Personal injury lawyers represent people who have been injured and are seeking compensation. If you have been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
In a free, confidential consultation, you can find out what your rights and options are and make informed decisions about your next steps.
Contact Houston Injury Lawyers PLLC Today!
If you are looking for a personal injury lawyer, you should look for one who is near you, who is accessible and who has a good reputation.
The sooner you agree to representation, the better your attorney will be able to preserve evidence and build a strong case on your behalf. Once you have an attorney by your side, they can handle the paperwork, communicate with insurance companies, and investigate on your behalf so that you can focus on your recovery.
At Houston Injury Lawyers PLLC, we believe that everyone should have the right to high-quality legal representation if they have been a victim of someone else’s negligence. That is why we offer a free consultation and continue to work on a no-win, no-fee basis. Meaning we assume all the risk, and if your case is unsuccessful, you will not pay us anything. If we win your case, then we will take an agreed-upon percentage of your settlement.
Our law firm is dedicated to personal injury victims in Texas. We have a long history of victories and have represented personal injury victims following a broad range of incidents. We are committed to securing the highest amount of compensation for you.
Speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer in Cypress, TX, today at 936-251-5246.
What is Negligence, and Why is it Important?
Negligence is a legal concept that means the failure to live up to the standard of care that a reasonable person would use in the same situation. It is also called “breach of duty” or “breach of care.”
A person can be negligent by doing something wrong, by not doing something right, or by not taking reasonable steps to avoid a foreseeable problem.
In order to have a successful personal injury claim, four elements of negligence must be proven, they are:
You Were Owed You a Duty of Care
The person who caused your injuries must have had a duty of care to you in order for you to claim compensation. There are many situations where a person owes a duty of care to another, including vehicle operators to all other road users, doctors to their patients, and businesses to their customers.
The Duty of Care Was Breached
The person who contributed to your injuries must have breached their duty of care. Meaning they acted in a way that was different from how a reasonable person would if placed in a similar situation. For example, if someone is intoxicated and then gets into their car and causes an accident, then it could be considered negligence. A reasonable person would not drive their car after drinking a bottle of wine.
The Breach of Care Caused Your Injury
The individual’s negligent behavior must have led to the injury for which you want to make a claim. In the case of a DUI accident, any injuries you suffered in the car accident should be considered in your claim.
Your Injury Resulted in Damages
Finally, your injuries must have resulted in damages, which you can then claim for. Damages are your economic and non-economic losses, such as lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
Do Personal Injury Claims Require an Attorney?
In Texas, it is possible to pursue a personal injury case without legal representation. However, most cases will massively benefit from having an attorney.
An attorney will ensure that the legal process is adhered to, deadlines are met, and paperwork is filed correctly. They will liaise with other parties, gather evidence, and investigate your case will all the resources at their disposal. Personal injury claims can take years to finalize, but when you have an attorney, you can focus on your recovery in the knowledge that everything is in hand.
It is important to remember that insurance companies are big businesses that are driven by profit. They will have legally trained loss adjusters whose sole job is to limit their liability and devalue your claim. When you have legal representation, you send a message that you will not accept less than what you deserve.
For this reason and many others, those who have representation from a personal injury lawyer usually walk away with a higher settlement, even with legal fees considered, than those who try to do it alone.
Types of Accidents That Qualify For a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Any accident that was caused by someone behaving negligently can qualify for a personal injury lawsuit in Cypress, TX. Some common examples include:
- Animal attacks such as dog bites.
- Medical malpractice, such as birthing injuries.
- Workplace and construction injuries.
- Car accidents and trucking accidents.
- Slip and fall accidents.
- Plant and refinery accidents.
- Injuries resulting from defective products.
- Catastrophic injuries.
What to Do After An Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault
After suffering an accident at the hands of someone else’s negligence, there are certain things you can do to keep yourself safe and protect your right to fair compensation.
Prioritize Safety
Your first priority needs to be your own safety. If you think you could be seriously injured, or feel pain in your neck or back, then you should stay where you are and wait for the ambulance to arrive.
If you don’t believe you need emergency care, then you should assess whether any other potential victims require an ambulance. If necessary, call 911, and if you are well enough to do so, move away from any potential danger.
Seek Medical Attention
If paramedics do not treat you at the scene of the accident, then you must seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Adrenaline could be hiding the pain that you would otherwise be feeling, and you do not want to make your injuries worse because you are unaware of them.
You will also be unable to make a claim without a medical report, and the sooner after the accident, the better. This will make it easier to prove the third element of negligence – that your injuries were a direct result of the accident.
Contact the Police/ Fire Department
Depending on the nature of the accident, you may need to contact the police or fire department. Any car accident that has resulted in personal injury should be attended to by police, who will keep everyone safe and file a police report. You are also required to remain at the scene until they arrive.
If the incident involved gas, fire, structural damage, or electricity, then the fire department may be needed to isolate the problem.
