Have you been injured in a car accident in El Paso, TX? Do you have unexpected medical expenses and lost income after the crash? If so, you could be entitled to a substantial monetary award to compensate for these and other losses.
Our El Paso car accident attorneys at Mission Personal Injury Lawyers can help you identify your legal options and pursue maximum compensation for your injury claim. We’ve been helping injury victims and families in El Paso for over a decade. Our skilled legal team has recovered millions for car accident clients. We also handle cases involving El Paso truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slips and falls, El Paso wrongful death claims, and more.
Contact our law office in El Paso today to schedule a free consultation at (915) 591-1000. We work on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay any fees unless we recover a settlement or verdict for you first.
Table of Contents
How Mission Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Accident in El Paso, TX
El Paso isn’t as big as other metropolitan areas in Texas, but it still has almost 700,000 residents. With this many residents, car accidents are bound to happen.
If you were injured in a car accident in El Paso, Texas, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other damages. An El Paso personal injury lawyer can help you navigate your claim and maximize your compensation.
Our law firm has almost 50 years of combined experience handling car accident claims. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for clients of motor vehicle accidents, including six and seven-figure awards. Our attorneys have been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and Super Lawyers.
When our legal team is on the case, you can expect us to:
- Explain your rights and options throughout your case
- Investigate your car accident to gather evidence and identify liable parties
- Calculate your damages related to the crash
- Work with leading experts to strengthen your case
- Handle communications and negotiations with insurance companies and at-fault parties
- Take your case to court to protect your right to compensation
Contact our law office today to schedule a 100% free, no-pressure case review to get started with your personal injury claim.
How Common Are Car Accidents in El Paso?
El Paso doesn’t have the traffic and congestion problems of cities in Eastern Texas. However, it has a comparable number of accidents, given its size.
In 2021, the city experienced 15,623 crashes. These collisions caused 66 deaths and 216 serious injuries. Overall, there were 3,035 people injured in El Paso crashes in 2021.
According to statistics, El Paso experienced 629 crashes involving DUI/alcohol in 2021. These crashes killed 16 people and injured another 116.
A hotspot for trucking activity, EL Paso County had 1,013 accidents involving commercial vehicles in 2021. Of these, there were 15 fatal truck accidents and 103 injury crashes.
In 2021, law enforcement officials reported over 3,000 crashes related to distracted driving in El Paso County. Distracted driving killed 13 people in the county and injured over 400.
What Causes Most Car Accidents in El Paso, TX?
There are many different causes of car accidents in El Paso. Some accidents have more than one cause.
The most common contributing causes are:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs
- Aggressive driving
- Tailgating (following too closely)
- Violating traffic signals
- Failures to yield
- Mechanical failures of the vehicle
- Improper turns
- Poor road conditions
- Wrong-way driving
These factors are responsible for the majority of accidents in El Paso and throughout Texas. If you were in one of these collisions, a car crash lawyer in El Paso can help you understand your legal rights and course of action. Contact our legal team to discuss your case.
Types of Car Accidents We Handle
Our legal team handles all types of auto crashes, including:
Rear-End Crashes
Rear-end crashes are extremely common in El Paso. These collisions often result in serious injuries, including whiplash, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Our El Paso rear-end crash lawyers can help you seek compensation after your wreck.
Head-On Crashes
Head-on crashes are some of the worst accidents on the road. These accidents have a high rate of fatal injuries. If you were injured in a head-on collision, our El Paso head-on crash lawyers can help you understand your rights and options.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving is responsible for thousands of crashes in El Paso each year. If a distracted driver caused your accident, you could be entitled to substantial compensation. Our El Paso distracted driving accident lawyers can help you prove your case.
Speeding Accidents
Speeding can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles and misjudge the distance between cars. Our El Paso speeding accident lawyers can help you hold a speeding driver liable for your medical bills and other damages after a crash.
Intersection Accidents
Intersection accidents can result in serious injuries due to the risk of high speeds and multiple impacts. Most intersection collisions are the result of negligence. Our El Paso intersection accident lawyers can help you seek compensation after your crash.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
If you were in a hit-and-run accident, you may have options for recovering compensation — even if law enforcement doesn’t locate the driver. Our El Paso hit-and-run accident lawyers can identify and pursue all avenues for compensation.
