How to Keep Your Child Safe From School Bus Stop Accidents

How to Keep Your Child Safe From School Bus Stop Accidents

News of devastating school bus accidents hurts all of us. Here is what you can do to keep your children safe at school bus stops.

As parents, sending your children off to school in the morning is one of the most normal things in the world – or at least it should be. You’re trusting that the school, teachers and other members of the community will help to keep your child safe until they return home to your care. Unfortunately, over the past few months, a rise in school bus stop accidents has shown us just how vulnerable our children really are.

Many families across the United States depend on school buses to transport their children back and forth from school. With many of these families have limited or no other options, it’s important that we understand what we can do to help keep our children safe, even when other drivers on the road are acting carelessly. If the unimaginable happens and your child has been injured as the result of a school bus accident, let Dallas personal injury attorney Zach Herbert help you and your family understand the next steps of the legal process.

School Bus Statistics

Last fall, we saw a cluster of early morning school bus accidents that resulted in serious injury and fatalities. One of the most sobering details of these devastating accidents is that they happened throughout several states – Mississippi, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Florida. This fact clearly illustrates that school bus safety is an issue for the nation as a whole, which has caused most of us to look more seriously at school bus statistics and safety. (1)

The first thing to understand is that while one child injured at their school bus stop is too many, millions of school children leave for school and arrive home safely at their school bus stops every day. The most recent data on school bus accidents that we have access to is from 2017, and those statistics show us that fatalities related to school bus accidents, including passengers and pedestrians, decreased from the years before. Unfortunately, reported injuries in these types of accidents did rise. (2)

What has caught many of us off guard has been the nature of these most recent accidents. As parents, we might worry about our child being involved in a roadway accident while in transit, but these events occurred at school bus stops – a place where the risk of danger should be minimal.

Tips for School Bus Stop Safety

Of course, our communities need to be looking at why these accidents are happening in the first place and what we can do to prevent them from a public safety standpoint. Still, as a parent, there are certain things you can do to help ensure your child stays safe. You can start by implementing these eight tips for school bus stop safety.

  • Make sure that children arrive at the bus stop with time to spare. Kids that are in a hurry are more likely to act without thinking and may put themselves in danger.
  • Arrange for a parent or other guardian to supervise young children at bus stops. This supervision will help keep kids off the road and not engaging in dangerous behaviors.
  • Talk to the right officials about location safety. If the bus stop is in an area that puts children at greater risk of harm, talk to the transportation director or school about a safer location.
  • Crossing the road should always be done in front of the bus, never behind it. This distinction also allows the bus driver to give your child the go-ahead after they ensure there is no oncoming traffic.
  • Don’t assume oncoming traffic is going to stop. Make sure traffic has come to a complete stop before crossing.
  • If your child drops something in the road, tell them to not risk grabbing it. Have them ask the bus driver or a supervising adult for assistance. A driver is less likely to see a crouching or child bending over in the road.
  • Make sure the bus is stopped completely. Wait until the bus has come to a complete stop and the doors have opened before making movements toward the bus.
  • Tell children to move straight ahead when entering or exiting a bus. Drivers react to predictable movements and aren’t prepared for a child that might backtrack.

When You Need a Personal Injury Attorney Richardson, Texas

If your child has been injured as a result of a school bus stop accident, a personal injury attorney in Richardson, Texas at Herbert & Eberstein can help your family on the path to recovery. As a community, we need to show that we’re serious about protecting our children. An experienced personal injury lawyer can be the voice that gets you heard.

 

Media Contact:

Attorney Zach Herbert

(T): 214-414-3808

https://zachherbert.attorney/

 

Sources

  1. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/school-bus-stop-accidents-claim-lives-of-five-children-as-distracted-driving-rises/
  2. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/school-bus/

Winter Can Mean More Truck Accidents

Winter Can Mean More Truck Accidents

The winter months often mean more dangerous roads for everyone. If you drive on the highway, you might encounter a lot of semi-trucks. Even in parts of the country that don’t ordinarily see heavy snowfall, the roads can get icy and slick.

