What to do when you have an accident

Many people are not aware of what to do when they have an accident. Fortunately, many of you will never have to do deal with this situation; however, if you do, then you should know what to do. When a person causes an accident or when the person is not responsible for the accident, the actions taken at the scene should be the same.

First, check to see if any one is injured. If a person is injured, call an ambulance. This is important because a life could be at risk, and the prompt actions of person could be the difference between life and death. Next, make sure there is no more potential for further accidents. If the scene is unsafe, call the police and wait for their instructions. If the scene is safe, then exchange insurance information.

Next, gather names and phone numbers of witnesses. Many people forget this step and that is the difference on the determination of liability. If possible, take pictures of the accident. This could help you later on in the case.

Finally, call your insurance company and take directions from them.

NEVER admit to any liability at the scene. This is when many people go wrong. It is not the job of the people involved in the accident to determine liability, that is the job for the insurance adjuster.

If you, or some one you love has been injured in an accident, give us a call (210) 979-9777. You can visit our websites at: The Baez Law Firm, P.C. or San Antonio Lawyers.

Vehicle accident in San Antonio or Bexar County, we can help

You have seen our adds on the via buses all throughout San Antonio and Bexar County. We tell you that "we care about your legal needs," and we mean it. The Baez Law Firm, P.C. can help you with your auto accident in San Antonio. Our lawyers are experienced in dealing with insurance companies.

When you have a car accident, you need to gather all the information about the person that collided with you. Our staff will get the police report, issue letters of protection on your behalf, and send you to the best doctors available in San Antonio.

We are known to try cases that other firms refuse because they are not too big. Our firm does not back down from a fight with the insurance companies after your vehicle accident. When you are injured, the last thing you need is to have to fight with an adjuster. Let our attorneys fight for you!

If you suffer broken bones, fractures, scratches, lacerations, bruises or any other type of injury, we can help you get the money that you deserve for your injuries. If a love one die, as a result of negligence of the driver, we can help you, and your family collect money for your lost. Although we cannot bring back your love one, you and your family should be compensated for your lost with a substantial amount of money.

We have doctors all throughout San Antonio and Bexar County, and we can come to you if you need us. Let our experts handle your car or auto accident. Let The Baez Law Firm, P.C fight for your rights. This is why we say "we care about your legal needs."

Accidents after rain

In Texas, specifically in the San Antonio area, the roads seem to be filled with more accidents after it rains. This phenomena has been a tragic reality for many families that have lost love ones due to some one's negligence. For some reason, drunk drivers and many more dareful drivers are more prone to drive during the rain posing greater risks to the public.

As it is, when you are driving a vehicle, all of your senses need to be alert and ready to react to any situation. When weather conditions change, especially during the rain, these senses need to be even more alert and ready to react. On top of that, for some reason Texas drivers are not the most careful ones in the nation. This means that, rain plus something else could be a fatality for you or the one you love.

The fact that we have too many "aggressive" drivers results in even greater chances for an accident to occur during difficult weather conditions. This has caused the “rubber necker’s” phenomena to increase resulting in even more accidents to occur in Texas in the last decade. We understand that many people cannot afford to stay inside when it rains, but we recommend that if you can, you do. On the other hand, if you, or a love one is facing this difficult position, contact us. We can help.

The Baez Law Firm, P.C. has been helping the families of those affected by tragedy. We have collected monetary awards for the less fortunate, as a consequence of the irresponsible behavior or some Texans. We cannot return the love ones to you, nor make the pain go away for the families, but we can, and we will get you the compensation that you and your family deserve.

What, my insurance does not want to help me!

Many of our clients get to us because their own insurance companies did not cover them when there was a UM claim filed. This happens when, the other driver does not have insurance or there is a hit and run.

The surprise comes when the clients find, usually from the insurance companies themselves that, their accident will not be covered and they are faced with having to pay out of pocket for every thing. This should not be surprising to our readers.

For the most part, insurance companies are there to provide for their shareholders and not to make their insured back to whole. That means that, in many instances, the UM policy will be curtailed or even denied by them. Remember, the less they pay, the more they keep for themselves.

That is why you need us to fight for you. Whether your need is personal injury, business law, family law, or criminal law, The Baez Law Firm, P.C. is here to help you with your legal needs. Visit us at our website www.TheBaezLawFirm.com or call (210) 979-9777. We care about your legal needs.

