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These are the most Dangerous Intersections in Houston

Tylka Law attorneys often work with car accident and hit and run victims in Houston.  We have seen many clients over the years, and notice a trend of where many accidents take place.  This post goes over the where and why of dangerous intersections of Houston.

Overall Deadliest Car Accidents – Bissonnet Street & W. Sam Houston Pkwy

Per a Texas Department of Transportation 2015 report, the deadliest intersection in Houston is where West Sam Houston Parkway connects to Bissonnet street.  While the cause of these crashes is unknown, most reports point to distracted driving (particularly during rush hour).  If you use this intersection to get to and from work or school, please be careful.

Car and Semi-Truck Accidents – Federal Rd. & Market Street [Houston’s Industrial Park]

Being a major metropolis, Houston is home to many diverse industries.  Oil and shipping are among the largest of these industries, and this is noticeable around the Greensport industrial terminals.  A major connection to the industrial terminals from Highway 10 is the Federal Road and Market Street intersection.  Hundreds of 18-wheelers pass through this intersection on a daily basis, and they sometimes carry dangerous loads such as gasoline and volatile chemicals.  If you are traveling through this intersection, be careful.  There are many tired and over-worked semi-truck drivers in this area.

University of Houston Pedestrian Accidents – Wheeler Ave., Calhoun Rd. & MLK Blvd.

The University of Houston, which features over 40,000 enrolled students, has a main campus address on Calhoun road.  A major intersection here includes the merging of Wheeler Ave and Martin Luther King Blvd, and Calhoun road feeds into these streets.  While there are many pedestrian accidents (including deadly hit and runs) on Calhoun road alone, the merge between MLK and Wheeler make this intersection especially dangerous.  This merge has a 45 degree turn, limiting visibility under some circumstances.  Furthermore, students that drink in nearby dorms and Greek housing jaywalk this intersection at night.  Whether you are a pedestrian or a driver, be careful in this area.

Tylka Law Firm – Houston Car Accident Lawyers

If you are in an accident, remain calm and call 9-1-1.  If you are able to move without harm to yourself or others, check on other drivers and passengers.  Begin to take pictures and video of the scene.  If you have road flares or other emergency equipment that may redirect other drivers, safely mark the areas you are in.  Tylka Law recommends having the number of a good car accident lawyer on hand.  A car accident attorney can protect you during a tough time and get you money and claims for auto damages and medical problems.  If you need assistance, give us a call at (281) 557-1500 anytime day or night.

Learn about common Texas Boating Laws

There are many wonderful activities during the summer in Texas.  Whether it’s fishing, jet skiing or spending time in a boat with friends, Galvestonians often celebrate summer on the water.  Tylka Law Firm attorneys are local to Galveston, and often get questions related to Texas boating law.  This post goes over important ordinances, including alcohol, fishing and general boating practices.

Boating Education Requirements

In Texas, boating education is required for anyone born on or after September 1, 1993.  This is for the operation of Personal Watercraft (jet skis, etc), sailboat over 14 feet, or motorboat with a motor greater than 15 hp.

Boating education normally consists of a 6-hour classroom course with an exam at the end.  The applicant must receive an 80% or higher on the exam to pass.  Boaters 18 years of age or older are exempt from licensing requirements, however insurers often give discounts to those that take the class.

Alcohol and Boating

Alcohol and open containers are legal in your boat.  However, operation of a boat by anyone that has a blood-alcohol level of 0.08% or that appears impaired is illegal.  An arrest can lead to jail time of 180 days, a $2,000 fine, and a suspension of your driver’s license.  Because alcohol plays a role in 50% of all boating accidents, Texas takes this very seriously.

Fishing Licenses in Texas

You are required to have a fishing license to fish in Texas.  There are many kinds of fishing licenses. Licenses range from $3.00 and up, and depend on what and where you are fishing.  A fishing license can be purchased online (see the link in this section) or at most outdoor shops.  Be aware of some differences in cost for residents and non-residents.  Make sure your out-of-State friends purchase the right license before fishing locally.

Boating Accidents

You must report a boating accident to the Texas Park and Wildlife Department (TPWD) within 30 days if:

  • A death occurs (the report window is limited to 48 hours)
  • Medical attention beyond simple first aid is required
  • Property damage exceeds $2,000

If a boating accident occurs, we recommend you call your local law enforcement to report it immediately.  Additionally, you can call the TPWD police line at (512) 389-4848.  We recommend adding the TPWD line to your phone just in case.

