Houston, Texas, Personal Injury Lawyer
Houston is a bustling metropolis and a major hub within Texas, with millions of people living, commuting, and working in the city and its surrounding areas. In a city as dynamic as Houston, many people are injured at work and in the course of their daily activities on an almost daily basis. If you were involved in an accident that caused you serious injuries, contact my Houston, Texas, law firm, Jared Newman, Esq., right away. I am Jared Newman, and I fight to help victims of car accidents, slip-and-falls, and workplace injuries get compensation for the harms they have suffered. For a free legal consultation and help understanding how to proceed with your case, call me today to set up a free legal consultation.
Filing A Claim For Personal Injury In Houston
If you are injured in an accident in Texas, you are often entitled to sue the parties responsible. There are some limitations when it comes to car and workplace accidents, but I can often help with those issues, too.
How Personal Injury Claims Work In Texas
When you file a lawsuit for injuries, you must prove that someone else caused those injuries, either intentionally through violence or accidentally through “negligence.” You can get compensation in court if you were physically assaulted, but it is often harder to prove that someone injured you intentionally than it is to prove that they injured you negligently, so negligence claims make up the vast majority of personal injury claims filed in Houston.
To prove that someone injured you through negligence, you must prove four elements in your case:
- The at-fault party (the “defendant”) owed you a legal duty.
- The defendant breached that duty.
- That breach caused your injuries.
- You faced injuries and damages for which the court can order compensation.
In most cases, people owe you a legal duty to act in a reasonable manner. If people do dangerous things that put others at risk, they can be held responsible for the injuries those mistakes cause. The following are some common examples of accidents and injuries caused by breaches of duty that victims can usually sue for:
- Car accidents caused by drunk driving, speeding, or other dangerous decisions behind the wheel
- Slip-and-fall injuries caused by uncleaned spills in a store
- Electrocution injuries caused by exposed wiring in a friend’s house
- Falls from collapsing handrails at the mall
- Worsened medical conditions caused by negligent healthcare
- Injuries and illness caused by defective pharmaceuticals
- Injuries and crashes caused by defective auto parts
- Workplace injuries caused by defective equipment or negligent supervision
Car Accident Claims
As mentioned, car accident cases might work differently, and they may not be allowed to go straight to a lawsuit in Houston. Texas uses a fault-based car insurance system, which means that when you are injured in a car crash, you typically file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, if your injuries are severe, it might be in your best interest to file a lawsuit to pursue higher compensation. Talk to me about whether your case qualifies for a lawsuit, as this can often yield higher damages.
Work Injury Claims
I handle workers’ compensation claims for injured workers, but I can also file lawsuits for you if you qualify. Workers’ comp covers victims of workplace accidents without requiring them to prove who was at fault, but the damages are limited in these claims. To file a lawsuit for workplace injuries instead, you must file the claim against a third party in most cases. However, you can also sue your employer if they do not have workers’ compensation insurance, they injured you intentionally, or you were an independent contractor. Talk to a lawyer for help before accepting money for your workplace injuries, as a lawsuit might cover more damages.
Reasons To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer After An Accident
If you were injured in an accident, dealing with the aftermath alone can be a burden. Even if your family and friends support you, none of them can represent you and your claims in court unless they are licensed attorneys. Additionally, the at-fault parties will usually be represented by their own attorneys and insurance companies, which you will have to fight on your own if you do not hire a lawyer.
When you do hire me, I work to represent you and your best interests. This means using all of my knowledge and experience to help push your case forward and get you the compensation you deserve. I can also help find all the damages you could be entitled to and calculate them in a way that is favorable to you. In addition, I can stand up for you and work as a buffer between you and the insurance companies that might seek to settle your case too low or block your case entirely. I can advise you on all the decisions you need to make so that you do not feel taken advantage of or blindsided by anything in your case.
I Can Help
At my firm, Jared Newman, Esq., I represent victims of car accidents, medical negligence, slip-and-falls, product injury cases, and more. For help with your case, contact me today to set up a free legal consultation in which I can go over the facts of your case and help you understand what to expect moving forward. Call me today to set up your free legal consultation.