Texas Local Accident Resources

Texas is no stranger to car accidents, which happen every single day on our roadways and cause injuries and fatalities to victims involved. Going through the experience of a life-changing car accident can be one of the worst aspects of your life. You might have sustained serious injuries, you are dealing with adverse emotions that become prevalent following many accident cases, and you know that your finances are going to suffer while you await results. Many people will seek the help of experienced legal representation to help them through this difficult time, especially when they have a variety of questions to ask. What happens if you need professional help in other areas, such as on an emotional level? Luckily, we have composed a list of resources that can help you through every aspect of your Texas car accident case.

If Your Accident Took Away Your Ability to Work

If you have been injured so severely that you do not think that you will be able to return to work, you could utilize these resources to help you obtain the help you deserve during this time:

• Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income of Texas: The State of Texas offers you two forms of disability benefits that can play a major role in your life if you have been unable to return to work and wonder how you will be able to afford expenses that keep adding up after your accident. Follow the link to find out how you can apply.
• Wage Loss of Texas: If you have been involved in an accident and it has been determined to be the fault of another party, you might be able to seek reimbursement during this difficult time.
• State Bar of Texas: The State Bar of Texas can help you receive help from an attorney if you are struggling with bills and do not think that you will be able to afford one on your own. From there, you will be able to receive help with your legal claim.

Need help with requesting an official copy of the incident police report?

If you were involved in a car accident in Texas and need a copy of the police report to file a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim, you can request a copy from the Records Division of the police department that filed the report. Requests can be mailed in, but the attention must be directed to the records department.

If you or a loved one is having trouble obtaining a copy of a police report, just contact our office and we can get to work assisting you right away.

Emotional Support

Accidents are not just traumatic on a physical level. Even after your body has started healing, you might be dealing with emotional or mental wounds – and these wounds can cut deeper than you originally thought. Because of this, it is important to have resources on your side of those who can help you after the mental trauma of an accident has caused upset in your life.

• Texas Project FIRST: FIRST, standing for families, information, resources, support, and training, helps focus on the mental health and well-being of families and children after they have been through a time of trauma.
• TPA: The Texas Psychological Association oversees all psychologists in the state of Texas to help deliver high-quality professional services to those who need them the most.
• Texas Psychology Services: This organization helps supply psychological services to the general public and legal system of Texas, which can help you receive great care following a serious accident. You can receive counseling on an individual level and group level, which may suit your needs depending on the circumstances.

Financial Hardship Assistance

Everybody knows that the costs associated with a car accident can be devastating and will continue to pile up. But what if you are unable to pay them on your own? This is why it is a good idea to speak to somebody who is able to help assist you with these matters if you are falling behind financially due to your accident.

• Crime Victims’ Compensation Program: Through the Attorney General’s Office, the Crime Victims’ Compensation Program helps the victims and their families following an accident caused by a crime, such as hit-and-runs and DUIs. They will give you the information, resources, or financial assistance you need throughout these difficult matters.

Car Insurance Information

In Texas, like many states, you are required to hold certain liability insurance that will cover various aspects after you have been involved in an accident. This applies to everybody else who shares the roadways with you. This liability coverage includes the following:

• $30,000 for each person who has been injured
• $60,000 for injuries per incident
• $25,000 for property damage

Though you are only required to carry liability insurance, Texas offers additional car insurance that might be helpful to you in your time of need, which includes the following:

• Collision coverage to cover many types of damages after an accident.
• Comprehensive coverage to cover damages to you if the accident was not caused by another person.
• Uninsured and underinsured coverage when somebody is not carrying suitable insurance
• Towing and labor services.

Texas also has an entire crash report online purchasing system that will allow you to receive a copy of your police report after you have been involved in an accident. This can be extremely helpful if you need the report after an accident before you move forward with a claim.

Accident Due to Drunk Driving

Accidents in Texas involving drunk and drugged driving can be devastating experiences for everybody involved. They can easily end in serious injuries on a permanent level or take lives of loved ones. According to the Texas DMV, there are laws regarding BAC and you can follow these guidelines to determine if somebody was under the influence at the time of your accident:

• 0.08% for people who are 21 years or older
• 0.04% for commercial drivers
• Any detectable BAC for those younger than 21

If you have been injured in an accident involving drunk or drugged driving, you know that the other party has broken the law. Here is a resource that can help if you have been injured in an accident involving a drunk driver:

• MADD Texas: Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Texas is a nonprofit that helps combat drunk driving and drugged driving. If you are the victim of one of these accidents, you can seek help from this special resource that helps prevent these accidents and offer support in a variety of ways.

Accident in Texas by the Numbers

We have gathered statistical data from the Texas Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Stats website for 2017 to help show how many people lose their lives in various accidents on Texas roads every year. Note, however, that a state’s population has a huge impact on the number of fatalities that occur on our roads. As of 2017, 28.3 million people live in Texas, though this number could be higher or lower at this given time. The following are the statistics that were taken from last year:

Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents in General

• In 2017, the death toll on Texas roadways was 3,721 fatalities. This was actually a decrease from the 3,794 fatalities that were recorded in 2016.

Fatalities in Rural Areas

• In 2017, the number of fatalities that occurred in rural areas was 1,950 deaths.

Intersection Fatalities

• In 2017, 761 people lost their lives in accidents that either occurred at or were related to intersections.

Head-on Collision Fatalities

• 552 people lost their lives in head-on collisions in 2017.

Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

• In 2017, 501 motorcyclists were killed in serious motorcycle accidents. 52% of these people were not wearing helmets at the time.

Pedestrian Fatalities

• Pedestrian fatalities totaled 614 in 2017, which was a 9.7% decrease from the year before.

DUI Accident Fatalities

• In 2017, over 1,024 people were killed in DUI-related accidents where a driver was under the influence of alcohol.