Galveston, Texas Boating Attorney

Being local to Galveston, Tylka Law Firm attorneys see frequent boating mishaps.  If you need a boating or PWC lawyer, contact Tylka Law Firm today at (281) 557-1500.  We’ll always see that you are taken care of.

 

Texas Beach Alcohol Laws, Pets, Vehicles & Bonfires

Tylka Law attorneys live and work in Galveston Island and League City, Texas.  Some of our clients come in with legal issues over the summertime, and many of these have to do with the beach laws for Galveston Island.  To help you prevent any unnecessary run-ins with the law, we have comprised a list of important ordinances.

Alcohol and Open Container Laws for the Beach

The long story short for Galveston Island is that yes, alcohol is allowed on the beach and in most Texas beaches.  This comes with a few caveats though:

  1. Alcohol is allowed in select areas of the beach and prohibited in all others.  This will be marked with visible signage.
  2. There are NO glass containers allowed.  This is to prevent injury as glass bottles can break and bury themselves in sand.

Pets on the Beach

Pets are allowed on Galveston beaches (and again in most Texas beaches).  You will need to keep your pet on a leash, and for the sake of all of us, please clean up after your pet.  There are few things more disgusting than stepping on pet excrement with bare feet.

ATVs on the Beach

ATVs, 4-Wheelers, Dirt Bikes and the like are permitted on parts of Galveston beaches.  There will be visible “Vehicle Access” signage for off-road vehicles.

Bonfires and Grilling on the Beach

Fires are allowed on the beach, but only in contained formats such as a hibachi or grill.  Open fires are not allowed.  You will need to have a fire extinguisher and/or bucket of water nearby to quench your fire in case it gets out of control.  You will also need to dispose of coals in a controlled area; do NOT bury coals in the sand, this can lead to substantial injuries.

Fireworks on the Beach

Personal fireworks are not allowed on any Galveston beaches, and this is true for most if not all Texas beaches.  This is due to common firework-related injuries which can be amplified in crowded settings.  That said, we do want you to enjoy the 4th of July and summer festivities.  Galveston Island features lots of unique and spectacular firework shows every Sunday and on the 4th of July.  Find out more about Galveston fireworks and festivities at Galveston.com.

Other Galveston/Houston Legal Advice

If you have questions or need any legal assistance, call Tylka Law Galveston/Houston personal injury attorneys today.  We are always happy to help.  No matter where you are, have a wonderful and safe summer!

We would like to thank the following sources:

How to Prepare for Road Trips, Summer Driving in Galveston

January 2021 – Red Cadillac cruises on Macawa avenue in Houston Tx, USA.

Tylka Law attorneys live and work in Galveston Island and League City, Texas.  Over the years we have become accustomed to many causes of car accidents, everything from a distracted driver to a downed tree or power line.  We find that the causes tend to vary over the seasons, but are especially unique in the summer time.  As you enjoy the summer, please read through a few tips on handling the driving conditions along the Texas coast.

Rain & Storms

While we often enjoy beautiful summer weather in Galveston, the conditions can quickly change.  A sunny day can instantly turn into a windy monsoon, and this limits much more than driver visibility.  According to the NTHSA, the first 10 minutes during rain can be the most dangerous.  This is due to oils being raised out of the asphalt which makes the road very slippery.  Oils raised to the surface of the road can cause poor traction.  This leads to slow brake time and even hydroplaning.  While driving slowly in adverse conditions is advised, we also recommend checking your tire tread.  If the tread is beginning to look bald, consider purchasing a new tire or set of tires from a local shop.  We know this can be expensive, but it can save your life and the lives of others if you do.

Pedestrians

The Galveston Pleasure Pier and Seawall Blvd. have lots of restaurants, bars, and late night entertainment.  This adds to the charm of Galveston, but it can make driving a bit tricky.  When driving through Galveston’s hot spots and beaches, make sure you keep an eye out for pedestrians darting in and out of traffic.  We want to make note of Seawall Blvd., especially over the weekend.  Parked cars and trucks along the beach-side of Seawall Blvd. can obscure pedestrians that may not see you before running out into traffic.

Drunk Drivers

Summertime means beaches, BBQ and beer.  However, some people take “beer” a little too far.  Be sure to keep an eye out for swerving cars or other erratic behavior.  If you do see a car that may be driven by a drunk driver, call 9-1-1 immediately and report them.

