What questions do you have about your accident or injury?
Please feel free to ask us anything. We would like to hear from you if you or a loved one is injured. Tell us about your accident, and ask any questions you can think of. We are here to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I have been hurt in an accident that was someone else’s fault?
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First, understand that the other drivers’ insurance company is not your friend. The adjuster’s goal is to 1) Try and avoid paying anything, and 2) If they have to pay, to pay as little as possible, and 3) Delay, delay, delay. Remember, the big insurance companies collect premiums in the billions and cover losses in the hundreds of millions (if not billions). The interest on that kind of money is phenomenal. Every day they can make you wait is more money for them.
So, if you are hurt, do not wait on the other side’s insurance company. Go to the doctor as soon as possible. KEEP GOING TO THE DOCTOR for as long as you still have problems.
It is also essential that you talk to an experienced Texas personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You need specific advice if you have been involved in a severe car crash or truck accident.
When do I not need a car accident lawyer?
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If you are hurt and need medical treatment, most likely, you will also need a lawyer.
Strong Warning Here:
Referrals to specialists are critical if you are suffering from an ongoing injury. However, if you are dealing with this alone and have yet to consult an attorney, seriously consider calling someone now. We say this relates to what is mentioned above: insurance companies look to medical documentation to establish whether you are hurt (more of whether you can prove you are injured). And here’s the problem. There are many qualified specialists out there. But doctors typically work on what’s called a reciprocal referral basis. In other words, Dr. Smith refers all his hurt back patients to the doctor who sends him OBGYN patients.The last thing you need when you have been in a car accident is to have your well-meaning family doctor refer you to the insurance company's hired gun! Unfortunately, unless you are a trial lawyer who knows the doctors in your area, you have no way of knowing who to avoid. If you have been seriously injured and are at the stage where it is time to start seeing specialists, I would strongly urge you to talk to an experienced Texas attorney who is familiar with the doctors you need to avoid.
Why does the other driver’s insurance company refuse to pay my medical bills?
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The answer is sad but simple.
The insurance company knows that if you cannot afford to go to the doctor, you will not be able to prove you were hurt in the accident, and they will not have to pay you anything. Likewise, if they help you and your family by paying your lost wages while you are off work, you are much more likely to be able to afford medical treatment. Again, the insurance company knows that if you have medical treatment, you can prove you are hurt, which means they will have to pay more. They know that if you cannot afford medical treatment…or the light bill, you will accept pennies on the dollar for your claim out of desperation.
An experienced lawyer can usually help his clients find and obtain the medical treatment they need while their case is still pending.
What will it cost?
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Our office provides free initial consultations. If we can’t help you, there is no charge. If you hire us, we work on a contingency fee basis, so we don’t get paid attorney fees until you receive a recovery. Texas Law Office advances all litigation expenses up front, and you don’t have to pay anything unless we win a successful verdict or settlement on your behalf.
Why do I need a lawyer, or why do I need a personal injury trial lawyer?
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The short answer is: 1) To avoid pitfalls, 2) To identify issues that might not be obvious to a non-lawyer, and 3) To know that you have a trained professional on your side.
To illustrate, a trained personal injury lawyer should know that as many as 29 separate insurance policies and coverage might apply in the following simple auto accident.
In “Vehicle 1,” a 16-year-old driver and her two friends (both minors). The car belongs to the driver’s grandmother. Assume our 16-year-old driver pulls out from a stop sign (perhaps without looking as well as she should) and has a car crash with a speeding pickup truck. [Vehicle 2] The pickup driver borrowed it from a friend and was making a delivery for the driver’s boss at the time of the accident.
A ‘non-personal injury” lawyer would unlikely see 29 potential auto insurance coverages under these short facts, but there are many possibilities.
In addition to auto insurance policies, a trained personal injury attorney would also examine whether the traffic signs complied with state law and design specifications. He or she might also investigate potential product liability claims if an injury was caused by a failure of the car’s safety features, seatbelts, airbags, etc.
What kind of damages can be recovered from a truck accident?
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Injuries sustained from truck accidents can be life-altering. Apart from the medical bills and missed time at work, the injuries suffered can cause bills that accumulate and burden the victims along with the families of victims.