Worse, drivers in warmer climates aren’t always accustomed to driving in winter weather, and this can lead them to underestimate just how dangerous the roads can be. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers some guidelines for staying as safe as possible on the highway through the winter months. If you have been involved in any type of car wreck or truck accident in Texas,  it’s in your best interest to speak with a Dallas truck accident lawyer to protect your rights and review all of your legal options. 

Prepare Your Car for Winter

Even if you don’t live in an area that requires snow tires, it’s still important to get your car thoroughly checked out before the cooler weather hits. Take your vehicle to a mechanic and have them look it over, checking for fluids that need to be topped off, as well as tires that might need to be replaced. It’s also a good idea to get an oil change before bad weather sets in.

Your mechanic can also check to make sure all of your exterior lights are working and can replace any lights that have burned out. Ask your mechanic to check for leaks in your car’s cooling system, and make sure your vehicle has enough coolant before you drive. You should also ensure that you have enough windshield washer fluid in your car’s reservoir, as this can help you clear ice and snow from your windshield.  

Check for Recalls

Many people are unaware that cars are frequently subject to recalls. Auto manufacturers have an obligation to notify car owners when a part is defective or something needs to be serviced or replaced on a vehicle.

If you bought your car used, or you moved since you purchased your vehicle, you might not receive notification of recalls in the mail. This possibility is why it’s important to check the NHTSA website on a regular basis. You can find recall information for your specific vehicle. If your car has been recalled, the manufacturer must repair it at no cost to you.

Be Familiar with Your Vehicle

Are you driving a new car? Or is this winter the first time you’ve handled your car in the snow and ice? Maybe you moved, and you’re not used to driving in hazardous winter conditions.

Now is the time to familiarize yourself with your vehicle. Some experts suggest taking your car for a drive on back roads or a residential neighborhood with slower speed limits. If you do this when the first snow starts falling, you can learn how your car handles in the ice and snow without worrying about being on the highway or traveling at high speeds.

Be Prepared for Emergencies

You never know when you’ll need to stay in your vehicle until help arrives. This is why it’s important to stock your car with enough supplies and emergency equipment to keep you safe. The NHTSA suggests creating an emergency supply kit that contains a snow shovel, broom or ice scraper. You should also have some kind of abrasive material, such as cat litter, on hand in the event your car gets stuck in the snow and you need to create some friction for your tires.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to keep jumper cables, flares and a flashlight in your emergency kit. You should also include blankets and water, along with some snacks. Finally, make sure you have a cell phone charger and any medication you need to take on a regular basis.

If you get stuck on the side of the road in an emergency situation, the NHTSA says it’s important to stay with your vehicle and to avoid overexerting yourself. Instead of leaving your car, put flares or markers around it so other vehicles can see you. Doing this will also help the police or emergency workers find your vehicle.

It’s also important to avoid running your car for extended periods of time, as this can increase the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. Instead, run your car sporadically if you need to keep warm, and crack your window to make sure you get enough fresh air.

Plan Your Route Ahead of Time

It’s also a good idea to know your route before you leave the house. You should never attempt to plan your route with a GPS as you drive, as this can lead to distractions that increase your risk of being involved in a car accident. Leave with enough time to reach your destination without rushing in winter weather. It’s better to be late than to be involved in a car accident.

The NHTSA also recommends letting other people know when you plan to arrive. This way they know you’re en route and can check in with you if they don’t hear from you at the time you’re supposed to reach your destination.   

If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident, call Attorney Zach Herbert at Herbert & Eberstein today.

 

Media Contact:

Attorney Zach Herbert

T: (214) 414-3808

https://zachherbert.attorney/

Follow Herbert & Eberstein on Facebook

 

Sources:

  1. https://www.nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips
  2. https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls

What Happens Right Before Trial in a Personal Injury Case?

What Happens Right Before Trial in a Personal Injury Case?

