When You’ve Been Injured Due To Someone Else’s Negligence In Dallas
No matter how careful you try to be, you can suffer a serious injury at any time through the carelessness of another. Motor vehicle collisions are the most common type of accident, but serious injuries frequently occur in other circumstances. Other causes of accidents include hazardous conditions on another’s property, an unsafe workplace, or any number of situations where somebody who owed a duty of care was negligent or irresponsible. At Kelso Law, PLLC in Dallas, I can work with you one-on-one to ensure that you pursue the maximum personal injury compensation.
Getting The Coverage You Need To Pay Bills And Move Forward
When you’ve suffered a serious injury you’re in a lot of pain and you’re probably scared. The last thing you want to deal with is fighting to receive just compensation. However, you’re going to need all the help you can get going forward. You have:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
For some grievous injuries, you may never be able to return to your former occupation. You could suffer permanent disability and require ongoing medical care.
Why You Should Work With An Attorney After A Crash
If you expect the negligent party’s insurance company to eagerly offer you just compensation you’re mistaken. Without an experienced personal injury lawyer in your corner, you will be offered minimum compensation in exchange for signing a release of liability for your claim. In many cases, the other party’s insurer will dispute your claim entirely, and try to prove that you caused the accident. Insurance companies don’t profit by being overly generous to accident victims. Your U.S. citizenship does not matter when it comes to being injured. I help clients no matter what your immigration status is.
What To Do After Being Involved In An Accident
At the scene of the crash, if you’re conscious and not disabled:
- Do not admit fault at the scene of a collision. Your best course is to say as little as possible. Even saying something like “I’m sorry” to somebody at the scene of an accident could be taken as an admission of responsibility.
- You have to provide your name and contact information at the scene of a collision.
- Take pictures of how the cars are positioned, airbags deployed, and up-close damage.
- Request a police report (whether it is your fault or not). However, police may not show up, and if they do show up they may not write a report: in Texas, if no one is injured or the vehicle damage is less than $1,500, then the police are not required to write a report, but they still may show up and facilitate an exchange of information.
- If the other party admits fault, get it from them in writing (they can text or email you) or have them call their insurance company or your insurance company and open a claim and admit fault to the insurance company over the phone.
- If you think you are hurt, call an ambulance and get to a hospital immediately.
After you’ve left the scene of the crash:
- Do not delay medical treatment. If you do not have health insurance or other resources to help pay for medical treatment, I can help.
- Talk to the other driver’s insurance company first about getting a rental car, then your insurance company. Better yet, let us help you with that.
- Do not sign any papers presented to you by an insurance company.
- Do not let any insurance company record your conversation until you have your lawyer present.
Get comprehensive medical treatment
- Do everything you can to get well as soon as possible (attend medical appointments and follow doctor’s instructions).
- Check for all possible injuries, through diagnostic imaging, consultations with specialists, before being released from medical treatment. You don’t want to find an injury later after your case is settled.
How To Prepare For A Settlement Offer
Preserving claims and documenting damages can be expensive. If fault is disputed, my firm may need to hire an accident reconstructionist. If you have long-term injuries / future medical expenses, have missed work or your ability to work has been diminished, my firm will need to hire a life care planner.
- Just because your vehicle has been repaired, does not mean you have been made whole. It now may be difficult to sell your vehicle for the value you could have sold it prior to the collision. My firm hires experienced diminished value experts and demand the diminished value of your vehicle be included in your settlement amount.
- I use necessary media (videographer and video) to document your pain, impairment, disfigurement.
- I have the resources and experience to make sure your claims are maximized.
These are just a few of the reasons that working with an attorney can protect your rights to compensation.
Three Things To Know About Litigation
- If you receive no fair settlement offer, I will file a lawsuit on your behalf and if necessary, try the case before a jury of peers. Our attorney has tried 30 cases before Texas juries to obtain fair verdicts for accident victims.
- Kelso Law, PLLC, will bear all expenses of litigation — you don’t pay anything until I win your case. If I don’t win, you don’t pay.
- Litigation can be lengthy and emotional. I am in it with you.
While I am not “warm and fuzzy” I am dedicated to you and your case. My No. 1 mission is to obtain the maximum compensation you need and deserve.
Let Me Help You Answer These Questions
- Who is going to pay my medical bills?
- What do I do if I have had to miss work?
- What if there is no insurance?
- How do I get a rental car?
I’m attorney Rhiannon Kelso but you can just call me Kelso. I understand how scary things are after an accident because I’ve survived both a motorcycle and an automobile accident. The accident itself was traumatic and painful, you don’t yet know how serious your injuries are, and of course you’re worried about who is going to pay for all the damages you’ve suffered. Contact me at my firm today for a free case assessment.
