Catastrophic Vehicle Accidents
Houston Catastrophic Vehicle Accidents
If you or a family member have been seriously injured or have sustained the loss of a loved one in a vehicle accident, you know how your needs and priorities can change quickly — it takes only an instant to be suddenly faced with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, loss of income and more.
Mithoff Law has decades of experience handling catastrophic vehicle accidents. Richard Warren Mithoff and Mithoff Law have successfully handled more than several thousand cases over 50 years in nearly every area of personal injury, wrongful death and commercial litigation, including well in excess of more than several hundred cases taken to trial. Our reputation is widely known:
Examples of Mithoff Law's prominent cases
“Mithoff has been one of Houston’s most respected attorneys for decades, handling such high-profile cases as the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Enron-related litigation on behalf of JPMorgan/Chase and highly publicized bus and plant explosions.”
–Houston Chronicle, June 26, 2019
“Mithoff has been one of Houston’s most respected attorneys for decades, handling such high-profile cases as the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Enron-related litigation on behalf of JPMorgan/Chase and highly publicized bus and plant explosions.”
–Houston Chronicle, June 26, 2019
If you or a family member or friend are seriously injured as the result of a catastrophic vehicle accident you should seek out the names of one or more highly qualified trial lawyers who have successfully handled a significant number of these kinds of cases.
Your most trustworthy sources for such a referral may be a close friend, a colleague from work, a fellow parishioner from your church, or another lawyer who is a personal friend and who can give you an unbiased opinion about the best lawyer to consult.
Publicly reported verdicts and settlements, examples of which follow, reflect our approach to the trial and settlement of cases. Some of the more high-profile cases involving catastrophic vehicle accidents were the subject of extensive news coverage, which very often include examples of the kind of evidence taken into account by the juries deciding these cases.
DISCLAIMER
Verdicts and settlements as reported in these multiple news sources reflect the amount of these verdicts and settlements at the time they were reported and do not necessarily reflect the amounts ultimately recovered by the parties and may not be representative of results in other similar cases.
Reported amounts will not reflect attorneys’ fees (typically up to a 40 percent contingent fee) or case expenses. Jury verdicts may have been settled pending an appeal for a lesser amount and may have been settled on a confidential basis by agreement of the parties as approved by the court.
Examples of Mithoff Law’s Prominent Cases
By choosing Mithoff Law, clients can rest assured that they’re working with one of the premier personal injury law firms in the country. Recipient of several prestigious awards, founder Richard Mithoff has been twice designated among Forbes Top 10 Trial Lawyers in the United States. With more than 50 years of experience to his name, Mithoff and his team — all highly acclaimed their own right — have won a number of high-profile legal cases, including:
Firefighter’s Family Wins Judgment
Federal Jury Awarded in Basin Crash Wreck
Rental Car Company and Insurance Must Pay for DWI Victim
Emotionally Charged Verdict in Louisiana
Rita Bus Families Settle for Mllions
Jury Verdict: Texas Family Sues Allied Van Lines after Deadly 2003 Wreck
Victims Settle in Victoria Bus Crash
Bus Company Settles Over Tragic Wreck
Mithoff has been the subject of profiles in a number of publications, including:
- Texas Super Lawyers “Legends of the Law” (“notching hundreds of $1 million-plus personal injury and commercial verdicts and settlements;” “an uncanny ability to grasp the heart of a case and craft persuasive arguments to sway judges and juries”)
- Houston Chronicle “A Sense of Empathy” (“a sense of empathy has helped Mithoff become one of nation’s most successful trial attorneys;” “connecting with both judges and juries through his mild manner and straight-forward approach.”)
- Detroit Free Press “Liability of Silence” (“Beating big corporations with big verdicts made Richard Mithoff one of the country’s best-known product-liability attorneys.”)
- Houston Business Journal “Attorney Wins Cases for Causes in Trials by Fire” (“one of the state’s most prominent legal renegades”)
- The Texas Lawbook “Richard Mithoff: Million-Dollar Verdicts that Save Lives” (“wins the old fashion way–by out-thinking outworking and outperforming his opposition.”)
- Texas Super Lawyers “Straight Up and Unshaken” (“a master at connecting with a jury.”)
- Texas’ Best Lawyers “Richard Mithoff Fighting for an Emotionally Charged Verdict in Louisiana” (“one of the most emotionally challenging of his storied career.”)
