Getting into a car accident can be frustrating enough. But when you find out the other driver lives in another state, it can be a nightmare. This is why it’s so important that you take the proper steps after your car accident in Houston.
One of the most important things you do after your crash is to call the police. They’ll come out and do a thorough investigation of the scene. They’ll get the license and insurance information for both drivers. They’ll also get their contact information. They’ll check to make sure the information provided is accurate.
If you don’t call the cops, there’s no way to know that the other driver gave you accurate information. For all you know, they could give you outdated information. They may give you an old address. If this happens, there’s nothing you can do to track them down. This means your Houston car accident lawyer will have no way to find them either.
The good news is that you can file a car accident claim no matter where the other driver is.. Also, because they were driving through your state, you can file your lawsuit in Texas. You won’t have to worry about dealing with distant litigation. Let your Houston, TX car accident lawyer handle the legal side of things. This way, you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
Does An Out of State Driver Need to Follow Local Traffic Rules?
No matter where you live if you travel out of state you need to abide by their traffic rules. So, if the speed limit in your town is 70 mph, foreign drivers must drive no faster than the posted speed limit. Or, if your town uses circles or rotaries, out of state drivers must honor the right of way rules.
It may sound like getting into an accident with an out of state driver is rare. However, with the way people travel these days, it’s more common than you think. You could get hit by a truck driver carrying a load through to Oklahoma. Or you could get into an accident with a family on their way to Disney World in Florida.
If any of these things happen, you may have a claim for damages. As long as the other driver is at fault for the accident, you’ll be able to file a claim against their insurance policy.
Your Houston Car Accident Lawyer Will Ensure Your Claim is Handled Properly
If you do have to file an insurance claim, your Houston car accident lawyer will make sure it’s handled properly.. They’ll make sure you complete all the necessary paperwork. They’ll also make sure you provide all the information the insurance adjuster needs.
If your claim is denied for some reason, your attorney will try to appeal it. It could be denied for a variety of reasons, including:
- The policy wasn’t valid for some reason
- The adjuster thinks you caused the crash
- They don’t believe your injuries were legitimate
- The claim is large and they’d rather take their chances in court
Now, if your claim is denied for an invalid policy, there’s nothing your Houston car accident lawyer can do.. No insurance company will pay a claim out on an invalid policy. They’d go out of business if they did that. However, for any of the other reasons, your lawyer can file an appeal.
If they’re unable to get your claim paid, they’ll have no choice but to file a lawsuit on your behalf. This suit will be filed in Houston. You don’t have to worry about traveling out of state for your lawsuit.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Houston Right Away
If you do need to file a lawsuit, let your Houston car accident attorney do that for you.. You want to make sure your claim is filed properly and against the right party. You also want to make sure you properly serve the other driver, especially given that they live out of state.
Call today and schedule your initial consultation. It’s absolutely free and you pay nothing until you settle your case. You can sit down with a skilled personal injury lawyer in Houston, Texas who can answer any questions you may have. They’ll also review your case and let you know what it might be worth.
The defendant will have an attorney working for them and you should too. If you didn’t cause the crash, you should get the compensation you deserve.