Smith & Hassler

Fight back with a Houston car accident lawyer if you're injured in a crash

Our experienced attorneys won’t let you get pushed around

If you were injured in a Texas crash that wasn’t your fault, let our Houston car accident attorneys handle your case and fight to get you the compensation you need and deserve. Knowing what your rights are after a car accident and trying to figure out how much your claim is worth can be overwhelming in the aftermath of a serious crash, but you don’t need to go down this road alone. Smith & Hassler has over 30 years of experience getting results for clients in Houston and is prepared to help you maximize the value of your claim.

From a debilitating case of whiplash to a severe concussion, there are many different types of car accident injuries that you or someone you love can sustain in a crash. You may have been transported to the ER or needed an extended stay in the hospital. It could be that you had to undergo diagnostic tests, such as an X-ray, CT scan or MRI. For treatment, you may require physical therapy, medication, surgery and maybe even long-term care.

Expenses after a car accident can pile up quickly, but if you didn’t do anything to cause your crash, you shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s reckless mistakes. Unfortunately, a lot of crash victims end up having a hard time trying to recover compensation for their damages. That’s because insurance companies are notorious for making lowball settlement offers, or worse yet, blaming the entire accident on you.

Call our law firm in Houston right away. Our attorneys know how to build strong legal cases that demand the insurance company’s attention. We know what evidence to look for to support your claim and how to handle pushy insurance adjusters. We are no-nonsense negotiators and skilled trial attorneys – and when the insurance company sees you’ve retained Smith & Hassler to handle your claim, they’ll know you’re serious about getting fair compensation for your damages.

What should I do after a car accident?

If you’re involved in a car accident, do your best to remain calm so you can assess the situation. After that, you should:

What if the car accident wasn’t my fault?

Texas is a “fault” car insurance state, which means if you were in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, the driver who caused your crash is typically considered liable for paying your damages. That means in most cases, if you were injured in a car accident due to the negligence of someone else, you should be entitled to compensation.

Texas requires all drivers to carry car insurance with minimum amounts of liability coverage – giving you a few different options to recover compensation if you sustain an injury in a crash that wasn’t your fault. These options include:

It’s important to note that under the state’s comparative negligence laws, if you’re found to be partially at-fault for your car accident, then your compensation can be reduced by the percentage of fault you’re assigned for the crash.

For example, let’s say you’re awarded $50,000 for your damages but found to be 10 percent at-fault for the crash and your injuries since you were speeding. In this scenario, your compensation would be reduced by 10 percent ($5,000) and your award would be $45,000. It’s important to note that to recover damages from another driver, a plaintiff’s negligence must not be greater than that of the defendant.

We also handle cases involving manufacturer defects. For example, our firm has helped people throughout the state who were harmed as a result of Toyota defects. When the negligence of manufacturers leads to reduced safety and reliability, an accident can happen that leaves people hurt. We hold negligent manufacturers accountable.

What is the average settlement for a car accident in Texas?

The amount of compensation you’ll be eligible to recover for your car accident will depend on the specific details of your case, including the severity of your injuries and the overall impact the crash has had on your life. In general, if you were injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault you may be entitled to compensation for:

If you want to get an idea of what your claim might be worth, call our law firm right away for a free consultation. Our attorneys can talk to you about your case and calculate what you might qualify for in compensation.

How do I read my Texas car accident report?

Reading your Texas car accident report and understanding what it all means can be a challenge, which is why you need an attorney to break it down page by page for you to better understand. If you need to purchase a copy of your Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3), you may do so online by visiting the Texas Department of Transportation.

Let our Houston attorneys handle every aspect of your claim

Once you’ve been injured in a crash your focus should be on your recovery – not stressing over how you’re going to pay your bills. While your case might seem straightforward, understanding how to navigate the confusing claims process and figuring out the best way to get full compensation for your damages can be overwhelming. That’s why you need someone in your corner who knows what it takes to get you real results.

Let us take control. Our car accident attorneys have the knowledge and experience to deal with every detail related to your claim while you concentrate on getting better. Whether it’s through a negotiated settlement or a court verdict, we will fight to get you the largest payout possible. If you or someone you love was injured in a bus accident, bicycle accident, or another type of pedestrian accident in Houston, our lawyers can also help you recover compensation for your damages.

Best of all, there are no upfront costs and you do not pay unless we win. That’s because we represent our clients on a contingency fee basis.

Learn how our experienced attorneys can help you. Visit our car accident FAQ page to get answers to some of the most common questions we receive and then be sure to contact us for a free consultation.

"Mr. Brian Stansell was very professional and communicative. He handled everything pertaining to my car accident, ALWAYS stayed in contact, and kept me updated on any and everthing I needed to know. He made sure everything was taken care of from day one." - D

Jon LeBlanc
5 Star
I was injured in a car accident on September of 2022 and called Smith & Hastler. They immediately was on the case. Made the process of filling my lawsuit against the party who hit me. The staff Dara and Abigale was always available to answer questions for me at anytime. Sometimes even answering my concerns on weekends. They fought to get me the max amount for my injuries. They assisted me through the time by helping me to get a new vehicle and even gave me advances to help me pay my monthly bills. If injured I would definitely call Smith & Hastler.
Tuesday 5th March 2024

Bilal Sohail
5 Star
In December 2023, I got into a car accident, and I approached Smith & Hassler for my personal injury case. Cameron R. Tebo was assigned to handle my case, and I must say he did an excellent job. Cameron was very professional and proactive throughout the process. He guided me through all the medical tests and therapy required, and within four months, he achieved a tremendous settlement with my insurance company. I received substantial compensation, and I highly recommend Cameron to anyone who needs help with their case. I guarantee he won't disappoint you.
Friday 26th April 2024

David William
5 Star
I couldn't be happier with the Smith and Hassler Law firm. They are diligent, understanding, and efficient. Their system made it easy to move the form step to step in getting treatment and eventually getting the case settled. Anytime I had a question or needed clarification, Brian Stansil or his team were available and able to help. I appreciate all their hard work and making the whole process easy to navigate.
Tuesday 12th March 2024

Jesus Hernandez
5 Star
I would recommended to a friend to hire Smith & Hassler they took care of my casa so easily. The fact that I had to move out of state they handled my case with ease. They worked around my schedule and were very accommodating. I only had to make a few phone calls and Skype meetings. Thank you!
Friday 3rd May 2024

Jana
5 Star
I’d like to say a very big thank you to a wonderful team at Smith & Hassler for a great service I’ve received over the last couple of years. I was involved in an auto-pedestrian accident while visiting the US from abroad. When I was looking for a legal representation, I came across Smith and Hassler’s website, and decided to contact them based on the positive reviews online. I had the pleasure of working with attorney, James Burkhalter. James was very professional, helpful and always happy to assist whenever I had any questions. Even though I live abroad, James kept in touch with me on a regular basis-via emails and also Zoom calls, and kept me up to date with everything. He always explained everything in detail and went the extra mile going over things that were not clear to me. The whole service I received was outstanding from start to finish, and I felt I was in a very good hands throughout. Thank you so much again, James, and the team at Smith & Hassler. It was such a pleasure working with you.
Tuesday 16th January 2024