Houston Reckless Driving - Stewart J. Guss, Attorney At Law

How a Negligent Driver in Our City Can Change Your Life

A car accident caused by a reckless driver can forever change your quality of life. Houston traffic is challenging for everyone, but it takes just one reckless driver to cause havoc. If you’re involved in a Houston car accident, the moment of impact is when the legal clock begins ticking on your time limit for pursuing a civil lawsuit. If you suffered serious injuries or lost a close loved one due to a reckless driver, consider contacting a Houston reckless driving lawyer today.

What Is Reckless Driving?

Texas transportation code defines reckless driving as driving a motor vehicle with willful disregard for the safety of others or personal property. Reckless driving charges may involve misdemeanors and/or felonies, depending upon the harm caused to others and property.

Examples of reckless driving include:

This isn’t a complete list of all types of reckless driving, but one thing is certain: drivers who fail to obey the rules of the road place everyone around them at risk for serious harm. If you or a loved one experienced a traumatic accident that resulted in severe injuries, a Houston reckless driving lawyer can help.

Criminal charges serve to punish an offender. While a conviction may serve as one form of justice, it does nothing to pay for your damages. Medical expenses, combined with an inability to work, can cause you to experience significant financial stress.

Fortunately, you do not have to face these challenges alone. A Houston car accident lawyer can assist you by protecting your right to compensation. A financial award is never guaranteed; however, such an award is worth pursuing when you’ve suffered an injury due to another party’s negligence.

Why Is Reckless Driving Bad in Houston?

Houston is notorious for its bad traffic. The city ranks 8th in the nation in terms of worst city for traffic congestion, which is well-known and understood by area residents. The time spent sitting in traffic can fray even the calmest of nerves. Still, it’s no excuse for reckless action by other drivers.

From weaving in and out of traffic to failing to watch for stopped traffic, a reckless driver takes chances without thought or care for those around them. The results are often catastrophic for other drivers. A rear-end collision, a rollover, or a side-swipe accident are just a few of the possible types of accidents.

Houston drivers must share the road responsibly. A Texas driver’s license is a privilege, not a right. While a criminal court may take away an at-fault driver’s driving privileges, this does nothing to pay your mounting medical costs.

If another driver failed to use care and caused you or a loved one serious harm, contact a Houston car accident law firm as soon as possible. A lawyer will understand the challenges you face with your recovery and your expenses. Give careful thought to seeking the help of an experienced Houston reckless driving lawyer today.

Common Houston Accident Injuries

A reckless driver can cause these injuries to other drivers:

Brain injury: Disrupts normal brain function and may result in permanent brain damage.
Spinal cord injury: Typically results in paralysis, making a power chair and home modifications potentially necessary.
Broken bones: The type of break can determine the length of recovery and the need for therapy and future surgeries.
Internal injuries: If left untreated, organ damage, internal bleeding, and internal injury can result in death.
Burns: Treatment may require a specialized burn center, far from home.
Neck and back trauma: Severe tissue damage in the neck or disc injury may make returning to work impossible.

These and other types of serious injuries can bring your life to a halt. The activities you once enjoyed may be impossible or at least postponed. A catastrophic injury, like that of a brain or spinal cord injury, can result in total lifetime costs that reach millions.

No one should pay out of pocket for costs that arose due to the negligence of someone else. Your accident injuries were most likely preventable, if only the other driver acted responsibly. You should not pay out of pocket for expenses that result from another driver’s poor choices.

We understand that the pain of your injuries and the stress of your financial situation is troublesome and unfair, but a Houston car accident attorney can help you pursue compensation for your damages and keep you informed throughout the process.

Gather Evidence and Use Caution When Discussing Your Accident

A smartphone can provide valuable evidence to support your reckless driving claim. If your phone survived the accident, it may contain photographs or other evidence from the accident scene.

Names and phone numbers for witnesses are helpful when it comes time to build your case. Your attorney may want to interview any eyewitnesses for more information regarding the accident.

A quick post to social media about your accident may seem like a fast way to update your friends and family, but you should refrain from posting anything on social media to ensure you don’t jeopardize your case. A misinterpreted post may result in the insurance company blaming you for the accident!

The official police report and your medical information are valuable information for your legal team. To build your case for compensation, your team must get to work quickly. The less information they need to gather, the sooner your attorney can begin to fight for compensation on your behalf.

No matter how small a piece of information may seem, sharing it with your lawyer may make a big difference in your case. By working together, you and your lawyer will build a strong case that seeks compensation for the full cost of your injuries.

Types of Compensation Possible for Your Damages

The medical bills you receive can quickly reach unmanageable sums. Compensation for your medical costs or those of a loved one is just part of why pursuing a civil claim and lawsuit is a smart idea.

Your injuries may prevent you from returning to the job you had before the accident. You may miss the interaction with your coworkers or the career you once had. The most upsetting factor is often the loss of income.

