Dallas Insurance Claims Attorney | Personal Injury Lawyer Richardson

Category: Crash

  • 5 Items You Need To File a Texas Car Accident Claim

    After a car accident, the physical and emotional fallout can be overwhelming. Between medical appointments, vehicle repairs and insurance calls, it’s easy to lose track of what you’ll need in order to file a car accident claim in Texas. But organization and proper documentation are crucial to a successful outcome.

    Understanding the logistics and paperwork required in a car accident claim can make the process smoother and protect your right to compensation.

    1. The Crash Report

    One of the most important documents in any car accident claim is the official crash report, known as the CR-3 form. This form is completed by the law enforcement officer who responds to the crash scene. It lists the parties involved, witness information and road conditions and offers an initial assessment of the situation.

    Insurance companies and attorneys rely heavily on crash reports when evaluating claims, so obtaining a copy as soon as it becomes available is essential.

    2. Receipts and Expenses

    Car accidents often come with unexpected out‑of‑pocket expenses. Tow truck fees, auto repairs, rental cars, medications, medical equipment and even mileage to and from medical appointments—it all adds up quickly.

    Save every receipt, no matter how small it seems. These records help demonstrate the financial impact of the accident, and that money may be recoverable as part of your claim.

    It’s also helpful to keep repair estimates, invoices and photographs of vehicle damage. Even if your car is declared a total loss, proper documentation can support your property damage claim.

    3. Medical Bills and Records

    Medical documentation is at the heart of a personal injury claim. Seek medical care promptly after a crash, even if symptoms seem minor at first. Some injuries, such as whiplash or concussions, may take days or weeks to fully set in.

    Keep copies of all health-related items, including:

    • Hospital and emergency room bills
    • Doctor and specialist visit summaries
    • Physical therapy records
    • Diagnostic imaging results
    • Prescriptions

    These records help establish the connection between the accident, your injuries and the costs of treatment.

    4. Self‑Care Documentation

    Self-care may not automatically generate paperwork, but it still matters.

    Keeping a simple journal of your recovery can be powerful evidence. Note your pain levels, mobility limitations, missed workdays, sleep issues and other disturbances to your life. This type of documentation helps illustrate non‑economic damages and issues that can’t be represented by bills alone.

    5. Communication and Deadlines

    Insurance claims involve frequent communication. Keep a log of phone calls, emails and letters from insurance adjusters, medical providers and repair shops. Write down dates, names and summaries of conversations. Strict deadlines apply to injury claims filed in Texas, so staying organized ensures that nothing is missed.

    One of the many benefits of having a personal injury attorney representing you is that they handle communication. Your attorney will make sure that important items are documented and addressed correctly.

    Organization Makes a Difference

    Getting proper compensation after a car accident requires more than filling out forms and handing over your receipts. You need to present a clear, well‑supported story of what you’ve been through.

    With the help of a personal injury attorney, your crash reports, receipts, medical bills and self‑care records can be woven into a compelling narrative. This can clearly convey how the car accident affected your life.

    The Fell Law Firm Can Help

    Texas car accident cases can be complex. Getting the results you deserve takes experience, dedication and effort. At The Fell Law Firm, our skilled personal injury attorneys can help you recover the money you deserve. Call us today at 972-450-1418 or send us a message to schedule a consultation.

  • 6 Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Texas and How They Impact Your Injury Claim

    Motorcycle accidents are a serious public safety issue across Texas. With high‑speed highways, heavy traffic and frequent construction zones, riders face significant risks every day on the road. Because motorcycles offer little physical protection, crashes involving them often result in severe injuries.

    If you were injured in a Texas motorcycle accident caused by another driver’s negligence, understanding the nature of your injuries is an important part of pursuing compensation.

    1. Broken Bones and Orthopedic Injuries

    Fractures are common in motorcycle accidents. Riders often suffer broken arms, legs, wrists, ribs and collarbones after being thrown from the bike or colliding with another vehicle. Some fractures require surgical intervention, metal implants and extensive physical therapy.

    Serious orthopedic injuries may also result in permanent impairment or reduced earning capacity, both of which are compensable under Texas law.

    2. Road Rash and Soft Tissue Injuries

    Road rash is a painful abrasion caused by your skin rubbing against paved surfaces at high speeds. It can be superficial or involve deep tissue damage. Severe road rash can require skin grafts and may lead to infection or permanent scarring.

