Posted on March 27, 2022 in Car Accidents

The costs of being hit by a negligent driver can far exceed the value of your vehicle and medical bills. When you stop and think about every expense or financial loss you would not be dealing with if it were not for your car accident, it  probably adds up more than you might have initially realized. The good news is that you can recover damages for quite a few different types of losses. The car insurance company is not likely to make an offer that fully compensates you if you try to negotiate with them alone. Before you speak with an insurance company, be sure to speak with an attorney who can give you a better idea of what your claim might actually be worth. 

What Types of Damages Can I Recover After an Auto Accident?

You probably already know that you can recover the cost of your medical bills and the cost of repairing or totaling out your vehicle. You may also be able to recover: 

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 Posted on March 14, 2022 in Car Accidents

In rare cases—but maybe not as rare as you think—the state can be held liable for car accidents. Drivers have a duty to use appropriate care to avoid accidents. The state has a duty to make sure the roads are reasonably safe to drive on. When road conditions are dangerous in a way that the state has control over, the state could be held responsible for any injuries that occur. If you get hurt in an auto accident due to hazardous road conditions, you may want to speak to an attorney to determine whether the state may be liable. 

What Kind of Road Hazards Can Cause Crashes the State is Liable for?

The state of Texas is responsible for maintaining the roads in safe condition. When it does not, it can be held liable for the injuries it causes. The state could be liable to you if your accident was caused by hazards like:

• Obstructed views - When you are trying to safely get through an intersection or exit a plaza, it is extremely important that you are able to see traffic coming from both directions, important signs, and anything else in your path. When bushes or trees are allowed to grow out of control, they can obstruct drivers’ view. This can lead to accidents as drivers cross paths with other vehicles they could not see. 

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 Posted on February 28, 2022 in Work Accidents

You are probably familiar with workers’ compensation. It is a specialized type of insurance that most employers pay for so that if a worker gets injured on the job, the insurance company pays the claim. In most states, workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory for most employers to carry. This is not the case in Texas. Some Texas employers opt-out of purchasing this type of insurance. These employers are referred to as non-subscribers. Should an employee of a non-subscriber become injured at work, the company itself may be liable to their injured employee. However, rather than simply filing a claim with an insurance company, you may need to take your employer to court. If you got hurt at work and your company does not carry workers’ compensation insurance, you should prepare for a potential lawsuit and contact an attorney immediately. 

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 Posted on February 14, 2022 in Catastrophic Injuries

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be a fun and romantic holiday. However, some of the enjoyable gifts we associate with the holiday can become dangerous. There are certain risks associated with any holiday - drunk driving is always a big one - and a few that are unique to Valentine’s Day. Some of these risks affect everyone. Others are more likely to affect children. If you or your child suffered any of these injuries on Valentine’s Day, you may want to speak to a personal injury attorney to determine whether another party may be liable for your injuries. It is best to call a lawyer as soon are you are able to after your injury. The sooner an attorney can begin investigating your case, the easier it may be to build your case. 

What Valentine’s Day Injuries Might Someone Else Be Liable For?

Valentine’s Day is not typically thought of as a dangerous holiday, but it can be when people are negligent and celebrate in an unsafe manner. Common types of personal injuries on Valentine’s Day include: 

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 Posted on January 25, 2022 in Truck Accidents

Most parents, when asked whether they would allow their teenager to drive a tractor-trailer, would probably answer with a resounding “no.” However, a new law has gone into effect that will allow people as young as 18 years old to drive semi-trucks across state lines. While most states allow some semi-truck operation by those under 21 years old, they have traditionally been restricted from long-haul drives that take them out of the state. The danger associated with these enormous vehicles has many people concerned that the highways could become less safe with the passage of this new law. 

If you are injured in a big rig accident, it is important to seek prompt medical attention and then call an attorney. The sooner your lawyer can start investigating the crash on your behalf, the more likely it is that critical evidence at the scene of the accident will be found and properly documented in time. 