Stress and anxiety can plague you as you struggle to recover. The split-second a reckless driver collided with your vehicle is the moment your life changed forever. The driver who failed to follow the rules of the road must face responsibility for those careless actions which have gravely affected your life. Such behavior demands accountability and a strong fight for compensation.

A Houston car accident lawyer will fight to secure the best possible outcome in your case. From your medical costs to lost wages, your lawyer understands the impact of the accident on your career, health, finances, and relationships.

The sooner you retain a lawyer to represent your legal interests, the faster your attorney can get to work on your case. Pursuing compensation alone is a difficult and daunting task, especially if you are unfamiliar with the legal process. Consider seeking the assistance of a Houston law firm without delay.

Why Insurance Companies Want to Settle Your Claim Fast

The fear you feel regarding your situation may drive you to accept the first settlement offer you receive. An initial settlement offer may appear like a large amount of money, and it may seem like the answer to your situation.

It is hard to think in terms of the future when your present is incredibly stressful. A Houston car accident lawyer understands that accident victims feel overwhelmed and confused by insurance offers and legal terms, and they’re not above taking advantage of you.

If an insurance adjuster pressures you to accept a settlement offer before you retain a lawyer, stop and take a deep breath. There are ulterior motives at work. The insurance company wants to protect its profits and best interests.

Without a lawyer by your side, you may accept a settlement that results in waiving your rights to pursue any additional compensation down the road. When an accident victim accepts a settlement, the insurance company closes the claim, thus preventing the victim from initiating further legal action.

The danger of this is the reality that you may experience future complications from your injuries. With no recourse to pursue additional compensation, you may not have the money you need to pay for quality medical care.

The reckless driver responsible for your harm must face accountability. A civil case is your opportunity to hold the at-fault party accountable and to fight for compensation for the full cost of your injuries.

When Reckless Driving Kills

If you lost a close loved one due to a reckless driver, you may want to pursue a wrongful death claim and lawsuit. There is no excuse for reckless driving, and holding the responsible party accountable for your loved one’s death is how a lawyer can help you.

The loss of your close loved one is something no amount of money can replace. Possible compensation can, however, help ease your financial stress during this heartbreaking time. A wrongful death settlement often covers these damages:

Final medical expenses for your loved one: The medical expenses relating to your loved one’s final days.
Funeral and burial costs: The thousands of dollars required for funeral and/or cremation costs.
Loss of income: If your loved one contributed income toward your household expenses.
Loss of future income: The earnings and contributions possible had your loved one survived the injuries.

Other types of damages include the loss of inheritance and loss of companionship. The economic and non-economic damages and possible compensation depend upon the specifics of your case. Since all reckless driving claims are different, nobody can guarantee compensation. The outcome of your case may differ from a relatively similar case.

A wrongful death attorney can determine if you qualify for pursuing a wrongful death claim and lawsuit. Your relationship with the decedent plays a key role in whether you may pursue compensation for your loss. Relationships that qualify for such civil action generally include surviving spouses, parents, and children.

When you reach out for a free case evaluation, your Houston wrongful death attorney will treat you with compassion, patience, and respect. You deserve nothing less during this difficult time. An attorney’s experience working with families who suffer a sudden loss helps the attorney know how to guide others through the wrongful death process.

Remember, you do not have to deal with insurance adjusters who will not take no for an answer. Refer them to your lawyer, and focus your efforts on your family and on remembering your loved one.

The Importance of Protecting Your Best Interests

A free case consultation provides you with the information necessary for moving forward. A Houston car accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement, but it takes years of professional experience and skill to come out on top in such negotiations. This is why hiring the right attorney is important for your case.

The negotiation process takes time—something in short supply. The two-year statute of limitations for Houston car accidents and wrongful death cases does not leave you much time for pursuing compensation.

Negotiating with an insurance company alone can leave you without the funds you need for your care and your family’s daily expenses. Insurance companies generally win when it comes to negotiating with accident victims without a lawyer present.

A Houston car accident attorney will negotiate on your behalf and ensure that your case meets all court requirements. Your attorney has the education and experience necessary to represent you with either a car accident or a wrongful death claim and lawsuit.

A Houston Reckless Driving Attorney Can Help You

Hiring a lawyer does not mean you are weak—it simply means that you want to protect your right to fair compensation. Look for a Houston car accident lawyer who can deal aggressively with insurance companies but compassionately toward you.

If you experienced serious injuries or lost a close loved one, consider taking the first step toward a civil claim and lawsuit by contacting a Houston lawyer today. The reckless actions of another driver demand accountability. You do not have to fight for justice alone.

No one particularly enjoys the daily challenges of Houston traffic, but when reckless drivers disregard traffic laws and take matters into their own hands in an attempt to reach their destinations sooner, they could cause you serious harm. Make the smart choice. Contact a Houston reckless driving accident lawyer ASAP to learn more about your legal rights and options.