Each year, tens of thousands of Texans are injured by negligent or reckless behavior from car accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, and slip and falls. These cases often result in debilitating injuries that affect a person’s ability to earn a living and care for their families. They face mounting medical bills, debt, and a long road to recovery.
If you were injured in an accident due to the negligence of another person or entity, contact Patterson Law Group for a free consultation. We are guided by values, innovation, and your well-being. Our three pillars of excellence reflect our dedication to reshaping legal experiences, delivering unwavering support, and championing your rights. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation. We are happy to answer your questions and assess your case.
What Does a Texas Personal Injury Attorney Do?
A good personal injury lawyer will guide you through the legal maze ahead. As you focus on recovering from your injury and feeling comfortable in your life again, a lawyer will help you build your case by collecting evidence and presenting your story to the court.
Throughout the claim process, your attorney can do the following:
- Investigate the facts to determine liability
- Gather evidence to build a compelling case
- Help prove damages with evidence and expert testimony
- Ensure documents are filed accurately and on time
- Hire expert witnesses to substantiate your claims
- Advise you on your rights, responsibilities, and options
- Seek fair compensation that reflects all of your physical, emotional, and financial losses
- Answer your questions and keep you updated on the status of your case
- Negotiate with other partiesand represents you in court when litigation is necessary
No one plans on getting hurt. But when it happens, trust that a skilled and knowledgeable legal team is working on your behalf to maximize your damages.
Types of Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury claims arise out of various forms of negligence, including the following:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
It’s probably no surprise that traffic accidents involving cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles are a leading cause of personal injury claims. Based on Texas crash data, one person was injured every 2 minutes and 9 seconds in a motor vehicle accident last year. We oversee complex personal injury cases involving drunk driving, distracted driving, and Uber and Lyft accidents, among other types of motor vehicle claims.
Bicycle Accidents
Bicycling is a favorite hobby of many. For others, it is how they get to work and school. Yet cyclists are incredibly vulnerable in an accident. Aside from a bicycle helmet, there is little to protect against crash injuries. We represent individuals injured in bicycle accidents caused by careless motorists, hazardous road conditions, and even faulty bicycle equipment.
Pedestrian Accidents
It is hard to imagine that a walk down the street could end in tragedy, but it is a reality for thousands of people each year. Drivers who aren’t paying attention or are impaired by alcohol or drugs may not stop in time to avoid colliding with someone who is walking or running nearby. The results can be catastrophic or even fatal for someone who cannot react in time to avoid a pedestrian accident.
Slip and Fall Accidents
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 800,000 people are hospitalized yearly in the U.S. for fall-related injuries. And one in five slip and fall accidents results in a head injury or broken bone. Often liability depends on whether the owner or manager knew or should have known about the hazard that caused the fall.
Wrongful Death
Nothing can replace the love and guidance of a family member. However, a personal injury claim can ease the financial burden left behind after a loved one passes away in a wrongful death claim. It may be filed by surviving family members, including the deceased’s spouse, children, or parents.
Finding the Right Personal Injury Attorney in Texas
When choosing an attorney to manage your case, some key factors must be considered. We are proud to offer the following:
- Experience:As a firm, we have three decades of experience successfully resolving complex personal injury claims across Texas.
- Specialization: Because we specialize in personal injury, we understand changing laws and guidelines that may affect your case.
- Communication: It’s never difficult to reach your lawyer to ask questions or check the status of your claim.
- Accessibility: Our legal staff is available around the clock to answer your questions and assist you during times of need.
- Reputation: Our feedback from satisfied clients reflects our commitment to ethical, transparent, and compassionate legal assistance.
- Results: We have achieved excellent results for over 6,000 clients since 1985, and 85% of our referrals come from the trusted relationships we’ve built.
In addition, Patterson Law Group gives clients unprecedented access to their own case files to monitor their claims at their convenience. Yet, you can rest assured we will notify you when there are important updates or changes that impact your legal matter.
Statute of Limitations in Texas Personal Injury Cases
The statute of limitations in Texas for most personal injury claims is generally two years. There are some exceptions to this deadline, including cases involving a minor. If you miss the deadline for your claim, you usually lose your right to compensation from the at-fault party. It’s always best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a personal injury to avoid unnecessary delays and protect your claim.
Compensation in Texas Personal Injury Cases
Three types of compensation are available to personal injury victims in Texas depending on the facts of the case, and they include the following:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are compensation for both past and future financial losses, easily verified with invoices or receipts. These losses might include medical expenses, including hospitalization, surgery, and medication, property damage, loss of income and/or earning capacity.
Non-economic Damages
This is financial compensation for past and future losses that cannot as easily be quantified—but are still just as impactful. Pain and suffering, mental anguish, disability or disfigurement, physical impairment, loss of quality of life, and loss of consortium (companionship) are all examples of non-economic damages.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may be awarded in cases involving extreme recklessness or willful disregard for the safety and welfare of others. These are imposed to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior.
It’s important to remember that every case is unique, and damages are calculated based on the facts of your case, the severity of your injuries, and how your accident has impacted your physical, emotional, and financial health and well-being.
What is Modified Comparative Negligence?
Texas is a modified comparative negligence state. It means you can recover damages even if you are partially at fault. However, if you are more than 50 percent to blame, you are barred from recovery. In addition, the amount you receive will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but found to be 10 percent responsible for the accident, the amount will be reduced by 10 percent or $10,000.
This approach to assigning liability complicates accident claims. For this reason, it is critical to seek legal counsel early before making a statement. Instead, step back and allow law enforcement and your legal team to perform a proper investigation.
Settlement vs. Trial: What to Expect
Most Texas personal injury claims are settled out of court. It saves time, money, and stress. It also leaves room for negotiation, giving both parties more control over the outcome. Further, it typically offers compensation more quickly than the alternative—going to court before a judge or jury. This can be helpful if you are facing mounting medical bills and other accident-related expenses.
However, some circumstances can steer your case toward the courtroom. First, the other party may not be overly agreeable to a settlement or offer an amount well below what you are entitled to. Some clients feel that justice cannot be achieved unless it happens in a court of law, where the defendant is held publicly accountable. If you have a particularly compelling case–where you are not at fault– we may encourage you to go to court. But doing so comes with certain risks.
You cannot control the outcome of a trial. If the result does not go in your favor, you may forfeit your right to compensation. There are many factors at play when it comes to deciding to settle or go to court. We discuss the pros and cons in depth to help you make informed decisions throughout the entire legal process. We are passionate advocates, but we are also trusted counselors.
Schedule a Free Consultation with the Patterson Law Group
We are not your typical law firm. We set out to change the traditional business model to streamline the legal process and propel your case forward as efficiently as possible. We are unique because we have a pre-litigation team dedicated to negotiating your case out of court to save you time and money. Of course, some personal injury cases require litigation. We remain ready and determined to fight for our clients in court.
Call today to schedule a free consultation; there is no obligation to hire us. Since we work on a contingency basis, there are no upfront legal fees. With offices in Fort Worth, Arlington, and San Antonio, Patterson Law Group is proud to represent clients across Texas. We look forward to hearing from you.