Highway Crashes
Highway crashes are responsible for many catastrophic injuries in El Paso. If you were in a highway crash, you may need a personal injury claim to recover money for your damages. Our El Paso highway crash lawyers can help.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
There are a number of dos and don’ts to keep in mind after an El Paso car crash, including:
- Remain at or near the scene. If you flee the scene, it could hurt your compensation claim.
- If possible, collect evidence that documents the harm you’ve suffered. This may include things like photos, videos, and information that you take down from witnesses.
- Do not apologize or accept blame for the accident, as that could reduce or outright eliminate your financial award.
- Alert the proper authorities. A 911 call will suffice and may be required by law if the accident is serious.
- Receive medical attention, whether or not you have an obvious injury. Medical evidence will be critical to proving your case; some injuries are not apparent at the scene of the collision.
Contacting a car accident attorney in El Paso is also a good idea, as an attorney can provide you with guidance on how to proceed, given your unique situation.
Why Should I Hire an El Paso Car Accident Lawyer?
Simply put, a car accident lawyer is your best option for obtaining compensation from the at-fault party after an incident in El Paso.
Here are a few quick reasons why:
- The insurance company will likely try to minimize your claim (it’s a for-profit business at the end of the day). Without a lawyer to represent you, the insurance adjuster may attempt to take advantage of you and offer less than what your claim is worth.
- You will likely be blamed for the crash, as that is one way the other party can reduce or even eliminate their liability. An attorney can stand up for your interests and craft compelling legal arguments to combat these accusations.
- When you hire an attorney, you’ll be able to focus on recovering from your injury instead of trying to navigate the legal landscape on your own.
In addition, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay us anything upfront to represent you. Instead, we will receive payment as a percentage of the financial award we obtain for you at the conclusion of your case. Call today for more information.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in El Paso?
Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis. It will not cost you anything upfront to hire one of our car accident attorneys. Instead, we will receive payment for our legal services as a percentage of the final settlement or verdict we obtain for you.
The percentage varies from case to case, but it will usually be between 33 to 40%. We will also agree with you on the percentage ahead of time. To illustrate, let’s assume we obtain a $500,000 settlement for you, and we agree to a 35% contingency fee. In that instance, we would receive $175,000 from that $500,000.
Do you have questions about the contingency fee payment system? Reach out today for further insight.
What is My Car Accident Case Worth?
No one can tell you the value of your auto accident without analyzing the facts of your case. However, a few factors will influence its overall value:
- Available insurance coverages
- The extent of your medical bills
- Your injury prognosis long-term
- Your lost wages and diminished earning capacity, if any
- The pain and suffering you’ve experienced
- How much fault you share for the collision
- The strength of your accident
The best way to determine the value of your case is to consult a personal injury law firm. Contact our legal team for help understanding your case’s worth.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Car Accident Victims in Texas?
Accident victims in Texas are generally entitled to two forms of damages. Compensatory in nature, these damages are intended to cover your economic and non-economic losses.
Economic damages compensate for financial losses and can usually be proven with documentation like receipts and bills. These include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Travel expenses to and from medical treatment
Non-economic damages cover non-financial losses; emotional, physical, and psychological harm. They include:
- Pain and suffering
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Disfigurement/scarring
- Loss of consortium
Rare cases qualify for punitive damages. These types don’t compensate for a victim’s losses; they punish a defendant for gross negligence or intentional misconduct. A car crash attorney can help you determine what damages are available in your case.
What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries?
Car accidents can cause many different injuries. Often, the injuries will depend on the type of crash.
We can help you recover compensation for all of your auto crash injuries:
- Amputation injuries
- Head injuries
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Chest injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Wrongful death
- Eye injuries
- Burns
- Neck and back injuries, including whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Knee injuries
In reality, a car crash can result in almost any injury, including fatal injuries. You deserve compensation if another driver is responsible for your injuries.
Contact us today to see how our law firm can help with your claim.
How Do I Prove Fault After a Car Accident in Texas?
Most car accident claims are based on negligence. Which, legally speaking, means carelessness. Successful negligence claims require proof of four elements. You must prove each element by a preponderance of the evidence to win your case.
The elements of negligence are:
- Duty – That the at-fault driver owed you a duty of care. All drivers have a duty, imposed by law, to obey traffic rules and drive safely.
- Breach – You must show that the at-fault driver breached their duty. For example, you will show they failed to act like a reasonable person by speeding, distracted driving, or violating another traffic law.
