Why Contact Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers to Handle Your Corpus Christi Car Accident Claim?
Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers has more than 20 years of experience managing personal injury claims across the United States. That means a lot of knowledge about personal injury claims, the laws associated with them, and the aftermath of those types of serious accidents. When you suffer injuries in a car accident, you need to know that you have someone on your side: someone who will help fight for you to get the full compensation you deserve for the injuries sustained in the accident, rather than having your needs and your losses brushed aside.Fight back against the insurance company.
Did you know that insurance companies frequently do not offer the best possible settlement they could provide to the victim of a serious car accident? In reality, insurance companies may actively fight to avoid paying out the compensation you really deserve for an accident, especially if you have sustained severe injuries and need to ask for substantial compensation for them. However, with Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers on your side, you can fight back against the insurance company. You will have knowledge in your hands and a determined attorney who can fight for you.Learn your rights.
For the average person, serious car accidents do not occur often. You may not know what your rights look like. How much compensation do you deserve? If the insurance company gives you an offer, does it fairly represent your actual losses? Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers can help you learn more about your rights, including breaking down the compensation you deserve based on the losses you have sustained because of your injuries.Decrease your stress levels.
Dealing with the insurance company after a serious accident can mean a lot of stress, whether the insurance company treats you fairly or not (and in most cases, you can expect not). You may notice your stress levels rising along with your frustration, which can interfere with your recovery and leave you feeling as though you have relatively few options. Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers can help alleviate those stress levels and provide you with the support you need to navigate your claim more successfully.Dealing With Corpus Christi Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents often involve a great deal of force. Despite the design of modern vehicles, which crumple to help reduce the risk of injury to the people inside, many people end up sustaining severe injuries—many of which can cause significant, ongoing limitations for the victim long after the actual accident. Not only that, living with severe injuries from a car accident can mean considerable medical bills, and those medical bills can keep adding up months or even years after the accident.#1. Head Injuries
Head injuries, including traumatic brain injury or TBI, frequently result from the considerable trauma associated with a serious car accident. Even minor brain injuries may linger for a year or more following the accident. Many victims, especially those with moderate to severe brain injury, find that they have symptoms that linger for the rest of their lives. Immediately after the accident, TBI may mean disorientation, dizziness, or nausea. Victims may suffer from ongoing headaches. However, the cognitive symptoms often associated with TBI can mean even more severe losses. People who have suffered a brain injury often have gaps in both short-term and long-term memory. That loss of short-term memory can make it very difficult to perform at work or take care of other, needed tasks. Traumatic brain injury may also cause a significant struggle with emotional regulation, increasing the overall trauma felt by the patient.#2. Back and Neck Injuries
Many people fail to realize just how much they rely on their back and neck until they suffer serious injuries in an accident. Back and neck injuries can cause discomfort or pain every time the patient tries to move or, in the case of spinal cord injuries, prevent the victim from moving. Frequently, back and neck injuries lead to immense suffering. Many victims cannot go back to work with back or neck injuries. Back injuries not only make it difficult to lift and bend, but they can also leave the victim struggling to sit in a desk chair all day. Back injuries may necessitate long-term physical therapy or cause significant pain and limitations for the rest of the victim’s life. Spinal cord injuries may mean full paralysis and loss of some organ function below the injury site, and many spinal cord injury victims require ongoing medical treatment.#3. Amputations
Amputees completely lose a limb due to trauma from the car accident: sometimes directly, during the accident, but often due to severe crushing damage sustained in the accident. Amputation means that the victim permanently loses the limb, leading to significant difficulty accomplishing everyday tasks. Sometimes, amputees choose to use prosthetics to help maintain mobility or at least present a more normal appearance. Prosthetics, however, mean a significant financial cost. Many amputees also find that they have to replace their prosthetics regularly, with most requiring replacement every 3-5 years.#4. Burns
Suffering burns in a car accident may be rare, but when a car bursts into flames because of a collision, it can mean serious burn injuries for everyone in the vehicle. Many people struggle to get out of a burning vehicle, particularly as electrical systems go haywire. Burn injuries can mean a high risk of complication, not to mention the immense pain suffered by the victim. Burn injuries can also be extremely expensive to treat. While patients with minor burns can usually go home soon after the incident, victims with more severe burns can expect to spend time in a burn unit at the hospital. A very sterile environment can substantially reduce the overall risk of infection. However, even with those precautions, burn victims may have a high risk of complications, including infection and failed skin grafts.#5. Broken Bones
A car accident severe enough to cause substantial injury may mean multiple broken bones for the victim, who may have considerable limitations to contend with. Even a single broken bone can interfere with mobility or make it impossible for the victim to take care of their usual responsibilities, either at work or home. Multiple broken bones can cause even more limitations and suffering. Victims with multiple broken bones may have several surgeries and ongoing physical therapy ahead of them to help treat their injuries. They may also have to have help with basic self-care tasks, especially in the accident’s immediate aftermath. For some victims, especially those who may not have support at home, that may mean bringing in an in-home care providerCommon Causes of Car Accidents in Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi sees a variety of car accidents for several reasons. Like other areas around the country, Corpus Christi sees its fair share of drunk drivers. Driver distraction also poses a potent problem. It may also see a higher risk of car accidents because:- Due to its location on the coast, Corpus Christi may see a high degree of truck traffic coming in and out of the area, increasing the risk of several types of accidents.
