Car Accidents

Car accidents are among the most common causes of personal injury to date. An auto accident can completely transform a person’s life or hinder their ability to function normally or provide for themselves or their families. The devastation that a serious vehicle wreck can have on a person or their loved ones can be brief or long-term. Damages from auto accidents can include medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other burdens that affect one’s physical, financial, mental, or emotional state. At Witherite Law Group, we believe in holding negligent drivers accountable and getting you the compensation you need to move on with your life. 

Even those involved in mild to moderate car accidents may be forced to deal with a long process or procedure to get their lives back in order. If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Dallas, Fort Worth, Chicago, or Atlanta, Witherite Law Group is here to help and let you know more about your situation and legal options.

Common Causes of Auto Accident Injuries

The road can be a dangerous place, and a car accident injury can happen for many reasons including, but not limited to: 

Careless Driving 

This includes a range of behaviors like speeding, reckless lane changes, tailgating, and failure to yield. Careless driving significantly increases the risk of collisions and injuries on the road.

Example: A driver texting while driving runs a red light, causing a T-bone collision with another vehicle.

Drunk Driving

Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction times, and can lead to severe accidents and injuries.

Example: An intoxicated driver, after a night out, causes a head-on collision on the highway, resulting in multiple injuries.

Defects in Vehicle Parts 

Malfunctions or defects in vehicle components like brakes, tires, or steering systems can lead to loss of control and accidents, even when the driver exercises reasonable care.

Example: Brake failure causes a driver to lose control of their vehicle, resulting in a collision with multiple vehicles.
Road Hazards

Poor road conditions such as potholes, inadequate signage, or construction zones without proper warnings can contribute to accidents and injuries.

Example: A motorcyclist hits a large pothole on a poorly maintained road, leading to a serious crash and injuries.

Negligence

General negligence on the part of any road user, including pedestrians and cyclists, can lead to accidents. This can include behaviors such as jaywalking, sudden lane changes without signaling, or crossing against traffic signals.

Example: A pedestrian distracted by their phone steps onto the road without checking for oncoming traffic, causing a collision with a passing car.

SUV rollover accidents, car wrecks, and tractor trailer accidents are some of the most common types of accidents reported and contribute to some of the most devastating injuries incurred. Defective car seat belts and fuel-fed fires are also triggers for auto accident injuries.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident Injury?

Following an accident, your health should be your first priority. However, as soon as you are medically able to do so, contact Witherite Law Group to speak one-on-one with an experienced Texas, Georgia, or Illinois truck or car accident lawyer. If you speak Spanish, our bilingual staff can provide important information about the legal options available to help you. It costs you nothing to contact us, and you will not pay any legal fees or out-of-pocket expenses unless and until we recover compensation for your injuries

How Insurance Companies Handle Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries

Unfortunately, insurance companies and other parties responsible for damages incurred from accidents all too commonly make more attempts to not fulfill their obligations than to help make accident victims whole again. Insurance companies may attempt to avoid paying victims the compensation they deserve, using methods such as:

Delaying Claims Processing

Insurance companies may intentionally prolong the claims process, requesting unnecessary documentation or conducting excessive investigations, to discourage claimants or reduce settlement amounts.

Example: After a car accident, an insurance company repeatedly requests additional medical records and accident reports, delaying the settlement process by several months.

Offering Low Settlements

Insurers may propose inadequate settlement offers that do not reflect the full extent of the victim's injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering, hoping claimants will accept less than they deserve.

Example: An insurance adjuster offers a minimal settlement amount to a victim with severe injuries from a truck accident, ignoring ongoing medical needs and long-term impacts on earning capacity.

Disputing Liability 

Insurance companies may dispute or minimize their policyholder's liability for the accident, arguing shared fault or questioning the extent of the victim's injuries to reduce their financial responsibility.

Example: Despite clear evidence of the other driver's negligence in a rear-end collision, the insurance company argues that the victim contributed to the accident by braking too suddenly.

Using Statements Against Claimants

Insurers often request recorded statements from claimants shortly after an accident, aiming to extract information that can be used to dispute or devalue the claim.

Example: During a recorded statement, an insurance adjuster asks leading questions to suggest the victim may have been partially at fault for the accident, undermining their claim for compensation.

Denying Valid Claims

Insurance companies may outright deny valid claims, citing ambiguous policy exclusions, incomplete documentation, or alleged discrepancies in the victim's account of the accident.

Example: An insurance company denies a claim for property damage resulting from a hit-and-run accident, claiming the victim failed to report the incident promptly, despite police confirmation of the incident.

How Witherite Law Group Can Help With Insurance Companies

At Witherite Law Group, we understand the tactics employed by insurance companies and are dedicated to leveling the playing field for our clients.

Aggressive Negotiation

We engage in aggressive negotiation with insurance adjusters to secure fair settlements that reflect the true extent of our client's injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

Example: Our attorneys skillfully negotiate with an insurance company to increase a settlement offer, ensuring it covers ongoing medical treatments and lost future earnings for a client severely injured in a car accident.

Thorough Investigation

We conduct thorough investigations into the circumstances of the accident, gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and expert opinions to substantiate our client's claims.

Example: Utilizing accident reconstruction experts, we uncover critical evidence proving the other driver's negligence in a truck accident, strengthening our client’s claim for compensation.

Preparation of Strong Claims

Our legal team prepares meticulously documented claims that outline the full extent of our client's damages, leaving no room for insurers to undervalue or deny legitimate claims.

Example: We compile comprehensive medical records, employment records, and financial documentation to support a claim for compensation for a client who suffered debilitating injuries in a construction site accident.

Litigation Expertise

When necessary, we are prepared to take insurance companies to court and litigate aggressively on behalf of our clients to achieve just outcomes and hold insurers accountable for their obligations.

Example: In a complex case involving disputed liability and significant damages from a motorcycle accident, our courtroom experience and strategic litigation result in a favorable verdict for our client.

Protection Against Unfair Practices

We protect our clients from unfair practices by insurance companies, including misleading statements, lowball settlement offers, and attempts to shift blame away from their insured parties.

Example: Recognizing an insurer’s attempt to unfairly dispute liability, we effectively challenge their assertions with compelling evidence and legal arguments, ensuring our client’s rights are upheld.

If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Dallas, Fort Worth, Chicago, or Atlanta, and are facing challenges with an insurance company, contact us today for a consultation. Witherite Law Group is here to get you the compensation you deserve.