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Accidents that lead to severe injuries happen every day in Fort Worth. While not every accident is serious, some of these events can lead to significant losses and even life-long implications for the injured person. If you were injured in an accident that was caused by someone else, a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer at DFW Injury Lawyers can help.
Whether you were injured heading to work in Downtown Fort Worth, strolling around the Historic Stockyard District, or driving along I-35W, if someone else caused your crash, fall, or other accident, you may be able to hold them responsible for your financial losses.
During a free consultation, we can discuss the cause of your accident, who may be held responsible, and the legal options available to you. If someone else owed you a legal duty of care and failed to uphold it, you might be able to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit. If successful, these legal actions can help you cover the past and future expenses associated with your losses.
Knowing your legal rights, investigating the cause of your accident, and collecting evidence is hard enough on its own, but handling all of this on top of recovering from an injury can feel impossible. For that reason, you should discuss your situation with a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer who can help you make an informed choice about how to handle the matter.
Here at DFW Injury Lawyers, we know how frustrating it is to deal with a mountain of bills as a result of someone else’s negligence or carelessness. Learn more about how filing a personal injury lawsuit can potentially help you receive justice and compensation from the at-fault party during a free, no-obligation case review.
Key Takeaways
- A personal injury lawsuit requires the knowledge, experience, and skill of a Fort Worth attorney.
- Our attorneys can help determine whether someone else’s negligence caused your personal injury.
- At DFW Injury Lawyers, our personal injury lawyers handle a variety of claims and can help you recover the most possible compensation.
What Can a Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer Do for You?
If you’ve never pursued a personal injury claim before, then you might not know about the many benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer.
After being injured in an accident caused by someone else, your first thought may be that the other party should step up and pay for your losses. Unfortunately, people rarely do this without legal intervention. Instead, the burden of proving and recovering compensation for your losses will be on your shoulders.
The main advantage of hiring a personal injury lawyer in the Fort Worth offices of DFW Injury Lawyers is that you’ll be able to rely on our knowledge and experience to help you build and file a strong personal injury claim at the outset. Working with our legal team will inevitably lead to a better outcome.
Our DFW injury lawyers will first help you determine if you have the basis to pursue compensation. From there, we’ll help you value your losses. Using this information, you can make a decision about whether it makes sense to take legal action.
If you decide to go forward, our lawyers can help you collect evidence, negotiate with insurance adjusters and the other party, file all your paperwork, uphold your rights, and help you receive the maximum possible amount of compensation.
How a Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Determines Negligence
Determining whether negligence exists in your personal injury situation is paramount to your case. If another party is not negligent in causing your accident and related losses, no legal claim is possible.
Negligence, in simple terms, means that one party had a legal duty to provide for the care of another party, and the first party breached, or failed to uphold, that duty. That failure to take reasonable care is called negligence under the law. In personal injury claims, the negligent party may be held financially responsible and legally liable for the accident.
What if you bear some responsibility for your accident?
Our state follows a modified comparative negligence standard. which means that your overall compensation award can be reduced based on your degree of negligence. For instance, if you were texting on the phone and another driver was speeding and an accident results, then your own negligence might result in a smaller settlement.
Our state uses a modified comparative negligence standard. which means that your overall compensation award can be reduced based on your degree of negligence.
Common Types of Injuries Our Personal Injury Lawyers Handle
Personal injury accidents range in type and severity. Typically, a claim for compensation isn’t pursued unless the injuries are substantial and/or long-lasting. Here are some of the most common types of injuries that result in personal injury claims:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Third or fourth-degree burns
These injuries can lead to significant and long-term losses. Below, we’ll explain in more detail how and why these types of injuries often lead to legal claims.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries are life-altering. These injuries occur when an impact to the brain causes damage. A TBI can result in temporary (or permanent) personality changes, memory loss, and mobility problems. Sometimes, a TBI can leave a person unable to remain independent or work. These individuals may need permanent care providers.
