When people are involved in car accidents in Texas, they may be tempted to try to settle their crashes privately. For instance, the person who caused the accident may agree to pay the other party a certain amount to cover the damage caused. However, this presents a variety of risks. Here is a rundown on multiple reasons why settling car accidents privately may not be the best idea.
Undetected car damage
In some car accident situations, the accident appears to be nothing more than a fender-bender. However, the serious damage may end up being discovered later when a car repair technician closely examines the automobile. As a result, an individual who tries to settle the accident privately rather than seeking the help of an attorney might end up paying thousands of dollars to fix the damage.
Medical problems
Following a car crash, the two drivers involved might appear to be fine physically. However, the driver who did not cause the car accident may end up suffering from back and neck pain several weeks later. If the two parties initially tried to settle their accident, then the person with the injuries might end up having to cover his or her own medical bills — something that could have been prevented with the help of an attorney.
How an attorney can help
If an individual in Texas is injured in a motor vehicle accident, it is critical that he or she contact an attorney as soon as possible. The attorney can help the injured party to file a personal injury claim, seeking the reimbursement of damages sustained in the accident. Liability must be established in the accident, based upon a showing of negligence, before a judge will decide claims for damages. In a case that is litigated successfully, the injured party may receive damages to cover medical bills, car repairs and other losses resulting from the collision.