Vehicle accidents in Texas

In the past, insurance companies were paying more reasonable amounts for accidents caused by their insured. Because of the sluggish economy, many insurance companies are using the delay tactics to stall cases and get the settle for less. Our law firm does not fall for that trick.

When you come to us for your personal injury case or vehicle accident or wrongful death or any other form of negligence by a another person against you, we take the time required to get you the maximum amount of money that you deserve.

When you have a auto accident or car wreck, the insurance company of the person that caused the accident will appoint an adjuster for the case. It is important to know that, the adjuster's job is to reduce, as much as possible, the amount of money that you may be entitled by law. They do this by taking their time to settle and by down talking your accident.

That is why you need an experienced law firm to handle your case. Our attorneys have handle and worked with insurance companies for many years. Let our experienced work for you if your case involve a personal injury, broken bones, lacerations, wounds or scaring of any part of your body.

Whether your need is on personal injury, business law, family law or criminal law, The Baez Law Firm, P.C. is here to help you with your legal needs. Visit us in our website www.thebaezlawfirm.com or call (210) 979-9777. This is why we say "we care about your legal needs."

Vehicle accident, come and see us

There are important things that need to be done when it comes to handling your personal injury case. The Báez Law Firm, P.C. has handle thousands of cases and we know what it takes to succeed.

If you had an accident, please, follow the list bellow:

1) Do not admit anything, even if you think that you are at fault. Being in an automobile accident causes a great deal of immediate emotion like stress, excitement and anger, you never know what you will say.

2) Please, take some time to cool off and think about what happened to cause the accident before you make any statements to others regarding what caused the accident or who was at fault.

3) Always take the other driver's name, address, phone number, driver's license number, license plate number, name of the registered owner of the car, state of license, and insurance information.

4) Immediately, inform your Insurance company - Make a thorough accident report to your insurance company without delay.

5) If you are injured, go to the emergency room or have a physician examine you ASAP. This step is critical for your personal injury claim.

6) If possible, take photographs of the damages and injuries. Remember that the insurance company will take their own pictures.

7) Contact The Báez Law Firm, P.C.- You should be cautious of any person or insurance company who offers to adjust your injury claim or tries to hurry you into a settlement. If you are involved in an accident and have a viable claim, you should not try to handle it alone. Be sure to consult with an attorney to ensure that your interests and rights are protected.

We are here to help during this difficult time in your life. We care about your legal needs.

Would your claim be subgrogated?

In order to understand the question, first the subject has to be defined. Subrogation is the substitution (or subrogation) of one person in the place of another with respect to a claim, demand or right against a third party, so that the substituted party assumes the rights of the other, or (stands in the shoes of or replaces) the other, with respect to a claim against the third party.

The doctrine of subrogation is based on principles of equality and good conscience and is generally used as a means of placing the ultimate burden of the debt on the person who should originally have it. Subrogation may be established by law (contract) or founded upon equity (facts).

For the most part, the doctrine of subrogation has been utilized by insurance companies who are obligated under their policies to pay their insureds for property damage or casualty losses which the insureds have sustained. A person's right to be subrogated to the rights of another generally arises when that person, acting pursuant to some obligation, pays the debt of the other.

In those situations where the damages appear to have been caused by the negligence or fault of third parties, insurance companies have traditionally exercised their right of subrogation to pursue claims against the alleged wrongdoer.

Because of subrogation, the insurance companies can "stand in the shoes of" their insureds and bring suit against the wrongdoers. Because the wrongdoers who caused the injuries are the persons who should bear the burden for such injuries, insurance companies' subrogation rights have generally entitled them to recover.

Our law firm constantly get calls from individuals who should have been affected under the doctrine, but are unaware of these facts until is too late. If have been injured as a result of some one's negligence, contact our law firm for a free initial consultation.

Insurance companies not paying?

If you are like me, that deals with insurance companies all the time, you will know that insurance companies are not paying on their liability like they used to. Why is that? Maybe the economy is affecting them just like any other area of the market.

Although policy holders ultimately are the ones that will pay the increase in premiums, insurance companies nevertheless are not paying on accidents as much and as fast as they used to. What used to take our law firm one month to settle it's taking over six months in today's economy.

Unfortunately, the people affected by the accidents are the ones who suffer, while the shareholders of the insurance companies are getting richer. That is our free enterprise system, the rich get richer and the injured gets caps on damages.