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 Posted on January 13, 2022 in Uncategorized

Premises liability is a relatively broad category in civil lawsuits. Generally, if you got hurt on someone else’s property, including in a place of business, your injury likely falls under the umbrella of premises liability. Most of these lawsuits are the result of some type of accident, but premises liability also covers some limited cases involving intentional injuries, like those sustained during an assault. Deciding who is liable for these types of often very serious injuries can sometimes be complicated, especially when multiple careless actors or product defects come into play. 

If you were hurt while on another’s property, speaking to an attorney may be the first step towards recovering possible compensation. 

What Types of Incidents Lead to Premises Liability Claims?

All sorts of accidents, mishaps, and even crimes can happen when a business or property owner fails to keep his premises reasonably safe. That said, there are a few broad categories of personal injuries that often lead to a lawsuit grounded in premises liability. They include:

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 Posted on December 20, 2021 in Car Accidents

You have probably been told many times what to do after a motor vehicle accident if you were driving. However, few would know what steps to take after being hit by a car as a pedestrian. In many cases, the pedestrian is transported to the hospital by ambulance immediately after the accident and is unable to even exchange information with the driver at the scene. One of the smartest things you can do after getting hit by a car, as soon as you are able, is to contact an attorney. A qualified lawyer can take over investigating the accident and building your case while you recover. 

What to Do if You Are Hit by a Car While Walking

Accidents between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian tend to cause severe injuries. Recovering compensation for all your costs such as medical expenses and lost wages can be very important, as these costs can be quite high. Steps you can take to help preserve your claim and set you on the path to receiving compensation include: 

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 Posted on December 13, 2021 in Truck Accidents

After a car accident, it may seem like your to-do list is neverending. You may have doctor’s visits, physical therapy appointments, and even counseling appointments, all on top of arranging to have your car repaired or replaced. When a car insurance company calls you about the accident, it may be tempting to simply get the conversation over with as quickly as possible so you can get back to everything else. However, doing so could affect your claim. 

Before you speak with an insurance company, you may want to speak to a lawyer. An attorney who is experienced with car accident cases can protect your interests during any dealings with insurance agents. 

What Should I Keep in Mind When an Insurance Company Calls?

Most people receive a phone call from insurance within a few days of the crash. This is hardly enough time for many accident victims to recuperate from the accident and adequately prepare for the conversation. When insurance calls you about an accident, remember these tips: 

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 Posted on November 19, 2021 in Truck Accidents

After a car accident, the faster you act, the better. The sooner you start the process of seeking compensation, the more likely it is that needed evidence will be easily located and preserved. However, it is not always possible to act right after a car accident. Delayed injuries may not be easily attributed to the crash for some time, and people under legal disability often cannot file a lawsuit right away. While the statute of limitations for filing a claim is two years in Texas, there are a variety of situations that may extend that limit. If you were hurt in a car accident, whether recently or last year, it may be wise to speak to a qualified attorney when you are able. 

What is the Texas Car Accident Statute of Limitations? 

In Texas, the general rule is that you have two years from the date of the crash to file a complaint with the court. Statutes of limitations serve an important purpose. Years after a car crash, much of the evidence has probably been lost and witnesses have likely forgotten what they saw. Despite this proof problem, there are a few exceptions for special cases where the statute of limitations can be paused, including: 

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 Posted on November 08, 2021 in Truck Accidents

Texas is the only state in the nation that does not require employers to subscribe to workers’ compensation. In every other state, an injured employee’s only recourse is through workers compensation. In Texas, however, an injured employee who works for a non-subscribing employer has the right to sue for compensation. Interestingly, workers have the upper hand in non-subscriber injury cases in one key way - the employer’s defenses are limited. 

If you were hurt on the job and your employer is a non-subscriber, it is very important that you talk to a qualified lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney will want to begin his own investigation without delay, and will be able to tell you if any of these restricted defenses could help your case. 

Which Defenses are Unavailable to a Non-Subscribing Employer? 

Employers who subscribe to workers’ compensation insurance have a few defenses available to them that non-subscribers cannot use. If your employer is a non-subscriber, they cannot raise any of these defenses: 

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