20Apr/25

How to File a Car Accident Claim in San Marcos, TX

car accident lawyers, Persona Injury

When accidents happen in San Marcos, Carabin Shaw is the name locals trust for personal attention and aggressive legal action.

How to File a Car Accident Claim in San Marcos, TX

A car accident can leave you shaken, injured, and overwhelmed — especially when you’re unsure how to handle the legal side of things. If you’ve been involved in a crash in San Marcos, Texas, filing a car accident claim correctly and promptly can help ensure you get the compensation you need to recover.

At Carabin Shaw, we help injured victims across Texas navigate the car accident claims process with confidence. Here’s a comprehensive guide to filing a claim after a crash in San Marcos.

More about our San Marcos car accident attorneys here

Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Your health comes first. After an accident, always seek medical treatment — even if you think your injuries are minor. Not only is this critical for your well-being, but your medical records also serve as key evidence in your claim. Delaying treatment can weaken your case and give insurers a reason to minimize your injuries.

Step 2: Report the Accident to the Police

In Texas, you are required to report any car accident that results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. In San Marcos, call 911 or the local non-emergency line to ensure a police officer arrives at the scene.

The officer will complete a crash report that includes:

  • The date, time, and location of the crash

  • Names and contact info of drivers and witnesses

  • A description of vehicle damage and injuries

  • A narrative of how the accident occurred

This official report is a vital part of your insurance claim or potential lawsuit.

Step 3: Notify Your Insurance Company

You should inform your insurance company of the accident as soon as possible. Most insurers have a limited window for reporting claims, and failing to notify them can affect your coverage.

When speaking to your insurer:

  • Stick to the facts

  • Do not admit fault

  • Avoid speculating about what caused the crash

  • Be cautious if asked to provide a recorded statement

If you’re unsure what to say, consult a car accident attorney first.

Step 4: Gather Supporting Evidence

Strong documentation is the foundation of a successful car accident claim. After the crash, gather the following:

  • Photos of vehicle damage, injuries, and the accident scene

  • Witness names and contact information

  • The police crash report

  • Your medical records and bills

  • Estimates for vehicle repair or replacement

  • Pay stubs or proof of lost income due to injury

The more detailed your evidence, the easier it will be to prove your damages and establish liability.

Step 5: File a Claim with the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance

Texas is an “at-fault” state, which means the person responsible for causing the accident is also responsible for covering damages. You’ll need to file a third-party claim with the other driver’s insurance provider.

When filing the claim, include:

  • Your name and contact information

  • The name of the insured driver

  • Date and location of the accident

  • Police report number

  • A description of the damages or injuries

Be cautious during all communication with the at-fault driver’s insurer. Their goal is to settle the claim for as little as possible.

Step 6: Consult a San Marcos Car Accident Lawyer

Before accepting any settlement offer, consult an experienced personal injury attorney. A lawyer can:

  • Determine the true value of your case

  • Handle all negotiations with insurance companies

  • Help you avoid common mistakes

  • Represent you if the case goes to court

  • Fight for compensation for all damages, including pain and suffering

At Carabin Shaw, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, so there’s no risk in getting the legal advice you need.

Step 7: Consider Filing a Lawsuit (If Needed)

If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation — or denies your claim altogether — your lawyer may recommend filing a personal injury lawsuit in Hays County civil court.

In Texas, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Your attorney will ensure that all deadlines are met and that your case is properly prepared.

Step 8: Let Your Attorney Negotiate the Settlement

Once all evidence has been reviewed and your damages calculated, your attorney will prepare a demand letter to the insurance company, requesting a specific settlement amount. If the insurer responds with a counteroffer, your attorney will negotiate on your behalf to secure the best possible outcome.

If negotiations break down, your case may proceed to trial. Most cases settle before reaching that point, but it’s important to have a lawyer who is ready and willing to litigate if necessary.

Final Thoughts

Filing a car accident claim in San Marcos can feel like a complicated and intimidating process — but it doesn’t have to be. By following the right steps and working with a qualified car accident attorney, you can protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.

At Carabin Shaw, we’re proud to help San Marcos residents recover after serious car crashes. From your first consultation to the final resolution, we’ll stand by your side every step of the way.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact our office today for a free case review. You pay nothing unless we win.

