What to Do After a Car Accident in Houston, Texas if it was Your Fault
Stay Calm and Check for Injuries
If you caused a car accident in Houston, Texas, the first thing you should do is stay calm. Check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Even if there are no visible injuries, it’s still a good idea to get checked out by a medical professional.
Call the Police
The next step is to call the police. The police will come to the scene of the accident and file an accident report. This report will be important when you file an insurance claim.
Exchange Information with the Other Driver
You should exchange information with the other driver involved in the accident. Get their name, phone number, address, insurance company and policy number.
Take Pictures of the Accident Scene
Take pictures of the accident scene from different angles. This can help your insurance company determine who was at fault.
Contact Your Insurance Company
After you have exchanged information with the other driver and taken pictures of the accident scene, contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident.
Legal Consequences of Causing a Car Accident in Houston, Texas
If you caused a car accident in Houston, Texas, there are several legal consequences that you may face:
Traffic Violations
You may be issued a traffic violation ticket if you violated any traffic laws that led to the accident. These tickets can result in fines and points on your driving record.
Civil Lawsuits
The other driver or passengers involved in the accident may sue you for damages such as medical bills or lost wages. If they win the lawsuit, you will be responsible for paying these damages.
Criminal Charges
If someone was seriously injured or killed in the accident, you may face criminal charges such as reckless driving or vehicular manslaughter. These charges can result in fines, jail time and the loss of your driver’s license.
Reporting a Car Accident to the Police in Houston, Texas: Time Limit
If you caused a car accident in Houston, Texas, it’s important to report it to the police as soon as possible. In fact, Texas law requires that you report any accident that results in injury or death within 10 days of the accident.
Why You Should Report an Accident
Reporting an accident is important because it creates an official record of what happened. This record can be used by your insurance company and in court if there are any legal disputes.
How to Report an Accident
To report an accident in Houston, Texas, call 911 if there are injuries or significant property damage. If there are no injuries and minimal property damage, you can file a crash report online through the Texas Department of Transportation website.
Increase in Insurance Rates After Being at Fault for a Car Accident in Houston, Texas
If you caused a car accident in Houston, Texas, your insurance rates will likely increase. This is because insurance companies consider drivers who have been at fault for accidents to be higher risk and more likely to file future claims.
How Much Will Your Rates Increase?
The amount that your insurance rates will increase depends on several factors including:
– The severity of the accident
– The amount of damage caused
– Your driving history
On average, drivers who are at fault for accidents see their insurance rates increase by around 30%.
How Long Will Your Rates Stay High?
Your insurance rates will likely stay high for several years after the accident. Most insurance companies consider accidents to be “chargeable” for three to five years.
Potential Lawsuits from Other Parties Involved in a Car Accident in Houston, Texas
If you caused a car accident in Houston, Texas, you may face lawsuits from other parties involved in the accident. These lawsuits can result in significant financial damages.
Types of Lawsuits You May Face
The most common types of lawsuits that drivers face after causing an accident include:
– Personal injury lawsuits: These lawsuits are filed by individuals who were injured in the accident and seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
– Property damage lawsuits: These lawsuits are filed by individuals who suffered property damage as a result of the accident.
– Wrongful death lawsuits: If someone was killed in the accident, their family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit against you.
How to Protect Yourself from Lawsuits
To protect yourself from potential lawsuits after causing an accident, it’s important to:
– Carry adequate insurance coverage
– Cooperate with law enforcement and your insurance company
– Avoid admitting fault or making statements that could be used against you
Types of Damages You Can Be Held Responsible for After Causing a Car Accident in Houston, Texas
If you caused a car accident in Houston, Texas, you may be held responsible for several types of damages including:
Property Damage
You may be responsible for paying for any property damage that resulted from the accident. This includes damage to other vehicles or buildings.
Medical Bills
If anyone was injured in the accident, you may be responsible for paying their medical bills.
Lost Wages
If someone was unable to work due to injuries sustained in the accident, you may be responsible for paying their lost wages.
Pain and Suffering
If someone suffered physical or emotional pain as a result of the accident, you may be responsible for paying damages for pain and suffering.
Hiring an Attorney After Causing a Car Accident in Houston, Texas: Is it Necessary?
If you caused a car accident in Houston, Texas, hiring an attorney is not necessary but it can be helpful. An attorney can help protect your rights and ensure that you are not taken advantage of by insurance companies or other parties involved in the accident.
When Should You Hire an Attorney?
You should consider hiring an attorney if:
– You are facing lawsuits from other parties involved in the accident
– Your insurance company is denying your claim
– You are facing criminal charges related to the accident
What Can an Attorney Do for You?