This is the conclusion to an ongoing series where Attorney Zach Herbert outlines the phases of an average personal injury case.  Not every case will follow this exact outline, as each case is different. If you missed the last installment of the series you can visit it here. 

After going through the discovery process in your personal injury case, the next phase you should expect to begin is the Deposition phase. It’s important to work with an experienced personal injury attorney at Herbert & Eberstein, to protect your rights in the final phases of your case. 

Phase 9: Depositions

Depositions are sworn testimony that is recorded out of court.  This saves lots of time and helps the case settle. If depositions were not allowed, most cases would proceed to trial before settling.  Many different depositions can be conducted, for instance: witnesses to the personal injury incident, doctors that treated the Plaintiff, the Plaintiff herself, the Defendant, Experts that have been hired by either side, and so on.  Depositions, or “depos” for short, take place in an office, usually a conference room. The person being deposed sits next to a court reporter, who types everything that is said. The attorneys for both sides can ask questions, but the attorney that “noticed” the depo asks questions first.  “Noticing” a depo means sending an official document to all involved that notices all parties of the date and time and place of the depo.

In a car wreck, depos may include a Plaintiff and Defendant depo.  These are usually on the same day and often take place in the Plaintiff’s attorney’s office.  Most of the time you will meet with your attorney before the deposition so that he or she can prepare you for what to expect.  Depos can last as little as 30 minutes and as long as a few hours. The maximum amount of time a depo can take in Texas is 6 hours, although you will rarely see this happen.  Your attorney will give you an estimate of how long it will last.

The whole point of depos is to figure out how the trial will go.  This allows the parties to proceed to the next phase, which is Mediation.  

Phase 10: Mediation

Mediation is where most cases settle.  Even if your case doesn’t settle at mediation, it is still worth the time to go to mediation.  Mediation takes place at the mediator’s office, and the parties are kept in separate rooms. Mediations can take two hours, half a day, or a full day, depending on the complexity and size of a case.  Most car wreck cases take two hours.

At this point, depos have likely been taken, and the parties have a good idea of how the trial will go.  Your attorney will give you his or her estimate of the chances at trial and the risk associated with going to trial.  The mediator will come into your room and talk with you and your attorney about your case. The mediator is a neutral party, meaning he or she is not on either side.  The mediator wants to settle the case and will work hard to do so. This may mean he or she will try to get you to take less while trying to get the other side to offer more.  Wait for your attorney to give his or her advice before making a decision on your case.

If your case does not settle at mediation, then the next phase is the Trial phase.  However, remember that there are still many opportunities to settle your case before trial.

Phase 11: Trial

Trials in Texas happen almost every week in the more populated counties.  Each court has its own set of “local rules,” which means your experience may differ from someone else’s.  Some courts are very quick to call cases to trial, and some are slow. Some courts require all parties to show up on Monday only to call one to trial and reset the rest.  This process can become frustrating, and many Plaintiffs can become disheartened with the whole thing. Don’t worry! Your case will eventually be tried!

A typical car wreck trial will start with pretrial motions, when the attorneys and judge discuss what evidence is going to be allowed.  Then voir dire, where the attorneys speak with a panel of potential jurors. The attorneys are allowed to “de-select” jurors, and then the final Jury is selected.  Next comes opening statements, presentation of evidence, and closing arguments. Every case is different, so going into detail at this point won’t be helpful. At a minimum, the Plaintiff will testify.  This is a lot like your deposition, only more evidentiary rules will apply. Your attorney will prepare you for this part before trial.

The Jury will then go into a room and deliberate.  They will have a document with them called the Jury Charge.  This has questions they must answer, which include monetary damages in most personal injury cases.  When the Jury is finished deliberating, the verdict is announced in court. A judgment is prepared for all parties to sign and the judge will enter a judgment 30 days after the verdict.  At this point, the case is finished! If the judgment included monetary damages, the final amount will be calculated, and a check will be issued to the Plaintiff’s attorney. (See Phase 5 for what to expect after settlement.)  

