Lakewood Car Accident Lawyer:
Your Advocates For Justice
Every year in Lakewood, families face the impact of car accidents. As a vibrant community in the Dallas metropolitan area, our region experiences significant traffic due to major roadways like Interstate 30, Garland Road, and Gaston Avenue. In recent years, Dallas County has reported thousands of traffic accidents, with many occurring in the Lakewood area.
When you’re involved in a car accident, the aftermath can feel overwhelming. Beyond the immediate physical pain and vehicle damage, you may find yourself facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and complex legal processes. As your local Lakewood car accident attorneys, we understand these challenges and are here to help guide you through this difficult time.
What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident
The moments following a car accident are crucial for both your well-being and your potential legal case. Your immediate safety and health should be your primary concern. Even if you feel relatively unharmed, some injuries may not be immediately apparent due to shock and adrenaline. Traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, and internal injuries often show symptoms hours or even days after an accident.
Here are important steps to take after an accident:
- Check for Injuries and Call 911: First, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Do not move anyone who appears to have serious injuries unless there is immediate danger.
- Move to Safety: If possible and safe to do so, move your vehicle to the side of the road or a safe location away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
- Contact Law Enforcement: Even for minor accidents, having a police report can be valuable. Wait for law enforcement to arrive and document the scene.
- Document the Scene: If it’s safe, take photos of all vehicles involved, including damage, license plates, and the overall accident scene. Include photos of road conditions, traffic signs, and weather conditions.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, visit a medical professional as soon as possible. Some serious injuries may not show immediate symptoms. Common delayed-onset injuries include:
- Whiplash and neck pain
- Back injuries
- Concussions and head trauma
- Internal bleeding
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Shoulder and knee injuries
- Keep Records: Begin documenting everything related to your accident and injuries. This includes:
- Medical records and bills
- Prescriptions and treatment plans
- Work absences and lost wages
- Any correspondence about the accident
- Photos of visible injuries
- A daily journal of pain and limitations
Medical documentation serves several crucial purposes for your case. Professional medical records establish a clear link between the accident and your injuries, detail the extent of your injuries, and outline your treatment needs. This documentation provides objective evidence of your damages and helps demonstrate the impact of the accident on your life.
Types of Compensation Available
When you suffer injuries in a car accident, state law recognizes different categories of damages that may be available in your case.
Economic damages represent the tangible financial losses that can be calculated with bills, receipts, and documentation. These often begin with past medical expenses, which encompass emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgical procedures, doctor appointments, physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription medications, medical devices, equipment, diagnostic tests, imaging, and ambulance services.
Beyond immediate medical costs, economic damages also consider future medical expenses. These may include ongoing medical treatment, potential future surgeries, long-term rehabilitation needs, continued physical therapy, future prescription medications, required medical equipment, and any necessary home modifications for accessibility.
Lost income and earning capacity form another significant component of economic damages. This includes wages missed during recovery, lost bonuses and benefits, and any reduction in your ability to earn in the future. Some individuals may require career retraining, and the impact on retirement and pension benefits may also be considered. Property damage represents another aspect of economic compensation, covering vehicle repair or replacement costs, personal property damaged in the accident, rental car expenses, and associated fees like towing and storage. Additional out-of-pocket expenses may also qualify for compensation, such as transportation costs to medical appointments, home care services, necessary property modifications, and medical travel expenses.
Non-economic damages address the personal impact of injuries on your life, beginning with physical effects. These damages acknowledge physical pain and suffering, any disfigurement, physical impairment, loss of bodily functions, and scarring. The emotional and mental effects of an accident can be equally significant, including mental anguish, emotional distress, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disturbances, and overall loss of enjoyment in life.
Quality of life changes represent another crucial aspect of non-economic damages. An accident may affect your ability to participate in hobbies, enjoy recreational activities, or maintain your previous quality of life. Many individuals experience significant changes in their daily living activities and may lose some degree of independence.
Common Challenges in
Car Accident Claims
Navigating a car accident claim involves numerous challenges that can impact your ability to receive fair compensation. You may face questions about liability, challenges in documenting damages, or difficulty understanding complex legal procedures. Each case presents unique circumstances that require careful consideration and thorough preparation.
Another common challenge involves proving the full scope of your damages, particularly with injuries that have long-term implications. Our experience handling Lakewood car accident cases allows us to address these challenges effectively.
Working With Your Lakewood Car Accident Attorney
Unlike larger firms that may assign case managers, at Gosuits, you’ll receive personal attention directly from your attorney throughout your case. Our attorneys maintain direct communication with clients and provide regular updates about case progress.
We’ve developed innovative approaches to handling car accident cases. Our firm utilizes advanced technology to manage cases efficiently while maintaining focus on individual client needs. You’ll have access to your case information, reflecting our commitment to transparency and client service.
Our legal team brings substantial trial experience and deep understanding of Texas car accident law to each case we handle. Many satisfied clients have shared their positive experiences through testimonials on our Google Business Page, reflecting our dedication to client service.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay attorney fees unless we obtain compensation in your case. We advance the costs of litigation, understanding the financial challenges you may face after an accident. If you have questions about your car accident in Lakewood, feel free to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