If you have been injured in an accident, please contact our law firm. We are trained on handling insurance companies to get you the maximum amount for your claim.

What not to do if you have a personal injury case

Misrepresenting Your Accident or Injuries.
Doctors document in their records how you describe the accident and your injuries. When your description varies from the way the accident happened to the way that injuries are described in the police report or other statements, the insurance company can use the descriptions to make you appear untruthful.

Hiding Past Accidents.
If you have been in other accidents, you need to say so, so that your lawyer can investigate and make a determination as to whether it is a valid problem in your case.

Hiding Previous Injuries.
If you have ever seen a doctor or other health care provider, then there is a record in existence that the insurance company will find, not that can find, but will find.

Not Having Accurate Income Information.
In many cases, a claimant will have lost income because of the accident. You will only be able to claim lost income if your income information is in good order.

Misrepresenting Your Activity Level.
If you claim that you cannot do certain things, but you are not been honest, you can jeopardize your claim. Personal injury lawsuits are serious business. Insurance companies are willing to spend a lot of money investigating claims.

If you have a personal injury case, please contact us, we can help. We are San Antonio Personal Injury Trial Lawyers and we are here to help you. That is why we say we care about your legal needs.

Have a personal injury claim?

Insurance companies are well known for trying to minimize your personal injury claims. As we see it,there are no auto, trucking or motorcycle accidents. There are wrecks and crashes resulting from bad judgments, careless mistakes and—in some case—intentional violations of the law. For every collision, there is a party who is at fault and a party who has been injured or killed.

On the other hand, a life-changing injury or a loved one's wrongful death can turn your world upside down in an instant. The insurance company is not concern that you and your family have a lot to deal with: pain, grief, confusion; and many details involving insurance, property damage and an uncertain future. That is why you should have a law firm able to handle them, so you can get back to your normal life.

The most common type of personal injury claims are road traffic accidents, accidents at work, tripping accidents, assault claims, accidents in the home, defective product accidents and holiday accidents. We can help you with all of them.

It can be tough to set a dollar amount on injuries you suffer in an accident. There are so many things to consider: doctor's bills, time lost from work, medical costs for ongoing injuries, pain and suffering, and so on. Insurance companies consider all of these factors when deciding how much to offer, and ultimately pay, for a personal injury claim.

The Baez Law Firm, P.C. is a general practice law firm that is ready to help you during difficult times. We handle accidents, criminal law, personal injury, family law, business law, consumer law, litigation, and appeals.

Medical bills are higher than the policy limits

Recently, we were asked about instances where the medical bill surpasses the offer or even the policy limits that applied to the person responsible for the accident. There are ways that a plaintiff can get above policy limits but it involves litigation.

The term full coverage generally means that the insurance policy has both liability coverage and coverage for damage to your vehicle. The term full coverage does not mean that everything is covered no matter what happens.

You should carry as much liability coverage as you can comfortably afford because damage claims today are sometimes settled for millions.

According to the insurance industry, State minimums don't come close to covering the cost of a serious accident. You should carry bodily-injury coverage of at least $100,000 per person, and $300,000 per accident, and property-damage coverage of $50,000, or a minimum of $300,000 on a single-limit policy.

If you have any questions, please contact us for a free initial consultation with one of our lawyers. Or visit our website.

The ecomony and your personal injury claim

According to the experts, in the last 12 months, the face of the global economy has forever changed. Gone forever are investment banks, the secondary credit market, and an unregulated financial market.

In its place are government ownership of banks, while central banks around the world are propping up the banking system. In September, we came very close to total economic collapse, and we haven't recovered yet.

However, all data seem to point that the insurance companies are thriving during this difficult economic times. Nevertheless, to maximize their bottom line, which is to make money, insurance companies will play on the tough economic times to try to settle claims for pennies on the dollars, which would otherwise be worth something for the injured person.

You need a team of experts on your side, ready to face tough insurance companies that are ready to downgrade your claim. Do not let this economy affect the outcome of your case.

We are personal injury lawyers that handle auto accidents, personal injury, nursing home negligence,premises liability, slip and fall,car wreck,medical malpractice, wrongful death, and other areas of law.

Does a person needs to have an attorney to handle their personal injury case?

I read an article once that said: "No, but it is advisable." In law school, they teach you that only a fool has him/her self for a client, and the same goes for personal injury cases. Although insurance companies will often try to settle the claim without the involvement of lawyers, we recommend that you consult a lawyer before finalizing an agreement if you have any questions about whether you are getting a fair or proper settlement.