- Lawyers Weekly USA “The Richest Small-Firm Lawyers in America” (“clients flock to Mithoff knowing he can get the job done quickly.”)
- Houston Press “Best Civil Attorney” (“legal dynamo developed his considerable skills, grace and guts under the best.”)
Mithoff has received a number of awards in recognition of his lifetime achievements, including:
- Texas Super Lawyers Top 10 in Texas
- University of Texas Distinguished Alumnus Award
- University of Texas Law School Lifetime Achievement Award
- Lifetime Excellence in Advocacy Award Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists (see tribute by Justice Tracy Christopher)
- Leon Green Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Legal Profession Texas Law Review (see tribute by former Chief Justice Tom Phillips)
- Professional Excellence Award, Lifetime Achiever — Texas Lawyer
- Lions of the Bar – The Texas Lawbook
- Champion of Justice Award – Texas Watch
- Chrys Dougherty “Good Apple Award” – Texas Appleseed
- Jurisprudence Award – Anti-Defamation League
Mithoff has been elected to fellowship in the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, the International Society of Barristers, and the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Types of vehicle accident cases
Mithoff law has successfully represented clients involved in many kinds of car accident cases.
We are dedicated to achieving the very best result in your case, whether by jury verdict or settlement. Attorneys with Mithoff Law have access to the best experts available, based on over 50 years of preparing cases for trial. We know how and when to consult engineers and experts who can reconstruct the facts of your case. Contact Mithoff Law for cases involving:
Rita Bus Families Settle for Millions
Victims Settle in Victoria Bus Crash
Bus Company settles Over Tragic Wreck
Family of Firefighter Awarded Verdict in Tragic Bicycle Crash
Truck and 18-Wheeler accidents
Emotionally Charged Verdict in Louisiana
Jury Verdict: Texas Family Sues Allied Van Lines after Deadly 2003 Wreck
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Texas?
The statute of limitations for car accidents in Texas is typically two years. By hiring a Houston car accident lawyer as soon as possible, rather than waiting closer to the two-year deadline, your attorneys will have a better opportunity to collect evidence, find witnesses, and efficiently prepare your case for trial
We are dedicated to achieving the very best result in your case, whether by jury verdict or settlement. Attorneys with Mithoff Law have access to the best experts available, based on over 50 years of preparing cases for trial. We know how and when to consult engineers and experts who can reconstruct the facts of your case. Contact Mithoff Law for cases involving:
Car Accidents
Houston Car Accident Lawyer
No one plans on needing a lawyer for a vehicle accident. But if you or a loved one have been hurt in a vehicle accident, you know how your needs and priorities can change quickly — it takes only an instant to be suddenly faced with injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Mithoff Law has decades of experience handling vehicle accident cases. The experienced team at Mithoff Law has tried or settled hundreds of vehicle accident cases over forty five years. When looking for an accident attorney in Houston, it can be difficult to sift through the large number of firms working in this field.
Call 713-654-1122 to have the best team on your side.
“Mithoff has been one of Houston’s most respected attorneys for decades, handling such high-profile cases as the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Enron-related litigation on behalf of J.P, Morgan Chase and highly publicized bus and plant explosions.”
– Houston Chronicle, June 26, 2019
By choosing Mithoff Law, clients can rest assured that they’re working with one of the premier personal injury law firms in the country. Recipient of several prestigious awards, founder Richard Mithoff has been twice designated a Forbes Top 10 Trial Lawyer in the United States. With his almost 50 years of experience to his name, Mithoff and his team—all highly acclaimed in their own right — have won several high profile legal cases, including:
$24.7 Million Jury Verdict Against Rental Car Company and Drunk Driver
A $24.7 million jury verdict for the family of a woman who was killed by a drunk driver, despite having multiple citations and a suspended license.
$4.3 Million Settlement for Family of Man Killed in Victoria Bus Accident
A $4.3 million settlement was obtained for the family of a man who was killed, and his wife injured, when a bus overturned near Victoria, Texas, due to a fatigued driver oversteering the bus. The $4.3 million settlement for Mithoff Law’s clients was part of a total settlement of $10 million for the incident split amongst 46 injured passengers, 44 of whom were represented by other firms.
What should I do if I was hurt in a car accident?
