Houston Car Accident Injury Lawyer

Car accident lawyer Ryan DeHoyos explains Texas car accident laws and everything you need to know if you’ve been injured in a car accident in Houston, TX.

Any serious injury from a car accident in Houston can result in life-changing consequences, including colossal medical bills that create financial problems.

Even relatively minor injuries can run up bills, restrict the ability to work, and have other effects on your quality of life. For some families, even a few days of lost work can have major financial implications.

Nobody should have to suffer the financial fallout from an injury caused by the negligent or reckless actions of another road user in Houston.

You may be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering caused as well as your financial losses – but you don’t have to fight for it alone at this challenging time.

Car accident lawyer, Ryan DeHoyos, has represented many families in the Houston area who have been affected by serious injuries from accidents on our roads.

The team at the DeHoyos Law Firm, PLLC can provide the support and expertise you need and help you fight for a fair deal either in or out of the courtroom.

No fee unless we win!

Car accident laws in Texas

The compensation laws in Houston, Texas are on your side if you have been involved in an accident that was at least 50-percent someone else’s fault.

Texas is a “fault” state so insurance companies must determine fault before providing coverage for an auto accident.

The minimum insurance coverages that drivers are required to have in Texas are:

• $30,000 per person for bodily injury
• $60,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $25,000 for property damage

These are minimum payments. Experienced car accident lawyers may be able to negotiate a settlement well above these minimums based on other factors surrounding your case.

However, bear in mind that there are also caps on the compensation you can receive for economic damages, punitive damages, and government claims in Texas.

The key to a higher settlement is to allow a professional with experience in such matters to conduct all communications with the insurance company.

Why hire a car accident lawyer in Houston?

After a car accident, the priority is to recover swiftly from your injuries and get back to normality as soon as possible.

This can be a huge challenge in the case of a serious and debilitating injury. It can place a huge financial strain on the family in addition to the emotional strain of worrying about a loved one.

Besides the physical and emotional pain, there are the medical costs, costs of vehicle damage, and possible missed time from work to contend with.

Claiming compensation from an insurance company can be extremely challenging for anyone unfamiliar with the process. This only adds to the stress. Insurance companies employ loss adjusters specifically to minimize payouts. They play hard and are notorious for low-balling and denying claims to increase profits. The law does little to protect you in this regard.

That is why it is so important to conduct negotiations knowing what to expect, what to say, and how to handle the strategies you will encounter. An experienced car accident lawyer like Ryan DeHoyos knows how to handle negotiations with insurance companies and will fight for your best interests.

If you are focused on recovering as soon as possible from your injury, it can be a great comfort to pass all correspondence with the insurance company over to your lawyer from the beginning. No paperwork and no phone calls from you are needed.

While aiming to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company, we will:

• Gather and refer to all the important evidence
• Review medical records for missing or incomplete information
• Contact witnesses and other important parties
• Arrange for expert witnesses, if necessary
• Position you for the most favorable outcome possible

Having an experienced car accident attorney on your side can dramatically improve your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve for your injuries, avoiding the common mistakes that people make when claiming.

We are prepared to go to trial if no reasonable settlement is offered.

Learn More → How long after a car accident can you claim compensation for your injuries?

Why hire Ryan DeHoyos as your car accident lawyer?

Ryan A. DeHoyos has been an established face in the courtrooms of Houston for over a decade. In recent years, he has represented local families affected by personal accident injuries in the city and the surrounding areas.

Ryan went to South Texas School of Law and graduated with a Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2009. Upon graduation, Ryan worked for a local law firm and several large businesses to hone his litigation and trial skills, and today he uses this experience and his holistic understanding of legal matters to obtain favorable results for his clients

His knowledge and understanding of the local court system, the associated procedures, and the personnel involved can benefit your case.

When you choose Ryan DeHoyos to manage your case, you can expect the following:

• A compassionate, friendly, and focused approach.
• An attorney who is truly focused on your best interests
• A detail-oriented examination of your case
• Tenacious negotiations with the insurance company of the at-fault party
• Open and regular communication to keep you informed at every stage of the process
• No “legalese”, Ryan will explain matters in clear English no matter how complex
• The expertise of a personal injury lawyer recognized as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers
• An impressive track record of success in and out of the courtroom

Ryan DeHoyos will fight for your best interests but you still retain control of the ultimate decision: whether to accept a settlement or proceed to a trial. His advice and guidance can prove invaluable when making this decision.

