Personal Injury Lawyers in Houston

Houston Personal Injury Cases

If you’ve been injured in Houston and it was someone else’s fault, you may have a personal injury claim. To recover damages from the person who hurt you, you’ll have to prove that:

• They were negligent. That means that they had a “duty of care” and didn’t live up to it. For example, a driver has a responsibility to obey traffic safety laws. If they’re speeding or run a red light, they are negligent.

• That their negligence caused your injury. For example, the speeding driver rear-ended your car and your spine was injured in the crash. 

• That you have damages (losses) as a result. In the car accident example, damages might include medical bills and lost income.

Car accidents are the most common type of Houston personal injury claim. But, there are many others. If you were hurt because someone else was negligent, you may have a claim. For instance, if you trip on a broken stair at a local business, you may have a personal injury claim. The business owner is responsible for keeping the premises safe for visitors like you. If they didn’t and you’re hurt because of it, they are likely responsible for your damages.

Proving a Personal Injury Claim

A personal injury case like a car accident claim may seem simple. If another driver hit you and you were injured, they should pay. The reality isn’t quite that simple. It’s your job as the claimant to prove that the other driver was negligent. It’s your job to prove the negligence caused your injury. And, it’s your job to prove the extent of your damages. 

That’s a tough job if you don’t have experience. Our Houston personal injury attorneys do this work every day. We have extensive knowledge of the laws and procedures that govern a personal injury case. We understand the tactics insurance companies use to try to avoid paying you. We know how to gather evidence, how to get that evidence admitted in court, and when to call in experts. 

Most importantly, we know how to present your case to a jury. A jury trial isn’t always necessary. Most Houston personal injury cases settle. If we can negotiate a settlement that pays you what you deserve, we will. But, it’s important that your injury lawyer is willing and able to effectively fight for you in court. And, it’s important that the insurance company’s attorneys know we won’t settle low to avoid a trial like some law firms do.

First Steps after a Houston Injury

What you do immediately after an accident will depend on how seriously injured you are. Your first step will be to check for injuries. Then, if you’re well enough, see if anyone else is hurt and needs help.

Your next step will usually be to call 911. You’ll need emergency help if someone is seriously injured. And, if you were in a motor vehicle accident, you’ll need to report it to the police. 

After a car accident, exchange insurance information with the other driver. No matter what the type of accident, you should take these steps if you are well enough:

• Take photographs of the scene, including vehicles involved in a crash, the puddle you slipped on, or anything related to the accident

• Get names and phone numbers from any witnesses, and ask them to share any pictures or videos they took

• Take note of any street cameras or security cameras that may have caught the accident

• When you get home, write down everything you remember about the accident

This information can be important for your injury case, but your health comes first. Do not put yourself in danger to gather evidence. Make sure you get checked out if you’re injured at all, or if you’re not sure. A lot of people want to wait and see if they get better after an injury. That’s understandable. We’ve all felt stiff or sore after a jarring impact and waited it out. But, delaying medical care after an accident can be dangerous.

Some medical conditions get worse if you delay care. Serious injuries like spinal injuries and brain injuries aren’t always immediately obvious. If you try to go about your life as usual, you could make them worse. Or, they could get worse due to internal bleeding, or as swelling increases. It’s always safest to let a medical professional make sure you’re okay. 

Putting off medical care can also hurt your injury case. If there’s a gap between the accident and your doctor visit, the insurance company may argue that you could have been hurt in some other way after the accident. If your injuries got worse because you waited, they will likely claim that you are partly responsible for your own injury. The same will happen if you don’t follow your doctor’s orders, skip physical therapy, don’t get recommended tests, don’t take your medicine, or blow off follow-up visits. If you do, you may slow your recovery. You may even turn a short-term injury into a long-term one. And, the insurance company will jump to say they’re not responsible for bills or lost work time you could have avoided. 

The next step is to consult an experienced Houston personal injury attorney. You should make that call as soon as possible after your accident.

Finding the Right Houston Accident Lawyer

It can be tough to decide which personal injury lawyer to call. You’ll want to make sure to work with an attorney who: 

• Has extensive experience with your type of injury case

• Will listen, understand your concerns, and act in your best interest

• Answers your questions in a way you understand and makes you comfortable talking about your case

• Isn’t afraid to go to jury trial if that is the best option for you

We founded I Just Got Hit (Godsey Martin, PC) to help injury victims like you. Our team was hand-selected for our shared mission to improve lives wherever we can. We will fight hard for the compensation you deserve and need to move forward. If you’re not sure, that’s okay. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about how we can help.