Every case is different, and none of the above was intended to be legal advice.  If you have questions about your personal injury suit, call Attorney Zach Herbert at 214-414-3808 or schedule a consultation.

 

Media Contact:

Attorney Zachary Herbert

(T): 214-414-3808

https://zachherbert.attorney

If Your Personal Injury Case Goes Wrong After Negotiation

If Your Personal Injury Case Goes Wrong After Negotiation | Zach Herbert

This is an ongoing series where Attorney Zach Herbert outlines the phases of an average personal injury case.  Not every case will follow this exact outline, as each case is different. If you missed the last installment in this series, visit it here “What to Expect in the Middle of Your Personal Injury Case” on the Herbert & Eberstein blog.

After you have gone through the steps of gathering evidence and negotiating your personal injury case, you will then have to decide if you want to settle your case. If you decide against a settlement pre-suit, the next phase to expect will be filing a lawsuit with the assistance of your Dallas personal injury attorney.

Phase 6: Filing Suit

At this point, your case has not settled, either because there were no offers, or you decided not to accept the offer to settle.  Regardless of the reason, a lawsuit must be filed. At this point, you might be thinking “I don’t want to go to trial!” Don’t worry just yet.  A very small percentage of civil cases that are filed end up at trial. In fact, more than 95 percent of all cases settle, depending on which county you are filed in.

The county your case is filed in depends on two things: where the personal injury happened and where the person you are suing lives.  A suit can be filed in either place. So, if you wreck happened in Dallas County but the person who caused it lives in Collin County, you can file your suit in either county.  Your lawyer will give you his or her advice on which county is best for your case.

The person you sue is called the Defendant.  In a car wreck, even though the person who caused the wreck has an insurance company that is paying for the damages, you must still sue the individual instead of the insurance company.  This is very old Texas law. In fact, the jury must never be told that an insurance company is paying or involved. The jury only sees that you sued the person responsible, not the insurance company.  Any evidence of an insurance company being involved is redacted from all documents as well.

Negotiations are all about what both sides think will happen at trial.  After all, the only reason you settle your case is because you don’t think you can recover more at trial than what they are offering now.  Sometimes settlements occur because the risk at trial is greater than what we are willing to take. Your attorney will guide you through this process and offer advice on your chances at trial.  The reason we are talking about negotiations now is because negotiations happen throughout litigation. Sometimes cases settle right after suit is filed, the day of trial, and everywhere in between.

It could take over a year and a half from filing suit to trial, and even longer than that.  This all depends on the county, the court, the judge, and the number of cases filed the previous year.  Your attorney has no control over how fast you get to trial. But remember, even though you have a trial date that is years away, most cases settle before that.  In fact, a typical car wreck case settled approximately 8-10 months after suit is filed.

Phase 7: Service

Once the lawsuit is filed, the Defendant must be served.  The court will issue a citation, which is a document that tells the Defendant that they have been sued and what to do.  The citation will be given to a process server, who will then personally serve the Defendant with the lawsuit. At this point, discovery is also served with the citation.  More on discovery later. Once served, the Defendant has until the Monday after 20 days to answer the lawsuit. Most of the time this process takes a couple of months. The process server must find the Defendant, and then the Defendant must notify his or her insurance company of the service.  Insurance companies in Texas do not have to defend an insured until they are asked to by their insured. This means that sometimes the Defendant might sit on the lawsuit, delaying the whole process. Or the Defendant skips town and is never heard from again. While this rarely happens, it is something to be prepared for.  But don’t worry, there are ways to work around an uncooperative Defendant.

Phase 8: Discovery

Discovery is where both sides exchange documents and media related to the case.  A set amount of questions are allowed to be asked in written form, as well as requests for documents.  These are called interrogatories and requests for production. Without going into the complex discovery rules in Texas, generally speaking, this is where we find out more about the other side’s position.  We ask written questions and they respond in writing. We ask for pictures, videos, and other documents and they respond with those documents. If the Defendant does not or objects, we might move the court to compel them to produce those documents.  

