If you have been in an accident, you probably have lots of questions about how to deal with any property damage and/or injuries you have suffered. It can be an overwhelming time with lots of details to sort out.
After an accident, many people have questions about where to turn and what steps they need to take to get their life back on track. Navigating the insurance procedure and legal system can push you to the limit.
An experienced Houston personal injury lawyer will answer your questions and guide you through the claims process. Below, our attorneys answer some frequently asked questions about injury cases.
How Do I Know If I Have a Worthwhile Personal Injury Case?
If you were injured due to the actions of another person or party, you may have grounds to pursue a personal injury case. Someone could have hurt you accidentally because they were acting in a negligent manner, or they could have hurt you intentionally.
Other instances in which you may have a personal injury case are if you:
- Were injured using a defective or dangerous product
- Were injured on someone else’s property, like a home or a business
- Were hurt because someone broke a law that was intended to provide a safety measure (like speeding through a red light)
- Were hurt at your Houston workplace
A personal injury lawyer will assess the facts of your case and advise you on whether they warrant pursuing a personal injury claim. If the attorney thinks you have a strong case, they will tell you how to pursue getting compensation from the at-fault party.
The best path may be through an insurance claim or a lawsuit if necessary.
What Are the Most Common Personal Injury Cases?
Most personal injury cases happen because someone wasn’t being as careful as they should have been in a given situation. This lack of care is legally known as negligence.
Common personal injury cases based on negligence include:
- Car accidents – also car accidents with taxis, motorcycles, taxis, ubers, buses, scooters, and pedestrians
- Truck accidents – includes actions against truck drivers and trucking companies
- Slip and fall accidents – injuries on someone’s property
- Dog bites – when dog owners fail to restrain their dogs
- Workers’ Compensation – injuries at your Houston workplace
- Product liability – injuries caused by a defective or dangerous product
In a personal injury case, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries and other damages. You can make a personal liability claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company, or you can file a lawsuit against them directly.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is the best way to go about this and will greatly increase your chance of success.
How Does A Personal Injury Attorney Help Me?
If you have been injured in an accident, your life has probably been knocked out of its normal, steady rhythm. You are recovering from your injuries, dealing with a steady flow of medical bills and other expenses, and wondering how you will pay for everything.
A personal injury lawyer will focus on organizing the details of your case and work to maximize your compensation. Your attorney will:
- Handle the entire process of your claim, managing the case from start to finish
- Will thoroughly investigate the accident and assess what caused the accident and who is liable for the damage
- Work with experts and other professionals if necessary in accidents that may have more complicated or technical issues involved
- Take the lead with working with insurance adjusters, the defendants, and any other parties involved in your case
- Aim to maximize all of your options for recovering compensation
- Work hard to present a strong case on your behalf and negotiate an optimal settlement for you
- If necessary, represent your interests in court
Not all personal injury cases go smoothly. You will want an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side to manage your case through the ups and downs.
How Much Could I Potentially Get for My Personal Injury Case?
Generally speaking, the more serious your injuries, the more your personal injury case will be worth.
In addition to the severity of injuries, other factors may be considered like:
- Will you recover from the injury, or will it become a chronic issue?
- Did the accident aggravate any pre-existing conditions?
- How much time will it take to recover or see improvement with your injuries?
- Did you have to take off work, and if so, how much time?
- Will your injuries keep you from doing your job in the future?
- How much of your own money have you spent because of the accident?
- Have you suffered mental distress and trauma as a result of the accident?
- What kind of property damage was caused by the accident?
The best way to determine the value of your case is to speak with a Houston personal injury lawyer.
What Kind of Damages Can I Recover for My Injuries?
You can typically recover compensation for two types of damages after an accident. Specifically, you can seek compensation for:
- Economic damages – money you are spending currently and the money you will spend going forward because of your accident, plus money lost from not being able to work
- Non-economic damages – damages like pain and suffering that are harder to put a number on.
Economic and non-economic damages can include money for:
- Medical expenses, rehabilitation, and therapy bills
- Nursing care
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement and scarring, plus others
Your personal injury attorney will assess your case and determine what damages are appropriate to ask for.
How Much Will Hiring a Lawyer Cost Me?
Most personal injury lawyers get paid on what is known as a “contingency fee basis.” This means the lawyer only gets paid if you receive compensation through a settlement or trial verdict. Most importantly, you don’t pay your lawyer anything at the start of the case.
The lawyer will take a percentage of your monetary award. You and the lawyer will agree on the percentage amount before you hire them. It is typically between 33 – 40 percent.
How Long Can I Take to Think About Filing a Personal Injury Case?
In Texas, you generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit after your accident. This time period is called the statute of limitations.
This is a very important date to remember. If you miss the cut-off date to file a lawsuit, you may lose your chance to pursue compensation.
A Houston Personal Injury Attorney Can Answer all of Your Questions
It is natural to have lots of questions after you’ve been involved in an accident. You will be best served to consult with an attorney with experience handling all types of personal injury cases. They will have the expertise to guide you down the right path and help you get the compensation to which you are entitled.
If you need legal assistance in Houston, Texas, contact or call Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers at (713) 500-5000 today.
Personal Injury FAQ Infographic
