Waco Car Accident Attorneys
When You're Facing a Powerful Insurance Company, You Need a Proven Fighter on Your Side
After a car accident, the fight has just begun. You are not just dealing with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and mounting medical bills; you are now facing a large insurance corporation. Their goal is simple: to protect their profits by paying you as little as possible. They have teams of adjusters and lawyers who handle these claims every day. This is an unfair fight, and you shouldn't have to face it alone.
At the Law Offices of Vic Feazell, P.C., we understand what it's like to be the underdog against a powerful system. Our firm is built on the experience of our founder, Vic Feazell, a former District Attorney who took on the Texas Rangers and the FBI to expose a massive injustice. When a major TV station tried to silence him, he fought back and won the largest libel judgment in U.S. history at the time, an achievement recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.
That is the spirit we bring to every car accident case. We believe no one should have to pay for the consequences of a wreck that was not their fault. We turn victims into victors by channeling our founder's philosophy: "My Dad taught me how to be sweet and compassionate and understanding, and my Mom taught me how to go for the jugular". We provide the compassionate guidance you need while aggressively pursuing the justice you deserve.
Case Results
- $3.5 Million – Car Accident: Client collided with a 70-ton U.S. Army tank; sustained life-threatening injuries, emergency surgeries, and long recovery.
- $1.5 Million – Car Accident: Client rear-ended by a bus at 55 mph; suffered herniated disks, broken teeth, displaced jaw, and head injury.
- $750,000 – Drunk Driver Car Wreck: Client struck head-on by drunk driver; suffered broken femur and wrist requiring surgery.
Free initial consultations are available. Call our Waco car accident lawyers at (254) 938-6885or contact us online.
On this page:
- Why Choose Us for Your Car Accident Case?
- Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
- Texas Comparative Law
- Negotiation vs. Litigation: A Trial-Ready Approach
- What to Do After a Car Accident
- Common Driver Error & Reckless Driving
- How Our Attorneys Can Help You
- FAQs
- How long do I have to file a car accident claim?
- How expensive is hiring a lawyer for a car accident?
- What type of compensation can you get in your car accident claim?
- How are damages related to pain and suffering calculated?
- Can you file a claim if the other driver was uninsured?
- Do you need to report the accident to your insurance company right away?
- Can you sue if you get into a work-related car accident?
- Does it take a while to settle a car accident claim?
Why Choose the Law Offices of Vic Feazell for Your Car Accident Case?
In a market full of lawyers making similar promises, our history provides the proof. Vic Feazell’s story, featured in the Netflix docuseries "The Confession Killer," is a testament to his willingness to fight for the truth, no matter the opponent. He challenged a flawed system and was vindicated.
This is not just a story; it is the foundation of our firm's approach. We know that insurance companies can be just as intimidating as the powerful state agencies Vic once faced. They will try to devalue your claim, question your injuries, and pressure you into a lowball settlement. Our job is to "go for the jugular" on your behalf, leveling the playing field and fighting for every dollar you are owed. While we handle the fight, our team provides the compassionate support you and your family need, keeping you updated and involved every step of the way.
"I was in a car accident while visiting family out of town... From the very 1st day they started making this process easier for me. Everyone was very understanding because I had a concussion and then concussion syndrome and lost my glasses... Vic made sure 1st thing I had me a new pair of glasses and the ladies in the office were beyond sweet... Mayra from the front office in Waco was ALWAYS available to answer any questions... 6 months later my son was in a bad accident and Vic was the person I recommended to him... I hope I am never in the position to need an attorney again but if I do I can rest easy knowing I have Vic in my side." – Audra Rios
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
Both the causes of car accidents and the repercussions of them can vary considerably. However, some of the most common causes of car accidents include:
- Driver error
- Reckless driving/speeding
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Hit & run accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Whiplash
- Wrongful death
- Car defect/malfunction
- Highway defects
After struggling through an accident or loss due to these types of car wrecks or related issues, a victim may feel like they have no hope for getting the compensation they should be owed. With the help of a skilled Waco car accident attorney who is prepared to fight for you, this does not have to be the case.
