Ellis County Personal Injury Attorney — Texas

What you do immediately after an injury can affect the claim. Seek medical care, document your injuries, and preserve evidence such as photos and witness contact information. Notify your insurer when required and avoid giving recorded statements without legal advice. After the initial steps, consult an attorney to evaluate liability, time limits, and potential recovery. Timely contact helps secure evidence and ensures statutory deadlines are observed so your rights are protected.

In most personal injury cases in Texas, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury. Failing to file within this period can bar your right to sue for compensation. There are exceptions that may alter the deadline, such as claims against a government entity that require early notice. Consult about your circumstances promptly to understand applicable timelines.

Many personal injury attorneys, including The White Law Firm, P.C., handle claims on a contingency basis, which means fees are collected only from recovery. If there is no recovery, the contingency arrangement typically means you do not pay attorney fees. You may still be responsible for certain case costs or third-party expenses depending on your agreement, so review fee terms carefully during the initial consultation.

Recoverable damages commonly include past and future medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, property damage, and compensation for pain and suffering or emotional distress. In wrongful death cases, eligible family members may pursue damages for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship, subject to Texas law.

Insurance companies often make early offers that may not reflect the full value of your claim, particularly if future medical needs are uncertain. Do not accept the first offer without evaluating all current and future losses. Discuss any offer with an attorney before signing release documents. A legal review ensures you understand whether the proposal fairly compensates your damages and whether additional negotiation is warranted.

Case duration varies widely based on medical recovery, liability disputes, and the willingness of parties to negotiate. Some cases settle in a few months, while others take a year or more when litigation is necessary. We aim to resolve claims efficiently while protecting your interests. Timely medical follow-up and clear documentation often help move claims forward more quickly.

Texas applies modified comparative fault, which reduces recovery by your percentage of responsibility. If you are 51% or more at fault, you generally cannot recover damages. Assigning fault is often contested, so careful investigation and evidence collection are important to establish the other party’s responsibility and minimize your attributed fault.

Bring any medical records, bills, insurance information, photos of the incident and injuries, police reports, and names of witnesses if available. These materials help assess the claim quickly. If you cannot gather everything beforehand, provide as much detail as possible and we will help obtain necessary records during the investigation.

Many cases resolve through negotiation or mediation, but some require filing suit and preparing for trial to reach a fair outcome. We prepare each case as if it will go to trial to strengthen settlement bargaining positions. Going to trial depends on the facts, the defendant’s position, and settlement negotiations. We will discuss the likelihood of litigation and the best strategy for your case.

Medical providers, health insurers, and government programs may assert liens against settlement proceeds to recover treatment costs. Resolving these claims is an important part of obtaining your net recovery. We work to reduce or negotiate liens when possible and ensure medical bills and subrogation issues are addressed before finalizing settlements so clients understand the amount they will actually receive.