In the case of a serious injury, you should always consult a lawyer as soon as possible if you believe the injury was caused by some one's negligence. Most likely the insurance company for that other party will investigate immediately, but it helps keep the playing field level if you have a lawyer or a law firm to represent your interests and protect any important evidence.

If you have been injured by another person's negligence, please call us (210) 979-9777 or visit our website www.thebaezlawfirm.com for a free initial consultation.

Whiplash injuries

In general, injuries to the neck caused by a sudden movement of the head, backward, forward, or sideways, is referred to as whiplash. Whether from a car accident, sports, or an accident at work, whiplash or other neck injuries warrant a thorough chiropractic check-up.

one of the biggest dangers with whiplash injuries is that the symptoms can take years to develop. Too often people don't seek treatment until more serious complications develop. Even after whiplash victims settle their insurance claims, some 45% report they still suffer with symptoms two years later. Our lawyers will help you maximize your recovery for soft tissue injuries.

According to the experts, whiplash is most commonly caused by a motor vehicle accident in which the car the person is riding in is not moving, and is struck from a vehicle from behind without notice. It is commonly thought the rear impact causes the head and neck to be forced into hyperextension as the seat pushes the person's torso forward - and the unrestrained head and neck fall backwards. After a short delay the head and neck then recover and are thrown into a hyperflexed position.

Most insurance companies will downplay the fact that you may have suffered from what they call soft tissue injury, which includes whiplash. As such, you need a team of attorneys capable of dealing with insurance companies and their allies. You need The Baez Law Firm, P.C. on your side.

The Baez Law Firm, P.C. is here for you, and that is why we say, "We care about your legal needs!" Come visit us and you will know the difference from the moment you walk through our doors.

The Baez Law Firm, P.C. handles wrongful death, medical malpractice, personal injuries, nursing home negligence, and many other areas of personal injury law.

Wrongful Death actions in Texas

A wrongful death has occurred when a person is killed due to the negligence or other liability of a person or entity. Surviving beneficiaries and dependents are entitled to monetary damages in instances of wrongful death.

The Texas Legislature in 1860 enacted the original Texas Wrongful Death Statute. The Wrongful Death Act has been amended, codified and recodified over the years and is now Chapter 71 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

The Act provides the exclusive remedy for wrongful death in Texas, compensating the decedent's spouse, parents, and children for the losses they sustained as a result of the decedent's injury and death. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. §71.004(a).

A wrongful death action is separate and distinct from a survival action, where the individual's cause of action for injury to his health, reputation or person survives in favor of his heirs, legal representative, and estate. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. §71.021.

"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 or agent's or servant's wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness or default." Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. §71.002(b).

Suit may be brought under the Act "only if the individual injured would have been entitled to bring an action for the injury if he had lived." Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. §71.003(a). Under Texas law, plaintiffs bringing a wrongful death action are in the procedural shoes of the victim, and the defenses to victim's personal injury action are defenses to plaintiff's wrongful death claim.

The wrongful death action is subject to all the conditions to which decedent's action would have been subject had he or she only been injured.

If a defendant to a wrongful death action dies while the suit is pending, or if an individual against whom an action could be instituted dies before the suit is filed, the individual's executor or administrator may be named as defendant in his place. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. §71.008(a).

The surviving spouse, children and parents may bring the suit. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. §71.004(b). If named beneficiaries do not bring an action within three (3) months of the death of the injured party, the executor or administrator of the estate shall bring the action on behalf of the beneficiaries unless instructed not to do so by all the beneficiaries. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. §71.004(c).

A wrongful death cause of action accrues at death, if it exists at all, 2 years from death.

The two-year statute of limitations is absolute from the date of death. The so-called "discovery rule" does not apply in wrongful death and survival actions.

If you have a wrongful death action, please contact our attorneys. We can help you settle the case against the wrong doers. Visit our website www.thebaezlawfirm.com or www.sanantoniopersonalinjurytriallawyers.com because "We care about your legal need."

Insurance Coverage Matters

For the most part, before an attorney gets started in filing a claim, the availability and the total amount of insurance coverage will be a major factor in deciding whether the claim can go forward. Typical insurance issues people with serious injuries face are: 1) no insurance coverage (Uninsured motorists), 2) insufficient insurance coverage (underinsured Driver), or 3) Denial of claims, Bad Faith/Tough/Difficult Insurance Companies.