What You Need to Know About No-Fault Accidents
To deal with the ambiguity of determining fault after a car accident, states are classified as either “fault” or “no-fault” states. In no-fault states, it doesn’t matter who caused the accident – both parties are responsible for filing a claim with their own insurance provider to receive compensation. Texas, however, is classified as a “fault” insurance state, meaning that liability for insurance compensation will lie with the party who caused the accident. In other words, if you have been the victim of a car accident in Texas and you were not at fault, you should not be responsible for any medical or vehicle repair expenses.
It can often be difficult to determine the party at fault in an accident. On occasion, two or more parties may bear some responsibility for the accident and may be liable for certain portions of the expenses. This is called comparative negligence.
Understanding Comparative Negligence Laws in Texas
Injured victims have the right to recover financial compensation for injuries caused by the negligence or wrongdoings of others. But what happens if a victim was in some way partially responsible for a crash? Thankfully, Texas law does allow for victims to still recover compensation if they are partially at fault for an accident, under certain circumstances.
What Does Texas Use to Calculate Percentage of Responsibility
Texas uses a system called modified comparative negligence to calculate the percentage of responsibility and financial liability of each party involved in an accident. This formula of proportionate responsibility compares the fault of each driver or party involved.
Compensation will then be reduced by the percentage of a victim’s negligence – provided that they are less than 51% at fault. This means that if a victim is found to be 51% or more at fault for causing a wreck, they are barred from recovering compensation.
Here is an example of how Texas’s modified comparative negligence formula would work in a car accident:
- Driver A and Driver B are involved in a car wreck.
- Driver A is injured and files a personal injury lawsuit against Driver B.
- Driver A is awarded $100,000 and was found to be 20% responsible for the accident. Driver B is 80% responsible.
- Driver A can only recover $80,000 because modified comparative negligence prevents victims from recovering from the more at-fault party for their own actions.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car wreck, be aware that your percentage of fault can impact your ability to recover the compensation you deserve. By working with proven auto accident attorneys, you can level the playing field with insurance companies that want to pay as little as possible and position yourself for the best chance of recovering what you need.
Negotiation vs. Litigation: A Trial-Ready Approach
When you file a car accident claim seeking damages, your claim will either be resolved through negotiation or, if that is not possible or appropriate, litigation.
- Negotiation: Negotiation is the act of working with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement on your behalf. The vast majority of car accident claims are settled in negotiation, meaning there is no trial.
- Litigation: When the insurance company is not willing to accept responsibility or offers an unreasonably low settlement to the victim, litigation may become necessary. This is the process of preparing and taking a case to court in order to obtain a verdict from a judge or jury.
At the Law Offices of Vic Feazell, P.C., our car accident lawyers in Waco understand that you want to have your case resolved as quickly as possible. While we always strive for swift and favorable settlements, our reputation was built on winning in the courtroom. Insurance companies know we are fully prepared to represent you and your best interests at trial. While we may offer our honest and professional advice regarding your case, the choice to go to trial is always yours.
What to Do After a Car Accident
What you did immediately after your car accident will make a big difference in how your claim later develops. With some luck – or perhaps due to your own pre-planning – you took the right steps and got the right information.
Your claim or lawsuit will be stronger if you were able to:
- Call for emergency help: Emergency responders not only help save lives after a serious car accident, but they also create accident reports that can be invaluable to your claim. If EMTs, firefighters, and police officers arrived at the scene of your crash, then let our attorneys know, so we can reach out to their offices and inquire about getting copies of reports.
- Exchange identifying information: You will always want to know as much as you can about the other drivers involved in your accident. You need insurance and identifying information. Even something as simple as a driver’s license or phone number is beneficial and helps us correctly assess who is liable for your injuries and damages.