The Defendant is also going to ask us questions.  Most of the time we will need you to help us answer them, as you are the best person with the most knowledge about your case.  When we are served with discovery, we have until 30 days after service to answer. This is a short deadline, so we need to meet quickly to answer all of the questions and serve our answers.  The Defendant’s answers are due 50 days after service of the lawsuit, or 30 days after service of the requests, whichever is longer.

Once discovery is conducted, both sides have a better understanding of what the lawsuit will entail.  At this point, motions may be filed, and getting hearings and rulings may take some time. But most of the time, the case proceeds to the next phase, which is the deposition phase.

If you have been injured as a result of someone else, call Lawyer Zach Herbert at Herbert & Eberstein today. You may be entitled to receive compensation and should speak with an attorney to know all of your legal options.

Next up: Phase 9: Deposition Phase

 

Media Contact:

Attorney Zachary Herbert

T: (214) 414-3808

http://zachherbert.attorney

What to Expect in the Middle of Your Personal Injury Case

What to Expect in the Middle of Your Personal Injury Case | Zach Herbert

This is an ongoing series where Attorney Zach Herbert outlines the phases of an average personal injury case.  Not every case will follow this exact outline, as each case is different. If you missed the first installment in this series, visit it here “Different Phases of a Personal Injury Case” on the Herbert & Eberstein blog.

Once you have taken the first steps in beginning a personal injury claim, you will likely want to know what to expect next. After reporting your claim and going through liability determination, you should expect to go through these phases in your personal injury case next. 

Phase 3: Gathering Evidence/Demand

How long will this take?  This is a common question, and the most honest, but also most frustrating answer is “It depends.”  It depends on the following: the nature of injuries, the amount of treatment needed, the estimated coverage available, and the level of complexity of the case.  First, injuries in personal injury cases can range from minor to severe, and even death.  Minor injuries do not take long to heal, and the medical treatment associated with those injuries will also not take much time.  The severity of the injuries sustained in a personal injury event, like a car wreck, dictates how long the evidence gathering phase takes.

The whole point of this phase is to get a good picture of what damages the negligence of the defendant caused.  Put another way, how much were you hurt? To get a good snapshot of how much you were hurt, we must first look at the damages that are allowed to be recovered in a personal injury lawsuit.  Not all damages will be listed here, but the most common ones are medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and physical impairment. Damages can be divided into two categories: economic and non-economic.  

Economic damages are those that you can get a receipt for.  Examples of economic damages are medical expenses, property damage, loss of use, and lost wages.  These are relatively easy damages to calculate. Because these damages are so easy to calculate, insurance companies and lawyers tend to value cases based on these damages alone.  However, non-economic damages can be much more than economic damages.

Non-economic damages are intangible – they include things like pain.  If someone causes another person pain, compensation for that pain is possible.  However, quantifying another’s pain is very difficult. Thousands of trial books have been written on this subject.  However, the best way of looking at this is considering how much we spend to take pain away – from over the counter to anesthesia, taking pain away is very important to us, and expensive.  Causing another person pain should be measured in the same way.

In Texas, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is two years from the date of the incident.  This means a lawsuit must be filed against all responsible parties before two years is up. A trial does not have to happen by then, and in fact, many trials take place after the statute has run.  More on that later. For now, remember that no matter how severely injured you are, the clock is ticking on the lawsuit. Most lawyers will want to get the snapshot of your injuries over to the insurance company within a year.  This gives them enough time to negotiate, gather any additional evidence, and prepare a lawsuit.

A demand contains that snapshot.  In Texas, a demand to an insurance company needs to have all the evidence available to allow the insurance company to make a reasonable settlement offer.  At this point, attorneys vary on what their demands look like. Some think they need to be 10 pages long and summarize all medical records. Some think demands need to be only a page.  The reality is that demands need to have all the medical records and bills and any other evidence attached so the insurance company can have an opportunity to evaluate the case.

