Silsbee Personal Injury Lawyer in Texas

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Texas? Texas law sets a deadline called the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits, typically two years from the date of injury. Missing this deadline can bar your claim, so it’s important to seek legal guidance promptly to protect your rights. Every case has unique timing concerns, including potential tolling or different limits for specific claims, so we review the facts to determine the applicable deadlines and necessary next steps.

Many personal injury claims are resolved through negotiated settlement rather than trial, but some matters do proceed to court if fair offers are not made. Trial readiness is important because it strengthens your negotiation position and ensures representation is prepared to pursue a verdict when necessary. We prepare each case as if it may go to trial, fully documenting damages and building a persuasive legal theory so you are not pressured into accepting an inadequate settlement.

Case value depends on the severity of injuries, medical costs, lost income, future care needs, and non-economic losses like pain and suffering. Each element is assessed and supported by records and expert opinions when needed to present a complete valuation to insurers. We evaluate economic and non-economic damages and explain factors that commonly increase or reduce settlement value so you have a realistic expectation for recovery.

We typically handle personal injury matters on a contingency basis, meaning legal fees are collected as a percentage of recovery rather than upfront payments. This arrangement allows injured people to pursue claims without immediate out-of-pocket legal costs. You are responsible for reasonable case expenses, but those are generally advanced by the firm and repaid only from any settlement or judgment, ensuring access to representation when needed.

Texas applies comparative fault, which can reduce your recovery by your percentage of responsibility but does not necessarily bar recovery unless you are more than 50% at fault. Proper investigation and presentation can limit attribution of fault and protect compensation. We analyze evidence to challenge excessive fault attributions and advocate for an accurate apportionment of responsibility to maximize your recoverable damages.

The timeline varies by case complexity, severity of injuries, and how quickly medical treatment and documentation are completed. Some matters resolve in months, while others requiring surgery or extensive recovery can take longer to reach fair resolution. We provide regular updates and plan the case milestones so you understand expected timelines and what actions will move your claim forward efficiently.

You may need to provide basic information to address immediate issues, but avoid detailed recorded statements or accepting early settlement offers without legal advice. Insurers often seek quick statements to limit liability and reduce payouts. Consulting with our team before providing substantive responses ensures your rights are protected and that communications do not inadvertently weaken your claim.

Important evidence includes medical records, bills, accident reports, witness statements, photos of the scene and injuries, and documentation of lost income. Early collection and preservation of these items strengthens the case and supports damages claimed. We coordinate evidence gathering and work with medical and economic professionals when needed to quantify losses and present a persuasive claim to insurers or a jury.

If you were injured at work, you may have a workers’ compensation claim and, depending on the circumstances, a separate personal injury claim against a third party. Understanding the interaction between these options is important to pursue all available recovery avenues. We evaluate workplace incident facts to determine potential third-party claims and coordinate with workers’ compensation matters to protect your overall recovery rights.

Begin by contacting our office for a no-obligation case review; we will listen to your account, review available records, and advise on the strengths and next steps for your claim. We explain the fee arrangement and how we handle investigations so you know what to expect. If you choose to proceed, we promptly begin evidence collection, preserve key documentation, and communicate with insurers on your behalf to pursue timely and fair resolution.