An attorney can:
– Help negotiate with insurance companies
– Represent you in court if necessary
– Provide legal advice and guidance throughout the process
Fault and Payment Responsibility After a Car Accident in Houston, Texas
Determining fault after a car accident in Houston, Texas is important because it determines who is responsible for paying damages. In Texas, fault is determined based on who was negligent or careless leading up to the accident.
How Fault is Determined
To determine fault after an accident, law enforcement will investigate the scene of the accident and interview witnesses. Insurance adjusters will also investigate the accident and make their own determination of fault.
Paying Damages
The party who is found to be at fault for the accident is responsible for paying damages. If both parties are found to be partially at fault, they may split payment responsibility.
Suspension or Revocation of Driver’s License After Causing a Car Accident in Houston, Texas
If you caused a car accident in Houston, Texas, your driver’s license may be suspended or revoked depending on the severity of the accident.
When Your License May be Suspended
Your license may be suspended if:
– You were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident
– You caused an accident that resulted in serious injury or death
– You were involved in a hit and run accident
When Your License May be Revoked
Your license may be revoked if:
– You were involved in multiple accidents within a short period of time
– You were convicted of multiple traffic violations
No Insurance and Causing a Car Accident in Houston, Texas: Consequences
If you caused a car accident in Houston, Texas and do not have insurance, you may face significant financial consequences.
Paying for Damages Out-of-Pocket
If you do not have insurance, you will be responsible for paying for any damages resulting from the accident out-of-pocket. This can include property damage, medical bills and lost wages.
Lawsuits
The other party involved in the accident may sue you for damages. If they win the lawsuit, you will be responsible for paying these damages.
Negotiating with the Other Driver’s Insurance Company After Causing a Car Accident in Houston, Texas
If you caused a car accident in Houston, Texas and are filing an insurance claim with the other driver’s insurance company, it’s important to know how to negotiate effectively.
Tips for Negotiating with Insurance Companies
To negotiate effectively with an insurance company:
– Provide as much documentation as possible including pictures of the accident scene and medical bills
– Don’t accept the first settlement offer
– Be persistent but polite
Duration of Resolving an Insurance Claim After Causing a Car Accident in Houston, Texas
The duration of resolving an insurance claim after causing a car accident in Houston, Texas depends on several factors including:
– The severity of the accident
– The complexity of the case
– Whether or not fault is disputed
In general, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to resolve an insurance claim.
Avoiding Legal and Financial Consequences After Causing a Car Accident in Houston, Texas: Is it Possible?
While it’s not possible to completely avoid legal and financial consequences after causing a car accident in Houston, Texas, there are steps you can take to minimize them.
Steps You Can Take
To minimize legal and financial consequences:
– Drive safely and obey traffic laws
– Carry adequate insurance coverage
– Cooperate with law enforcement and your insurance company
– Avoid admitting fault or making statements that could be used against you
In Houston, Texas, if you are at fault in a car accident, you may face legal and financial consequences such as fines, increased insurance rates, and potential lawsuits. It is important to take responsibility for your actions and seek legal guidance to navigate the aftermath of the accident.
What happens if you are at fault in a car accident in Texas?
In Texas, there is a fault-based insurance system, which means that if you are found to be at fault for an accident, you cannot receive compensation for any injuries you may have sustained. You will be responsible for paying your own medical expenses or relying on your health insurance.
How much do you usually get from a car accident settlement in Texas?
If you are wondering about the average car accident settlement in Texas, it typically includes compensation for medical expenses and missed work, plus an additional 2-3 times that amount for emotional and physical suffering.
How do you fight at fault accidents in Texas?
Get in touch with your insurance provider to document your disagreement and make it clear that you are not accepting fault. Provide detailed information about what you are disputing, and reference any evidence that supports your position.
How long do insurance companies have to determine fault in Texas?
According to Texas law, insurance companies must respond to filed claims within 15 days of receiving notification. They are required to acknowledge and take action on the claim within this time frame.
How long does an at fault accident affect insurance in Texas?
Car accidents in Texas are recorded on a person’s driving record for a period of five years. If a person is involved in a car accident, they may also receive a traffic ticket. These tickets can have negative impacts on a person’s driving record, including their driver’s license points, driving privileges, and car insurance rates.
How do insurance companies determine fault in Texas?
Insurance companies rely on the evidence in car crashes to determine fault. In addition to the police report, they will review statements provided by witnesses, photos from the accident, and even cell phone records of those who were involved.