What to do if you’ve been involved in a car accident in Houston?

The first steps you take after a car accident in Houston can affect your claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

Much depends on your condition after your accident. If possible, however, try to take the following steps:

• Remain at the scene. Do not leave before first responders/police arrive even if you think you are unhurt.
• Check on the condition of other drivers/passengers.
• Call the police. You must dial 911 if you are involved in a car accident in Houston; you will need a copy of the police report to file a claim.
• Exchange contact, insurance, and license information with the other road users involved.
• Take pictures or video of the wreckage or any damage caused to property.
• Gather the details of any witnesses to the accident.
• Make detailed notes about what happened – including road/weather conditions, etc.
• Get a medical checkup as soon as possible.
• Contact a reputable Houston car accident attorney.

For further information on this, here are all the steps you should and should not take after a car accident.

Common injuries caused by car accidents in Houston

For further information on this, here are all the Because of all the variables involved in car accidents, the types of injuries are varied.

Much depends on the speed of the vehicles at the time of the accident, the types of vehicles involved, whether evasive actions were taken by the drivers, and so on.

Most frequently, Houston car accident attorney Ryan DeHoyos claims compensation for victims of the following types of serious injuries:

• Bone fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Chronic pain injuries
• Brain injuries
• Amputations and disfigurement
• Whiplash injuries

Learn More → What to do if you are hit by a drunk driver in Houston

If your injury is not included in the list above, please feel free to contact us anyway. We can assess your legal position during a free case evaluation.

Compensation for car accident victims in Houston and beyond

Life shouldn’t stop for you and your family after you have been injured in a car accident. The DeHoyos Law Firm, PLLC will help you pick up the pieces, recover, and rebuild going forward with fair compensation for your injuries.

We receive no fee unless we win compensation for your injury. Start by booking a free and confidential consultation or call (832) 745-4878.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main causes of car accidents in Houston?

Most car accidents in Houston are the result of one of the following:

• Distracted driving: Texting, eating, applying make-up, and adjusting the stereo are all forms of distracted driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol: On average, 28 people die in drunk driving-related accidents every day in the US
• Speeding: Excessive speed is a killer on the roads – and if you are lucky enough to escape death, the injuries may be life-altering
• Fatigued driving: Drivers not stopping to rest is a huge problem in Texas

Reckless driving, faulty vehicle parts, and poor roadway conditions are also common contributing factors in motor vehicle accidents.

What are the most common types of car accidents?

In the Houston area, we see the following types of accidents most frequently:

• Head-on collisions
• Side-impact collisions
• Rear-ending
• Low-speed accidents (e.g., in parking lots)
• Merging accidents
• Single-vehicle accidents (e.g., hitting a tree)
• Multi-vehicle crashes (accidents that cause a “domino effect”)

For further information on this, check out our post on the Different Types of Houston Car Accidents.

Is it worth getting a lawyer for a minor car accident?

It may be. Even minor accidents can cause injuries that have a lasting impact. It’s best to discuss your options with a car accident attorney who can assess whether you have a valid claim for compensation during a case evaluation.

What if both parties are at fault?

Texas applies “comparative fault” laws for car accident injuries.

This means that when two or more parties are adjudged to be at-fault for an accident, the amount of compensation due for the injured victim is potentially reduced by the amount of fault apportioned to them.

Provided you were 50 percent or less at-fault for an accident, you can claim compensation from the other party or parties for the remaining portion of the fault.

So, if you were awarded $60,000 in compensation but were considered to be 40 percent at-fault for the accident you would receive $36,000 (which is 60 percent of $60,000).

What is the Statute of Limitations on car accident claims in Texas?

In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of your accident to claim damages caused by your injuries.
It is important to begin proceedings as soon as possible after your accident or it may harm your position when making a claim.