If you or a loved one has been in an accident, filing a personal injury claim is an important step toward financial and emotional recovery. Managing a personal injury claim, whether it be independently or with an attorney, can be a long and stressful process.
However, equipping yourself with the right information is the first step in the right direction. Our team offers free consultations to help you through this process and discuss your legal options.
How to Know If You Should Hire an Attorney
Hiring an attorney to manage your personal injury claim is ultimately your choice. Just know that if you hire a personal injury lawyer, they can handle your case and:
- Help you meet the Texas statute of limitations
- Evaluate the value of damages
- Collect all of the relevant information for your claim
- Prove who is responsible for your losses
- Offer contingency-fee payment options
The Texas Statute of Limitations
According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, the state typically allows you to file your personal injury lawsuit within two years of the accident. If you wait too long to start your case, you could risk missing the deadline. As a result, you may not be allowed to secure compensation.
When pursuing a personal injury case, you don’t have to wait until you see the full impact of your injuries and losses before filing. For example, injuries like traumatic brain injuries can be difficult to diagnose and may take a while to reveal their long-term impact.
Our attorneys can help you determine the best time to file your case, and they can account for future medical costs in your settlement.
For a free legal consultation, call 877-239-4878
Evidence Will Be the Foundation of Your Personal Injury Claim
You and your lawyer must gather all of the information that’s relevant and helpful to your case.
Some important documents and evidence we recommend keeping a file of include:
- Official reports: police reports, medical reports (e.g., initial medical exams, second opinions, X-rays, and MRIs), private investigation and accident reconstruction reports
- Statements from witnesses and those involved in the accident
- Photographs of the scene of the accident and its surroundings, the injuries (both at the time of the accident and as time goes by), and the people involved
- W2 forms showing wages lost
- Bills and invoices, like medical bills, relevant repair bills, receipts, and estimates
- Insurance information, including whether someone involved in the accident is uninsured
Keeping copies of all the relevant documents and evidence is a great way to ensure that both you and your attorney have everything you need to successfully file your claim. Many people find it helpful to keep a journal of their physical and emotional symptoms following the accident as well.
Understanding Economic and Non-Economic Damages
During the filing process, you and your attorney will calculate the cost of the damages from your accident or injury. Your medical expenses, lost income, and any repair costs are called economic damages. These are any damages that can be easily calculated from bills, invoices, and receipts.
On the other hand, there are non-economic, which are harder to quantify. Sometimes non-economic damages are referred to as “pain and suffering.” When calculating these losses, you and your lawyer will discuss how to evaluate the financial value of the pain and suffering caused by the accident or injury. Examples of non-economic damages are:
- Disability
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
When it comes to calculating the cost of pain and suffering, it’s important to keep track of everything that relates to your physical and mental wellbeing after the accident or injury. Keeping a personal journal and asking your therapist or counselor for their notes are just a couple of ways that you can do this task.
How You Get Compensation
When you and your lawyer have calculated the amount you’re owed for your damages, we’ll inform the defendant on your behalf. You may be able to reach a settlement, or you may decide to go to court.
Also, keep in mind that comparative fault may come into play when you’re pursuing compensation. The judge uses relevant percentages of fault to determine the compensation amount. In other words, the amount you’ll be compensated depends on your percentage of fault for the accident. For example, if you’re 30% at fault, then you will receive 70% of your total compensation.
Contact our personal injury lawyers today
Call Loncar Lyon Jenkins Today
Let us help you sort out the relevant information, calculate the damages, and aid in your financial recovery so that you can heal with a little less weight on your shoulders. We help personal injury claimants, as well as those pursuing wrongful death action.
Call in the Strong Arm from Loncar Lyon Jenkins today. We will review your case for free.
Call or text 877-239-4878 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