What to do if you are in an Accident

If you are in an accident, remain calm and call 9-1-1.  If you are able to move without harm to yourself or others, check on other drivers and passengers.  Begin to take pictures and video of the scene.  If you have road flares or other emergency equipment that may redirect other drivers, safely mark the areas you are in.  Tylka Law recommends having the number of a good car accident lawyer on hand.  A car accident attorney can protect you during a tough time and get you money and claims for auto damages and medical problems.  If you need assistance, give us a call at (281) 557-1500 anytime day or night.

 

Hurricane Season is Coming

Tylka Law attorneys live in Galveston and League City, and often see the devastating effects of hurricane season.  In fact, some years ago a hurricane destroyed one of our own Galveston offices!  We know first hand both the devastation caused by a hurricane and the needed cleanup afterward, and the 2017 hurricane season is on its way.  We have put together a list below that will help mitigate some of the damage caused by hurricanes.

Hurricane & Storm Insurance

Hurricane and storm damage is not typically covered by homeowners insurance and must be purchased separately.  When you purchase hurricane and storm insurance, make sure all applicable property is included.  Consider your car, business, loss of rent, jewelry and electronics when purchasing insurance.  Also make sure you have enough coverage, and update this yearly.

Exterior Gardening and Home Repairs

“Gardening?  Home repairs? I thought this was about hurricanes!” one might say.  Some of the biggest hazards to your home, cars and property are items like unsecured tree branches and roofing material.  While they might not weigh a lot, during a hurricane they become lethal missiles destroying cars, breaking down walls and killing people.  In the month or two before hurricane season, take a look around your home to see if there are any questionable hazards.  If you are unsure of your roof’s stability, contact a local roofer.  Likewise, if you are unsure about a tree on your property, contact a tree trimmer or removal service for an evaluation.

One-Week Preparation

We recommend taking the following steps to secure your home in the week leading up to a hurricane:

  • Secure Windows and Doors: Use thick plywood, hurricane shutters and/or other material to prevent debris and water coming through your windows and doors.  Securing windows is especially important as wind and shattered glass is typically lethal.
  • Purchase Non-Perishable Food: According to the US Coast Guard, each home should have at least 72-hours of food and water per person on hand.  Power outages are likely during a hurricane, so also consider purchasing non-perishable food such as peanut butter, beef jerky, trail mix and crackers.  Consider keeping a sterno or portable stove on hand for boiling water and canned soups.  Don’t forget your pets!  If you have a cat or dog, make sure food and water is available for them as well.
  • Store Water for Sanitation: Have some extra water on hand for baths, flushing toilets, and simple cleaning (like hand-washing).  If you run out of water and own a water heater tank, extra water may be available inside of the water heater for emergency purposes.
  • Purchase or Make a First-Aid Kit: During a hurricane, emergency responders will typically take a long time to get to you.  Having a first aid kit on hand can help alleviate any non-critical wounds.
  • Sand Bags and Flood Barriers: If you live in a known flood-zone, seriously consider purchasing sand bags or other flood barriers for the exterior of your home. Even if flood insurance covers all of your property damages, it can still take months to get back to normal.  A preventative step can alleviate a lot of stress.
  • Generator: If your property can accommodate a generator, we recommend purchasing one.  A generator can immediately restore power, heat and light to your home during an outage.

After the Storm

After you take account of you and your family, start documenting all property damage.  Take photos, make lists, and then contact your insurer.  Assuming you purchased enough coverage, they should be able to cover the full value of your damages.

Hurricane and Storm Lawyers

Tylka Law Texas hurricane and storm lawyers know that insurance doesn’t always pay.  It can unfortunately be a negotiation process between you and the insurer, even if you purchased full coverage.  If you have legal questions or need help, don’t hesitate to give us a call.  We offer a free consultation for all windstorm and flood damage claims, and our offices are conveniently located in Galveston and League City.

2017 Clarifications on Motorcycle Law

As car and motorcycle accident lawyers, we see a lot of avoidable tragedies.  Motorcycle accidents claim ~4,000 lives annually, and motorcycle riders are more likely to die in an accident.  While it is still dangerous, there are some preventative measures you can take to make your motorcycle ride safer.

Texas Motorcycle Helmet Law

In Texas, motorcycle riders over 21 are not required to wear a helmet if they have completed a safety course and are covered under an insurance plan.  Our advice to you however is to wear a helmet.  So many motorcycle deaths are prevented with the use of a helmet, and even if you don’t die the trauma is extensive.  We see motorcycle accident victims with intense facial scarring, broken bones that take months to heal, and extensive brain-related injuries such as paralysis and sensory loss.