- Take photos and video: Documenting the scene of your crash is the best chance to get tangible evidence of what happened and why. Use your smartphone to take pictures of everything that might be relevant to your claim later. Damage, injuries, road conditions, and the weather are all highly important for your documentation. Please allow our attorneys to review any digital evidence you captured immediately after your car accident. We might also be able to get photos from other drivers during legal processes like discovery.
- See a doctor: Going to a doctor for a checkup after an accident is the right move. You could have underlying injuries that need diagnosing and treating that only feel like an ache or soreness after a crash. If you saw a doctor or went to urgent care after your collision, then we would like to network with your medical provider to study your medical records, which lets us better calculate your current and future damages.
Common Types of Driver Error & Reckless Driving
In many cases, errors committed by drivers are unintentional, but this doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be taken seriously. A driver’s negligent actions have the potential to cause substantial, life-changing injuries, and in some cases even death.
Some common types of driver error include the following:
- Failure to signal
- Merging at an inappropriate time
- Turning into the wrong lane
- Running through red lights
- Swerving to avoid obstructions in the road
- Failure to check blind spots
Reckless driving comes in many forms, but usually involves a driver’s unnecessary endangerment of others on the road to pursue his or her own interests. Common examples of this include texting while driving, swerving between lanes, ignoring posted speed limits, and tailgating.
How an Attorney Can Help You After an Accident
If you were involved in a car accident in Waco or the surrounding areas, you may be wondering whether you even need an attorney. If your case is very straightforward with no complications, you may choose to work with the insurance companies yourself. However, if there are any complexities at all, or if there is any chance that liability could be disputed, we strongly encourage you to work with an experienced car accident lawyer.
When determining if you need an attorney for your claim, consider the following:
- Were you seriously injured in the accident?
- Did someone die due to the collision?
- Were you potentially partially at fault?
- Was the other motorist under- or uninsured?
- Has the insurance company already tried to get you to accept a low settlement?
- Was your claim denied?
An attorney from our firm can help you navigate your car accident claim if you are experiencing any difficulties. We encourage you to contact us right away to learn more.
FAQs
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Texas?
Is it expensive to hire a car accident attorney?
What type of compensation can you get in your car accident claim?
How are damages related to pain and suffering calculated?
Given that pain and suffering damage takes an abstract concept and turns it into a concrete monetary value, calculating these damages can be tricky. In some cases, an attorney will total the economic damages and multiply it by a number that seems fair. In other cases, the total is based on multiplying a flat dollar amount by the number of days that the claimant is expected to experience pain and suffering.
Can you file a claim if the other driver was uninsured?
Yes, you can file a claim if the other driver was uninsured, but it will depend on your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) insurance policy. In a UM/UIM claim, you will be in the unusual position of filing a claim against your own auto insurance provider, so you could be fighting your own insurer.
Do you need to report the accident to your insurance company right away?
Texas law usually requires you to report a car accident to your insurance provider within 10 days. It is better to report it on your own – but only after you have spoken to a car accident attorney.
Can you sue if you get into a work-related car accident?
Car accident claims can get more complicated if you were driving a work vehicle or got into a crash while completing a job-related duty. You might be able to file a workers’ compensation claim through your employer for certain benefits while also filing a claim against the other driver who hit you.
Does it take a while to settle a car accident claim?
To settle a car accident claim, careful work needs to go into the case and negotiations. With a talented car accident lawyer handling your case, you could see a settlement within just a few months. If your case is complicated, the damages are high, or liability is contested, then reaching a settlement can take much longer.
Injured? Let Our Team Fight for You.
As the victim of a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be owed compensation for your losses. Vic Feazell has a history of fighting for the truth against powerful institutions and winning. Now, let our Waco car accident lawyers bring that same fight to your case.
Discuss your particular circumstances with us and find out how we can help by calling (254) 938-6885.