- Causation – You must show that the driver caused your accident. In other words, that your accident would not have happened but for the driver’s conduct. You will also have to show your injuries were foreseeable.
- Damages – You must show you suffered damages due to the accident.
Your lawyer might use different forms of evidence to prove your case, including accident reports, traffic citations, photographs, video footage, and more. You will have to provide enough evidence to satisfy every element of your negligence claim.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For a Car Accident in TX?
Possibly — if you are less than 51% at fault. Texas has modified comparative fault rules with a 51% bar. You can recover compensation so long as your share of blame does not exceed 50%. If it does, you will not be able to recover compensation.
If you are 50% or less at fault, your compensation will be reduced to account for your share of blame for the accident. For example, if you have $200,000 in damages after your crash but are determined to be 20% at fault, you will only be able to recover $40,000.
Not all allegations of comparative fault are legitimate. Insurers and other defendants know they won’t have to pay if they can pin 51% of the blame on you. Therefore, you should contact a car accident attorney anytime someone is blaming you for a crash.
When Should I Call a Car Accident Attorney in El Paso for Help?
You should call an El Paso car accident attorney for help after you’ve been involved in a crash that results in damages or injuries. You might have a valid claim against either your own or the other party’s insurance policy, and calling a lawyer ensures that you begin that process effectively.
In addition, there is no downside to reaching out to our law firm, as we provide a free initial consultation to go over your case. There’s no obligation to hire us afterward, and we’ll be able to provide meaningful insight and guidance regarding how you should proceed.
Where Do Accidents Happen in El Paso, Texas?
Accidents can occur just about anywhere in El Paso, Texas. El Paso had over 15,000 car accidents in 2021, resulting in 69 fatalities and around 5,000 injuries. In a recent three-year period, TX-375 Loop was where the most fatal accidents occurred in El Paso County. I-10 and I-110 are also likely heavily crash-laden, considering the sheer volume of vehicle congestion.
But with roughly 56 accidents occurring each and every day in El Paso, it’s not surprising to hear of an accident taking place at virtually any location within its boundaries. If you or a loved one have been involved in a crash, contact our law firm for legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Will it Take for My Car Accident Case To Settle?
Each car accident case takes a unique amount of time to settle because each involves its own facts and circumstances. Some cases settle within weeks or days, but others can take much longer.
If your car accident claim turns into a case, i.e., once a lawsuit is filed, it may take more time to settle. Filing a lawsuit allows us access to the court-supervised discovery process. This process could unearth vital evidence in support of your case.
In some cases, this is the best course of action for obtaining the compensation you deserve. The cases that will take the longest to solve are those that reach trial, but the vast majority will not make it that far.
Our El Paso car accident attorneys will keep you apprised of your legal options as your case progresses. Call us today for more information regarding how long your case might take to settle.
Will My Car Accident Case Go to Court?
Your car accident case will most likely not go to court. Cases are usually resolved via settlement negotiations, which begin early on in the process. However, if the other party to your case is not willing to negotiate in good faith, it might be your best option to file a lawsuit and bring the case to court.
Filing a lawsuit by itself can persuade the other party to begin negotiating a reasonable agreement. Once a lawsuit is filed, we will be able to undergo the discovery process, which could also convince the defendant to start good-faith negotiations with us.
The bottom line is that our legal team is willing to do what it takes to achieve a favorable outcome for you, including bringing your case to court if the circumstances demand it. Call us today to discuss your case.
What Is Comparative Negligence?
Comparative negligence is a framework through which fault for any given accident is evaluated. While some auto accidents are entirely one driver’s fault, sometimes each driver plays a role. In those cases, it becomes important to establish how much of the blame each driver shares.
States differ in how they determine comparative negligence. The State of Texas has adopted a modified comparative negligence standard with a 51% bar to recovery. Each party is assigned a percentage of fault under this framework.
If your assigned percentage of fault is 51% or more, you cannot recover any compensation. And if your percentage of fault is 50% or less, your financial award could be reduced proportionately.
Comparative negligence is often a key issue in a car accident case. Fortunately, our attorneys are experts when it comes to this area of law. Contact to us to learn more.
What Factors Affect The Value of My Claim?
