You only have to tune in to the local traffic report to know that the Dallas–Ft. Worth area is rife with car accidents—some of which are merely inconvenient, some of which result in serious injuries, and some of which are deadly to pedestrians, drivers, or passengers. If you or a loved one have been injured in the wake of a car crash, you need to demonstrate that you did not contribute to the accident in any way if you want to have any hope of collecting monetary damages.

What Types of Behavior Can Imperil Your Car Accident Lawsuit?

As a general rule, judges, juries and insurance companies are more inclined to award damages to the victim of a car accident if it can be demonstrated that that person did not contribute in any way to his own injuries. You can pretty much kiss your claim for damages goodbye if:

  • You were speeding at the time of the accident, as determined by a police report or a forensic analysis of the crash scene.
  • You were intoxicated or under the influence of drugs (which can be determined by a blood test either at the scene, in the hospital or at the police station).
  • You were not wearing a seat belt, either as a passenger or a driver (a defense attorney can claim that your injuries would have been much less severe if you were properly strapped in).
  • You were a pedestrian struck by a car, and it can be shown that you were jaywalking, crossing against the light, or simply not paying attention.
  • You were operating your car in a reckless manner—say, stopping short at a red light or failing to signal when you changed lanes on the freeway.

It may well be that the negligence of the other driver exceeded your own, and he was, say, 75 percent responsible for the crash (and this may figure into any settlement granted to you by your or the other driver's insurance company). But any “contributory negligence,” as lawyers call it, will vastly decrease the amount of money you can hope to win in a lawsuit. A skilled Fort Worth car injury attorney can investigate your case to maximize your potential recovery by determining who was really at fault.

Injured in a Car Accident? Let Jim Zadeh Help

Jim Zadeh has decades of experience helping Texas residents recover damages in the wake of car accidents. If you have been seriously injured in a crash that was not your fault, call Jim today at 888-713-5418 to find out what he can do for you!