Even when the outlook isn’t this severe, those who suffer from these injuries usually have to re-learn skills, cope with various debilitating symptoms, and more. Losses aren’t limited to the costs associated with the medical care needed to cope, either. Injured individuals will also likely suffer from lost wages and emotional distress.
After an accident that results in a TBI, contact our personal injury lawyers in Fort Worth to talk about what happened. With such potentially devastating losses, you want to be sure that you explore all possible avenues for compensation.
Back Injuries
Another common reason for filing personal injury claims is back injuries. Back injuries can manifest in the form of:
- Herniated discs
- Fractured vertebra
- Back sprains or strains
- Degenerative spinal disorders caused by trauma to the back
Since your spinal cord directs your movement, any injury to your back can cause serious mobility problems or even paralysis.
Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash is a very serious neck injury that often result from accidents. Whiplash happens when a person’s head is forced forward then backward (or the opposite) with such force that it has a lasting impact on the neck’s muscles, nerves, discs, and tendons.
Whiplash can impact a person’s ability to work, and it can lead to serious pain, too.
If you’re facing pushback from parties attempting to minimize your whiplash injuries, consult with our Fort Worth whiplash injury attorneys to ensure you receive a fair settlement or verdict.
Paralysis Injuries
Serious accidents can cause paralysis. Paralysis means an inability to control your movements.
Paralysis injuries range in severity. Complete paralysis leads to an inability to sense, feel, or control any movement below the area of the spinal cord that was injured. An incomplete injury means that the person may still retain some motor functions or feelings. Paralysis can also occur only to the bottom half of the body, or it can include the victim’s hands and arms.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are a type of back injury that can lead to paralysis. These types of injuries can also result in a host of other symptoms, too, though depending on where the injury occurs and how serious it is overall.
The legal muscle you need to win
When Should I Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in Fort Worth?
While accident-related injuries happen daily throughout Fort Worth, not every incident gives rise to a personal injury claim. In general, you should contact a personal injury lawyer when:
- You’ve experienced an accident that you think was someone else’s fault
- You were injured in the accident
- Your injury led to specific losses
Under these circumstances, DFW injury lawyers can help you determine if filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit is in your best interests. Since you only have a certain amount of time to make this decision, it’s crucial to contact a local personal injury attorney as soon as possible after you receive treatment for your injuries. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the greater your chances are at securing a favorable legal outcome.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Fort Worth?
Texas laws limit the amount of time you have to file a personal injury claim after an accident. In general, the statue of limitations is two years. If you do not file a civil lawsuit within that two year period, then you may forfeit your right to compensation.
There are a few exceptions to this rule, including when:
- Maritime laws are involved
- The claimant is a minor at the time of the accident
- The claimant is a sex crime victim
Sometimes, the statute of limitations doesn’t start until the person discovers, or should have reasonably discovered, their injuries. In some cases, the injuries aren’t discovered immediately.
For instance, if a medical device caused an injury, then the patient may not even realize their injuries are the result of medical device until later. In these types of scenarios, the statute of limitations begins when the injuries are discovered and not when the accident happened.
To ensure you don’t miss any important legal deadlines, reach out to our Fort Worth personal injury attorneys for a free consultation today.
Common Accident and Fort Worth Accident Statistics
There are several types of accidents that often lead to personal injury lawsuits in Fort Worth. Here is an overview of some of them:
- Car accidents
- Trucking wrecks
- Motorcycle crashes
- Pedestrian accidents
- Animan bites
- Slip and fall accidents
- Wrongful death cases
Below, we’ll go over some of the most common accidents and statistics that reveal how often these types of scenarios play out.
Car Accidents
Every driver who gets behind the wheel automatically assumes a legal duty of care for everyone else on the road. Unfortunately, many drivers do not take this duty of care seriously. Some drivers engage in negligent driving behaviors like drinking and driving, driving while distracted, or causing a collision and fleeing the scene.