Our law firm The Baez Law Firm, P.C. specializes in providing our clients with the best representation through Texas in relation to car accidents. Our firm will handle your claim from beginning to end. Now, a further explanation of policies are in order.

1) Uninsured Driver. In many cases the driver who is legally responsible for the accident has absolutely no insurance of any kind. In these circumstances it is usually extremely difficult for a person who is injured in the crash to get anything close to appropriate compensation. If the injuries are catastrophic or fatal an attorney will hire an investigator to look for other parties responsible- other insurance "umbrella" policies, related homeowners owners or family members, companies etc but they often come up empty and the the injured person has no way to recover any damages. Because there are so many uninsured drivers you should always buy "uninsured motorist coverage" under your own auto insurance policy.

2) Underinsured Driver. In the event of a very serious injury or death the majority of drivers will have inadequate insurance coverage, usually the minimum required by state law often only around $20,000. This often means that the worst drivers carry the least insurance because they cannot afford the high premiums resulting from their poor driving records. You should always purchase underinsured motorist coverage if it is offered, so in the event you are injured by a another driver without proper insurance you can collect against your own insurance company.

3) Insurance Denial of Claims and Bad Faith. In order to save money insurance companies will often stretch and use imaginative arguments to deny claims. Sometimes these claims denials or defenses are so beyond being reasonable that they amount to what is called legal bad faith- when an insurance company improper fights a legitimate claims or denies one. In most cases these matters are handled through litigation in the courts.

If you have been injured in an accident, contact our law firm for a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys.

Statute of Limitations in Personal Injury Cases

After being in a car accident an injured person should hire an attorney and begin the legal process as soon as possible. Waiting will usually weaken a potential claim through loss of evidence, loss of fresh memories and disorganized paperwork and medical records and the inability of the attorney to direct the process. Waiting too long may result in the case being completely barred by the statute of limitations of the state where the accident took place.

Auto accident and its injuries

Brain injuries are more common in side impact car accidents than in rear end auto accidents. Brain damage in a car accident is often related to the quick acceleration and deceleration of the brain, which causes injury to the point of impact and its opposite point or cont recoup. Diagnosis of a brain injury may be difficult. The Baez Law Firm, P.C. handle brain injury cases as a result of a car accident and all types of personal injury cases.

Concussions are associated with traumatic brain injury as are seizures, headaches, dizziness, lack of concentration, memory loss, depression or anxiety, spinal cord injury. CT scans and MRI scans are often used to diagnosis brain injury. Neck injuries vary from whiplash, one of the most common and annoying injuries caused by car accidents, to disk injuries. Our doctors will treat you promptly and efficiently with the most up to date technology.

Whiplash is an injury frequently associated with rear end impacts. Whiplash injures the soft tissues made up of nerves, ligaments and muscles. It causes neck pain and limitation of neck and head movement effecting rotation and peripheral vision. It may be temporary or permanent and can effect all aspects of life. If whiplash lasts for more than a few days after a car accident physicians will prescribe medications and often refer patients to physical therapists or chiropractors for rehabilitative therapy.

Our focused practice allows the firm to advocate in its clients’ best interests and attempt to win them the money they deserve through settlement or litigation. The Baez Law Firm, P.C. has obtained millions of dollars in results over the years. Now, prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and cost and disbursements remain the client’s responsibility. We are ready to help.

The Baez Law Firm, P.C. is so committed to its Texas auto accident law practice that most all of its cases are accepted on a contingent fee basis, which means that there are no attorney’s fees unless you get a recovery! If you cannot come to one of the Baez Law Firm's case intake locations, we can come to you at your home or hospital!

The Baez Law Firm, P.C. focuses on car accidents and crashes, resulting in injuries, and wrongful death. The Baez Law Firm, P.C. handles Texas auto accident and car crashes that involve motorcycle accident, truck accident, bicycle accident, and pedestrian accident cases across the state of Texas. If you’ve been hurt in a car, call The Baez Law Firm, P.C.

How much for a personal injury lawyer?

Attorney fees in cases of serious injury or wrongful death are generally based on a “contingency fee basis”. This means that the attorney is only paid if (enphasis aded) there is a recovery, and the fees are set as a percentage of the recovery made. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fees at all.

