If you were involved in a car accident in Duncanville, you will need to get a crash report to file an insurance claim. You can order the report online for a nominal fee or pick one up at the Duncanville Police Department for a $6 fee, payable by cash, check, or credit card.
When a Duncanville car accident lawyer is pursuing damages on your behalf, they will obtain your crash report and other crucial evidence for you. Your lawyer will also build your case file and negotiate a settlement on your behalf. They will represent you on contingency, meaning you pay nothing out of your pocket and do not have to wait to pursue fair and appropriate compensation.
Your Crash Report is a Valuable Tool in Your Car Accident Claim
Filing a car accident report is not always mandatory in Duncanville, but it is always smart. According to Texas Transportation Code §550.062, a crash report is mandatory if:
- Anyone in either car was injured
- Anyone in either car did not survive
- Vehicle damage exceeded $1,000
You should report a car accident of any severity to the Duncanville Police Department. Doing so means you have an objective view of the accident and its immediate aftermath, which can protect you from later allegations that could harm your injury claim. It can also provide your legal team with valuable information and details that support your claim.
The Crash Report Can Help You Comply With Texas’ Statute of Limitations
In the state of Texas, you generally have two years to file your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, per Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. Your crash report can help by:
- Documenting the date and time of the accident
- Documenting the date of a loved one’s demise
It can also capture additional details like road and weather conditions and the condition, visibility, and functionality of traffic signs and signals if they caused or contributed to the accident. This information is helpful if you are seeking damages from a government or municipal agency.
The Details of Your Crash Report Can Refute Any Inaccurate Allegations of Fault
If the at-fault driver alleges that you played a role in the accident, it could decrease or eliminate your financial recovery. As long as 50% or less of negligence is attributed to you, you can still recover damages, per Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001.
Your lawyer will work hard for a fair distribution of negligence so that your compensation is not unfairly adjusted. If you did not contribute to the accident at all, they will work hard to prove it, starting with the details of your crash report.
The Crash Report Provides Your Attorney With Important Contact Details
At the accident scene, you and the at-fault driver likely exchanged license and insurance information. When police arrived at the scene, their investigation could provide a wealth of additional information including:
- Contact information for the other involved driver
- Contact details for their insurance provider
- Names of any accident witnesses who came forward
The report could also contain police-generated notes, narratives, and diagrams that prove the at-fault driver’s negligence and support your right to financial recovery.
For a free legal consultation, call (972) 938-1234
Your Car Accident Attorney Will Create a Comprehensive Evidence Collection
Your crash report is only the beginning of a persuasive case file. When a local law firm manages your case, they will collect additional evidence, including:
- Medical records that prove the cause of your injuries
- Medical bills that prove their immediate and ongoing costs
- Additional reports, including accident reconstruction
- Dashcam, traffic cam, and smartphone photos and videos
- The medical examiner report, if there were any casualties
In addition to collecting evidence, your legal team will organize it and submit it to the insurance company. They will also use its weight and substance to steer your claim toward a settlement.
Additional Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Attorney Versus Working Alone
It can be tempting to negotiate with the insurance company on your own or to accept a speedy settlement offer. Doing so could be costly, though. When you let a lawyer deal with the insurance company, they can:
- Protect you from a fast, but flawed, settlement
- Fight for the full value of your injury claim
- Complete and submit insurance claim forms
- Communicate with the adjuster on your behalf
- Describe the car accident litigation process
- Provide regular and timely updates on your case
Your car accident attorney also handles negotiations for you by fielding settlement offers and making counteroffers as needed. The final settlement decision is yours, but they will guide you toward a well-informed one and fight for the best possible financial recovery.
Financial Recovery for Car Accident Victims in Duncanville, Texas
To recover damages for you, your lawyer will prove the at-fault driver owed you a duty of care and failed to provide it. They will also prove the accident would not have happened without their negligent action and that it had negative financial consequences for you.
Economic damages they recover for you will include:
- Accident-related medical bills
- Accident-related lost wages
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Diminished vehicle value
You can also recover non-economic damages, including limiting disabilities, lasting disfigurement, physical and emotional pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life.
Wrongful Death Damages if a Duncanville Car Accident Was Fatal
If your family lost a loved one in the accident, we will pursue wrongful death damages, including the costs of your loved one’s funeral and burial. Additional compensation can include loss of financial support, domestic contributions, consortium, companionship, and guidance.
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Contact Our Car Accident Team for a Free Review of Your Duncanville Case
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident, our legal team will clarify how you can get a copy of your crash report in Duncanville. We also help you navigate the financial recovery process from start to finish.
Our law firm has helped thousands of individuals and families get the compensation they need and deserve. Contact our consultation team at Clay Jenkins & Associates to find out how hard we will go to bat for you.
Call or text (972) 938-1234 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form