Different Types Of Motor Vehicle Accidents
Here’s some more helpful information about common accidents Kelso Law, PLLC, represents.
Auto Accidents – If you’re a frequent commuter you’ve probably thought that it’s a wonder there aren’t more car accidents. Some people drive aggressively. It’s as if they’re responding to a life-threatening emergency and they need other drivers to get out of their way. Here are some unsafe and mostly illegal behaviors which are the most frequent causes of car wrecks:
- Distracted driving: This can be texting, talking on the phone, or doing other activities while driving.
- Fatigued driving: If you haven’t had enough rest, it’s dangerous to drive.
- Speeding: If you’re in a wreck while speeding, even if the accident was not your fault the insurance company will assign a percentage of blame or, depending on how fast you were driving, they could hold you liable for causing the accident.
- Tailgating: This is when a motorist is driving too close to the car ahead to stop fast if necessary.
- Speeding through construction zones: Most construction zones are less than a mile in length. It’s not going to add much time to your commute to slow down.
- Driving with your high beams on: Turn your headlights down until oncoming traffic passes to avoid blinding other drivers.
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol, medication and other substances impairs your ability to think, react quickly and drive safely.
- Car maintenance: Make sure your car is in good repair with tires, brakes, headlights and other parts working properly to stay safe and protect others on the road.
18-wheeler Accident — When a huge truck weighing 40 tons or more collides with another vehicle it usually causes catastrophic injuries and death to the occupants of the smaller car. Because damages are enormous, often costing trucking companies millions per accident, their insurance carriers will go to great lengths to deny the trucker was at fault. Truckers are coached in advance what to say to deny liability after an accident. Truck drivers are trained to contact the company immediately and the trucking company’s insurance carrier will have investigators at the accident scene and likely drones above the scene taking pictures right away. Their investigators have been known to pose as concerned bystanders and try to strike up conversations with accident victims who are conscious. It is very important to refuse to speak to anybody and, if you are able, to call an attorney right away from the accident scene.
Motorcycle Accident — Motorcyclists should understand one thing: other drivers may not see you. Defensive driving is crucial when on a motorcycle to avoid being run down. Always wear a helmet and protective clothing to minimize your injuries in a wreck. Try to get off the road after being hit, to avoid being run down by another driver.
Railroad Accident — You’d be surprised to learn how many railroad accidents occur in the U.S. yearly. Railroad accidents are regulated by federal and state laws and frequently there are multiple parties to blame. Determining who is responsible can be complicated. Also, if you or a family member was injured or killed in a railroad accident the statute of limitations to file a claim can be as short as 30-60 days from the date the accident occurred. Because of all this, it’s crucial that you contact an experienced attorney to represent you right away.
Injured on someone else’s property—property owners owe a duty of care to keep their premises safe and warn of hazardous conditions. This duty varies depending on who is injured on the property and under what circumstances. For instance, the highest duty is owed to somebody who is invited onto the property for business purposes, such as to a customer at a grocery store. However, even if somebody is trespassing the owner has a limited duty to warn the intruder of a dangerous condition on the property. Because premises liability law is complicated, it’s important to contact an attorney right away if you’re injured on someone’s property. If you’re able, you should take pictures of the hazardous condition which caused your injury. Seek medical attention right away, and if you’ve fallen try not to move until medics arrive and determine how serious your injury is.
Work Accidents — Texas employers are not legally obligated to provide Worker’s Comp Insurance. Because of this rule, you may have to file a lawsuit to receive just compensation for a workplace injury. Even if you do have worker’s comp, there are strict deadlines to notify your employer about your injury and file a claim. You may need to hire an attorney to ensure that your claim is not denied or, if denied, to file an appeal. You do not have to worry that attorney’s fees will eat up all your benefits. There are strict laws governing how much lawyers can charge in worker’s comp cases. However, enlisting the help of an experienced attorney could mean the difference between receiving the payments you need and your claim being denied.
If you lost a loved one in an accident that was due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. I also help clients and their families when a loved on is injured by a medical or dental professional or in a hospital. Turn to me for help if your elderly parent is neglected, abused or otherwise harmed in a nursing home incident.
Call Me, Kelso, Now For Help With Your Injury Claim
At Kelso Law, PLLC, I understand how painful, scary and disheartening life can be for accident victims. When you’ve suffered a serious injury due to somebody else’s negligence the last thing you should have to worry about is how you’re going to pay for medical care and make ends meet. In order to receive the fair compensation that you deserve and need to go forward, you need the help of an experienced and compassionate attorney who has been in your shoes and understands how you feel.
Let me take the burden of fighting for your maximum compensation while you focus on healing. Contact me now for a free consultation via my website contact form. My firm answers calls 24/7. Call or text any day, any time: 214-216-6816.