If you have recently been injured in a car accident, remain as calm as possible and follow the steps outlined below:
Get medical help if needed
If anyone obtained a catastrophic injury as a result of the car accident getting medical assistance should be the primary focus. Call 911, apply pressure to stop heavy bleeding, and administer CPR if needed. Do not try to move the victim if a spinal cord injury is suspected.
Report the accident
Even if the injuries don’t require an ambulance, it’s still advisable to request a police officer to complete an accident report and determine if a citation should be issued.
Collect evidence
If you can, take multiple photos of all vehicles involved, where the accident happened, and any nearby skid marks, road signs, and traffic lights. Get the information of everyone involved in the accident as well as nearby witnesses.
Contact a Houston car accident lawyer
Sharing information with an experienced personal injury attorney from Mithoff Law is one of the most beneficial things you can do after an accident. Our lawyers have decades of experience handling complex cases and can recommend how to move forward.
You need a Houston car accident lawyer who truly has you and your family’s best interests at heart and is willing to take cases to trial.
What evidence should I try to collect after an accident?
If you can collect even a small amount of evidence at or near the time of the accident, it can assist attorneys in investigation and preparing your case.
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, evidence can include:
- Photos of the scene of the accident (including the vehicles involved, the surrounding area, skid marks, etc.)
- Insurance, vehicle, and contact information of those involved in the accident
- Names and contact information of the police officers who arrived on the scene
- Names, contact information, and statements from eyewitnesses
What will a Houston car accident attorney do to help my case?
You may be wondering, “Can I afford to take off work to handle this?” or, “Should I sue the driver?” or even, “Who can I trust to represent me?” While a lawyer will generally not make the decisions for you, they can provide advice and peace-of-mind during this stressful period.
A Texas auto accident lawyer from Mithoff Law will help:
Determine if you have a case: An attorney from Mithoff Law will examine the facts of your accident, to determine who may be responsible.
Prepare your case for trial: Decades of experience has taught our personal injury lawyers that preparation of every case for trial is essential. Although a claim may be resolved by settlement prior to trial, the thorough investigation and planning involved in preparing for trial may assist in positioning a claim for resolution.
Find additional information: Many cases require accident reconstruction or insight into a particular area of expertise. A Houston accident lawyer can help gather the resources you need to build a more solid case.
Work efficiently: Our decades of experience have helped our team to work efficiently and effectively when pursuing a personal injury case.
Why is Mithoff Law a top car accident law firm in Texas?
When searching for a lawyer to represent you after an automotive accident, you want someone trustworthy who will respect your time and has experience winning similar cases.
At Mithoff Law, our reputation and record speak to our decades of experience successfully assisting those who have been injured in car accidents.
Types of vehicle accident cases
Mithoff law has successfully represented clients involved in many kinds of car accident cases, including:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Hit and runs
- Fatal collisions
- Bus accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Single vehicle accidents
- Taxicab, Uber, and Lyft accidents
- Truck and 18-Wheeler accidents
Causes of car accidents we’ve taken to trial
A car accident attorney from Mithoff Law can help uncover small details of your case using knowledge from previous cases and our experience working with different insurance companies.
Our best accident attorneys have won multiple cases caused by:
- Defective equipment and manufacturing issues
- Distracted driving
- Drinking or drug use (DWI/DUI)
- Inclement weather
- Improper vehicle maintenance
- Tire blowouts or vehicle rollovers
Car accident injuries
Car accidents can result in a wide range of serious injuries and damages, including:
- Amputation
- Brain and head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Burns
- Broken and fractured bones
- Disfigurement
- Neck and back injuries
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Wrongful death
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Texas?
The statute of limitations for car accidents in Texas is typically two years. By hiring a Houston car accident lawyer as soon as possible, rather than waiting closer to the two-year deadline, your attorneys will have a better opportunity to collect evidence, find witnesses, and efficiently prepare your case for trial.
“Since he started practicing in 1974, his cases have helped produce reforms in hospital credentialing of physicians and reporting of physician misconduct; prompted medical manufacturers to pull defective products off the market; led hospitals to improve their use of post-surgical intravenous solutions; and triggered a manufacturer’s recall of defective tires.”
– Super Lawyers, September 15, 2021
Why should I hire a Houston car accident lawyer from Mithoff Law?
The Houston car accident lawyers at Mithoff Law have the resources, experience, and wherewithal to help Houstonians during a personal injury case Our trial-tested lawyers have won multi-million dollar cases involving a variety of catastrophic accidents and will work with diligence to protect your best interests.
