# What Is Causation in a Personal Injury Case? | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. Causation and Negligence Claims – How Are They Connected? 2. What Comes Next After Proving Causation for an Accident?  3. What Should You Do After an Injury? 4. Contact the Houston Personal Injury Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help ![Houston Texas Lawyer](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/iStock-1033598734-300x200.jpg) When you are injured in a Houston accident, you might be entitled to compensation for your damages. For example, if another driver caused a [head-on](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/head-on-collision/) car accident, you could sue the driver for [loss of income](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/can-i-be-reimbursed-for-lost-wages-after-a-car-accident/), medical bills, and other damages. However, before you could recover compensation for your personal injury case, you must prove causation.  ## Causation and Negligence Claims – How Are They Connected? Causation is one of the legal elements of a [negligence](https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/negligence) claim. Most personal injury cases are based on negligence, including medical malpractice, [slip and fall accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/slip-and-fall-accident-lawyer/), [motor vehicle accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/), and [wrongful death claims](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/wrongful-death-lawyer/). Unless you can prove causation, you cannot hold a party financially liable for damages. It helps to understand how the elements of a negligence claim work together to build a case against another party for fault and liability.  The elements of a negligence claim are: - Duty of care - Breach of duty of care - Causation  - Damages The first element is the duty of care. The person who caused your injury must owe you a duty of care. For example, in a [premises liability](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/premises-liability-lawyer/) case, property owners owe a duty of care to visitors and invitees to maintain safe premises.  The second element is a breach of the duty of care. A breach of care means that the person failed to act with reasonable care in fulfilling the duty of care. In the above example, a property owner would breach the duty of care by failing to fix broken steps or failing to warn visitors of the danger. Causation is the third element of a negligence case. There must be a direct link between the breach of care and the cause of your injuries. A party cannot be held liable for injuries and damages that the party did not cause. Let’s assume that another motorist [runs a red light](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/intersection/) and strikes a motorcycle. The motorcyclist had the right of way. By running the red light, the other driver caused the [motorcycle accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/motorcycle-accident-lawyer/). The rider sustained a [traumatic brain injury](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/brain-injury-lawyer/) and [broken bones](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/broken-bones/) during the collision. Had it not been for the actions of the other motorist, the collision would not have occurred. Had the collision not occurred, the rider would not have sustained brain injuries and broken bones. Therefore, the other motorist’s breach of duty caused the wreck.  For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## What Comes Next After Proving Causation for an Accident?  After proving causation, you need to prove that you sustained damages. A person might breach a duty of care and cause an accident. However, if the accident does not result in damages, the victim cannot demand payment from the at-fault party. [Damages](https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/damages) in a personal injury case can include: - Physical injuries, [pain, and suffering](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/how-are-pain-and-suffering-damages-calculated/) - [Emotional distress and mental anguish](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-are-non-economic-damages-in-texas/) - Loss of income and benefits - Cost of medical bills and expenses - Cost of personal care and in-home health care - Loss of enjoyment of life - Permanent impairments, scarring, disabilities, and disfigurement The [value](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/how-is-the-value-of-a-personal-injury-case-determined-in-texas/) of the personal injury claim depends on the severity of your injuries, your total financial losses, and other facts of the case. ## What Should You Do After an Injury? The steps that you take after being injured in an accident or because of another party’s negligence can help or hurt your personal injury case. Proving causation can be challenging in some cases. Therefore, you do not want to do anything that could jeopardize your claim. Steps you can take to improve your chance of recovering maximum compensation for your injury claim: - [Report the accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/how-do-i-request-a-police-report-from-my-accident-in-texas/) immediately – having an official record of the accident can help establish a breach of the duty of care - Document the accident scene whenever possible by taking pictures or making a video with your cell phone - Ask eyewitnesses for their names and contact information - Seek immediate medical treatment – delays in medical care can make it more difficult to prove the accident caused your injuries - Do not admit fault – if you are partially at fault, you cannot recover full compensation for your damages - Avoid talking to an insurance adjuster – the adjuster is searching for evidence the company can use to deny or undervalue your injury claim - Document your [economic damages](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-are-economic-damages/) by keeping receipts, bills, invoices, and other evidence that proves your financial losses - Avoid using social media during your case because investigators and defense attorney may access information that could be viewed negatively by jurors As soon as possible, contact a [personal injury lawyer](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/) to discuss your case. A lawyer reviews your case and provides an assessment of your legal options, and can also assist in an accident investigation to gather evidence that proves all elements of negligence, including the crucial element of causation.  [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ## Contact the Houston Personal Injury Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) --- ### About the Author Brian White ![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg) [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a [Board-Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) Personal Injury Trial Lawyer. Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and [community initiatives](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/). [Client testimonials](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/testimonials/) highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents. 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[![Thoracic Injury](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/themes/brian-white/assets/app/img/default-thumb.webp)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/thoracic-injury/) [Thoracic Injury](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/thoracic-injury/) Anatomists divide the human body into four main pieces: the head, the thorax, the abdomen, and the limbs. [![What to Do When You Experience Delayed Pain After an Accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/What-to-Do-When-You-Experience-Delayed-Pain-After-an-Accident-300x169.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/what-to-do-when-you-experience-delayed-pain-after-an-accident/) [What to Do When You Experience Delayed Pain After an Accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/what-to-do-when-you-experience-delayed-pain-after-an-accident/) Accidents, whether they're car crashes, slip and falls, or workplace incidents, can lead to immediate pain. But what [![Rotator Cuff Injury](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/themes/brian-white/assets/app/img/default-thumb.webp)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/rotator-cuff-injury/) [Rotator Cuff Injury](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/rotator-cuff-injury/) If you watch or play sports, you have probably heard of a rotator cuff injury. These injuries commonly happen --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-is-causation-in-a-personal-injury-case/