On the other hand, when attorneys charge for their time by the hour, their bills can quickly add up and be beyond the budget of most people. Although the insurance industry and corporations can have dozens of attorneys “on the clock”, that isn’t possible for the rest of us.

Fortunately, consumers have a way to level the playing field. Under a contingency fee contract, attorney fees are generally between 33.3% and 40%, but there is nothing sacred about these numbers. In more complicated and difficult cases or in cases that require significant expenses, the percentages may be higher. Talk to your lawyer about your contingency fee.

You should expect that a contingent fee agreement will be in writing, and in Texas, they are in fact required. Make certain that you understand this agreement. Ask questions. You should expect to be provided a copy of the agreement for your records. How expenses will be paid is an important part of the agreement. Cases for serious injury or death can require sizable expenditures, tens and sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars. Ask what kinds of expenses the attorney considers essential to prepare your case and maximize your recovery.

Routine costs in lawsuits can include charges for filing fees, process servers, facsimile charges, couriers, express mail, Federal Express, UPS, copying of medical and other records, deposition reporter's fees and transcripts, experts' and consultants fees, telephone toll charges, in office copying, postage, attorney's travel by car, parking, overnight hotel and meals, focus groups, trial exhibits, computer research, mediation fees, jury fees and investigators' fees and many others.

The most significant expenses in cases are for experts who hired to explain what the defendant did wrong, medical details related to the death or injury, and future expenses or losses that have resulted. Fo this you need doctors, engineers, life care planners, and economists. In most cases, attorneys with contingent fee agreements will advance the expenses on a case, and then deduct them from the settlement when the case is resolved. Although it is difficult to estimate the expenses of a case in advance, ask for a general estimate of what those costs will be.

Although no attorney can guarantee what the outcome of a given case will be, that does not prevent the attorney from promising to use his/her best efforts on your behalf. The "right attorney" is never unwilling to make this commitment to his/her client and to put that commitment in writing.

If you have been injured by someone's negligence, and you have substantial medical expenses, please contact our law firm. Our experts will help you through this diffucult time and will try to get you back to whole again. Visit our website http://www.thebaezlawfirm.com/ or http://www.sanantoniopersonalinjurytriallawyers.com/ and schedule your free initial consultation with one of our lawyers.

Surviving a car accident

Even the best defensive driving classes and split-second decisions may not prevent you from becoming the victim of a life-threatening auto accident, but like the Mercedes Benz commercial says " you need to be ready in case it happens." According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the annual number of fatal collisions hovers around 40 thousand. As a driver, you should continually educate yourself and exhibit attentiveness and self-control on the roadways so you're more prepared to survive an auto accident.

We have collected information helpful for you, the driver, in order to survive a car collision, if it ever happens.

Step 1: Ready yourself mentally before you get on the road. Since you'll generally have little time to contemplate a course of action when faced with an oncoming collision, it is important to remain focused at all times. Turn off your cell phone, put away your hairbrush and turn down your radio. Be mindfully present when you're driving--not distracted.

Step2: Have your mechanic test and service your restraint and safety systems on an annual basis. Airbags and seat belts save countless lives each year, but only if they are in proper working order. If you purchase a used car, have the integrity of the safety systems evaluated before you begin to drive the car regularly.

Step3: Service your brakes, tires, transmission and suspension systems according to dealer recommendations, and sooner if you suspect a problem. Your car will only react as well as its systems are maintained. Driving with worn brake pads and bald tires may cause an accident to become serious, or even fatal.

Step4: Remain upright, gripping the steering wheel tightly at 10 and 2 o'clock and bracing yourself for a collision. Do not allow your body to go limp, as you need increased muscle tone and rigidity to protect your organs, spinal discs and skeletal system. It is better to suffer from sore muscles than a ruptured spleen or spinal fracture following an accident.

Step5: Get out of the vehicle and move away from the area if you can walk on your own. If you begin to smell smoke or see flames, run away from the car immediately to avoid an explosion. Your ability to survive may depend on your speed in extricating yourself from the vehicle and the accident scene.

Step6: Bail out of your vehicle immediately if it is headed toward or floating in a body of water. Once an automobile sinks below the water's surface, the doors and windows become nearly impossible to open due to the intense water pressure. If your door is stuck shut, kick out a window to exit the vehicle.

Step7: Resist the urge to duck toward the steering wheel before a collision. Upon impact, your head may strike the wheel and render you unconscious. In addition, if your vehicle is equipped with airbags, you could sustain serious burns from the airbag explosive or other damage due to the airbag's facial impact.

