If you’ve suffered an injury, medical bills, and lost wages due to someone else’s negligence, filing a personal injury lawsuit could be the way to recover the compensation you deserve. We explain the steps necessary when filing a personal injury lawsuit, from researching legal advice to navigating court proceedings.
Summary About Personal Injury Lawsuits In Texas
- Understanding personal injury law is essential for those seeking compensation.
- Working with an experienced personal injury attorney in Houston, TX, can help increase the chances of a successful outcome in filing a claim and negotiating with insurance companies.
- Selecting the right lawyer, communicating effectively, and understanding types of cases are all important steps to consider when pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.
Understanding Personal Injury Claims
Personal injury, a wide-ranging term covering physical or mental damage caused by someone’s inattention or recklessness, can take many forms.
These could include car accidents, falls and slips, and medical negligence cases. And dangerous product responsibility. Having an adequate knowledge of the legalities related to personal injury claims will enhance your chances of success in obtaining financial reimbursement for damages such as medical bills, lost income, and mental anguish.
Generally, in Texas, there are typically two years within which one must file a lawsuit to protect your right to seek compensation. There are exceptions to the general rule in Texas, so consult a personal injury lawyer near me for specific guidance.
Read More: What are the Chances of Winning Your Personal Injury Lawsuit
Get Help From an Experienced Attorney
Engaging the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer is highly recommended if you are looking at claiming to sustain injuries from another party’s carelessness – be it on purpose or through neglectfulness.
The best attorneys specialize in specific types of cases and have expertise when dealing with insurance companies while advocating for their clients throughout proceedings, thus increasing prospects tremendously compared to those without representation,
Understanding the details of the personal injury claims process can help you get rightful compensation.
Initial Consultation with a Personal Injury Attorney
When beginning a personal injury lawsuit, consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney is important. This initial consultation will help in evaluating your claim. Make sure to share all the available evidence, such as police reports or recordings of the accident scene or witness information, when meeting with this attorney.
Understanding what is involved throughout the court proceedings for personal injury cases is essential for obtaining the compensation you are entitled to receive.
Choosing which personal injury attorney should handle your case demands thorough consideration; ask about their previous experience on similar claims, their policy relating to client communication issues, and any other questions you may have before making your decision. Here’s what one must do.
- Research their history of successes of personal injury attorneys related to your type of suit.
- Get details regarding client communication methods.
- Gather relevant documents associated with the situation.
- Bring notes compiled from the investigating process during the consultation session.
Gathering Evidence and Investigating the Accident
It is essential to gather evidence and examine the car accident with a personal injury case. The sooner you hire an attorney or begin the investigation, the better for most personal injury lawsuits.
Kinds of Evidence to Get
Common types of evidence used include medical records, witness statements, pictures/videos from the incident location, professional opinions, and documents highlighting financial losses or pain experienced due to said injuries.
Working closely with your lawyer will help assemble all necessary proof for determining fault when another’s actions have harmed someone.
Evidence that can assist this process includes.
- Crash reports for pertinent information related to individual cases,
- interviewing persons who saw what happened at the accident scene and
- Consulting experts for liability or damages issues in the case.
- Black box computer data for serious injury motor vehicle or truck accidents.
Determining Liability and Filing the Claim
Personal injury lawyers will seek compensation by submitting a claim with the insurance company on your behalf. This document should provide an overview of how you were injured, what damages have been incurred, and, ultimately, a demand for damages.
Filing a claim includes a notice letter including the attorney’s contact information, details about what happened, liability issues, and when the accident occurred. The claim also includes the injuries sustained and the medical treatment.
After filing this package for evaluation to determine liability, negotiations with the insurer for a personal injury settlement can begin when the medical damages are known or after providing the family information for a wrongful death lawsuit.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
In the personal injury claim process, negotiating with the insurance company is crucial to reaching an agreeable resolution that does not require court proceedings.
Knowing the insurance policy limits beforehand can help with settlement negotiations. The insurance adjuster will typically offer a very limited or lowball first offer. The low first offer is a negotiation tactic to set low expectations for the case. Many personal injury claims require a lawsuit to be filed before the adjuster gets realistic on how much compensation and the claim’s value.
It all comes down to finding a fair settlement suitable for everyone involved – something which communication between the claimant’s attorney & insurer may yet help achieve!
Preparing for Trial: Discovery Phase
If pre-suit settlement talks are not fruitful, an experienced personal injury lawyer will file a lawsuit. Generally, in Texas, the lawsuit will be filed where the accident occurred or where the defendant resides.
After that, the discovery stage starts. During this stage, both parties exchange information about the incident, their claims and defenses, and other evidence to help their case. The discovery phase may also uncover new facts, such as witness testimony, statements or video footage unavailable, and the exchange of evidence intended to be used in a trial.
The Personal Injury Trial
If mediation fails, a trial will ensue where either a judge or jury makes an ultimate judgment about liability for harm to the plaintiff and the amount of damages.
