Motor vehicle accidents continue to be a significant cause for concern across Houston and throughout Texas. Unfortunately, driver negligence is one of the most common causes of these collisions. Unsafe driving can take many forms, but lane change accidents often produce some of the most devastating injuries.
If you suffered severe injuries in a lane change accident in Harris County and are unsure where to turn for help, a dedicated Houston lane change accident lawyer at Loncar Lyon Jenkins can provide the guidance and support you need. Our team of Houston car accident lawyers will help you recover maximum compensation for your damages.
Injuries Seen in Lane Change Accidents in Houston
Lane change accidents in Houston lead to severe and life-threatening injuries every day. However, the type of injury you sustained does not determine whether you have the right to financial compensation.
Instead, your Houston personal injury lawyer will need to evaluate the ways your injuries have affected your life to determine whether you have grounds for legal action against the liable party. Some injuries we see more frequently than others in Houston lane change accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputation
- Head, neck, and back injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones
If a doctor diagnosed you with another injury not listed above, you might still have the right to hold the at-fault party accountable. The best way to determine eligibility for filing an insurance claim or injury lawsuit is to contact a lane change accident attorney in Harris County for help and support.
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Liability for Houston Lane Change Accidents
It may seem obvious who is responsible for your lane change accident in Houston. However, it might surprise you to learn that someone other than the driver who hit you or caused the accident is liable.
Negligent driving is the most common cause of lane change accidents. When a driver fails to use a turn signal or changes lanes unaware of their surroundings, they can cause devastating motor vehicle accidents. Some common causes of negligent driving include:
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Failure to yield
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Failure to stop
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Drunk driving
- Drugged driving
When Third Parties Might Share Fault
However, negligent drivers are not the only cause of lane change accidents in Houston. For example, if the driver who hit you was intoxicated, the bar or restaurant that served them alcohol could share fault.
Another example involves a roadway hazard causing the driver to crash while changing lanes. In that case, a government agency that handles road maintenance for that stretch of highway might have liability.
Only a thorough, in-depth analysis of the details of your case will reveal who is responsible for causing your lane change accident and the evidence needed to support your claim.
How does Shared Fault Work in Texas?
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system. More commonly referred to as proportionate responsibility, sharing fault for your lane change accident will not prevent you from recovering compensation for your damages unless your portion of liability exceeds 50%.
However, you need to prepare for the fallout of sharing fault. The court or insurance company will reduce your injury settlement to reflect your portion of the blame. For example, if a court found you 10% liable because you failed to wear your seatbelt and awarded $100,000 for your lane change accident injuries, you would only recover $90,000.
Since sharing fault can have such a significant impact on the outcome of your Houston lane change accident claim, you need to make sure you have a strong legal advocate on your side who will ensure liability is fairly assessed in your case. Our team has over 30 years of experience working with accident victims throughout Texas.
877-239-4878Available 24/7 | 356 Days | se habla español
Compensation for Lane Change Accident Victims in Houston
When another party’s negligence caused your lane change accident in Harris County, you have the right to be repaid for every way the accident and the resulting injuries have affected your life. To ensure every loss is considered, your attorney will need to classify your damages as economic or noneconomic.
Economic damages include all your monetary losses. Some commonly awarded economic damages in lane change accident claims include:
- Costs of increased insurance premiums
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Hospital bills, medical equipment, and prescription medication fees
- Future ongoing medical care
- Loss of household services
Noneconomic damages refer to the ways your injuries have affected your life in general. Some commonly awarded noneconomic damages in Houston lane change accidents include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Inconvenience
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Skin scarring and disfigurement
Statute of Limitations for Houston Lane Change Accident Claims
If you hope to pursue your lane change accident claim in Houston, you must do so before the statute of limitations expires. Under Texas law, you generally have two years to file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out.
The date that the statute of limitations expires can vary depending on when a doctor diagnosed your lane change accident injuries and the date the accident occurred. Failure to file before this critical deadline could result in the dismissal of your case, barring you from pursuing it later.
Get Help from a Houston Lane Change Accident Attorney Today
Although you might find it intimidating to bring your claim before the insurance company or a judge in Houston’s civil courts, doing so may be the only way to make the liable party pay for their recklessness.
An experienced Houston lane change accident lawyer at Loncar Lyon Jenkins is here to advocate for your right to total compensation for your losses. Therefore, start working on your case today by calling our office and scheduling your no-cost, risk-free consultation.