Phase 4: Negotiation
A reasonable time must be given to the insurance company after the demand is sent.  This may range from a few weeks to a month. Depending on how large the demand is, insurance companies may request an extension on their response.  When an insurance company responds to a demand, they usually do this in writing. Any offers to settle a case are for all damages. Rarely are offers itemized.  This means that whatever an insurance company offers, you get what is left after Attorney’s fees, expenses, and unpaid medical bills. Your attorney will communicate the offer to you, and estimate how much will be left for you, and then give his or her advice.  This advice usually is either take the offer or don’t take it. You are the only one that can settle your case. Your attorney merely gives you advice.

Negotiations may last a while.  The insurance company might want more information, or might lowball the first offer and necessitate some back and forth.  Your attorney might wait until he or she thinks they have the highest possible offer before they give you a final number and settlement advice.

Phase 5: Settlement pre-suit
If you decide to settle your case at this point, you are finished!  No lawsuit will be filed and no trial will take place. Roughly 50-60 percent of personal injury cases settle at this point.  However, many things must happen after the settlement. Any liens must be negotiated, the payment must be received, and the attorney must create an accounting for your approval.  Sometimes this can last 45-60 days after a settlement is reached. The settlement check will be deposited into a trust account until the final accounting is ready for your approval.  Once you receive your check, you don’t have to worry about federal income taxes – personal injury settlements are tax free!

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence,  you may be entitled to receive compensation and should speak with Lawyer Zach Herbert at Herbert & Eberstein today.

 

Next up Phase 6: Filing Suit

 

Media Contact:

Attorney Zachary Herbert

T: (214) 414-3808

http://zachherbert.attorney

 

Dallas Car Wrecks – Lawyer in Texas is Using Trial Technology to Win Car Wreck Cases

Dallas Car Wrecks – Lawyer in Texas is Using Trial Technology to Win Car Wreck Cases | Zach Herbert

Respected personal injury team Herbert & Eberstein officially announces a new website designed for the usability and comfort of their clients and website visitors.

(Richardson, TX) December 18, 2018: Herbert & Eberstein, a personal injury lawyer based in Richardson, Texas, has officially announced the release of a new, client-centered website at https://zachherbert.attorney/ . The new website is infused with a fresh, modern design that aligns with the law group’s image and their promise to make honesty and communication top priorities.

“We are beyond thrilled to present a new website designed and programmed by KISSPR.com, a Dallas based lawyer marketing and web design company. The new website serves those who are in need of legal assistance with personal injury claims,” said Attorney Zach Herbert, the Founder of Herbert & Eberstein. “KISS PR designed the website to help the public understand the scope of the services the law firm provides. Our design goal was to create a friendly space for everyone to connect with Herbert & Eberstein online, but without looking like a cookie cutter law firm website that most law firms have. Herbert & Eberstein is a unique team and their website reflects that personality,” says Katie Lynn, Web project manager at KISS PR.

Herbert & Eberstein’s new website has been updated to provide a more comprehensive overview of the legal services they provide, including information on the innovative data-backed trial technology that they employ when strategizing on how to present and win car wreck lawsuits for their clients.

One of the most prominent features of Herbert & Eberstein’s new website can be found on their “What We Do” page, where visitors can access information on very specific types of personal injury cases – from car and truck wrecks, nail salon negligence and dog bites, to wrongful death lawsuits. The streamlined design adds an element of comfort and convenience for potential clients who are suffering through an unfortunate situation.

“We know that when people come to us, they’re looking for trust and a solution,” said Jessica Williams, Paralegal at Herbert & Eberstein. “We’ve always prided ourselves on providing these things to the community. Now, our new website communicates these and our other core values of honesty, honor, and communication, on a digital platform that’s easily accessible to people who need our help.”

