Why You See So Many Billboards of Personal Injury Lawyers in Houston

Personal injury cases can be tricky to navigate. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be wondering if hiring an attorney is the right move for you. Here are four questions to ask yourself before making a decision.

You’ve been in an accident. Maybe you were rear-ended at a stop light or slipped and fell in a restaurant. Whatever the case, you’ve sustained some injuries and you want justice. You want the person who caused this pain to be held accountable and you want compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

The first thing you might think to do is call a personal injury lawyer. But is that really the best course of action? How do you know if your case is strong enough to warrant legal action? How do you know if you even need a lawyer in the first place?

Asking yourself these four questions can help give you some clarity.

Do I Have a Case?

The first question you need to ask yourself is whether or not you have a case. To have a successful personal injury claim, negligence must be proved. This means that the other party did not act with reasonable care and, as a result, caused an accident that led to your injuries.                                                                                                           

For example, if you were hit by a car while crossing the street, the driver would probably be found negligent because he or she did not yield the right of way. However, if you were hit by a car while jaywalking, it would be more difficult to prove negligence on the part of the driver because jaywalking is against the law—meaning you weren’t following traffic laws either.                                                                                                      

Another factor that needs to be considered is causation. Did the defendant’s actions actually cause your injuries? For example, let’s say you were involved in a car accident and suffered whiplash as a result. However, it was later revealed that you had pre-existing neck problems. In this instance, it may be difficult to prove causation because there’s no way to know for sure whether or not your pre-existing condition would have flared up even if you hadn’t been in an accident.

What Are My Injuries?

The severity of your injuries will play a major role in determining whether or not it’s worth your time and money to hire an attorney and file a personal injury claim. If your injuries are minor (think: cuts and bruises), then it’s probably not worth going through all the hassle of finding an attorney, building a case, etc. However, if your injuries are more severe (think: broken bones or something that will require long-term treatment), then it might make sense to seek legal recourse.

How Much Time Do I Have?

In New York State, most personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the date of the accident/incident (with some exceptions). This time frame—known as the statute of limitations—varies from state to state, so it’s important that you know how much time you have to file a claim in your state before making any decisions about hiring an attorney. Once this time period expires, in most cases, your right to file a claim expires as well—meaning you will likely not receive any compensation for your injuries/losses.

 Can I Handle It Myself? 

If your case is fairly straightforward and there isn’t much negotiating involved (for example, if liability is clear and there aren’t any disputes about damages), then it might make sense for you to handle things on your own instead of paying an attorney by the hour. However, if liability is disputed or if complex legal issues are involved (such as those related to insurance coverage), then it might be worth hiring an experienced attorney who knows how to navigate these types of situations effectively. Moreover, even if liability is clear, insurance companies will often lowball victims in an effort to settle quickly and cheaply. Best personal injury attorneys in Houston will likely be able get you a higher settlement than what the insurance company initially offers.  

Every personal injury situation is different, so there is no one – size – fits – all answer when it comes to deciding whether or not hiring an attorney is the best course of action.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Houston, you’re not alone; thousands of people are involved in accidents every year. And if you need help getting compensated for your injuries or damages, our best Houston personal injury lawyer can assist you.