- During rush hour, Corpus Christi streets may bog down. Many people face more traffic when they take to the roads between 6:30 a.m. and 8 a.m., with a corresponding rush hour as people leave their jobs in the afternoon and try to head back home.
- Corpus Christi sees a lower-than-average amount of rainfall, which means that drivers have less experience driving in the rain and may, as a result, struggle more than other drivers when heavy precipitation does hit.
Determining Liability Following a Corpus Christi Car Accident
Following a Corpus Christi car accident, working with a lawyer can make it easier for you to determine who may bear liability for the accident. Of course, sometimes, you can clearly see that the other driver caused the accident. The other driver may even admit liability, and you may know that no additional factors contributed to the accident. Perhaps the other driver even clearly drove while distracted or inebriated, which could make it much easier to prove your grounds for a claim. Other times, however, other factors may contribute to the accident. A lawyer can help investigate all of those factors and give you a better look at who may bear liability for the accident and, therefore, what compensation you might deserve.When does the other driver’s employer share liability for a car accident?
Did you get into an accident with a driver on the clock? The driver’s employer may share liability in some cases, whether you need to contend with a commercial trucking company or a delivery company. Did the company require unsafe driving habits or practices, like pushing drivers to speed to meet their deadlines? Did the company ask commercial drivers to exceed the federally-mandated number of hours they can legally spend on the road? If so, the company may bear liability for accidents caused by those drivers. Did the company provide the vehicle? If the company failed to maintain that vehicle properly or knew about the damage that could cause an accident, but took no steps to fix it, the company may bear liability for the accident.Can a vehicle manufacturer bear liability for a serious accident?
Sometimes, vehicle manufacturers fail to take adequate safety precautions or to thoroughly test vehicles before putting them into production. The manufacturer may fail to promptly recall vehicles with known safety hazards. In those cases, the vehicle manufacturer may bear liability for the accident. Furthermore, if a vehicle part leads to an accident, the manufacturer of that part may bear liability for failing to put together the part correctly. This could include a tire that blows out under low-stress levels or ideal conditions, or a component that locks the steering.What about a mechanic that worked on the vehicle?
Mechanics cannot send cars off the lot with vital damage that could lead to a serious accident. If a mechanic spots an error in the vehicle, they must report it to the vehicle owner. If they cannot repair the damage the owner asked them to take care of, they must notify the driver, rather than attempting to rig the vehicle and hope for the best. Mechanics who fail to conduct required repairs or who cause damage to the vehicle during their repairs that ultimately lead to an accident may bear liability for the damage caused by their negligent actions.Corpus Christi Car Accident FAQ
Dealing with the aftermath of a severe car accident can leave you with many questions, especially if you need to know more about the compensation you might deserve or how to navigate your claim. Take a look at the FAQ below or contact Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers to ask more questions about your specific car accident and your claim.1. How long do I have to bring a car accident claim in Corpus Christi?
