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Irving is a hustling and bustling place to be located in Dallas County Texas. This city has many interstate, U.S and State Highways, county, city, and even tollways that are essential for drivers to use to get where they need to be. With a population somewhere around 230,000 people, it is inevitable that with this many people and cars there are going to be some accidents. When two or more pieces of moving metal collide there are likely going to be injuries to both property and people. If you have been injured in a car accident, then you may have questions regarding the most common injuries, what you should do after an accident, or even if you have a case.
Queenan Law helps automotive accident victims in Irving, Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston and the surrounding area of North Texas use the law to seek justice for their injuries in the form of settlement compensation. Supported by over 20 years of experience handling complex multi-vehicle accident claims, we are prepared to directly and aggressively tackle all of the challenges your case presents. Call our law offices at (817) 476-1797 right away to start discussing your legal options in a free and confidential legal consultation.
Common Injuries Caused by Car Accidents in Texas
Injuries are very common in a car accident. In fact, last year the Texas Department of Transportation reported that there were over 3138 reported crashes throughout Texas. Irving is not immune from accidents either. According to their report for 2015, there were 19 fatal crashes and a total of 3007 overall crash. While some of these crashes did not cause any injuries such as a minor fender bender when all of the damage if any is cosmetic to a car, there were many more where there was at least some form of injury reported.
Some examples of serious injuries and medical complications which frequently result from automotive accidents include:
- Bone Fractures
- Emotional Trauma
- Burns
- Paralysis
- Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
- Scarring and Disfigurement
- Shock
- Cuts and Lacerations
- Soft Tissue Damage
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries
As noted by the report there are very unfortunate accidents that lead to one or more people who are involved in an accident losing their lives. In the event that a person’s injuries are fatal as a result of a car accident then Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 71.004 provides that the decedent’s spouse, children, or parents may bring a wrongful death action against the negligent driver. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 71.002 states that “a person is liable for damages arising from an injury that causes an individual’s death if the injury was caused by the person’s … a wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, [or] unskillfulness.”
Why Do So Many Accidents Happen?
There are thousands of reasons for an accident to happen, and it is sometimes hard if not altogether impossible to point to a specific reason for an accident. However, over the years, there have been patterns of behaviors that have lead to more accidents.
Some examples of negligent, aggressive, and reckless driver actions which frequently cause preventable accidents include:
- Distracted driving, such as texting instead of paying attention to the road.
- Driving unreasonably fast for the weather conditions, such as low visibility due to fog or heavy rains.
- Driving while intoxicated by drugs and/or alcohol.
- Driving the wrong way on a one-way street.
- Excessive speeding.
- Failing to yield right-of-way.
- Following another vehicle too closely for safety in the event of a sudden stop (i.e. “tailgating”).
The Texas Department of Transportation reported that one of the most glaring reasons why a person is involved in an accident is because they or the other driver was intoxicated by alcohol or some other substance. It is important for all drivers to consider not just their own lives, but the lives of others they may endanger if they choose to drink and drive.
Calling the Police After an Accident
Minor accidents do not always require you to call the police, however if there has been damage to your car you might consider calling the police so that they can file a crash accident report, which may be helpful if you or the other party are going to make an insurance claim. However, there are instances and accidents where it is always a good idea if not mandatory that you call the police. One of those instances is if there has been an injury to you, the other driver, or any of the respective passengers.
When you have been involved in an accident it is always a good idea and should be encouraged to:
First, always examine the scene and the people who were involved in checking for injuries to you, your passengers and to any other vehicle and their passengers, always be concerned for safety before you worry about anything else.
Depending on the severity of the accident and the condition of the cars and the people involved it may be wise and prudent to move your car to the side of the road. However, if someone is injured it is never advised that you move a person or a car without the advice and consent of emergency personnel. Doing so can lead to more injuries and potentially greater liability.
Take a look at the scene and the people around you. Take pictures of everything if you can. These pictures and reports can be very useful to you in the future if you decide to make insurance or file a lawsuit based on negligence.
As noted, there are times when your accident is extremely minor and you and the other vehicle may pull over; notice that there is no damage, maybe exchange information and then decide to go on your way. However, there are certain times when you absolutely should call the police.
Always call the police when there has been an injury or fatality. Do not risk moving your car if you think that it is unsafe to operate, this only puts you and others are at risk for further injury. In addition, you should call the police if you suspect one of the drivers is intoxicated, or under the influence of some other intoxicating substance.
How do I Get a Crash Report in Irving?
If after an accident you decide that you would like to file a claim for insurance benefits, or you would like to begin the process of filing a lawsuit, then you should request Crash reports from the city of Irving. Crash reports (CR-3) may be obtained online using the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Report Online Purchase System Website: https://cris.txdot.gov/public/purchase.
They may be reached by e-mail at TRF_CRASHRECORDS@txdot.gov or by phone at (512) 486-5780. Fees for obtaining a report using the crash report online purchase system are established by TxDOT. Crash reports may also be obtained in person at the records window of the main police station, by phone or by mail. Requests by phone can be paid for by debit or credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover). Requests by mail should include a cashier’s check or money order. The fee for a crash report obtained in this manner is $6.
A crash report can be a very useful tool for both you and an insurance company who may want to evaluate a claim. These reports will contain information related to the crash and can provide some clarity to an often chaotic accident scene.
Contact an Irving Car Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
To get a free and completely confidential assessment of your case, call Queenan Law at (817) 476-1797 right away. We will provide you with a clear, honest, and nuanced overview of you and your family’s potential legal options.