Schertz Car Accident

Most people in Texas rely on cars to get them to and from work, school and social events. As a result, traffic in areas with rapidly growing populations such as Schertz has steadily increased. The rise in the number of vehicles on the roads has led to an inevitable rise in car accidents, including accidents that leave victims with serious injuries.

Burch Law Firm has more than a quarter-century of legal experience in assisting car accident victims and their families in Schertz and many surrounding communities in Guadalupe County, Bexar County and Comal County. Our firm has a record of success that includes:

  • $852,000 settlement for a man who suffered a broken arm and multiple fractures to his leg in a head-on collision caused by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel.
  • $510,000 settlement for a woman who suffered a serious lower back injury requiring surgery after a T-bone accident caused by another driver who ran a stop sign.
  • $473,005 settlement for a mechanic who suffered back and neck injuries in a hit-and-run crash. Burch Law Firm located the vehicle and the driver and established that the hit-and-run driver was probably intoxicated at the time of the crash.

If a negligent driver caused a crash that harmed you or caused the loss of a loved one, contact us today to discuss your case in a free consultation.

Why Do Car Accidents Happen in Schertz?

Schertz currently has an estimated population of 40,092, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This figure represents remarkable growth. The city’s population has nearly quadrupled from the 10,555 residents it had in 1990.

Today, Schertz is the largest city in the Randolph Metrocom area, which includes 10 communities in Guadalupe County, Bexar County and Comal County surrounding Randolph Air Force Base. The other communities in the Randolph Metrocom area include Live Oak, Kirby, Converse, Marion, Cibolo, Universal City, Windcrest, Garden Ridge and Selma.

The effect of the region’s population growth can be seen in the number of traffic crashes. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), a reported 869 crashes occurred in Schertz in 2017 alone. The total includes three fatal accidents and more than 100 collisions that resulted in some degree of injury.

At Burch Law Firm, we know how negligence frequently contributes to these crashes. We have an extensive background with handling cases that involve:

  • Reckless driving such as tailgating, failing to yield the right of way and disobeying traffic laws
  • Distracted driving including texting, talking on the phone, eating, changing the music, and anything else that takes a driver’s eyes and attention off the road
  • Speeding, which can lower a driver’s ability to stop suddenly in emergencies and can easily cause a driver to lose control (especially in bad weather)
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (including prescription medications), which can alter a driver’s ability to control his or her vehicle and make sound decisions behind the wheel
  • Drowsy driving which can cause a driver to drift in and out of lanes and fail to notice other cars, motorcycles, bicycles or pedestrians on or near the road
  • Inexperienced teen drivers who are more likely to drive recklessly, text while driving or react poorly to unexpected situations
  • Age-related problems or elderly drivers who may have a harder time processing and reacting to situations that they encounter
  • Defective parts including brakes, tires, wheels and steering can cause catastrophic injuries on the road
  • Dangerous road conditions such as poorly maintained roads, construction zones or roads with inadequate signage.

Any of these types of accidents can occur on any road in the greater Schertz area. Victims may be entitled to compensation for crashes caused by another driver’s negligence.

How Can Our Lawyers Help You After an Auto Accident in Schertz?

Following a car accident in the Schertz area, you will likely be contacted by a representative from the negligent driver’s insurance company. This agent may act very concerned about your well-being and try to convince you not to hire an attorney so you can keep more money for yourself. Do not fall for this trick. In fact, do not speak to any insurer until you have legal representation. Insurance companies know that people who retain legal counsel are better able to negotiate full and fair settlements of their cases.

An experienced car accident lawyer at Burch Law Firm will know how to conduct an independent investigation of your crash in order to determine the actual cause and identify all liable parties. The lawyer can also speak with your treating physician and take all factors into account in determining the damages that you are entitled to receive.

If an insurance company refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer, our law firm can file a lawsuit and pursue your case in court. But keep in mind: The decision of whether to accept a settlement offer will be yours – and yours alone – to make. We will fully advise you, answer your questions and provide the support that you need throughout your case.

What Should You Do After a Car Accident?

The first thing you should do after any kind of car accident in Schertz is to seek medical attention. This is true even if you do not initially believe you were harmed. Some injuries do not immediately present symptoms. However, doctors will know how to examine and diagnose any injuries you may have suffered and start you on a course of treatment.

Another important reason to get medical care as soon as possible relates to your car accident claim. Many insurance companies will use any delays in getting treatment to argue that a victim’s injuries are not as severe as claimed, or that they were not caused by the accident.

When possible, before you leave the accident scene, you should try to get the contact information of all witnesses and take pictures of the scene from multiple angles and distances. If you are unable to do this because of the need for medical care, try to have a friend or family member do it for you.

Additionally, save all receipts for out-of-pocket expenses relating to your injuries. You should keep copies of your medical bills, for instance, or receipts for costs that you incur for getting your car repaired.

You should also try to obtain a crash report from the law enforcement agency that responded to your accident. If your crash occurred in the Schertz area, that agency may be:

Again, you should avoid making any kind of recorded statement to an insurance company until you have legal representation. Contact Burch Law Firm instead. While you deal with your recovery, we will deal with the insurance company.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim After a Schertz Car Accident?

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, a person has two years from the date of an accident to bring a lawsuit. If a person dies because of a car accident, then the same statute provides that a family has two years from the date of that person’s death to file a legal claim. In most cases, victims should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible in order to guarantee that their rights are protected.

Get Help from a Schertz Car Accident Attorney Today

If you suffered severe injuries, or your loved one was killed in a car crash in the greater Schertz area of Texas, it is in your best interest to contact Burch Law Firm without delay. Call or contact us online to have our lawyers provide a complete evaluation of your case during a free consultation.