If you have been injured, you may have a lot of questions about what is going to happen and how your case will be handled. Here are some of the most common questions and answers about personal injury.
What do I do if I have been injured?
If someone else is at fault for causing your injury, you can make a claim against that person or business and their insurance company. You will need to be able to document your injuries through lost wage information, medical reports and medical bills. It is important to make an honest effort to heal from your injuries.
Do I need a lawyer?
When you have been injured and someone else is at fault, that person’s insurance company has one goal: to pay you the least amount possible. They will have adjusters, investigators and lawyers all working together to minimize your injuries. A personal injury lawyer will protect your interests and work toward making sure you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
What can I expect from my lawyer?
Your lawyer will meet with you to find out exactly what happened, then will thoroughly investigate your claim. The following will be reviewed:
- Police reports
- Medical reports
- Witness statements
- Review of all applicable laws
How long do I have to file a claim?
There is a limit to how long you can wait to file a claim for personal injury. In Texas, the statute of limitations is two years from the time you are injured.
What is a contingency agreement?
Personal injury lawyers, including Patterson Law Group, are typically paid by a contingency fee, which means if they don’t win your case, you don’t owe any legal fees. Your attorney is paid by keeping a percentage of the final amount awarded by the court.
What is my claim worth?
It’s pretty hard to determine what your claim is worth when you first open a case. It takes time for you to recover or almost recover from your injuries. The total amount of your medical bills will need to be determined, as well as how much your income was reduced because of the injury. It also takes time to be able to tell whether any of your injuries aren’t going to get better.
What am I entitled to recover?
There are many different types of damages that you might be entitled to. These include:
- Reimbursement of medical expenses and possibly future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning ability
- Pain and suffering
When will my case be settled?
There is no way to predict how long it will take for your case to settle. Some cases are settled in just a few months, while others drag on for years. Every case has its own unique factors.
What would cause my case to go to litigation?
Your case may end up in litigation if the insurance company believes you and your attorney are asking for more money than they think they should pay, or they believe their client is not at fault or you are at least partially at fault. Going to litigation could also happen if they don’t believe you are injured or that you are not injured as badly as you say you are.
Where should I go to get help with a personal injury case?
If you have been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Patterson Law Group wants to help. Contact us today by filling out the contact form on this page, and one of our lawyers will be in touch to hear your story. There is no cost unless we win.
