If you’ve been injured by a defective or dangerous product, in a motor vehicle accident that was someone else’s fault or in a slip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries under Texas personal injury law. A Houston personal injury lawyer can review the details of your accident and associated injuries and help you pursue the responsible party (known as the defendant) to get the compensation you deserve.
Types of Texas Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury law, also known as accident law, covers accidents and injuries where the victim bears little to no blame. These can include:
- Airplane crashes
- Animal bites
- Birth injuries
- Boating accidents
- Car crashes
- Construction accidents
- Dangerous and defective products
- Medical malpractice
- Mesothelioma
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Railroad accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Work accidents
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you’re the victim of an accident or injury (known as the plaintiff), you can hire a Houston accident attorney on a contingency fee. When you hire a lawyer on contingency, the attorney only he or she is able to collect money on your behalf. The fee is typically calculated as a percentage of your winnings, plus expenses. If your case is unsuccessful, then you’ll owe nothing to your lawyer.
People or businesses who are being sued in personal injury lawsuits (known as defendants) cannot hire lawyers on contingency. Instead, you’ll have to pay your lawyer either an hourly fee or a flat fee. These legal costs may be covered by your insurance company.
Time Limit to File a Houston Personal Injury Lawsuit
Every state imposes a time limit, known as a statute of limitations, on lawsuits. In Texas, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of your accident or the date the injury was discovered. If you wait even one day too long to file your case, you’ll be unable to recover any compensation from the defendant.
It’s important to note that the statute of limitations is the deadline to file a lawsuit. Even if you’ve previously filed a claim with an insurance company, for example, you’ll still have just two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. Also, this is only the deadline to file your case. If the trial extends beyond the two-year mark, you’ll still be entitled to compensation if you wine your case.
