal representation and has won over $1.8 billion dollars in cash settlements for our clients. We master the art of managing client cases with empathy, compassion, respect and, of course, prodigious skill. Contact us today for a free, risk-free consultation to discuss your accident and your options.

State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an auto accident. If you have been injured in an accident, call now to get the help you need.