Some of the most common types of damages recovered in injury cases can include:
Medical treatments
Surgery costs
Medical devices
Lost wages
Damages to property
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium
Injuries suffered from a truck accident can quickly cause high amounts of bills resulting from medical treatment, leading to financial stress for victims and their families. If you have been victimized by a truck accident and are left dealing with insurance companies and high medical bills, our Lufkin truck accident attorneys are here to help recover what was lost during the accident.
What are other ‘good ideas’ if I have been involved in an accident besides calling a lawyer?
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Understand that with the shock of being in an accident, the rush of adrenaline, and simply the way the human body works, it may take a few days to know if you have been seriously injured.
For example, a spinal injury can take months to become symptomatic following a car accident. Therefore, it is essential to record basic information about the facts of the accident. Police officers usually do a good job recording information, but they don’t always write down the names of every witness. Sometimes, witnesses leave before the police arrive or leave before the police write down their names.
You'll always need to write down the name and phone number of all witnesses. It might be important later. Take pictures if you have a camera, even on your cell phone. Don’t bother trying to get detailed images of the damage to your car at the scene, which can be done later by your attorney, the body shop, or the insurance company. Take pictures from a distance that show the car's position about each other and other objects at the scene, like a sign, driveway, or building. These signs or landmarks can later be used to create a scaled diagram of the accident if needed. Likewise, a picture showing impact debris of the other person’s car in your lane is 100 times more important than a close-up of your smashed bumper.
Is there anything special I should keep in mind when seeing my doctor?
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Yes! Tell your doctor about all your symptoms. Make a list of your symptoms and any questions you may have to take to appointments.
Even though you feel it is “no big thing” now, anything from dry mouth to headaches, dizziness, or hyperventilation may indicate something more serious. Anything that is out of the ordinary is a symptom and should be reported to assist your doctor in making an informed diagnosis. For example, a tingling in your fingers or weakness in your arm could be a sign of major disruption to the disks in your neck.
How long do I have to make a claim?
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Every state has what is called a “statute of limitations” for different types of claims, which sets deadlines for filing suit. If you fail to file suit before the deadline, you lose your right to be compensated for your damages.
In Texas, the deadlines can range from a few months to many years. For example, in most personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is two years from the act that caused the damage. (Date of the car accident, for example.) However, if the claim is against a governmental entity (if you were hit by a city bus, for example), you must notify the city or state within 6 months, or you lose your claim. Most breach of contract claims have four years from when the contract was broken to bring a claim, but a bank can wait six years to sue you on a consumer loan. (Perhaps banks have better lobbyists than accident victims.)
You might have heard that a child’s claim doesn’t start to run until he or she turns eighteen. This is true. However, the child’s medical bills are the legal obligation of (and claim of) the parents, which means the two-year statute of limitations applies to the child’s medical bills.
The bottom line is that the time you have to make a claim varies widely based on the type of claim and the state where the action or event occurred. This is one of the reasons you should speak to an attorney sooner rather than later.
What do I do when the insurance company for the other side calls me?
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Always be polite. However, it is almost always better to ask the insurance company to send you their contact information in a letter and to let them know that you are retaining an attorney to help you with your claim. Once you hire an attorney, all communications should go through your attorney.
What is the statute of limitations for truck injuries in Texas?
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For many civil cases involving damages pertaining to injuries, jurisdictions will outline a time limit, or statute of limitations, for a personal injury victim to file suit. Per Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Sec. 16.003, in the State of Texas, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury.
Due to the two-year statute of limitations associated with personal injuries in Texas, it is best to consult with a truck accident attorney immediately after an accident occurs. While victims recover from injuries suffered, our lawyers can begin the research mandated to help recoup damages for what was lost in the accident.
Should I accept an insurance offer without consulting with an attorney?
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Insurance companies will often lowball victims of personal injuries. These settlements can be significantly lower than an attorney can recover in damages and negotiations with the insurance company. To maximize the amount of damages recovered by a victim and their families, it is best to work with an attorney in your area who specializes in truck accidents.
After an accident involving a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck, the victim should focus on the most important thing—their health and recovery. Dealing with insurance companies and recouping damages can be left to the professionals. At Texas Law Office, our attorneys work to maximize compensation for what was lost during an accident.
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