More Great Blogs About Personal Injury And Car Accident Law here:
https://www.summersandwyatt.com/accident-attorneys-personal-injury-law/
https://www.howardandnemoy.com/auto-accident-lawyers/
https://deerparkprogress.com/do-you-need-an-experienced-accident-injury-lawyer/
https://www.tn-injury-lawyers.com/car-accident-attorneys-personal-injury-law/
https://victoria-auto-accidents.com/personal-injury-attorneys-accident-law/
https://corpus-christi-auto-accident.com/personal-injury-law-car-accidents-spinal-cord-injuries/
https://www.merrittsolutions.net/san-marcos-texas-car-accident-lawyers/
https://corpus-christi-auto-accident.com/personal-injury-lawyer-congested-roads-lead-to-more-accidents/
https://houston-auto-accident.com/personal-injury-lawyers-accident-attorneys/
https://www.siringolaw.com/personal-injury-law-vehicle-accidents/

24Oct/23

18 Wheeler Accidents – Self-Insured Trucking Companies

Persona Injury, Truck Accident

This Blog was brought to you by the Carabin Shaw Law Firm, Principal Office in San Antonio

18 Wheeler Accidents – Self-Insured Trucking Companies

Once in a while, there will be no insurance company involved at all in your case. This might well be because the trucking company has elected not to carry traditional insurance but rather to self insure, by setting aside a portion of their own assets to use in case there is an accident for which they might be held liable. If you are dealing with a self-insured trucking company then you will not be dealing with any sort of traditional insurance adjuster but rather with an officer of the trucking company who is in charge of these types of incidents. While traditional adjusters can most definitely be aggressive and stubborn, these officers are even more difficult to deal with, particularly if you do not have a highly experienced trucking accident injury lawyer by your side. More info on this website
The principal reason for this is once again economic. These officer’s salaries are directly tied to the overall profitability of the trucking company. A major hit, as in a payout in an accident case, can have a serious effect on the officer’s own income, Thus they have personal financial reasons to do whatever they can do to negatively impact your case.

In addition, these company officers are not licensed. Adjusters are professionally licensed and must follow certain rules of ethical behavior in order to keep their licenses and thus their jobs. There are no such guidelines governing the behavior of the company officers. Consequently, we have heard of cases where there was evidence tampering as well as many other cases involving highly unethical behaviors. Our attorneys have dealt with this before and we can protect both you and your case from these unscrupulous individuals.

What We Can Do For You
While there is virtually an unlimited number of things that we can do for you in your case, here is a list of some of the more common things that we routinely will do:

Investigate the cause of the accident.
Gather all evidence needed to meet your burden of proof.
Pressure defendants into settling by using our reputation as leverage.
Develop a strong and well-substantiated trial strategy.
Protect your case from dismissal by the defense.
Personally take charge of all communications from the insurance adjusters.
Expose the lies that the truckers will tell to escape liability.
Make sure the officers of any self-insured trucking company stay within acceptable limits of behavior.

These are but a few of the services that we provide. Our goal is to do as much as possible for you and for your case so that you may be able to concentrate on getting better and healthier in order to return to your regular way of life once again.

The attorneys here at our Law Office have been successfully litigating personal injury cases for over 20 years. During that period of time, we have won millions and millions of dollars in settlements for our Texas clients from major insurance companies throughout the United States. Let us now do the same for you as well.

If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler truck accident contact our Law Office today (toll-free). We are pleased to offer a complimentary consultation and are available 24 hours a day. We look forward to discussing your case with you and to answering all of your specific questions.

25May/19

Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

General Posts, Persona Injury

Being involved in an injurious accident is no fun. It’s even more frustrating when the person responsible for your injuries doesn’t want to pay up. Medical services can be very expensive and when the person at fault doesn’t want to cover those expenses, or if they keep insisting that they weren’t responsible for the damages, you might have to pay for those expenses yourself. If you really want to win your battle without a hitch, you should hire a personal injury lawyer. There are lots of great benefits to hiring a personal injury lawyer. If you’re still wondering whether or not you should handle things on your own, consider these top reasons why you should seek the expertise of a seasoned professional.

Top Reasons Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

1. Knowledge of the Law – We can’t all be experts when it comes to understanding the law – that’s why attorneys exist. If you want to win a court battle in this day and age, it is essential that you have a stable and firm grasp of legal terms, procedures, and processes so that you can use them to your advantage when you need to. Hiring a personal injury lawyer will allow you to navigate the often confusing world of law with the help and expertise of someone who knows to speak the language. This will keep you from overlooking important, beneficial aspects and will ensure that you know exactly what to do if and when confronted with a problem.

car accident attorneys

2. Proper Connections – When you try to prove a personal injury claim, you will have to get the opinion of doctors and other health care providers to validate your claim. Often, you will have to undergo a series of tests and checkups to see whether or not the injuries you sustained are really worth what you’re asking for. Because many of these tests will have to be paid for, you should expect that the money that will answer for those expenses will come from your own pocket. But because many personal injury law firms have connections and partnerships with doctors, you can expect to get discounted fees at certain facilities.

3. Hassle Free Negotiations – Usually, a personal injury case is settled via a settlement instead of going all the way to the level of a trial. When you hire a personal injury lawyer, you can have them perform the necessary negotiations for you and they will come to the best settlement in favor of you.