Collect Evidence
If your injuries allow, you should collect what evidence you can while you are still at the scene. Photos of the scene, your injuries, property damage, and information from any other parties involved or any potential witnesses could all be used later on by your attorney to strengthen your case.
Call a Cypress Personal Injury Attorney
You should contact a personal injury law firm for a free consultation as quickly as possible. They will offer some initial advice that will ensure that you have the information you need to protect your right to compensation.
Your attorney will assess whether they think you have a claim, and they may offer you representation. At this point, if you agree, they will get to work quickly to protect evidence that could otherwise be lost.
How Much Time You Have To Make a Claim For Personal Injury in Texas
Personal injury cases are dictated by the statute of limitations, which sets a time limit for victims to make a claim. In Texas, victims of personal injury have two years from the date the accident occurred to make a claim, after which point they lose their right to pursue compensation.
However, you should contact a personal injury lawyer quickly so that they can protect vital evidence and begin investigating your claim. That being said, even if some time has passed, you should still seek a free consultation to get advice about your specific case.
Hiring Cypress Personal Injury Lawyers
It is essential that you choose the best personal injury lawyer for your case, as it could have a big impact on the amount of compensation you end up with.
It is important to look for a law firm that specializes in personal injury law in Texas. This branch of law is highly complex, and you need an attorney who dedicates their time to this. That way, they will have plenty of experience, and they will understand the state law which is relevant to your case.
Most personal injury law firms will offer a free consultation. This is a great opportunity for you to ask questions and determine whether the law firm you are speaking to is a good fit.
Some questions you might choose to ask include:
- Have you represented cases similar to mine in court?
- Have you handled cases similar to mine in the past?
- How can I contact you, and how soon can I expect a response?
- What would a good outcome be in my case, and how will you achieve it?
- How much of your time is dedicated to personal injury victims in the state of Texas?
- What is your fee structure, and will I have to pay anything if my case is unsuccessful?
The Personal Injury Process in Cypress, TX
An attorney will help you get the compensation you deserve for the damages you have suffered. While every claim is different, every personal injury case represented by Houston Injury Lawyers PLLC, will follow similar stages:
Stage One: Investigation
Stage one is the investigation of your case. Your attorney will gather evidence, such as medical reports, CCTV, witness statements, and more.
They will use this evidence to establish who was negligent in your case and how much you are owed in compensation. They will also use it to build a strong case that is difficult to argue against, and if your case does go to court, they will already have what they need to represent your best interests in front of a judge.
Stage Two: Calculating Your Damages
The next stage is to calculate how much you are owed in compensation, which involves breaking down your damages.
Economic damages compensate you for lost wages, property damage, and medical expenses. Past expenses will have receipts and will be easily proven. However, an attorney will also work to make sure that your future expenses are considered as well. If you need ongoing treatment or you are unable to return to work, then your attorney will draw upon expert testimony to show what your future costs will be.
Non-economic damages are designed to compensate you for your pain and suffering. Things like your mental anguish, physical pain, and loss of enjoyment. Loss of enjoyment refers to any adjustments you have had to make in your life, such as being unable to participate in activities that you enjoyed before the accident.
Proving non-economic damages can be challenging, but an experienced personal injury attorney will understand how much your pain and suffering is worth and how to evidence it.
Stage Three: Negotiation
Now your attorney can begin negotiating with insurance companies to agree on a settlement that represents your experiences. If an agreement is reached, then your case will end here.
Step Four: Filing a Lawsuit
If the insurance company is not willing to accept a fair settlement in your case, then your attorney will be prepared to take your case to court.
Most personal injury claims never reach this stage, as a court case is lengthy and expensive. However, your attorney will be prepared to go to court and will do what it takes to secure justice in your case.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, such as how clear liability is and whether your case goes to court, it could take anywhere from a few months to a few years to complete. We understand that most people want their cases to be concluded quickly, and we will do what we can to move the process along without sacrificing justice in your case.
Insurance companies may sometime offer a settlement quickly as a tactic to get you to accept less than what you deserve. Once you accept an offer, you will give up your right to fight for more. Therefore, before you accept an offer, you should seek advice from a personal injury attorney in a free consultation. They will be able to tell you whether you are being offered a fair amount. If you are being offered a settlement, then it is likely that you have a strong claim.
After a car accident, you will usually seek compensation from the other party’s insurance company. If you were in a car accident with an uninsured motorist, then your case will be more complex. The first thing you should do is check your insurance policy to see if you have coverage. If you don’t, or your damages exceed your limits, then you should contact one of our car accident lawyers. They will be able to assess your claim and determine whether there is any way to pursue compensation.
Arrange a Free Consultation Today!
At Houston Injury Lawyers, PLLC, our legal team has many years of experience in personal injury law in Texas. Our approach to the attorney-client relationship is unparalleled. We truly care about the outcome of your case and will do everything possible to secure the compensation you deserve.
Our attorneys are prepared to handle even the most complex cases, including those involving catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, and personal injury trial law.
Call us today to arrange a free consultation at 936-251-5246.