Personal Injury FAQs

You may be entitled to:

• Economic damages: Cover calculable losses like medical expenses, lost wages and property damage
• Noneconomic damages: Provide compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, disfigurement and loss of enjoyment of life

In cases involving gross negligence, you may also be able to recover exemplary damages.

First, prioritize your health and safety. Check yourself and others involved in the accident for any injuries and call 911. Let the police collect all the important information, including the other party’s contact information and insurance information. If you are able, take photos of the scene, including the surrounding road. That can help show the damage from the crash and indicate how the accident occurred.

Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, including:

• Cuts and bruises
• Whiplash
• Fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Death

The type and severity of a victim’s injuries can depend on the vehicle’s speed, impact point and whether passengers wore seat belts.

Texas insurance companies are focused on minimizing payouts, so their initial settlement offers rarely account for the full scope of your damages. It is best to consult an attorney before accepting the offer.

Once your lawyer and the insurance company have reached an agreement, finalizing the settlement takes two to six weeks. While exceptions exist, on average, it takes around a month to complete the paperwork, receive the check and determine the exact proceeds.

A personal injury case has no definitive value until all facts are thoroughly reviewed and examined under Texas laws.

The value of a personal injury case depends on things like:

• The extent of your injuries
• Your medical expenses
• Your lost wages
• Your pain and suffering
• The degree of negligence involved

An experienced personal injury attorney can help evaluate your case and determine its potential worth.

Texas imposes a two-year statute of limitations. With few exceptions, that is the maximum amount of time you have to bring a lawsuit for personal injuries.

Under the state’s modified comparative negligence rules, as long as you are determined to be 50% or less responsible for the incident, you can receive compensation reduced by your percentage of fault.

Since insurance companies have teams of lawyers working to minimize pay or look for grounds to deny claims, an experienced personal injury attorney effectively counters the insurance tactics and ensures you recover the total amount you deserve.

When selecting a personal injury lawyer, check their experience, track record and approach. Look for someone who has successfully handled cases similar to yours and has positive client reviews. Also, ensure they are attentive, responsive and communicate well with you.