According to Texas law, you have two years after your accident to bring a car accident claim. Time can get away from you all too easily, especially if you have severe injuries to deal with, a lot of items on your To-Do list, and way too many things to consider as you manage your claim. Sometimes, you may find yourself pushing up against the statute of limitations before you realize it. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible after your Corpus Christi car accident. Getting a lawyer and starting your claim should fall somewhere under dealing with your medical needs after your car accident. From ensuring that you have the evidence you need to back up your claim to providing you with much-needed insights into how much compensation you deserve, having a lawyer on your side can make it easier to move forward with your car accident claim. However, if you have let time pass since your accident, you may still have the right to file a personal injury claim. Do not let the statute of limitations pass before you start the ball rolling. Get in touch with a lawyer while you can still move forward and request the compensation you deserve.2. What should I do when I get a settlement offer from the insurance company?
A settlement offer sounds like a great thing after your Corpus Christi car accident. Once you have a settlement in hand, you can start paying off many of the medical bills from your accident or taking care of your other expenses. If you could not work because of your injuries, you may feel that a settlement offers your best chance to take care of your everyday financial needs. Unfortunately, a settlement offer from the insurance company does not necessarily mean that you can recover the compensation you deserve. In many cases, insurance companies start with a low settlement offer. The initial settlement offer may include only a fraction of the damages you really deserve for your car accident injuries. If you take that offer, you will end your claim and eliminate your right to pursue further compensation through the auto insurance company.Do not accept any settlement offer upfront.
Sometimes, insurance adjusters will apply a lot of pressure to quickly accept a car accident settlement. Most of the time, it works in the insurance company’s best interest if you do not have time to think over the offer or compare it to your actual expenses. Some insurance companies will try to get a settlement offer through before you have a chance to start accumulating medical expenses after your accident. If you accept that first offer, you may not even know what your expenses will look like. Ask for time to think about it. Let the insurance adjuster know that you will get back to them at a later time. You do not have to accept an offer that does not reflect your needs, and you can request time to think or look over the offer if you need it.Talk to a lawyer.
You may not think you need a lawyer to handle your car accident claim. In reality, however, working with a lawyer can offer the best chance to discover how much compensation you deserve and pursue it. Get a lawyer to look over your settlement, especially if that settlement arrives soon after your car accident or does not seem to reflect the compensation you really deserve.Negotiate.
You have the right to negotiate a car insurance settlement. Many people assume that they do not have the right to negotiate after an accident. They may even assume that the insurance adjuster will give them the best possible offer, and they have to accept it or go without any compensation for their injuries. In reality, you have the right to negotiate any settlement offer. Having a lawyer on your side can make a big difference in those negotiations. Frequently, insurance companies will provide a faster offer of the compensation accident victims deserve when they know you have worked with an attorney.3. When do I need to talk to a car accident lawyer in Corpus Christi?
Ideally, you should get in touch with a car accident lawyer as soon after your accident as possible. A lawyer who works with your case from the beginning can help you seek evidence regarding your accident, put together a compelling claim on your behalf, and even intercept communications from the insurance company, so you do not have to worry about inadvertently saying the wrong thing and lowering your compensation. However, some people feel that they can handle a car accident claim on their own, especially if they do not realize that they suffered severe injuries immediately after the accident. If you find yourself struggling with your claim, you can call in a lawyer at any point.You realize that you sustained severe injuries.
Sometimes, you might not realize that you sustained severe injuries immediately after the accident, or you might not realize the actual severity of your injuries until you have been thoroughly evaluated by a doctor and started down your road to recovery. Even injuries that seemed minor immediately after the accident can later become much more severe. If you have severe injuries, you may need to ask for substantial compensation through your car insurance claim, and the insurance company may fight to avoid paying out that compensation. A car accident lawyer can help ensure that the insurance company keeps your rights in mind and offers you reasonable compensation for the injuries you sustained.The insurance company disputes its driver’s liability for the accident.
You may think that if the police report shows that the other driver caused the accident, you no longer have to worry about establishing fault. Unfortunately, it may not always work that way. In some cases, the insurance company may continue to dispute liability even if the police deemed the other driver responsible at the scene of the accident. Finding out that the insurance company disputes liability, or even that the insurance company disputes part of the liability for the accident, can leave you more frustrated than ever before. A lawyer can help you find evidence of the other driver’s liability and build a claim based on the compensation you deserve.The insurance company disputes the extent of your injuries.
Sometimes, the insurance company may try to avoid paying out the total compensation you deserve after the accident by trying to dispute the extent of your injuries. You know what you have suffered because of your car accident. However, the insurance company may try to deny the full extent of that suffering. You might, for example, find that content you posted on social media about your activities gets used against you, or that the insurance company tries to claim that you do not need the treatments and procedures you claim as part of your medical bills. A lawyer can help you put together a solid claim that establishes the full extent of your injuries and the compensation you should receive as a result4. What steps do I need to take to protect myself after a Corpus Christi car accident?
