Lubbock, Midland, Odessa, Wichita Falls
Car Accident Attorneys
If you've been injured in a car accident and are seeking compensation for your losses and injuries, contact the West Texas car accident lawyers at Malone Legal Group today. Our accomplished attorneys specialize in car accident cases and have successfully assisted numerous clients in Texas for over four decades, ensuring they receive fair compensation.
Our car accident attorneys in Lubbock, Midland, Odessa, and Wichita Falls, West Texas, specifically cater to those who have sustained severe injuries, disrupting their daily lives. If your injuries from a car accident are impeding your ability to resume normal activities or return to work, or if a family member has tragically lost their life due to such injuries, it's crucial to consult with the car accident lawyers at Malone Legal Group.
When another driver's insurance coverage falls short of adequately addressing your injuries and damages, it's important to examine whether your vehicle offered proper crash protection for its occupants. Our Texas car accident attorneys are well-versed in auto defect litigation, ensuring our clients receive their due compensation within the bounds of the law, even if the at-fault driver's insurance is insufficient.
Don't hesitate to contact Malone Legal Group when confronted with severe injuries and uncertainty. We will meticulously investigate your case, identifying all parties responsible for your injuries. Our Texas car accident lawyers can delve beyond the other driver's actions, assessing the performance of components such as tires, seatbelts, airbags, and occupant protection systems. If your injuries were exacerbated or caused by a vehicle defect, we can take action against the vehicle manufacturer, securing the compensation needed for your recovery.
Car Accident Statistics
Preventing car accidents in Texas in the future– and saving countless lives – starts with spreading awareness and education about traffic collisions. Keeping up with the latest car accident statistics in Texas can help the community determine what causes these accidents and how to stop them from occurring. Based on the latest data from the Texas Department of Transportation, 244,092 persons were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2022. One person was injured every 2 minutes and 9 seconds, and a reportable crash occurred every 57 seconds.
There were no deathless days on Texas roadways in 2022. One person was killed every 1 hour 57 minutes, Including:
- 562 motorcyclists were killed
- 828 pedestrians were killed
- 1163 killed in DUI crashes
In 25.9 % of fatal motor vehicle accidents in 2022, the driver was under the influence of alcohol.
If you were seriously injured, or if a loved one died in a car wreck, the last thing you want to worry about is fighting with the insurance company over fair compensation. It can be tempting to accept the first offer the insurance company presents just to get it over with. Unfortunately, that offer is often far below the amount of compensation you will need to cover medical expenses, ongoing medical care, lost wages, and other costs. Let us make it right.
Malone Legal Group, PLLC helps you recover all the financial damages you deserve. No matter what type of auto accident your case involves, you can trust us to fight for your best interests. We will take care of your legal needs so you can focus on your recovery and take care of your family.
We handle motor vehicle cases involving:
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- SUV rollover
- Car accident victims of drunk drivers
- Motor vehicles colliding with bicyclists, pedestrians, or scooters
Injured in a car Accident in West Texas? We can help
Car accidents can be traumatic events that profoundly impact individuals physically, emotionally, and financially. Knowing how to navigate the aftermath is crucial whether you're a driver, passenger, or pedestrian involved in a collision. This comprehensive guide will explore the various aspects of dealing with a car accident, from immediate steps to long-term considerations.
What are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Texas?
Car accidents occur frequently on roads worldwide, often resulting from a multitude of factors. Understanding the common causes of car accidents is essential for promoting road safety and preventing future collisions.
Distracted Driving: Activities like texting, talking on the phone, eating, or using navigation systems divert the driver's attention from the road, leading to accidents.
Speeding: Driving above the posted speed limit or too fast for road conditions reduces reaction time and increases the severity of accidents.
Impaired Driving: Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction times, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
Reckless Driving: Aggressive behaviors such as tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and disregarding traffic signals contribute to accidents.
Weather Conditions: Texas' unpredictable weather, including rain, snow, and fog, can create hazardous driving conditions and result in accidents.
Mechanical Failures: Vehicle defects or poor maintenance can lead to brake failures, tire blowouts, and other issues that result in accidents.
What Should I Do After A Car Wreck?
