What Happens When You’re Injured In An Accident, But the Other Driver Lives in a Different State?

When you’re injured in an accident, and the other driver lives in a different state, the last thing you want to worry about is who will pay for your medical and car-repair bills. In an ideal world, your insurance company would cover all your expenses without bothering you.

Unfortunately, we don’t live in an ideal world. Insurance companies, at the very least, will require documentation of economic damages, and if the matter ends up in a lawsuit, having to deal with an out-of-state defendant further complicates matters.

What Happens in Texas Stays in Texas

Even when a defendant lives elsewhere, if an accident happens in Texas, then Texas law will apply, and any litigation must be filed in a Texas court. Manfred Sternberg & Associates handles personal injury, truck, motorcycle, and auto-accident cases all over Texas: from El Paso to Houston, Amarillo to South Padre Island, and all points in between.

If the damage and injuries amount to more than $75,000, the case may be filed in a federal court. Federal courts can handle lawsuits where the parties live in different states and a plaintiff requests more than $75,000. One of the skilled attorneys at Manfred Sternberg & Associates can advise whether it makes more sense to file in a state or federal court.

Of course, not all accidents require filing a lawsuit in court. But insurance companies may lowball the costs of recovering from an accident where you were injured: They may not be willing to cover the full cost of repairing your car, or they may be willing to cover out-of-pocket hospital expenses but not the additional expenses that mount up while you are out of work and recovering at home. Manfred Sternberg & Associates’ attorneys take a practical approach to practicing law, preferring negotiation over litigation to hasten recovery and achieve maximum compensation.