Protecting yourself following a severe accident can quickly take on a high level of importance. You want to fully establish your right to compensation and ensure that nothing takes it away from you. Unfortunately, many accident victims make errors that may minimize the compensation they can recover after an accident.First, always report an accident.
The Corpus Christi police will arrive, take a look at the scene of the accident, and document it to establish when the accident took place and who, according to that first look, bears liability for the accident. That police report can serve as vital evidence to make it much easier for you to file a claim later.Do not make any statement indicating that you accept liability for the accident.
Do not brush off the other driver’s negligent actions or accept even partial liability for the incident. Instead, offer a factual report of the events that led to the accident.Seek medical attention, even if you do not think you suffered severe injuries.
Corpus Christi boasts Christus Spohn Hospital and H2u Corpus Christi Medical Center. You may also pursue treatment at one of the many urgent care centers scattered through the area, especially if you do not have severe injuries. Do not forego medical treatment. Do not try to tough it out, especially if you have any type of pain after the accident. If you have any serious injuries from the accident, receiving medical treatment immediately can go a long way toward ensuring that you do not worsen those injuries. Furthermore, a doctor’s report can help establish precisely when your injuries occurred, which may prove essential to your Corpus Christi car accident claim.Get in touch with a lawyer.
You may not always have to have a lawyer to work on your car accident claim. However, having one on your side can make a big difference in the compensation you may ultimately recover for your injuries. Consult a lawyer as soon after your accident as possible.5. What compensation do I deserve after a Corpus Christi car accident?
A lawyer cannot guarantee the compensation you will eventually recover after your Corpus Christi car accident, since it may depend on various factors. However, most car accident victims find that they can calculate an approximation of the compensation they may deserve by breaking down their expenses after the accident into several key categories.Medical Costs
Medical bills often add up fast after an accident, especially if you suffered severe injuries. You may have immediate emergency bills, including ambulance transport and the emergency room, alongside other, longer-term treatment options. If you had to spend considerable time in the hospital after your car accident in Corpus Christi, your medical bills may have continued to increase with every day you spent in the hospital. Keep track of those medical bills, since you can include them as part of your car accident claim.Lost Wages
Missing the income from your job can hurt your finances almost as much as the bills that frequently pile up following a serious accident. You may have to miss a lot of time at work while you recover, especially if your injuries land you in the hospital or pose limitations that prevent you from taking on your usual job duties. Make sure you talk to your lawyer about all the time you have missed at work, especially if you have had to miss ongoing time due to follow-up procedures, therapy appointments, or limited hours while you continue to recover from your injuries.Pain and Suffering
Your car accident claim does not have to include your tangible financial losses alone. Your car accident claim may also include compensation for the overall suffering you have had to deal with because of your accident. You suffered a great deal of pain. You may have lost independence. You may have spent a lot of time stuck on the couch instead of enjoying the activities that once filled your days. Talk to your lawyer about the losses you have faced so you can include them as part of your car accident claim.Contact Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers to Learn More About Your Rights After a Corpus Christi Car Accident
If you suffered severe injuries in a Corpus Christi car accident, do not wait to get the legal assistance and representation you both need and deserve. Call us today. The legal team of Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers, is nationally recognized for protecting the rights of injured victims for more than 20 years. If a Corpus Christi car accident injured you, call our office right now for a free consultation! Because we take all of our car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, you will not owe us a dime unless we win your case. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so call us today at 800-898-4877 or contact us now by clicking here. Let us help you get your life back.See what past clients have to say:
Review: 5/5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"As a relatively new resident of Houston, I did not know of an attorney to contact for a personal injury suit. I randomly went through the yellow pages contacting two attorneys that had rejected my case prior to me contacting Stewart Guss. Stewart took my case on and settled for far more than I had anticipated. The silver lining of this is that I will now have enough money to go back to school for retraining, so I will be able to reenter the workforce in a new capacity. The paralegal, Angela, was kind and supportive throughout the process. If I did not understand the legal jargon, I did not hesitate to ask, and was never once made to feel that I was incompetent. Thank you Stewart and Angela for giving me a new lease on live."
-Sally T.