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Personal injury cases are pretty common, and they may encompass a broad spectrum of injuries and claims. Your first step is to hire a lawyer with experience handling cases like yours. Your next step is to determine the extent of your claim and what kind of financial compensation is considered fair.
The key element of personal injury cases is that plaintiffs must have some form of bodily harm. As such, plaintiffs often need urgent medical care after an accident. You might also need long-term care if your injuries are serious, which may add up to incredibly high costs. You should contact an attorney about your situation soon, as the time to file might be running out. We need as much time as possible to explore your legal options, including lawsuits, insurance claims, and private settlements.
Receive a private, free case assessment from our personal injury lawyers by calling The Queenan Law Firm at (817) 476-1797.
Necessary Medical Care After a Personal Injury
Personal injuries may range from mild to severe, and your medical needs will similarly vary. Remember, your injuries do not have to be extreme or life-altering to warrant financial compensation. Even somewhat minor or moderate injuries may lead to big hospital bills that you should include in your case.
Immediately after the accident, you may need emergency treatment. Call 911 and go to the hospital immediately. If your injuries are not super severe, you might drive yourself or have someone else drive you to the hospital shortly after being injured. Emergency care may include X-rays, tests, scans, and even surgery in serious cases.
Our personal injury attorneys should also consider your long-term treatment needs. Serious injuries may involve lengthy recovery periods, and you may require ongoing care for an extended period. Your medical costs will continue to add up, and your damages may be substantial.
Some people are so badly injured that they need lifelong care for permanent injuries or disabilities. Not only will this cost an exorbitant amount of money over time, but you might also deal with serious psychological turmoil.
When to Call a Lawyer About Your Personal Injuries in Coppell
Civil claims must be filed within a specific period set by the statute of limitations. In Texas, personal injury cases must be filed according to Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003(a), and you have 2 years to file.
Your time to file the case begins when the cause of action accrues. For many, this is the same day the accident occurs, so the clock may already be ticking. However, this is not the same in every case. Many plaintiffs may have the statute of limitations tolled if they cannot file for reasons beyond their control, and they may have more time to prepare.
Tolling for minors and people with legal disabilities is described under § 16.001(b). Minors who have personal injuries may have 2 years to file, starting from when they turn 18, not necessarily the day of the accident. People with legal disabilities, which are often mental conditions that make filing impossible, may have 2 years from when their condition subsides.
If the statute of limitations has closed on your case, you might be time-barred from filing your personal injury claims. As such, you should call a lawyer for help as soon as possible.
Legal Options for Financial Compensation for Personal Injuries
While you may need financial compensation to cover your damages after an accident, how we get this compensation will vary based on your circumstances. Your attorney can help you decide the best path forward.
File a Lawsuit
One option is to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person, people, or organizations you believe are responsible for the accident. While lawsuits are known for being difficult and time-consuming, they may lead to a substantial award of financial compensation.
You may file your case against as many defendants as you believe are necessary to get justice. While many people sue only one other person, it is also possible to sue multiple individuals or even larger organizations, such as a business.
File an Insurance Claim
Some injured victims find that an insurance claim is a better option. Insurance claims tend to move a bit faster than lawsuits, and the rules around evidence and proving your claims might not be quite as strict as a court of law. However, insurance claims are not guaranteed to succeed.
The insurance company may deny your claim if it feels you have not proven how the other person is responsible for your injuries. If this happens, you can appeal the denial, but this may take more time. In other cases, the victim’s damages exceed the insurance policy’s limits, and they may be left with unpaid damages.
Negotiate a Private Settlement
Other victims might work out a private settlement agreement with the person or people who caused the accident. While a private settlement does not involve going to court, it may still be legally binding. Once you accept a settlement, it might not be possible to change your mind later, so you should review your options with a lawyer before accepting anything.
Damages Available in a Coppell Personal Injury Case
Your damages may be much higher than you realize, and a lawyer can help you review your damages so that you get all the financial compensation you deserve.
Economic Damages
Personal injuries often lead to big hospital bills. The more severe your injuries are, the higher your medical bills will likely be. If your injuries are especially serious or complicated, you might require long-term care. Many years of medical care may be far more than you can afford, and you should factor it into your claim for damages.
Some people cannot go back to work because of their injuries, and they lose valuable income. You can claim the income you have lost and the future income you may lose after your case is over as part of your economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Your non-economic damages may be trickier to evaluate because they are subjective and unique to each person. How you deal with these damages and the toll they take on your life may determine how much they are worth. You can claim the physical pain from injuries, the trauma from the accident, and psychological distress from long-term medical complications or disabilities.
Call Our Coppell Personal Injury Attorneys to Discuss Your Claims
Receive a private, free case assessment from our personal injury lawyers by calling The Queenan Law Firm at (817) 476-1797.