During court proceedings, both sides present arguments and supporting evidence. Parties and witnesses will testify. After reviewing all this information, the jury or judge will deliberate and then provide their verdict, which could include monetary compensation if responsibility is proven on behalf of the defendant.
That litigation can take time, and results are never certain given numerous variables such as the credibility of witnesses, strength & persuasiveness of argument, and the attorneys’ effectiveness.
Appeals
Sometimes, a party can appeal the verdict. An appeal is more likely when the damages are large or a clear effort occurred in the case. When an appeal is filed, a briefing of the issues and evidence is filed for determination by the appellate court.
Selecting a Top Personal Injury Lawyer in Texas
When selecting a personal injury attorney in Texas, it’s essential to weigh the relevant experience and expertise they offer. During your initial consultation, you can ask about their success rate with similar cases and other concerns, such as communication policies.
Having an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer advocate for you in court will give you greater chances of obtaining favorable results. Always research the lawyer you are considering before you sign the retainer agreement. Many personal injury victims do not know an attorney’s qualifications when they hire them, which can lead to issues and reduced compensation.
Getting a top personal injury lawyer in Texas requires research on qualifications, expertise, and experience.
Importance of Candor with Your Attorney
Maintaining honesty with your lawyer is essential to the success of any personal injury lawsuit. By giving all pertinent information associated with the case, even if it may hurt your case, your odds of getting effective legal representation are the best.
Many cases are lost simply because the client did not tell their attorney everything. Good or bad, a lawyer can’t deal with an issue they do not know about or only learn about something after damage to the case has been done.
When to Consider Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If settlement discussions have not been fruitful, sometimes filing a lawsuit and going to trial are the only ways to handle the case. Lawsuits are expensive and require a contingency fee attorney to expend out-of-pocket money to advance the case. If your damages are large and the settlement cannot be achieved pre-litigation, filing a suit may be the move to make.
Often, lawsuits are needed when liability is disputed, and common ground in settlement discussions is difficult.
The Expenses of Filing a Lawsuit
Every case filed incurred expenses and substantial time commitment from the client and lawyers. Examples of case expenses include the following:
- Filing fees
- Court reporter’s costs
- Videographers
- Travel expenses
- Expert witness retainers
- Production of trial exhibits and other expenses.
Contingency fee attorneys will evaluate the case with an eye toward the costs and time requirements in deciding to take or file a personal injury case or the viability of taking a case to court. Some types of personal injury cases are very expensive to pursue.
Types of Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury claims can stem from the following:
- Car accidents
- 18-wheeler commercial vehicle crashes
- Slip and fall or premises liability.
- Medical malpractice
- Daycare negligence and child injury
- Motorcycle accidents
- Boating or offshore accidents
- Dangerous products
- Other causes
Call Baumgartner Law Firm for Help With a Serious Injury Claim
If your damages are significant and not simply a small personal injury claim, you need the best local attorney you can find. Always look at the qualifications of the attorney you choose before you hire them for your case. Find an attorney with expertise in the kind of case you have.
Small personal injury claims do not require substantial expertise; the best lawyers will probably not handle small cases.
If you need back surgery, you will seek the best orthopedic doctor specializing in back surgery. You would not go to a general practice doctor for the operation. Personal injury cases are no different. Get the law firm that can best handle the case.
6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy, Houston, TX, 77069
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to make a personal injury claim?
A personal injury claim in Houston typically takes about a year to conclude if the claim is settled, although some can be settled sooner. If a lawsuit is filed and the case requires a trial, the claim can take two years or more to conclude.
How do I prepare for a personal injury claim?
Get the necessary medical treatment, document your damages, and save everything related to the case. Hire the right attorney as soon as possible. The earlier you get an experienced personal injury lawyer, the better.
What are the elements of a personal injury lawsuit?
To bring a personal injury lawsuit, it must be established that there was an obligation of duty on the part of another party, which they breached and caused you damages.
What is the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit?
Generally, A personal injury lawsuit for a traffic accident in Texas must be filed within two years from the accident date. Exceptions exist, and jurisdictions and claim types vary on limitations dates, so always consult a personal injury lawyer near me for answers for your specific case.
Related Articles:
A Comprehensive Guide to Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Houston
How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take in Texas?
Demonstrative Evidence in a Personal Injury Trial
Compelling Reasons to Consider Legal Consultation Before Proceeding Hiring a Lawyer
The Likelihood of Your Car Accident Case Going to Court
Why a Personal Injury Case Goes to Trial?
What Does a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer Do?
About Our Law Firm
Baumgartner Law Firm is a Houston personal injury law firm headed by Greg Baumgartner.
Our firm was established in 1985 and has helped thousands of injury victims get maximum compensation for their cases. If you have been injured in an accident in Houston, TX, contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. (281) 587-1111.