Redwater Personal Injury Lawyer — Texas Representation

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas? In most cases, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Texas is two years from the date of the injury. Missing this deadline can bar your ability to bring a claim in court. Certain circumstances can change the deadline, such as claims against government entities or delayed discovery of injury. Contact a lawyer promptly to ensure deadlines are identified and preserved.

Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if injuries seem minor. Prompt treatment documents your condition and supports your claim. If you can, gather contact information for witnesses and take photos of the scene and any visible injuries. Report the incident to the appropriate authorities or property owner, and avoid giving recorded statements to insurers without legal guidance. Reach out to a law firm for advice on preserving evidence and protecting your rights.

Many personal injury cases are resolved through settlement negotiations with insurers. However, if negotiations do not produce a fair result, filing a lawsuit and proceeding to trial may be necessary to pursue full compensation. A lawyer will prepare the case for litigation while continuing to pursue settlement opportunities. Preparation for trial often increases the likelihood of a reasonable settlement offer from insurers.

Fault is assessed based on evidence such as police reports, witness statements, photographs, and medical records. Insurance investigators and legal counsel evaluate those materials to determine who was responsible for the incident. Texas applies modified comparative fault, which reduces recovery proportionally to any fault attributed to the injured party. Establishing clear evidence of the other party’s responsibility is important to maximize recovery.

You may recover compensatory damages including medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, property damage, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. The value of each claim varies based on the severity and long-term impacts of injuries. Documentation of medical treatment, financial losses, and how injuries affect daily life is essential to support a full damage calculation and to negotiate effectively with insurers.

Resolution time varies widely. Minor claims can settle within months, while serious or disputed cases may take a year or more to resolve, particularly if litigation becomes necessary. Ongoing medical treatment can also extend the timeline. Your attorney will provide an estimated timetable based on case facts and update you as the matter progresses. The priority is often to secure a fair and fully informed settlement rather than a rushed resolution.

Many personal injury firms, including ours, handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning legal fees are a percentage of the recovery and are only paid if you receive compensation. This structure allows access to representation without upfront payment. Costs for investigation, expert reports, and court filing may be advanced by the firm and deducted from the recovery, with full accounting provided so you understand net recovery amounts.

Insurance companies often make early offers that are lower than the full value of your claim. Before accepting any offer, have your medical bills, future care needs, and lost wages reviewed to determine whether the amount covers all damages. Consult with a lawyer who can evaluate the offer and negotiate for fair compensation. Rejecting an inadequate offer and pursuing further negotiation or litigation may lead to a better outcome.

You can handle a claim yourself, particularly for minor, clear-cut cases, but insurers may use tactics to minimize payments. Without legal guidance, you risk undervaluing damages or unintentionally making statements that reduce recovery. Seeking a consultation gives you informed options and can reveal whether full representation would significantly improve your potential recovery based on case complexity and injuries.

Begin by seeking medical care and preserving records, photos, and witness information. Contact The White Law Firm, P.C. to schedule a consultation to review the facts and discuss next steps, including deadlines and likely strategies. We will explain the process, answer questions about value and timing, and outline how we can assist with investigation, negotiations, and courtroom preparation if needed.