DECEMBER 22, 2023 – Do you know when you need a personal injury attorney? If you’re involved in an accident, injuries and property damage aren’t always severe. Sometimes, the damage is minimal or barely noticeable.
Your profession may also make hiring an attorney seem like it’s taking things to the extreme, like being a proud member of the military. Personal injury attorneys work for everyone, regardless of their clients’ professions or the accident’s severity. In fact, some attorneys are proudly helping the military community in Dallas with their personal injury claims.
If you’re not sure if you need a personal injury attorney, ask yourself the following questions.
How To Know If You Need A Personal Injury Lawyer
Chances are, if you’re wondering if you need a personal injury attorney, the answer is yes, even if you only have a few questions about your case.
Did you know some injury attorneys offer free consultations? You can discuss the incident and make your decision from there. Just because you’re consulting with an attorney doesn’t mean you’ve decided to file a claim—you’re only getting legal advice to help you make the best decision.
Were You Recently Involved in an Accident?
When you think of an accident, car collisions often come to mind. However, personal injury attorneys work on all types of accident cases. What are some examples of common accidents in Texas? These kinds of accidents include the following:
- Accidents involving motorized vehicles like cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs
- Commercial truck (for example, 18-wheelers) and van accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bus accidents
- Product-related accidents
- Property-related accidents (for example, slips and falls)
- Workplace accidents
Aviation accidents involving personally and commercially owned planes. Hot air balloon accidents and ones involving skydiving may also be eligible for a personal injury case.
Are Your Injuries Severe?
You can file for compensation regardless of the severity of your injuries. Even a few bruises can warrant a personal injury claim. However, if your injuries are serious you should contact an accident attorney. Some examples of severe injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back injuries
- Severe burns
- Loss of a digit or limb
- Vision loss and blindness
You may also sustain damage to your internal organs. In this instance, you should consider seeking financial compensation. However, before you can submit a claim, you must seek medical attention. Not only can this help prevent your injuries from worsening, but it’s also necessary to support your personal injury case.
Don’t forget, sometimes injuries take some time to fully appear. You may have internal injuries that don’t present immediate symptoms. This is why it’s always advisable to see a physician after being involved in any type of accident.
If the accident worsens or triggers a pre-existing medical condition, you may also be able to seek compensation. However, this only applies if you are treated for any injuries sustained in the incident.
Is Someone’s Negligence Responsible for the Accident?
Accidents can happen through no fault of yours or someone else. You may be taking a stroll through the woods and get hit by a falling tree branch. In this instance, it’s a true accident. You can’t bring a personal injury case against a tree or Mother Nature.
When the accident is the result of someone’s negligence or malicious actions, this is grounds for a personal injury claim. Knowing the difference between the types of accidents can be confusing, which is why it’s always best to consult with an attorney. Remember, most consultations are free. Even if the attorney informs you that there isn’t a case, at least you know for sure.
If there are grounds to file a claim, your attorney can get started immediately.
Did Your Accident Happen Recently?
When your accident occurred will determine if you can file a personal injury claim. In Texas, you have two years to submit a personal injury claim. The clock starts ticking on the date of the accident. If you miss the filing deadline you can’t file for compensation. This applies to both injuries and property damage.
How can you prove the date of the accident? The best way is by filing an accident report with the authorities. In most cases, you’ll file the report with the local police or sheriff’s office. For boating accidents, the Texas Department of Parks & Wildlife or the U.S. Coast Guard handles the report.
If you’re not sure who to contact, an accident attorney can help walk you through the necessary steps. After filing the report, it typically takes one week before you can obtain a copy. You need the accident report to verify your case and the date of the incident.
Have You Settled with an Insurance Company?
If you’ve reached and accepted a settlement offer from an insurance company, you can’t file a personal injury claim. Accepting a settlement offer indicates your case is resolved. Even the best personal injury attorney in Texas won’t be able to reopen your case. The law is pretty clear about refiling for additional damages.
This is why it’s always best to contact an attorney before dealing with insurance companies. Your attorney can help you negotiate a settlement that covers all of your expenses. Along with compensating you for injuries and property damage, your attorney may also be able to claim non-economic damages like pain, suffering, and a decreased enjoyment of life.
Are You Committed to Working with an Attorney?
Even though your attorney will shoulder most of the work involving your case, you also have an obligation to your personal injury lawyer.
Your job is to follow your attorney’s instructions and show up for all negotiations and court dates. Failure to do so can compromise your case. You may not receive full compensation or risk having your case dismissed.
Contact an Attorney If You’re Involved in an Accident
If you’re involved in an accident, your best course of action is contacting an experienced personal injury attorney.
Even if it’s decided you do not have a case, at least you have some peace of mind. This is better than wondering if you should have filed a claim. Don’t forget, all it costs for a consultation is your time.