Injured in an accident? Find a car accident lawyer in Houston to help.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, then you’ll want to find a car accident lawyer in Houston who can help — but you may be wondering what legal issues you should be keeping in mind as you explore the possibility of a dispute.
Though we do encourage you to seek out the assistance of a car accident lawyer in Houston, let’s take a look at a few basics. Understanding these basics will aid your journey towards securing compensation.
How long can you sue after a car accident in Houston Texas?
It’s important that you find a car accident lawyer in Houston who can help you litigate your dispute as soon as possible. Pursuing your claim in a timely manner is critical to securing compensation.
See, in Texas, the statute of limitations “deadline” for a standard car accident claim is two years from the date of injury. If you fail to file your claims before the applicable deadline period ends, then you will have relinquished your right to secure compensation under the law. In simple terms: you’ll have abandoned your claim to damages.
That’s why it’s so important to seek out an attorney as early as you can after an accident. This will give them a chance to evaluate your case, develop a persuasive legal strategy, and file your claims before the deadline passes.
How much can someone sue for a car accident in Houston?
As the injured plaintiff, you may sue and recover for the damages caused due to the defendant’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. These damages reflect the losses you sustained. Recoverable losses include the following:
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Medical expenses
- Property loss
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- And more
To better understand how damages can add up, let’s use a quick example.
Suppose that you are injured in a car accident. You sustain significant back injuries that impact many functional aspects of your work and lifestyle. For example, you’re unable to work for a year at your construction job ($50,000 yearly salary). You also undergo medical diagnostics, treatment, surgical procedures, and rehab that add up to $100,000 in expenses. With the help of an expert, you’re also able to estimate that your pain and suffering damages add up to $100,000. In total, then, your claimed damages may add up to $250,000.
Who decides fault in a car accident in Texas?
Fault in a car accident is decided by the court. However, fault principles vary from state to state. In Texas, the principle of “modified comparative fault” is imposed. What does this entail?
Modified comparative works like this: if you (the injured plaintiff) are partially at-fault, you are still entitled to sue and and recover damages. However, if you are more than 50 percent at-fault, then you are precluded from recovery. Worth noting is that even if you’re allowed to sue for damages, your compensation will be reduced by your percent fault contribution.
Let’s use a quick example to clarify how this works.
Suppose that you are injured in a car accident where you weren’t wearing a seatbelt. The court determines that (due to your failure to wear a seatbelt), you were 40 percent at-fault for your injuries. Your total damages are $100,000, and you’ll be allowed to sue and recover in Texas as you’re only 40 percent at-fault. However, your recovery will be reduced by 40 percent, resulting in a $60,000 compensation total. So you still get paid, but less than you would have received if you were not partially at-fault.
How much does a car accident lawyer in Houston cost?
If you’re looking for a car accident lawyer in Houston, chances are that you’re thinking about the cost — you may be concerned about the expense, and whether you can actually afford to hire a lawyer. Well, fear not! Most car accident lawyers — in Houston and elsewhere — work on a contingency basis.
Contingency fees are paid out as a percentage of the total compensation that your attorney secures on your behalf. In other words, you only pay if you win. If you don’t get compensated, then you don’t have to pay. So you won’t have any upfront costs at all. This makes it affordable for anyone to litigate a legitimate legal claim.
Further, contingency fee dynamics are a win-win. Because your attorney is paid a percentage of your compensation total, they get paid more if they win more on your behalf — this incentivizes them to litigate aggressively and secure the maximum compensation amount for you. They are also incentivized to work efficiently, as the sooner they can resolve your case, the more profitable it is for them.
How long do personal injury cases take to settle in Texas?
Personal injury cases vary when it comes to settlement timelines. Some cases can be settled in as little as a week, while other cases may take years to settle. And in fact, some cases never settle at all, and the parties are required to litigate the dispute at trial in order to secure a final resolution.
How long a case takes to settle will depend on a variety of factors, including:
- The hostility of the defendant
- The negative publicity the defendant will face if the case were to be litigated
- The financial resources that the defendant has at their disposal to fight the case
- The industry that the defendant is in
- The certainty of liability
- Whether there is substantial evidence supporting the plaintiff’s damages claim
- And more
So, for example, if the defendant is a hostile car manufacturer who wants to scare off other plaintiffs from suing them, they may be unwilling to reach a favorable early settlement — and any settlement could take a year or more to reach.
About Houston, TX and its Accident Risks
With a population of nearly 2.4 million, Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States, after New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. It also ranks as the fourth most diverse city in the United States, and hosts a number of major industries, including the oil, gas, and energy industry more broadly.
From a planning perspective, Houston has been built as a “car-first” city. This exposes drivers and passengers to a significant accident risk that residents of places like New York City do not necessarily get exposed to. Houston’s roadways are highly-trafficked and frequently used by residents and visitors alike.
Ranking high among the many dangerous roadways in Houston is the I-45, specifically the section between Beltway 8 and Downtown Houston, with a significant number of accidents reported every single year. If you’ve been injured in an accident on the I-45, or any other Houston roadway, then we encourage you to consider talking to a car accident lawyer in Houston who can help.
Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Houston, TX, then you could be entitled to damages under the law. Legal claims aren’t always easy to navigate for first-time plaintiffs, however, so it’s important that you consult a qualified attorney who can help you through the process from start to finish.
Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 to connect to one of our representatives. In just 10 minutes or less, they’ll find you a local car accident lawyer in our network who can provide a free consultation. During this consultation, you’ll have an opportunity to discuss your case and get professional guidance on your legal options (and next steps). There’s no obligation to continue if you decide against it, so there’s really no downside — call in today to get started!
We look forward to assisting you.