Fort Worth has some very dangerous intersections including:
- I-35W and Western Center Blvd
- East Lancaster Avenue and Riverside Drive and
- Texas 360 at Texas 183
If you are injured in a crash, you need to know what steps to take after a car accident to protect your rights. If you were in an Uber or Lyft rideshare accident, those incidents involve different laws and insurance coverage. Always make sure that the police file a report regarding the accident and get in touch with a Fort Worth car accident lawyer right away.
Fort Worth has some very dangerous intersections including on I-35W and Western Center Blvd, East Lancaster Avenue and Riverside Drive, and Texas 360 at Texas 183.
Trucking Accident
The Lone Star State is a huge state, so it’s no surprise that so many truckers are frequently traveling through Fort Worth. Sadly, crash statistics show that our state has the highest number of trucking fatalities in the country.
Trucking accidents are usually very serious due to the size, weight, and speed that truckers travel. When trucks collide with smaller vehicles, the results can be devastating. Even when fatalities don’t occur, the injuries can still be life-altering and permanent. If you are involved in a trucking accident, talk to a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer about the circumstances of your crash.
Trucking accidents can be complicated because multiple parties may be at fault. Several parties could potentially be found negligent including:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The trucker’s loading company
- The trucker’s maintenance company
- A third driver who may have caused a multi-car accident
Considering the severity of the injuries, the level of losses, and the complexities of a trucking accident claim, it’s usually best to talk with a lawyer before filing an injury claim.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are another type of accident that often leads to a personal injury lawsuit. This is mostly because motorcycle riders do not have the protection afforded car and truck drivers and even minor accidents can cause debilitating injuries. Bikers who get into a crash can get launched from their bikes, causing them to impact the pavement. Even with the right protective gear, a motorcycle collision can still cause serious injuries.
Vision Zero is a relatively new global movement that aims to spread awareness about the seriousness of road safety. The initiative seeks to help everyone become more aware of the factors that contribute to safe driving including travel speed, driver behaviors, policies and laws, technology, and roadway design. The goal is to reduce accidents, but those involved in bike crashes will still need quality legal assistance after a collision. The motorcycle crash lawyers at DFW Injury Lawyers can help.
Bicycle Accidents
Crash statistics show that there were two pedal cyclist fatalities in Fort Worth in one recent year, making up 1.6% of the nation’s overall bicyclist fatalities. A pedal cyclist includes bicyclists and other cyclists that ride on two-wheeled, non-motorized vehicles, tricycles, and unicycles.
When cars hit bicyclists, the results are usually severe for the biker considering the size and speed difference between a car and bike.
Animal Bites
Fort Worth is the 30th worst city for dog bites according to the United States Postal Service. Pet owners in Fort Worth have a legal duty to keep their pets contained. If a dog bites someone, the pet owner could be held legally responsible for the costs of that injury. Our Fort Worth dog bite lawyers can help you determine your legal options under these circumstances.
Slip and Fall
A slip and fall accident happens when someone falls and suffers an injury. Depending on where that slip and fall accident occurred, the injured individual might have legal recourse. Under premises liability laws, for instance, property owners have a legal duty to provide for the safety and care of people on their property. Parties subject to these laws may include:
- Business owners
- Home owners
- Parking lot owners
- Commercial property owners
- Cities in charge of sidewalks or parks
If your slip and fall leads to substantial injuries, it’s worth the time to learn more about where the accident occurred and whether the property owner can be held responsible for negligent maintainance of their property.
Wrongful Death
Unfortunately, some of the types of accidents listed out above can result in fatalities. Wrongful death lawsuits are a type of personal injury lawsuit where a death has occurred. The surviving loved ones may be able to file a claim to cover expenses in the form of medical bills before their loved one’s passing, burial costs, loss of financial support, emotional distress, and more when the necessary legal elements are present. Contact a skilled wrongful death lawyer in our Fort Worth office to learn more.
