The short answer is — yes. In the state of Texas, there are a number of various personal and accidental injuries that are covered in the case of legal action. Unfortunately, most of us will suffer some sort of personal injury, whether it be while working or going about our daily lives. When an injury occurs, it’s important to understand what you can sue for, how long you have to file a suit or claim, what “shared fault” means, and how long the process lasts. In almost every case, a personal injury lawyer can assist you in answering these questions. At Salazar & Velazquez, we’d be more than happy to provide you with that assistance regardless of where or when the personal injury happened.
What Accidental Injury Can I Sue For?
There are many ways you can suffer a personal injury by accident, and it’s important to know what you can take legal action over. The most common type of accidental injury is one involving a motor vehicle — a car or truck accident, boating accident, pedestrian accident, or hit-and-runs, among others. Texas is considered an “at-fault state” when it comes to motor vehicle accidents. Because motor vehicle insurance is required across the state, more often than not, you would be filing a claim against the at-fault person’s insurance company to recover lost compensation and damages. In some rare cases, you can sue in an accident where there was no injury, but those situations are often unique and there are additional rules and limitations.
How Long Do I Have To File A Suit?
When filing a lawsuit, you have two years from the date of injury to file per the Texas statute of limitations. In some cases, you can have the filing deadline extended (or the timeline measured differently). In those instances, the best course of action is to seek out an established and trustworthy personal injury lawyer to guide you through that process.
Shared Fault Rules In Texas — What Is It?
There are some instances in an accidental injury case where a person or business you’re suing argues that you could possibly be to blame (or at least partially at fault). The state of Texas follows “modified comparative negligence rules” in those scenarios. What this means is that in the event of an injury, you could be partially found to be at fault, and your compensation will be reduced as a result. For example, if you’re rear-ended at a stoplight, but your brake lights weren’t operating when you were hit, you could be found to have some fault in the accident that resulted in your personal injury. Retaining a reputable personal injury lawyer will mitigate that possibility.
What Compensation Can I Sue For?
When filing a personal injury lawsuit, you have the right to seek financial awards for anything relating to your accident. This can be any medical care or expenses like physical therapy, medication, or surgeries, and it can cover property damage as well, like vehicle repair and replacement, or damage to your home or other property. You can also seek compensation for future income lost if you need time to recover after your accident or if the personal injury is severe enough that you cannot return to work at all. To the point, you shouldn’t have to pay if someone else caused your injury. Salazar & Velazquez will fight on your behalf to get every penny you deserve.
Personal injuries, and the legal recourse afterward, are stressful. Don’t wait until it’s too late to get the legal help you need. Contact us for your free consultation!