If you are the victim of a minor car accident caused by a negligent driver, you may be considering whether to retain a Texas car accident lawyer. In a minor accident, you may think that you were left with only minor injuries, but oftentimes injuries may remain latent, leaving you in need of medical care and financial recovery later down the road.
At Rose Knows Law, we are well-versed in handling even the most complex car accident claims and have over 25 years of experience obtaining the results car accident victims deserve. Working with an experienced Texas lawyer may help you evaluate whether you have a case and assess what your best legal options are for fair compensation.
Even a Minor Accident Claim Has a Two-Year Filing Deadline
Under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003, most Texas car accident injury claims, including those that start out looking minor, must be filed within two years of the crash. Waiting to see if symptoms develop should not mean waiting to protect your legal rights.
- Over 25 years of experience with Texas car accident claims
- Direct access to your attorney throughout your case
- No-cost consultation to evaluate whether you have a claim
How to Know if You Need a Lawyer for Minor Car Accident Injuries
In some straightforward car accident claims, you may not require the help of an experienced Texas car accident lawyer. However, most car accidents, even minor collisions, are not as simple and straightforward. When another driver is involved, there may be liability disputes and challenges in working with insurance companies.
When working with the skilled car accident lawyer at Rose Knows Law, we may handle all the aspects of your car accident claim, from negotiating with insurance adjusters to helping document your injuries to gathering valuable evidence. Knowing when to work with a car accident lawyer after a minor car accident could help you obtain a more favorable outcome.
The following are essential aspects to consider when deciding whether you need a lawyer after a minor car accident in Texas:
What Counts as a “Minor” Accident Is Not Always What It Seems
Insurance companies often use the word “minor” to describe any accident with limited visible vehicle damage, regardless of the injuries involved. Soft-tissue injuries such as whiplash, herniated discs, and concussions frequently show little external evidence but can produce significant, lasting symptoms. A crash that looks minor on a police report can still leave you with medical bills, missed work, and ongoing treatment.
Proving Liability
Depending on whether you were liable for the minor car accident, you may not require a lawyer. At-fault drivers with up-to-date insurance policies may be provided with representation as a benefit through their insurer. However, it is essential to consider that Texas is a modified comparative fault state.
When more than one driver is found to be at fault for a minor car accident, damages may be calculated based on the evidence determining economic losses and the percentage of fault that belongs to each party. Under the modified comparative fault rule, the victim’s award is decreased by a percentage equal to their share of fault. You may not be awarded damages if you are determined to be more than 50% liable for the collision.
When you are injured in a minor car accident, you may need the help of an experienced car accident lawyer to conduct an extensive investigation into your accident to determine the percentage of liability, obtain valuable evidence, and build a strategic claim on your behalf so you may recover necessary compensation for the suffering you have sustained due to negligence.
Physical or Psychological Injuries
Even if you think you incurred only minor car accident injuries, symptoms could worsen or develop in days, weeks, or months following the accident. If injuries do not develop after the minor car accident, and you do not need medical care, you may not need to retain a Texas car accident lawyer. In the event of minor car accident injuries, even scrapes or bruises, working with a skilled car accident lawyer may be beneficial to recovering the compensation you deserve.
Psychological injuries may also negatively affect your day-to-day life following a minor car accident, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, fear of driving, and others. Overlooking emotional suffering and other psychological injuries may result in forfeiting the financial compensation you deserve.
Speak with an experienced minor car accident lawyer to assess whether you have sustained a psychological injury and evaluate the extent of injury, so you may take the appropriate steps to recover the compensation you deserve.
How Insurance Adjusters Approach Minor Injury Claims
Adjusters often move quickly on claims labeled “minor,” sometimes offering a fast settlement before the full extent of an injury is known. Accepting an early offer typically means giving up the right to seek more money later, even if symptoms worsen or new treatment becomes necessary. Adjusters may also point to a gap between the accident date and your first medical visit as evidence that your injuries were not serious or not related to the crash, which is one reason prompt medical evaluation matters even after a seemingly minor impact.
Pursuing Legal Action After a Minor Texas Car Accident
When considering whether to seek legal action against a negligent driver after a minor car accident, you may need to consult an experienced Texas car accident lawyer to evaluate the following factors:
- The extent of injury: If you have suffered physical or financial damages, you may be eligible to seek legal action against the accountable driver
- Proving percentage of fault: To avoid incurring a larger percentage of fault for the minor car accident, working with an experienced lawyer may be beneficial
- Claim denial: If your car accident claim was denied, an experienced lawyer may help you create a reliable appeal strategy
Speak with the skilled Texas car accident lawyer at Rose Knows Law for a comprehensive evaluation of your claim to help you determine whether you may be eligible for pursuing legal action against the negligent driver for the injuries you sustained.
Speak With an Experienced Texas Car Accident Lawyer at Rose Knows Law
Even if you sustained minor car accident injuries, working with an experienced Texas car accident lawyer is essential to protect your best interest and recover the damages you have incurred due to a negligent driver. At Rose Knows Law, we have helped car accident victims throughout North Texas pursue the compensation they are owed for the suffering they have experienced.
Schedule a no-cost consultation today by filling out our contact form for knowledgeable legal guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Minor Car Accident Injuries
Should I get a lawyer even if my car accident injuries seem minor?
It is often worth a consultation, since symptoms from soft-tissue injuries and concussions can take days or weeks to fully appear. A lawyer can help you understand whether an early settlement offer accounts for the full extent of your injuries before you accept it.
Why did the insurance company offer me a quick settlement?
Insurers sometimes move quickly on claims they label as minor, hoping to resolve the case before the full scope of an injury becomes clear. Accepting an early offer typically ends your ability to seek more compensation later, even if your condition worsens.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning you may still recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault as long as you are found 50% or less responsible. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover compensation.
How long do I have to file a claim for a minor car accident in Texas?
Most Texas car accident injury claims must be filed within two years of the crash date under Section 16.003 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, regardless of how minor the accident initially appeared.
What should I do if new symptoms appear weeks after a minor accident?
Seek medical evaluation promptly and keep a record connecting the new symptoms to the accident. If you already accepted a settlement, your options may be limited, which is why speaking with an attorney before signing a release is often worthwhile.