Experiencing a car wreck can be a frightening and disorienting experience. However, staying calm and taking certain steps is crucial to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights. Here are some tips on what to do after a car wreck:
- Check for Injuries and Call 911 if needed.
- Move vehicles to a Safe Location.
- Call Law Enforcement.
- Exchange Contact and Insurance Information.
- Document the Scene with Photos.
- Notify Your Insurance Company.
- Seek Medical Attention, even for minor injuries.
- Keep Records of Expenses.
- Consider Consulting with an Attorney.
- Follow Medical Advice and Keep Your Attorney Updated.
What Are Common Car Accident Injuries?
Car accidents can result in a variety of injuries, ranging from minor bruises to severe, life-altering conditions. Understanding the common types of injuries that can occur in car accidents is essential for recognizing symptoms and seeking appropriate medical care. Here are some common types of car accident injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Permanent disabilities
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Bone fractures
- Major lacerations
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Burns
- Fatal injuries
- Wrongful death
We also help clients fight for compensation for nonphysical injuries. Texas law allows plaintiffs to demand compensation for their emotional, mental, and psychological suffering as well as their physical pain and economic losses. Our firm may be able to help you seek a fair amount for your pain and suffering, emotional damages, anguish, grief, distress, and post-traumatic stress disorder after a bad accident.
What Are The Types of Car Accident Compensation?
Victims may be entitled to various types of compensation to cover their losses and damages in the aftermath of a car accident. The specific types of compensation available depend on the circumstances of the accident, the extent of the injuries, and the applicable laws in the jurisdiction where the accident occurred. Here are some common types of car accident compensation:
Medical Expenses: This includes compensation for all medical costs associated with the accident, such as hospital bills, surgery expenses, doctor's visits, medication costs, rehabilitation, and therapy.
Lost Wages: If the accident results in the victim being unable to work, they may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. This can include wages lost during the recovery period and any future earning capacity affected by the injuries.
Property Damage: Victims can seek compensation for damage to their vehicle or other personal property caused by the accident. This typically covers the cost of repairs or replacement of the damaged property.
Pain and Suffering: Compensation may be awarded for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish experienced as a result of the accident and the resulting injuries. This type of compensation is often more subjective and may vary depending on the severity of the injuries and their impact on the victim's life.
Wrongful Death Damages: In cases where the accident results in a fatality, the surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship and support.
Punitive Damages: In cases where the at-fault party's actions were particularly reckless or egregious, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
How is Fault Determined in a Car Accident?
Texas follows an at-fault system for car accidents, meaning that the driver who caused the accident is liable for the damages. Fault is often determined through evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and photos or videos from the accident scene. In some cases, traffic citations issued by responding officers can help establish liability. Comparative negligence also plays a role in Texas, meaning that if you are partially at fault for the accident, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found to be more than 50% responsible for the accident, you may not be able to recover any damages.
What Is the Value of My Car Accident Claim?
How Can I Build A Strong Claim In Car Accidents?
Building a solid claim in a car accident case ensures you receive fair compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses. Here are steps you can take to strengthen your claim:
Seek Medical Attention: Your health and safety should be the top priority after a car accident. Even if you don't believe you were seriously injured, it's essential to undergo a thorough medical evaluation. Prompt medical attention ensures that you receive the necessary treatment and creates a documented record of your injuries, which can be crucial evidence in your claim.
Document the Accident Scene: Gather evidence at the accident scene if you can. Take photographs of the vehicles involved, the damage sustained, any visible injuries, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signs or signals, and the surrounding area. Collect contact information from witnesses who saw the accident occur.
File a Police Report: Contact law enforcement and report the accident. When the police arrive, please provide them with accurate information about the accident. The police report will document critical details of the accident, including the date, time, location, parties involved, and any citations issued. Obtain a copy of the police report for your records.
Keep Detailed Records: Keep thorough records of all expenses and losses related to the accident, including medical bills, receipts for medication and medical supplies, vehicle repair estimates or invoices, rental car expenses, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Also, keep track of any missed work days and the accident's impact on your daily life and activities.
Follow Medical Advice: Attend all follow-up appointments with your healthcare providers and follow their recommended treatment plans. The insurance company could use failure to comply with medical advice to argue that your injuries are not as severe as claimed.
