Jason Stephens | November 24, 2021 | Car Accidents

Even minor car accidents can generate lawsuits if the other party feels that you were the cause of the accident. They may sue you if they suffered injuries from the accident.

You might think that insurance will protect you if legal issues arise after a car accident. While this is true, there are times in which an insurance company might refuse to pay for the damages. 

If you’re facing a lawsuit after causing a car accident, there are several steps that you can take. Read on to learn more.

Always Record the Details of the Accident

To help protect yourself from a potential lawsuit, you should always take several steps if you’re ever in a car accident. 

These include:

  • Reporting the accident to your insurance company and the police
  • Taking photos of the scene of the accident, all vehicles involved, and any injuries you face
  • Recording the names of any witnesses

If your insurance company is not notified in a timely manner after an accident, they may deny any claim from the other party. For this reason, reporting the accident to the police is the most important thing you can do.

Learn What Your Insurance Provides

It’s vital to know what your insurance policy covers. Drivers in Fort Worth are required to carry basic insurance coverage that includes:

  • $30,000 per person for bodily injuries
  • $60,000 per accident for bodily injuries
  • $25,000 per accident for property damages

Texas also requires insurance companies to offer personal injury protection, also known as PIP, but policyholders can decline this coverage. 

PIP coverage helps pay for the policyholder’s injuries, regardless of who is at fault for an accident. The other driver may already have their personal injuries covered if they have the PIP rider on their policy. However, if their injuries exceed the policy limits, they may attempt to file a lawsuit against you to recover the remainder.

What Kinds of Damages Are Sought By the Other Side?

When car accident victims file a personal injury lawsuit, they might be seeking compensation for a variety of things, such as:

  • Physical injuries
  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Ongoing medical needs
  • Mental pain and anguish

The more details you have about the damages that are being claimed by the other party, the better you may be able to defend yourself. 

For instance, your liability insurance should cover the costs of repairing or replacing the other driver’s car if you were at fault for the accident. Even if your policy limits will not pay for the full value of the other party’s damages, they may help to reduce the total value of the case against you.

Speak with a Qualified Personal Injury Attorney

It can be hard to know what to do after a car accident, but things can be especially confusing when you find out that you’re facing a lawsuit.

The best step that you can take is to talk with an attorney. Many experienced car accident attorneys will offer clients the chance to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to review the facts of their case.

A legal professional can help you to collect your medical records, review photographs of the accident site, gather police reports, negotiate with insurance agents and lawyers for the opposing side, and make decisions about your case.

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Fort Worth, TX

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth and need legal help, contact our Fort Worth car accident lawyers at Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents to schedule a free consultation.

Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents
1300 S University Dr # 300
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 420-7000