Step8: Sit at least 10 inches away from the steering wheel if your vehicle is equipped with an airbag. If you're seated closer, the airbag could break your ribs, or cause lung damage or other serious internal conditions. If you are too short to reach the pedals without moving the seat forward, purchase pedal extenders.

Step9: Adjust your headrest so it sits just above your ears. If your headrest is too low, you could incur serious or fatal cervical damage when your head impacts the rest.

Step10: Wear your seatbelt properly. Do not put the chest harness behind your back, as wearing only your lap belt subjects the spine to serious trauma upon collision impact.

This steps will help you prevent an accident; however, if you are involved in one, then please contact our law firm for help. Visit our website: http://www.thebaezlawfirm.com or http://www.sanantoniopersonalinjurytriallawyers.com for a free case evaluation.

Insurance law and terminology for the state of Texas

In the state of Texas, the law mandates minimum automobile liability insurance coverage for automobiles registered in the state. This includes property damages and personal injury coverage, which we will now discuss. Depending on the terms of the individual policy, liability insurance typically covers the cost of property damage, including the cost of repair or replacement for any property damaged as the result of an accident (property damage). Liability insurance also pays medical bills and lost wages as a result of bodily injuries incurred in an accident (personal injury).

Texas law requires that each car registered in the state have a minimum of $20,000 in insurance coverage for one person injured in an accident, and a minimum of $40,000 for all persons injured in an accident. These are considered (policy limits). In addition, Texas requires a minimum $15,000 in coverage for property damage.

Conversely, Texas law does not mandates coverage of policies, when you are involved in an accident with an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver. The rationale is that every car, according to the law, should have its own coverage, hence, why have it. Such coverage typically pays medical bills and lost wages for you and your passengers, in a case where you cannot collect these damages from the driver at fault for the accident, and we highly encourage each consumer to get it.

Insurance companies are allowed to offer Texas drivers a choice between purchasing auto insurance for the traditional fixed installment at an annual rate, and the more innovative cents-per-mile rate. On the other hand, under the traditional system a car owner purchases insurance at an annual rate irrespective of the frequency with which the owner uses the car, under the cent-per-mile system, an owner pays for coverage only for those miles driven. Consult with your insurance company to see what type they offer to you.

Texas designed this system to make compulsory insurance more affordable, thereby reducing the incidence of illegally uninsured motorist. A cents-per-mile rate works in this way: An insurance company assigns your car to one of its rate groups according to your zip code, car use and type, driver type, and other information about your household. Your car might be put into a group paying $500 a year.

When the insurance company determins that the average miles a year for cars in your group was 10,000, the alternative mile rate for your group would be 5.0 cents a mile. If you chose the mile rate instead of the annual rate, you might initially buy 2,500 miles for $100 (= 5.0¢/mi. x 2,500 mi.) plus a nominal expense fee. The insurer would add these miles to your car's current odometer reading to determine the mileage at which coverage would end. Before you drive all these miles, you would have to buy more miles to remain legally insured.

The insurer may wish to purchase additional insurance coverage beyond compulsory insurance. In many cases, the owner of an automobile, may be held personally liable for any damages in excess of the insurance coverage. Purchasing additional coverage could protect your personal assets in case of a suit.

The following are the basic terminology used by insurance companies used when dealing with aditional insurance coverage. Basic Reparations or Medical Payments Coverage, Collision Coverage, and Comprehensive Coverage. Basic Reparations Coverage covers bodily injury and medical expenses of an at-fault driver who does not have medical insurance. Collision coverage pays for damages incurred by the at-fault driver in accidents involving collision. Finally, Comprehensive Coverage pays for damage to a vehicle not caused by collision, including damages caused by theft, vandalism, flood, fire, and explosion.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident, please contact our firm so that we can explain to you your legal rights. We specialize in any type of accident, including but not limited to auto, truck, airplane, boat, motorcycle, car, bus, rollovers, roof crush injuries, death, brain injury, multiple trauma, broken bones, fatal injuries and more. Please call us (210) 979-9777 or visit our website http://www.thebaezlawfirm.com or http://www.sanantoniopersonalinjurytriallawyers.com so that we can set you up a free initial consultation with our attorneys. We are The Baez Law Firm, and "we care about your legal needs!"