San Angelo Personal Injury Lawyer — Tom Green County, Texas

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas? In most Texas personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. There are exceptions that can extend or shorten this period, so it is important to seek legal guidance promptly to protect your rights.

Compensation may cover medical bills, ongoing treatment costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, property damage, and non-economic losses such as pain and suffering. The specific types and amounts available depend on your injuries, the records you provide, and the strength of liability evidence. Documentation and timely legal action help preserve recovery options.

Yes. Some injuries do not show symptoms immediately but can worsen over time. A medical evaluation documents your condition and links it to the accident, which is important for any future claim. Delaying treatment may harm both your health and your ability to recover compensation, because insurers may argue that lack of timely care indicates the injuries were not serious.

Many personal injury cases resolve through negotiation and settlement without a trial. However, if a fair settlement is not offered, litigation may be necessary to obtain appropriate compensation. Preparing for trial strengthens your negotiating position and ensures you are ready to take the matter to court when required to protect your interests.

Personal injury lawyers commonly work on a contingency fee basis, meaning fees are a percentage of the recovery and are only charged if you receive compensation. This arrangement helps make legal representation accessible to injured people. You should discuss fee arrangements, expenses, and any potential costs upfront so you understand how payments and disbursements will be handled during your case.

Key evidence includes medical records, photographs of the scene and injuries, police or incident reports, witness statements, and bills showing expenses related to the injury. Promptly gathering and preserving this material increases the chance of a strong outcome, so keep careful records and share them with your legal representative as soon as possible.

Texas follows a comparative fault approach, meaning you may still recover damages even if you bear some responsibility, but your recovery can be reduced by your percentage of fault. An assessment of liability will determine how fault is allocated and how that allocation impacts the amount you can receive in compensation.

You should provide necessary factual information, but avoid giving detailed statements, signing releases, or accepting quick settlement offers without legal review. Insurance companies often seek to limit payouts; having legal guidance ensures your communications do not unintentionally harm your claim.

The timeline varies widely based on the nature of injuries, the need for ongoing medical treatment, the complexity of liability, and the willingness of insurers to negotiate. Some matters resolve in months, while others take longer. Early investigation and proactive case management can help shorten the process, but patient preparation is sometimes necessary to achieve a full and fair recovery.

Bring any medical records, accident reports, photographs, insurance information, and notes about how the incident occurred. Providing clear documentation helps evaluate the merits of your claim quickly. If you do not have all documents, bring what you can and describe your injuries and treatment to date so your legal representative can begin assessing next steps.