There are plenty of helmets available, but we recommend a “full face” helmet with a visor and jaw protection.  Most motorcyclists tell us that the one thing they will spend more money on is a helmet.  Consider spending more on a helmet to help yourself during an accident.

Safety Gear

Beyond a helmet, motorcyclists have lots of safety gear options.  The ones we find most useful are the simplest:

  • Jacket: A leather (or motorcycle-specific) jacket will help protect you from small objects on the road and also protect you in a fall.
  • Pants: Motorcycle pants (typically leather or kevlar-lined) will also help protect you during a fall.  Many look and feel like denim and are not too heavy.
  • Gloves: Thicker riding gloves are great to protect your hands from wind, debris and falling.
  • Helmet-Camera: While it is a newer piece of technology, a helmet-cam can help you prove your case during an accident.

Lane-Sharing

Lane-Sharing is the practice where a motorcycle occupies the same area of a lane as a car or another motorcycle.  In Texas, lane-sharing is not legal as of this writing (April 2017), but there is legislation on the table to legalize or partially-legalize it in some areas.  While lane-sharing claims to alleviate traffic, it can also be disastrous for a motorcycle rider.  There have been many instances of riders lane-sharing only to have a car pull out in front of them suddenly.  The difference in traffic speed and motorcycle speed can send a motorcyclist airborne for many feet.  We do not recommend lane-sharing, even if it becomes legal in Texas.

Legal Help

If you have questions about motorcycle law or need a motorcycle lawyer to help you with a case, contact Tylka Law Firm.  We have helped many motorcyclists claim medical fees and compensation for lost time at work.  We are happy to help you in your time of need.

 

How do Pre-Nuptial & Post-Nuptial Agreements Work in Texas?

Prenuptials & Post-Nuptials: The Basics

Tylka Law gets many questions from Galveston and League City couples regarding nuptial agreements.  Basically, should a divorce occur, a nuptial agreement outlines what each partner wants or will take responsibility for.  One agreement (prenuptial) takes place before a marriage, and another (post-nuptial) takes place after a marriage.  Post-nuptial agreements are re-writable (we recommend every 3-5 years) as assets and salaries grow.  Texas family law requires nuptials be voluntary, specific and somewhat complex, but nuptial agreements are useful deterrents against messy and expensive divorces.  For purposes of this article, we are breaking down nuptial agreements into 4 categories:

  1. Property
  2. Salary
  3. Children & Child Support
  4. Liabilities

Property

When used in the context of the law, “property” means much more than just a home.  A car, boat, large electronics, jewelry, even toys are considered property in a nuptial agreement.  You should add anything you think is important to your agreement.  Your father’s old baseball bat or mother’s dress may not be worth much, but you should add it to your nuptial because you consider it special.  Neglecting to add these items to your nuptial allows their use as a negotiation tactic during divorce proceedings.

Salary

On its face, “salary” translates pretty simply to “what you earn”.  However, this is greatly complicated in divorce.  If you hold retirement accounts, stocks, bonds, or a piece of a business, this is taken into account during divorce proceedings as financial assets.  Business owners especially need to take note here.  If you are a ownership partner, your spouse can take 50% of your ownership during divorce proceedings.  This can complicate business activity or prevent future investment.  Tylka Law recommends including any financial assets in a prenuptial.  We also recommend updating your post-nuptials when a major financial change occurs, or every 2 to 3 years.

Children & Child Support

The custody of a child precedes most nuptial agreements (especially in cases of abuse), however child support is a factor that ties into your salary.  Let’s say you provide $50,000/yr salary during the birth of your child.  Ten years later, you are making $150,000/yr salary.  During a divorce proceeding, your spouse may argue that you should keep providing the more current standard of living.  Nuptial agreements detail exactly what you will provide during the termination of a marriage.  Tylka Law recommends updating nuptials at least every 5 years regarding child support.

Liabilities

Poorly-written nuptial agreements often overlook liabilities, but financial damages from liabilities are profound.  If your spouse has a 6-figure student loan or is indebted to partners of a failed business and you are not aware of this during your marriage, you may have to split or cover liabilities during a divorce.  Outlining what debts will be paid by which party will help you in the event of a divorce.  Tylka Law recommends updating your post-nuptials every 2 to 3 years to include and delegate any liabilities.

