Frequently Asked Questions
When you hire a personal injury lawyer to help you get money for an injury, you’re getting someone who fights for you, deals with paperwork, and talks to insurance companies.
Just know that insurance companies try to pay as little as possible for your injuries. Hiring a lawyer helps make sure you get the money you deserve.
Usually, we start by trying to agree on a payment without going to court. It’s better because it’s cheaper, less stressful, and faster. Even if we do go to court, we might still settle there.
People often ask, “How much money will I get?” It depends on a few things:
- We add up your bills and lost wages (that’s called economic damages).
- Then we increase that number depending on how bad your case is (if someone really messed up).
- We also think about the most money the insurance will give (like $30k/$60k in Texas).
Since this is a common question, we’re sharing this info to help you understand better how we figure out how much you’ll get.
After you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s crucial to seek out a Texas personal injury lawyer immediately. This is vital to safeguarding important evidence for your case.
Understanding the statute of limitations is also essential. If you delay filing a lawsuit for personal injury, your case could be dismissed due to these time limits. Typically, you must file a claim within two years of the accident or injury, though there are exceptions.
The statute of limitations usually begins counting from the date of the accident. For instance, if you were injured in a car crash, the two-year countdown starts from that day.
In most cases, you can’t pause or extend the time limit. Once it’s up, you can’t make a claim anymore.Sometimes, especially with accidents involving government entities, you have even less time to act or risk forfeiting your right to seek compensation for your injuries. To ensure you’re protected and can still pursue a claim, it’s crucial to consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident.
Negligence refers to failing to exercise reasonable care in a situation where a prudent person would do so. It can occur by either doing something incorrectly or by failing to act when action is necessary. For instance, not providing assistance when required could be deemed as negligence.
In legal terms, proving negligence typically involves demonstrating several key elements:
- Duty: Showing that the person responsible for the action owed a duty of care to the injured party.
- Breach: Establishing that the responsible person failed to meet that duty of care.
- Causation: Demonstrating that the breach of duty directly resulted in harm to the injured party.
- Harm: Providing evidence that the injured party suffered actual harm or damages.
- Proximate Cause: Establishing that the actions of the responsible party were the primary cause of the harm suffered by the injured party.
Most personal injury cases in McAllen are typically settled before reaching trial. About 90 to 95% of these cases are resolved through negotiation or settlement agreements. However, whether your case proceeds to trial depends on several factors
- -Severity of injuries: If your injuries are severe, such as brain or spinal cord damage, insurance companies may be more inclined to settle to avoid potentially higher payouts at trial.
- -Strength of evidence: If you have compelling evidence that supports your claim and makes it difficult for the other party to dispute, they may choose to settle rather than risk an unfavorable outcome at trial.
- -Negotiation skills: Having a skilled negotiator on your side can significantly impact whether your case goes to trial. A capable attorney can often negotiate favorable settlements without the need for litigation.
While most cases settle out of court, having a proficient legal team like ours in the Texas Rio Grande Valley ensures you’re prepared for either scenario. We have a proven track record of successfully resolving personal injury claims through negotiation and, if necessary, litigation.
If you’re considering legal action after an accident like a car crash or getting hit by a truck, it’s crucial to have a skilled negotiator on your side. Our team of attorneys in Texas Rio Grande Valley has a successful track record of resolving personal injury claims through negotiation and, if necessary, litigation.