Give us a call at 713-654-1122 today.
Vehicle Accidents
Houston Accident Lawyer
Nobody ever plans on needing a Houston accident lawyer. But if you or a loved one have been hurt in a vehicle accident, you know how your needs and priorities can change quickly — it takes only an instant to be suddenly faced with injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Mithoff Law has decades of experience handling vehicle accident cases. Our team has tried or settled hundreds of vehicle accident cases over 45 years. Call us today at 713-654-1122.
Examples of Mithoff Law's prominent cases
By choosing Mithoff Law, clients can rest assured that they’re working with one of the premier personal injury law firms in the country. Recipient of several prestigious awards, founder Richard Mithoff has been twice designated a Forbes Top 10 Trial Lawyer in the United States. With his almost 50 years of experience to his name, Mithoff and his team — all highly acclaimed in their own right — have won several high profile legal cases, including:
$24.7 Million Jury Verdict Against Rental Car Company and Drunk Driver
A $24.7 million jury verdict for the family of a woman who was killed by a drunk driver, despite having multiple citations and a suspended license.
$4.3 Million Settlement for Family of Man Killed in Victoria Bus Accident
A $4.3 million settlement was obtained for the family of a man who was killed, and his wife injured, when a bus overturned near Victoria, Texas, due to a fatigued driver oversteering the bus. The $4.3 million settlement for Mithoff Law’s clients was part of a total settlement of $10 million for the incident split amongst 46 injured passengers, 44 of whom were represented by other firms.
“Mithoff has been one of Houston’s most respected attorneys for decades, handling such high-profile cases as the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Enron-related litigation on behalf of J.P, Morgan Chase and highly publicized bus and plant explosions.”
– Houston Chronicle, June 26, 2019
Why should I hire a Houston car accident lawyer from Mithoff Law?
There are many benefits to hiring a Houston auto accident attorney from Mithoff Law. We are dedicated to making your case as strong as it can be and go far beyond just helping you navigate the ins and outs of the legal system.
A Houston accident lawyer at Mithoff Law knows how and when to consult engineers and crash experts who can reconstruct the particulars of your accident. These accident reconstructions can play a critical role in identifying who or what exactly caused your accident and can bring to light issues such as negligence, breach of motor carrier safety regulations, and design or manufacturing defects.
Finally, should your accident contain elements that would benefit from outside legal expertise, we have built an extensive network of firms specializing in other practice areas.
Our houston accident lawyers have won the top awards in the industry
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 (William Stradley)
- Forbes top 10 trial lawyer in the nation (Mithoff – 2 years:1989 & 2005)
- Lifetime excellency award from Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists
- Houston Top 100 SuperLawyer (Mithoff — since 2003… 16 consecutive years)
- Texas Top 100 SuperLawyer (multiple, Mithoff — since 2003… 16 consecutive years)
- Texas Top 10 SuperLawyer (Mithoff — 2003-2007, 2009, 2011-2013, 2017-2019…. 11 years [not consecutive])
- Professional Excellence Award – Texas Lawyer, 2016 (Mithoff)
- Jurisprudence Aware – Anti-Defamation League, 1997 (Mithoff)
- J. Chrys Dougherty Good Apple Award – Texas Appleseed, 2008 (Mithoff)
- Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell (multiple)
- Best Lawyers in America (multiple)
We represent clients injured in many different types of vehicle accidents
The Houston accident lawyers at Mithoff Law have successfully represented clients involved in a variety of vehicle accidents. These accident types include but are not limited to:
- 18 Wheeler/Truck Accidents
- Auto-pedestrian Collision
- Bicycle Accidents
- Boating Accidents
- Bus Accidents
- Car Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Vehicle Fires
Call Mithoff Law for a Houston accident lawyer who can help
Accident victims and their loved ones should seek representation from an experienced vehicle accident attorney as soon as possible. These cases often benefit from a thorough, independent investigation. The experienced team at Mithoff Law can assist you to navigate the process.
Many clients who have been injured in an accident are often overwhelmed with questions like, “How long do I have to file a claim for an auto accident in Texas?” and, “Should I get a lawyer for a car accident that wasn’t my fault?” A Houston accident lawyer at Mithoff Law can also help answer these questions and more.
Call Mithoff Law today at 713-654-1122 to discuss your options with a trial-tested Houston vehicle accident lawyer.