Our experienced attorneys, Matthew & Valeri Malone, are dedicated to determining the other driver's negligence and securing the compensation you're entitled to. Not accepting any settlements insurance companies offer is crucial before consulting a reputable attorney. Seeking guidance from an experienced car accident attorney is paramount following an accident. Insurance companies are more focused on safeguarding their interests than ensuring you receive proper compensation for medical expenses and related trauma. They may attempt to provide minimal payments or evade payouts entirely. Agreeing to settlements without legal consultation could result in inadequate offers that omit rightful damages such as future medical costs, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.
How Malone Legal Group
Can Help You With Your Car Accident Case
Case Evaluation: We will carefully assess the details of your accident, evidence, and injuries to determine the strength of your case and advise on the best strategy to pursue.
Gathering Evidence: Our team will gather crucial evidence, including accident reports, witness statements, medical records, and any other relevant documentation to build a robust case.
Negotiation: We will engage in negotiations with insurance companies, at-fault parties, and their legal representatives to secure a fair settlement that compensates you adequately for your losses.
Maximized Compensation: Our goal is to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve, covering medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and more.
Managing Paperwork: We will handle the complex paperwork and legal documentation, ensuring that all deadlines are met and all necessary documents are properly filed.
Communication: Our lawyers will communicate with all relevant parties on your behalf, relieving you of the stress of dealing with insurance adjusters, opposing attorneys, and other involved parties.
Objective Advice: Emotions can run high after an accident. Our attorneys offer an objective perspective, helping you make informed decisions that are in your best interest.
Protection of Rights: Your rights will be safeguarded throughout the process, ensuring that you are not taken advantage of by insurance companies or opposing parties.
Every car accident case is unique, and settlement values depend on injury severity, medical expenses, lost wages, degree of fault, insurance coverage available, and long-term impacts on your life. Minor injury cases may settle for thousands, while catastrophic injury cases can be worth millions. The value of your case depends on multiple factors including the extent of your injuries, amount of medical bills, lost income, degree of permanent disability, impact on quality of life, available insurance coverage, and strength of evidence proving fault. Our attorneys provide honest case evaluations based on decades of experience handling similar claims. We review your medical records, calculate economic losses, and consult with medical experts to determine the full value of your damages before negotiating with insurers.
Under Texas law, you typically have two years from the date of the car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, exceptions exist for cases involving government entities (requiring notice within six months) or minors, so consulting an attorney promptly is crucial. The statute of limitations creates a strict deadline for filing lawsuits. Missing this deadline typically means forever losing your right to compensation, regardless of how strong your case might be. Additionally, gathering evidence becomes more difficult as time passes, witnesses' memories fade, and physical evidence disappears. Starting your case early allows for thorough investigation and documentation while details are fresh.
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover compensation if you were less than 51% at fault. Your settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault—if you're 20% at fault for a $100,000 case, you'd receive $80,000. Insurance companies often try to shift more blame onto accident victims to reduce payouts. Our attorneys gather evidence to accurately establish fault percentages, including witness statements, accident reconstruction analyses, traffic camera footage, and expert testimony. Even if you made a minor mistake like failing to signal, you can still recover substantial compensation if the other driver's actions were the primary cause.
No, you should never accept an initial settlement offer without consulting an attorney. First offers are typically far below fair value and come before you know the full extent of your injuries and long-term medical needs. Once you accept and sign a release, you cannot recover additional compensation. Insurance adjusters make quick, lowball offers hoping to close claims cheaply before victims understand their rights. Some injuries worsen over time or require ongoing treatment not apparent immediately after the accident. Accepting a premature settlement for $10,000 could prevent you from recovering the $100,000+ your case is truly worth. Our attorneys handle all negotiations and won't recommend settling until we know the full scope of your damages.
While not legally required, hiring an experienced car accident attorney significantly increases your chances of receiving fair compensation. Studies show represented claimants receive settlements 3.5 times higher on average than those who handle claims alone, even after attorney fees. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working to minimize payouts. Attempting to handle your own claim puts you at a severe disadvantage, particularly when dealing with complex medical issues, disputed liability, or inadequate insurance coverage. Attorneys understand case valuation, negotiation tactics, and when settlement offers are inadequate. We handle all communication with insurers, allowing you to focus on recovery while protecting your legal rights.