Herbert & Eberstein, headed by Attorney Zach Herbert, is a boutique law firm that offers professional, thorough, and compassionate legal representation to victims in personal injury cases. Their proven track record of success and experience in handling the sensitive aspects of personal injury cases has helped them build a reputation of respect as a legal authority in the community. Herbert & Eberstein invites you to visit their new website and contact them directly for a free review of your case.

About
Herbert & Eberstein is a team of legal professionals with a specialized focus on personal injury cases. Their success comes from the use of data-backed trial technology and impeccable knowledge of personal injury law. Herbert & Eberstein is located in Richardson, Texas and serves the greater Dallas-Fort Worth Metro area. They can be contacted through their new website or reached at (214) 414-3808.
Follow them on IG https://www.instagram.com/herblawgroup/
And Facebook https://www.facebook.com/herblawgroup

Media Contact 
Katie Lynn
(T): 972-646-2789
KISS PR – Dallas SEO for Lawyers

Different Phases of a Personal Injury Case

Different Phases of a Personal Injury Case | Zach Herbert

This is an ongoing series where Attorney Zach Herbert outlines the phases of an average personal injury case.  Not every case will follow this exact outline, as each case is different.

No one ever imagines that they will be injured as a result of someone else’s negligence.  But when it happens, most people are unsure of what to expect during a personal injury case. When a person is injured and in need of a Richardson personal injury attorney, the following is an outline of what to expect.

Phase 1: Reporting claim/treatment

When you are involved in a personal injury event, such as a car wreck, 18 wheeler wreck, or slip and fall, reporting the event to the insurance company begins the entire process.  It is crucial to not delay this first step. There could be multiple insurance companies involved, complex coverage issues, or specific reporting requirements related to the claim.  Finding coverage is important at this step in the process. If there is no insurance available, then it will become very difficult to obtain compensation.

Once coverage is identified, the insurance company(ies) involved will need basic information to be able to “set up a claim” and assign a claim number to the case.  This number should be on all correspondence to make sure that everything is being saved by the insurance company to the correct file. In a car wreck, insurance companies need the basic facts of the wreck, a police report if available, a general nature of the injuries, and names all parties involved and any witnesses.

 While all of this is going on, so is treatment.  All personal injury events involve medical treatment.  This may be from a hospital, orthopedic doctor, chiropractor, or primary care physician.  At this point, documentation is key. While you can say to an insurance company that you are hurt, there is no proof unless you are checked out by a medical professional and he or she writes your symptoms and diagnosis down in a medical record.  At this point, every case is different. Some cases last a very long time while treatment is completed. Some cases are very short, as minor injuries do not take as long to treat. At the end of the day, the point of all of this is to get a clear picture of what was caused by someone else’s negligence.  To put it a different way, the insurance company needs to know what happened and what was hurt.

Phase 2: Liability Determination

Every case will have a liability determination early on.  This is done by the insurance company after gathering the basic facts of the case and speaking to any witnesses.  A liability determination is important because it is a key part of any personal injury case. Liability is another way of saying “who is at fault” or “who is responsible.”  If the other person is not found to be at fault or responsible by an insurance company, then they will refuse to pay, no matter how badly a person is injured. We call this “denying liability.”  This is not necessarily the end of the world, as there are ways of getting over a bad liability determination. However, more evidence is needed. For example, if a person runs a red light and hits you, but tells his or her insurance company that their light was green, then the insurance company will most likely deny liability.  But if a police report is made that places responsibility on the other person, or if a witness can be found, then the liability determination may be reversed.

Most times liability is “accepted” by the insurance company.  This now allows the insurance company to begin to pay for damages caused by their insured.  A good example of this is property damage. Once liability is accepted, the insurance company will assess the property damage and make an offer to pay.  In the case of car wrecks, this is usually the fair market value of the vehicle right before the wreck occurred. Many times, this is less than what a new car will cost, or less than what is owed on the car.  It is important to purchase gap insurance to defray the costs incurred in these situations.

Personal Injury Protection and Medical Payments coverage, purchased through your insurance company, do not require a liability determination before paying for damages.  If you have purchased collision insurance and decide to go through your insurance company, no liability determination is required before your insurance will begin paying for damages.