Final Thoughts on Prenuptial and Post-Nuptial Agreements

As family-law attorneys, the one question we receive the most often is “If my future spouse wants a pre-nup, does it mean he/she doesn’t love me?”  The answer is no.  Nuptial agreements are just a practical deterrent to a hypothetical situation.  If heaven forbid your marriage fails, the nuptial agreement will help both of you in the end.  Trust us, we’ve seen messy, expensive divorces that could have easily been avoided with a simple prenuptial or post-nuptial agreement.

If you have any questions for us, feel free to give us a call or contact us online.  Thank you for reading, and have a great day!

What you should know about Texas car accidents

What you should know about Car Accidents in Texas

Tylka Law has been in business for several decades, and every year we see dozens of Texas car accident victims.  The changes in law and technology can be as helpful as they can be confusing, so we like to go over what you should do in a car accident every year.  Our article for 2017 goes over law and technology in three facets, “before”, “during”, and “after”.

Before a Car Accident

Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”  This is equally true for car accidents.  If you do not prepare for a car accident, you will face significantly greater obstacles if you are in one.

Insurance

If you recently purchased a car or are a new driver, you will need to purchase car insurance.  Even though this is a Federal requirement, being an insured driver will help you out financially whether or not you are at fault.  Though there are lots of different variations of insurance, we can break auto insurance down into two types, “liability only” and “full coverage”.

Liability insurance is the simplest type of insurance.  It essentially covers bodily damage and property damage caused in an accident, and in some cases will help with legal fees if you are sued.  In Texas, liability minimums (per accident) are 30/60/25, meaning $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 total, and $25,000 for property damage.  While liability insurance is typically very inexpensive (we’ve seen prices at $20/month), an important point about liability insurance is that it typically does not cover the cost of your car.  This is something you will either have to cover out of pocket or purchase a different insurance plan for.

Full coverage insurance more-or-less covers the full value of the accident, including your own car, medical bills, and lost wages (in some cases).  Full coverage insurance can also cover your car in cases unrelated to accidents such as theft and storms.  While full coverage insurance offers peace of mind, it can be very costly.  At cursory glance, we have seen some full-coverage insurance go for $80/month, but typically over $100/month.

Technology

Every year technology changes and improves, and there are a few notable pieces of tech that we recommend keeping on hand or installing on your car to help you with an insurance claim or court case:

  1. Dashcam: If the old saying goes “A picture tells a thousand words”, the new saying goes “A video tells a million words”.  Having a dashcam installed on your windshield can tell an accurate story to a jury or an insurance adjuster, and it will be hard for anyone to argue against the dashcam’s video.  A good dashcam may also capture a hit-and-run driver’s car make/model and license plate.  There are lots of dashcams available, however we recommend the Rexing V1 from Amazon.  It has a wide angle of viewing, records in 1080p, and handles low-light situations very well.
  2. Rear-View Camera: A dashcam can help show an accident, but a rear-view camera can help prevent them.  If you live in a family-oriented neighborhood with kids playing in the streets, a rear-view camera could literally be a life-saver.  We recommend the PLCM7500 from Amazon as it has proximity lines, good quality resolution, and functions well in low-light.
  3. LED Road Flares: You and your car may not be visible in the case of a night-time accident.  Traditional magnesium road flares are a bright safety tool, but can burn out quick and are flammable.  An alternative to magnesium road flares are LED road flares.  These are great as they are very bright, last for hours, and pose no burn risk.
  4. Cell Phone with Camera: If you don’t have a cell phone with a camera already, purchase one the next time you are able to renew your cell phone plan.  Having a cell phone with a camera offers a way to photograph and record an accident that took place.  This shows everything from damage to your car to the state of the drivers and passengers, and can help you tell your story to a court or to an insurance adjuster.

During a Car Accident

If you are in a serious car accident, there are two things you should do immediately.  Check on yourself and your passengers and make sure there are no obvious injuries.  Try not to twist your head or move too much as whiplash can cause significant damage.  Call 9-1-1 and report the accident.  Let them know where you are; if you don’t know, give the 9-1-1 operator mile-markers or landmarks.

If you can leave your car, check on the other driver(s) and begin photographing the scene.  Any damage (or lack of damage) is important to photograph.  The interior of a car can show possible causes of a crash; for example if a driver appears drunk, a bottle of alcohol may be present in the car.

When the police arrive, you will need to file a police report.  Afterwards, contact your insurance company and a car accident attorney to help you with your case.