    Soft tissue injuries such as muscle tears, ligament damage and internal bruising are also common and can cause lingering pain after the accident.

    3. Internal Injuries

    Motorcycle crashes can cause internal injuries that are not immediately visible, including internal bleeding, organ damage or a punctured lung. These injuries are potentially life‑threatening and frequently require emergency treatment or surgery. Because of their seriousness and the high medical costs involved, internal injuries are a major factor in Texas motorcycle accident claims.

    4. Spinal Cord and Back Injuries

    Motorcycle crashes can cause spinal cord and back injuries, including herniated discs, fractured vertebrae and nerve damage. In the most serious cases, spinal injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis.

    Even moderate back injuries can result in chronic pain and limit your ability to work or enjoy daily activities. Because these injuries often have lasting effects, they require significant attention in motorcycle accident claims.

    5. Traumatic Brain Injuries

    Head injuries are among the most severe injuries that motorcyclists can suffer. Even when a rider is wearing a helmet, the force of a collision can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs range from concussions to permanent brain damage and may result in memory loss, cognitive impairment, mood changes or long‑term disability.

    These injuries may require ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation, which can significantly increase the required level of compensation in a Texas personal injury claim.

    6. Emotional and Psychological Trauma

    In addition to physical injuries, some Texas motorcycle accident victims experience mental conditions related to the trauma of the accident, like anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These psychological injuries must interfere with daily life, work and relationships to be recoverable as part of a personal injury claim.

    To collect damages for mental anguish, the trauma must stem from physical injuries and be supported by evidence.

    Call Our Texas Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today

    You should always reach out to a lawyer, even for minor injuries. At The Fell Law Firm, our skilled lawyershave extensive experience with Texas motorcycle accident claims. We can help you understand your rights and pursue full compensation for what you’ve suffered.

    Call us today at 972-450-1418 or send us a message to schedule a consultation.

  • Texas Bus Accident Raises Seat Belt Safety & Liability Questions

    The state of Texas requires large school buses to be equipped with seat belts and requires schoolchildren to buckle up. It’s fair to wonder how often these laws are followed and enforced. It is also fair to ask what that law means for school bus drivers, school officials, and the children if they’re hurt in an accident.

    Where does liability lie? What responsibility does the driver, or the school district, have to ensure students wear their seat belts? Is it reasonable to expect a driver to monitor dozens of children to ensure that belts are secured, and remain secured, throughout the drive?

    The August bus crash in Leander, Texas, brought these issues to the forefront. In October, it drew the attention of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

    The Leander Bus Accident

    On August 13, a school bus transporting elementary school children rolled over in a one-vehicle accident. While the driver was not criminally charged, dash cam footage showed the bus crossing the double-yellow center line multiple times. The bus then moved to the right and rolled off the pavement.

    Of the 42 children visible in onboard videos, only two were properly buckled. Another four wore the lap belt but not the shoulder belt. The driver was also cited for improper use of a seat belt.

    Fortunately, there were no fatalities. But 11 children did suffer injuries, and proper seat belt use could have reduced that number.

    NTSB Response

    The investigation is still ongoing. However, investigators at the NTSB did note that the school district didn’t do enough to ensure everyone was wearing seat belts.

    The NTSB responded to this crash, in part, by urging several national organizations to discuss the crash with their constituents. The goal is to push those organizations, which are dedicated to the safe transportation of schoolchildren, to enact and enforce seat belt policies. The NTSB’s recommendations include audits and mandatory driver instruction.

    Common Liability Issues With Vehicle Accidents

    Like many accidents, several factors can be blamed for this crash. Yes, the lack of seat belt use could be the main cause of some of the injuries. However, many additional factors could increase or decrease liability for the district and the driver:

    • Weather conditions that day included rain and wet roadways. However, bad weather does not necessarily remove fault from drivers.
    • The rear tires of the bus were worn below the recommended tread depth. If the district didn’t perform required maintenance, they could be liable.
    • The driver was shown to be going up to 11 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. Speeding, particularly in rainy conditions, is a common form of negligence.
    • Crossing the center line repeatedly could indicate impaired, reckless or drowsy driving. With children on the bus, distracted driving could also be a factor.
    • Dash cam footage provides a record of the incident, supporting claims from the various parties.

    Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer After an Accident

    After an accident like the one above, the parents of the schoolchildren, and even in some cases the driver, could sue for compensation. The factors listed above could all affect who is liable and their level of liability.

    At The Fell Law Firm, we help Texas residents collect compensation after serious motor vehicle accidents. If you or a loved one has been involved in a crash, you need a skilled advocate on your side. Call us today at 972-450-1418 or contact us online.

  • Is Auto-Driver Technology the Answer?

    Let’s face it; humans can be terrible drivers. We make a host of mistakes behind the wheel. For example, we drive when we’re tired, when we’re angry, and while we focus on anything but the road in front of us. Unfortunately, for all our flaws, we are also the best and only option for operating a motor vehicle.

    For many, self-driving vehicles have been the hoped-for solution for years. We’ve been waiting on robot drivers almost as eagerly as on flying cars. Who wouldn’t rather set the destination and forget about the trouble of getting there?

    Eager for any Solution

    As nice as it would be to have auto-driving technology on board, it’s important not to take that step too soon. It’s one thing to identify a problem and another to find a better solution. Auto-driving technology needs to be carefully reviewed before we allow uninhibited access to the roads we all share. 

    The new top official at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has promised to take a long, hard look at the safety records amassed by early entrants into the field of automated vehicle technology.

    What Is the Sweet Spot for Self-Driving Tech?

    One difficult question is what kind of failure rate are we willing to tolerate from self-driving vehicles? Most people regard themselves as better than average drivers. That means many, if not most, drivers overestimate their own skills and/or underestimate the skills of others. 

    We would likely all be happy to replace the other drivers with automated technology. But are we willing to turn over our own control to it?

    There’s no such thing as a perfect machine. If we demand perfection, automated technology will never arrive. If we demand technology that matches our current abilities as human drivers, we will continue to tolerate high numbers of injuries and deaths without holding the tech companies accountable for not doing better. 

    The NHTSA may play a large role in determining how safe it is when it comes to auto-driver devices.

    Turn to Us With Your Auto Accident Questions

    At The Fell Law Firm, we have years of experience helping the victims of car and truck accidents. We know how to protect you from insurance companies and a court system that can be difficult to navigate. If you have been in an accident, or if you have lost a loved one in a fatal crash, send us a message or call 972-450-1418.

  • The High Rate of Fatal Car Accidents

    Deadly car accidents are an accepted fact of life in the US. Tens of thousands of people die every year in preventable car and truck crashes. The numbers go up or down yearly, with relatively little attention paid. 

    Whatever year you pick, however, you will find that the US death rate in motor vehicle accidents is higher than in other wealthy nations. In fact, the US rate is generally more than double the average among similar nations. 

    Many factors go into this, but one is that American drivers accept a high death rate as normal. We don’t insist on better accountability from drivers or more action from law enforcement. The high death rate is abnormal, but do Americans realize it?

    One Problem Among Many

    It probably shouldn’t be a surprise that we have a high rate of car and truck accident deaths. Our mortality rates are higher than in other countries. This is due to many reasons, including our complicated healthcare system and dangerous roads lacking upkeep across the country.

    However, the high rate of fatal car accidents should not be a source of debate. Virtually every American life relies on ground transportation in one way or another. If you don’t drive, there’s a good chance your food does before it arrives on your table. 

    Road safety impacts your life to some degree in almost every case. That’s why it should be prioritized.

    Driver Behavior, Traffic Laws, Road Design, and More

    The causes of individual accidents are many and varied. The vast majority of fatal accidents are caused by driver error. People driving too fast for the conditions is a common element. Aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating, weaving and illegal passing are also a problem. Inattentive driving is harder to pinpoint, but it may be the largest contributing factor. 

    We tolerate and engage in unsafe driving practices regularly. Perhaps we ignore the problem because we all know that we’ve broken the rules at one time or another. Still, the overall cost of all the individual transgressions is more than we should tolerate. 

    Having twice as many vehicle deaths as other countries is not okay. You take a different view when you work with the people whose lives have been destroyed in these crashes.

    Call to Discuss Your Case Today

    The Fell Law Firm has extensive experience protecting the victims of serious car accidents. If you or a loved one has been in an accident, call us at 972-450-1418  to discuss what we can do for you.