Houston Car Accident Lawyers

Why Is it Wise to Hire a Houston Car Accident Lawyer?

Car accidents happen fast, but recovery takes time—let a lawyer handle the paperwork and negotiations needed for a fair settlement so that it doesn’t take away from your crucial healing periods.

It is almost always wise to hire a car accident lawyer rather than negotiate, file a claim, or go to trial on your own. The main reasons:

• Choosing an attorney removes the burden of work from your shoulders and places it into a professional’s hands right away
• You’re far more likely to receive a higher financial payout with a lawyer than going in alone
• Auto accident attorneys have more skills, resources, and training to investigate the issues involved in your accident, and hold all responsible parties accountable

As an equation, hiring a car accident attorney might look like “less work + lower risk = better results.” When you select Pierce Skrabanek for representation, that is the last calculation you have to make—our attorneys do the work necessary to account for all your losses and negotiate a fair settlement, all while you are left to heal in peace.

To speak directly with our offices about the representation you need, fill out our online contact form or call 832-690-7000 for a free, no-obligation consultation at your earliest convenience. For further details on how a car accident lawyer in Houston can help you, read on.

When Should You Hire a Houston Auto Accident Attorney?

You should hire a Houston auto accident lawyer as soon as possible after a car wreck. Essentially, once you have reached a point of calm after your accident—whether that means you’re in a stable medical condition, or back at work or home—an attorney can begin to help you right away.

A represented car accident lawsuit follows this general process:

1. Contact a lawyer for a free case evaluation. At Pierce Skrabanek, we begin by listening to your experience, asking relevant questions, and providing our honest estimate about potential damages and timelines.
2. You agree to authorize representation. If you decide we’re the right law firm for you, we will send you a contract and a medical authorization that are necessary to obtain your medical records for review.
3. We file your lawsuit. Your attorney and their support staff file the necessary paperwork with the court. During each stage of the process, we ensure that we inform you of every aspect of your case, and answer any questions you may have.
4. The “discovery” process begins. This is when both parties obtain and exchange information related to the trial, including medical records, incident reports, corporate documents, etc. During this process, depositions may be taken, which are verbal testimonials and questioning conducted under oath and on record.
5. The case either settles or goes to trial. Most lawsuits are settled before a trial is necessary. However, if the opposing side refuses to reach a fair agreement, our attorneys are experienced trial lawyers who have obtained millions of dollars in verdicts for our clients.

If a fair settlement amount cannot be reached prior to trial, with your permission we can take your case to court to obtain the best value possible. Our efforts at trial have garnered prestigious awards, including induction into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Club, but more importantly is what that experience means for you. Pierce Skrabanek has obtained judgments for our clients in the multi-million dollar range, and results upwards of 4x-5x times the highest pretrial settlement offer.

The attorneys at Pierce Skrabanek know what your losses are truly worth, and we will not settle for less than what you deserve. Contact us at 832-690-7000 for unwavering representation.

Is it Worth Getting a Houston Car Accident Attorney?

Yes, it is worth it to hire a car accident attorney, considering what a skilled lawyer can do to save you both time and stress. Likewise, for clients and caretakers who are physically or mentally incapable of handling these important legal tasks after an accident, a lawyer operates with accuracy and efficiency on your behalf.

Moreover, you are 91% likely to walk away with a settlement if you have an attorney (instead of only 51% likely without one according to surveys done by legal integration platforms). That settlement amount is also 300% higher on average with counsel than without professional legal help.

The car accident settlements and verdicts achieved by Pierce Skrabanek specifically include:

• A jury verdict of $117 million for a severely injured mother of two. This decision was the largest single personal injury verdict in Louisiana history.
• A $2 million award for a client after an automobile accident, an amount which was approximately 5x times higher than the largest pretrial settlement offer.
• A confidential settlement amount 4x times larger than initial offers in a collision between a tractor-trailer and a personal vehicle. The settlement was with the manufacturer of an alleged defective coupling device.

Settlements can help car accident victims move forward with their lives after a car wreck. They also help those who are severely injured in catastrophic cases lead lives more manageable, comfortable, and dignified.

How Are Auto Accident Settlements Calculated?

The calculations that go into car, truck, motorcycle, and other vehicular settlements account for:

• Medical bills related to treatment for anything from mild whiplash to life-altering car accident injuries like traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord wounds, or amputations
• Lost wages including time off used to heal or unemployment caused by the severity of the injuries
• Pain and suffering like the physical pain associated with broken bones, the psychological trauma like PTSD symptoms, and the ongoing distress of those living with disfiguring scars
• Punitive damages, which are fees meant to punish wrongdoers if they were particularly negligent or potentially malicious—these funds are then awarded to you
• Wrongful death costs associated with funeral arrangements, loss of future earnings, and most importantly the loss of an individual’s companionship and guidance

Other costs such as traveling to and from the hospital can be factored into the damages award as well, especially if they are significantly expensive or time-consuming (like for repeated treatments or ongoing therapy and rehab). The cost of gas, the mileage added to your car, the cost of taxis or rideshares, or the time spent on inefficient public transit—all of these are expenses you’re paying out-of-pocket due to the accident.

Car crashes are one of the most common causes of serious injury and death across the nation. If you are impacted by one of these tragedies, the Houston car accident lawyers at Pierce Skrabanek are here to help you recover.