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence,  you may be entitled to receive compensation and should speak with Lawyer Zach Herbert at Herbert & Eberstein today.
Next up: Phase 3. Gathering Evidence/Demand

 

Media Contact:

Attorney Zachary Herbert

T: (214) 414-3808

http://zachherbert.attorney

Common Types of Car Accidents and How To Avoid Them

Common Types of Car Accidents and How To Avoid Them

There are many types of car accidents resulting in injuries to drivers and passengers, but some are much more common than others. These types of accidents occur hundreds of times on a daily basis across U.S. and Texas roadways. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Texas, you should speak with a Dallas car accident lawyer today.  Below is a list of the six most common types of auto accidents, and some tips on how you can avoid them.

1. Rear-End Accidents

One of the first things you learn when you are a beginner driver is to not hit the car in front of you. As simple as this sounds, rear-end collisions account for 25 to 30 percent of all car accidents.

Perhaps we drive close to the car in front of us because we think it will help us get to our destinations quicker. Or we don’t think that the car in front of us will step on his or her brakes until after we finish sending our text. However, car accident statistics show that this isn’t the case. While rear-end accidents are usually not viewed as anything more than a fender bender, they can and do cause serious injuries frequently.

Avoiding rear-end crashes: Leave ample space between your car and the one in front of you. You learned this in drivers’ education – don’t forget it now. Also, don’t drive distracted. Don’t access your cell phone while you are behind the wheel.

2. Falling Asleep Behind the Wheel

This may not seem like that likely of an event, but falling asleep at the wheel happens more than you think. In fact, it’s estimated that about 7 percent of all car accidents, and 21 percent of crashes with fatalities, are caused by sleeping or drowsy drivers. Additionally, nearly 37 percent of drivers have admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel at least once in their lives.

Avoiding falling asleep behind the wheel: This one is simple – if you haven’t had enough sleep, or you feel drowsy, don’t get behind the wheel. There isn’t anything so important that you should take the risk of driving while you are so tired.

3. Losing Control of Your Car

Losing control of a vehicle causes about 11 percent of all car accidents. This percentage may seem like quite a large number because it’s hard to imagine losing control of your vehicle, but it does happen. A driver who is driving at too high of a speed can easily lose control going around a curve. Wet roads can also cause drivers to lose control. There are many other reasons that a driver may lose control. Really, any surprise situation whether a sudden turn or stop, an animal in the road, or anything that demands an instant response, can cause even an experienced driver to lose control.

Avoiding losing control of your car: Always keep in mind that your driving skills are not the only thing at play when you are driving. Your car, other drivers and the weather are also contributing factors.

4. Heading into Blind Areas

If you have ever made a left turn at an intersection when there is a big truck or bus opposite you and your vision is blocked, then you understand what it is to head into blind areas. As much as 12 percent of car accidents happen in these types of situations.

Avoiding heading into blind areas: Don’t assume. Always make sure that you can see what is coming. If you can’t, wait.

5. Lane or Road Departure

Staying in your lane is right up there on the list of things you learn first in drivers’ ed. Yet, 33 percent of accidents happen due to distracted lane departure. Distracted lane departure can be caused by a number of things, but it usually boils down to distracted driving. Whether it’s a cell phone, children in the backseat, or eating dinner with one hand and driving with the other, distractions can and do cause many accidents.

Avoiding lane departure accidents: Put down your technology, eat before you get in your car, and pay attention to the road in front of you – it might just save the kids in the backseat.

When the Worst Happens and You are Involved in a Car Accident

If you have been involved in a car accident, one of the types listed above or another type, it’s important that you contact a car accident attorney like Zach Herbert at Herbert & Eberstein for help with your case. If the other driver is responsible, and you have sustained injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages.

 

Media Contact:

Attorney Zachary Herbert

T: (214) 414-3808

http://zachherbert.attorney

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