When you get injured due to someone else’s negligence, it is most likely a personal injury. Personal injuries can happen anywhere, at the hospital, a local park, or when you’re driving in your car. Determining if your injury is a personal injury can be tricky, but that’s why we’re here to help.
Our personal injury attorneys at the Buzbee Law Firm explain the types of injuries that fall under personal injury law. Knowing if your injury qualifies as a personal injury can help you start building a strong case. If you have one of the types of injuries, a personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the legal process.
What Injuries Count as Personal Injury?
Personal injury law deals with injuries that result from accidents, illnesses, or trauma. These injuries often affect the physical or psychological being of the person. Victims can heal from these injuries or they may have them the rest of their life.
The majority of personal injury claims are for traffic accidents like car and truck accidents. However, medical malpractice, sexual assault, and wrongful death also fall under the umbrella of personal injury law.
Diseases and illnesses can also be personal injuries. For example, if you were exposed to hazardous chemicals at work and you develop a disease like asbestos, that would qualify as workplace injury that is a personal injury.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Personal Injury Case?
There is no exact average amount of settlement for personal injury cases, but cases can range from settlement amounts of $3,000 to millions of dollars. Mild injuries such as whiplash or broken bones usually result in a settlement ranging from $3,000 to $10,000.
The more serious your physical injuries and mental anguish are, the higher the chances you have of receiving a large settlement. Severe injuries and psychological trauma can require lifelong physical therapy and mental health assistance, so you’ll need more money to cover your expenses.
The Statute of Limitations Can Affect Your Settlement
The amount of your settlement also depends on whether you filed within Texas’ statute of limitations. According to Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003, Texas gives personal injury victims two years from the day of their injury to file a personal injury claim. Filing before the deadline increases the chances of getting a larger settlement.
If you file after the deadline, you may lose out on getting the full settlement or any settlement at all. The only way to know how long you have to file is by meeting with a Texas personal injury attorney that can tell you the best time to file for your case.
What Damages Are Involved in a Personal Injury Case?
There are various damages that you can recover in a personal injury case. The two types of damages are economic and non-economic. Economic damages have a dollar value to them, while non-economic damages do not. Some of the most common damages you may be eligible to receive include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Future lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Ambulance transportation
A personal injury attorney in Texas can help you identify all the damages that you qualify for. In personal injury cases, there may be multiple parties involved that you can recover damages. Recovering compensation from multiple parties can increase the amount of your compensation.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney for My Case?
A personal injury attorney’s expertise is a valuable asset to have on your side. One of the many benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney is that your chances of winning your case with a high compensation increase. By having a lawyer’s experience and dedication to your case, you can build a stronger case instead of trying to defend yourself.
Another benefit of having a personal injury lawyer is that they know the true value of your claim from their years of experience. This is helpful when you meet with the insurance company that will try to devalue your claim. A lawyer can step in when the insurance company tries to offer you a lowball settlement and show the claims adjuster evidence that your case is worth more.
Get the Settlement You Deserve With the Buzbee Law Firm
Our personal injury lawyers at the Buzbee Law Firm are knowledgeable about personal injury law and can help you determine if your case qualifies. And if you end up having to take your case to trial and go to the courtroom, we are ready.
If you’re ready to get compensation for your personal injury claim, we’re waiting to hear from you. Give us a call or fill out the contact form on our website today to start your free consultation.