Our Personal Injury Lawyers Also Handle Workplace Accidents in Fort Worth, Texas
Workplace accidents are another common type of accident that can lead to a legal injury claim. In many situations, workers can receive compensation for a work-related accident through their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policies. In other cases, however, if an employer does not carry workers’ compensation or if a third party’s negligence (such as a contractor or property owner) caused an accident. a personal injury lawsuit may be filed.
For instance, a contractor may have been knowingly violating OSHA’S standards and encouraging employees to do the same. Some of the top 10 cited OSHA standards are extremely serious, like ensuring construction workers get the proper fall protection training. A failure to follow these rules can lead to a lawsuit.
Construction injuries are one of the leading causes of work-related personal injury claims. This is in part due to the dangerous nature of the job and the severity of construction injuries. An accident lawyer in Fort Worth can help you pursue the compensation you deserve through a personal injury claim.
What Compensation Can a Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Recover For Me?
The amount of compensation you can recoup in your personal injury case will vary depending on the circumstances of your accident, the extent of your losses, and other factors like whether you were also partially negligent in your accident.
Here are some of the most frequently awarded types of compensation you can get in a personal injury claim:
- Lost wages
- Present and future medical bills
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Temporary or permanent disability
The amount of compensation you can receive will also hinge on the quality of the lawyer you hire to represent you. Always partner with a Fort Worth personal injury law firm with great past results who can help increase your odds of achieving a greater settlement.
Fort Worth Personal Injury Cases FAQs:
Knowing Your Rights and Fighting the Fight
Do you have more questions? You can find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about personal injury claims in Fort Worth below.
Q: How Will I Pay My Bills After an Accident?
Ultimately, you are responsible to pay for your medical treatment after an accident. However, if another person caused your losses, you can seek payment from them instead. We live in an at-fault state. That means if someone else caused your accident, you should consider filing a lawsuit to hold them responsible for paying your losses. A personal injury lawsuit can help you recover the costs of any medical bills, property damage, or other losses stemming from the accident.
Q: Do I Have to Go to Court?
Maybe. The good news is that most personal injury claims settle outside of court, so you usually will not need to attend a hearing. Even so, it’s best to hire a legal team that has extensive courtroom experience just in case the other side is refusing to offer a fair settlement. The skilled legal team at DFW Injury Lawyers prepares all accident cases as if they will go to trial so we are always ready to litigate your claim if needed.
Q: How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
All DFW Injury Lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t owe us a fee until and unless there is a recovery for your injury case. This also means that clients who are already attempting to deal with significant financial losses won’t have to shell out a lot of money upfront to obtain representation.
Instead of asking you to pay for representation at the outset, DFW Injury Lawyers also offers a free legal consultation. During this meeting, we’ll discuss what happened, your losses, and more. We will help you make an informed decision on whether filing a claim is worth your time and effort based on the information you provide. If you do have a claim, then we will help you file it, negotiate on your behalf, and take it to trial if necessary. We won’t get paid until you receive your settlement check.
A personal injury lawsuit can help you recover the costs of any medical bills, property damage, or other losses stemming from the accident.
Let A Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer Help With a Free Case Review
If you were injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault, reach out to our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers today. If you don’t talk to an attorney, you may not be aware of your legal options and rights. That could leave you shelling out a lot of money for the losses you’ve endured.
With our team’s help, you can better understand the circumstances of your accident, who caused it, and whether a legal duty of care existed in your situation. If all the necessary elements to pursue a claim exist, our attorneys can help you make an informed choice about whether to seek out compensation from the responsible party.
Here at DFW Injury Lawyers, our team handles a wide variety of personal injury claims. We’d love to help you analyze your situation to determine if you could potentially bring a claim for compensation.
Schedule a risk-free case review online or call (817) 646-2527 now to learn more.
Fort Worth Office Location
4200 South Fwy Suite 2335,
Fort Worth, TX 76115
817-646-2527