After a Car Accident

After your car accident, you will have to file a claim with an insurance company.  This can be tricky, so we have a write-up on how to negotiate with your insurance adjuster.   Texas does not require drivers to carry under-insured or uninsured motorist coverage.  Obtaining a proper amount of money in order to pay for any medical bills or lost wages may require you to go to court.  If this is the case, contact a car accident lawyer.  An attorney can help you get the full value of the claim (and in some cases even more).Contact Tylka Law Firm today with questions or for help: (281) 557-1500

Texas Legislation Affects Medical, Storm and Car Insurance

The 2017 Texas Legislative session began in late February.  There is a lot of important legislation that concerns car accidents, storm damage and medical claims this year.  The proposed legislation affects how an injured party may bring a cause of action and limitations on damages. Such bills will affect what and how a Court and Jury may award damages to an injured party.

SB 10: Certain Prohibited Acts and Practices in the Business of Insurance Claims

Senate Bill 10 limits an insured person’s ability to pursue claim for damages. This will have profound effects on those who seek to have insurance companies pay for damages to their homes in windstorm hailstorm and tornado claims.  We recommend reading the entire text before making a decision, but we found Section 5 of the bill to be very interesting:

SECTION 5.  (a) If an insurer that is liable for a claim under an insurance policy delays payment of the claim in violation of Section 542.058, the insurer is liable to pay the holder of the policy or the beneficiary making the claim under the policy, in addition to the amount of the claim, interest on the amount of the claim as damages at the rate described by Subsection (c), together with reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees.

HB 2300: Civil Actions of Medical or Health Care Expenses as Economic Damages

House Bill 2300 will affect recovery of medical and health care damages in civil personal injury cases. This bill proposes limitations of medical damages to amounts a health carrier may have charged or.  If the patient is uninsured, damages are limited to 125 percent of what Medicare would charge. This affects payment to medical providers and may limit the ability of an uninsured injured person from entering into an agreement with a medical provider to pay for treatment upon settlement of a case an uninsured person could not otherwise afford.

We find that this legislation limits the consumer, and because of these limits we cannot support this legislation.

Legal Options for Insurance Claims in Texas

You have legal options if dealing with insurance is a problem. In many cases, insurance lawyers can win a substantial claim for you, sometimes greater than what was originally requested. Even the threat of court may sway the insurance company or hospital to work with you.  Going to court can be a very timely process for them.

If you need legal help with an insurance claim in Galveston, League City, Houston or anywhere in Texas, contact us today.

Texas Insurance Claims Depend on Negotiation

If you were in a car accident or boating accident, you will want to file for an insurance claim.  Requesting insurance should be a simple process, but in many cases the insurance adjuster won’t give you what you deserve.  The following steps outline a typical process for insurance claim collection and how to maximize what you can claim.

Writing a Demand Letter

In Texas, the “Demand Letter” is the first thing that needs to be sent to the insurance adjuster.  The demand letter outlines what damage was done and what monetary cost that translates to.  Let’s say your brand new truck was totaled by a driver going through a red light.  Here you can request that the other driver’s insurance pay for the total value of your truck, any medical costs you incurred, and even for lost wages due to injuries.    You may include photos of the damage and any receipts along with the letter.

The insurance company will likely respond with a “Reservation of Rights” letter.  This letter may sound harsh, but it essentially says that the insurance company is investigating the damages and your claim.

Insurance Claim Negotiation

The insurance adjuster will respond to your claim after the insurance company investigates.  It is rare for an insurance adjuster to outright agree to the full dollar value of your claim.  The insurance company is a for-profit business, so they will almost always respond with a much lower dollar value amount to maximize their bottom line.  Instead of accepting the offer, make a reasonable counter offer.  This shows the adjuster that you’re willing to negotiate.  You can use photos and even appeal to emotion.  Make the adjuster understand what you went through and and what you’ll have to go through to get back to normal.

Legal Options for Insurance Claims in Texas

If the insurance adjuster responds with an offer so low or just won’t budge, you have legal options.  In many cases insurance lawyers can win a substantial claim for you, sometimes greater than what was originally requested.  Even the threat of court may sway the insurance company to work with you, as going to court can be a very timely process for them.

If you need legal help with an insurance claim in Galveston, League City or anywhere in Texas, contact us today.

Credit: NOLO

Tylka Law Firm represents clients in League City, Texas, and throughout surrounding areas, including Galveston, Houston, Jefferson County, Chambers County, Alvin, Angleton, Texas City, Baytown, Pearland, Galveston County, Brazoria County, Harris County and throughout the Texas Gulf Coast.

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