There are a number of factors that can influence the value of your car accident claim, such as:
- Whether you share any blame for the accident
- The severity and type of injuries you have suffered
- Whether you are expected to make a full recovery from your injuries
- The terms of any applicable insurance policies
- The degree to which you have and will continue to be out of work due to the accident
These are just a few of the examples of factors that can affect how much your claim is worth. The primary factor to keep in mind is the degree to which the accident has affected and will continue to affect your life.
Who Should I Call Immediately After an Accident?
Immediately after an accident, you should call 911. This is recommended regardless of the severity of the accident, though it is required by law if the accident was serious (such as when someone is injured or when one of the vehicles cannot be moved). Calling 911 ensures that the proper authorities are aware of the accident.
Once you call 911, police and other personnel may be dispatched to the scene of the accident, which will be helpful to your case down the line.
After calling 911, you may also call a car accident attorney immediately after an accident. An attorney can inform you of your next steps in real-time so that your claim for compensation begins on the right foot.
What Happens When the Police Arrive on the Scene?
There is no set formula for what will happen once the police arrive on the scene of a car accident – it will depend on the circumstances of the crash. However, the police will generally collect the necessary information to file their report on the crash. This will entail interviewing those involved in the crash as well as any witnesses.
The police may ask questions regarding each person’s contact information, insurance information, involvement in the accident, and more. The information the officers collect will play a role in their determination of who was at fault. However, the police’s determination is not dispositive as to how your case will conclude.
What Happens If the Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance?
You may still be able to receive compensation if the other driver involved in your car accident doesn’t have insurance. One option is to look at the terms of your own car insurance policy. Texas offers drivers the option to purchase Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage as well as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.
These insurance alternatives offer financial relief if you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver.
You should also reach out to us if you have been involved in a rear-end crash with an uninsured driver or another similar situation where your course of action might be unclear, such as a hit-and-run accident. We can conduct an internal investigation into your case to identify the cause and extent of your damages.
We can also work to identify who is responsible and how they might be held liable for the harm they’ve caused you.
What Is Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage?
Uninsured Motorist (UM) insurance coverage is offered to motorists in El Paso, Texas, and throughout most of the country. This form of coverage will compensate you in the event that you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver.
Though this coverage will likely increase your monthly insurance bill, it will also provide you financial relief in a situation where you might otherwise have nowhere to turn. It is generally recommended to purchase this form of coverage if you are able to.
After an Accident, How Are My Medical Bills and Other Damages Paid?
Initially, you will look to the terms of your insurance policies for assistance with your medical bills and other damages. For instance, your health insurance policy may assist with your medical bills and other related expenses. Your car insurance policy, in turn, may be able to provide help with your repair costs and other similar financial losses.
Ultimately, you might be able to hold the at-fault party liable for your expenses related to the accident. You might obtain money in the form of a settlement agreement or jury verdict. The sum you ultimately obtain may align closely with your losses, as the goal is to make you whole again.
Our legal team can help you collect the compensation you need after a car accident in El Paso.
What Happens If I Talk to the Insurance Company Before Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer in El Paso?
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and insurance adjusters are trained to minimize their customers’ claims to that end. If you speak with the insurance company before hiring a car accident attorney in El Paso, you run the risk of saying something that could reduce your claim.
For instance, the insurance adjuster may ask you questions intended to have you accept some blame for the crash. Without the guidance of an attorney, you may answer these questions in an undesirable manner.
You don’t have to – and shouldn’t – ever lie to the insurance company, but it’s also critical that you know how to properly respond to these questions in such a way that protects your interests. An experienced car accident attorney from our law firm can help you do just that and much more.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
Texas sets time limits on your ability to file a claim after an accident. These deadlines are known as statutes of limitations. Typically, you’ll have two years to file a claim after most auto accidents. The clock will start running on the date of your accident.
However, not all claims will have a two-year time limit. For example, injury cases involving minors or government entities are often subject to different deadlines. Therefore, you should contact an experienced attorney in Texas to help you find out the statute of limitations in your case.
Contact Our El Paso Car Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you should not delay. Medical expenses won’t go away. And it may be hard to make up for lost income. The only way to get justice after your accident is to pursue fair compensation from the driver responsible.
We’re ready to put 50 years of experience into your legal representation. We’ll use our considerable skills and resources to maximize your claim and help you move forward after your accident.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an El Paso car accident attorney. We’re standing by to take your call and offer legal advice.
Car Accident Client Review
