Are you suffering from injuries that were caused by someone else’s negligence? At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, we understand that an experience like this can be a very traumatizing and life-changing event.
No matter if you were hurt in a car crash, a slip and fall incident, or a workplace accident, Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys is here for you as your Austin personal injury lawyer. We have decades of experience between us.
Since 2016, we have recovered millions of dollars for personal injury victims in situations just like yours. We’re here for you.
The Personal Injury Claims Process
The process of filing a personal injury claim involves many different steps. Your personal injury attorney in Austin will likely tell you what you can expect regarding your case in particular.
That said, the process usually starts the same way, no matter the specifics of your situation. For example, it often begins with your lawyer gathering evidence that supports your case.
Here’s an overview of the claims process in the majority of personal injury cases:
- Scheduling a consultation with an Austin personal injury attorney: When pursuing a personal injury claim, it is important to schedule a consultation with an attorney. Your lawyer will evaluate the details of your case and advise you on a suitable course of action.
- Investigating and gathering evidence: Your attorney will then gather all necessary evidence—including medical records, accident reports, and witness testimonies. In some cases, professionals may be hired to provide insight or analyze the accident scene.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: Before going to trial, your attorney will try to negotiate a settlement offer with the at-fault party’s insurance company. While insurers might offer a settlement early on, it’s important to have your lawyer review the offer to make sure it’s fair before you accept it.
- Filing a claim or lawsuit: If a settlement cannot be reached, Austin personal injury lawyers might have to take your case to court. If your case goes to trial, a judge or jury will determine liability and award you with damages. However, the exact outcome will depend on the strength of the evidence and the arguments presented during the trial.
Types of Cases We Represent as Austin Personal Injury Attorneys
Personal injury law covers a wide range of incidents, but they all involve circumstances in which an individual is injured as a result of another party’s negligence. These are common areas of personal injury law that we can help you with:
- Austin car accident lawyer: Car accidents are a prevalent cause of personal injury claims, and we can represent you in the aftermath of a collision.
- Austin truck accident lawyer: Truck accidents often involve large commercial vehicles, which makes them more dangerous due to the truck’s sheer size and weight.
- Austin motorcycle accident lawyer: Motorcycle accidents often lead to severe injuries due to the lack of physical protection for riders.
- Austin slip and fall injury lawyer: Slip and fall accidents are common in places like shopping malls, restaurants, and private property.
- Austin workers’ compensation lawyer: Injuries in the workplace can lead to workers’ compensation claims or personal injury lawsuits, depending on the nature of the incident.
Determining Liability in Austin Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury claims are typically rooted in negligence. When someone acts negligently, they have failed to exercise reasonable care, and as a result, another person is harmed.
For personal injury attorneys to establish that negligence was present, your lawyer will have to prove four major elements:
- Duty of care: The at-fault party owed a duty of care to the victim.
- Breach of duty: The at-fault party breached that duty of care through their actions or inactions.
- Causation: The breach of duty on part of the at-fault party directly caused the injuries.
- Damages: The plaintiff suffered measurable harm as a result of the injuries they endured.
What You Can Recover as a Personal Injury Victim
In personal injury cases, victims may be entitled to various types of damages, though the specifics will depend on the nature of your injuries as well as the severity of them.
In general, the three main categories of damages that might be recoverable in cases like these include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are designed to compensate the victim for verifiable financial losses that they experienced as a result of their injuries:
- Medical expenses: This refers to expenses associated with hospital visits, surgical procedures, rehabilitative care, prescription medications, and future treatment.
- Lost wages: If your injury prevents you from working—either in general or to the same extent as you once did—you may be entitled to compensation for lost income.
- Property damage: In cases where property is damaged—such as a car in a collision—then you might be able to seek compensation for the costs of repairs or replacement.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are intended to compensate for intangible losses that are difficult to quantify:
- Pain and suffering: This is compensation intended to help you recover from the physical pain and emotional distress that was caused by your injuries.
- Loss of consortium: If your injury affects your personal relationships, you might be entitled to damages for the loss of companionship you endured due to circumstances that were out of your control.
- Emotional distress: In some cases, you might be compensated for the mental anguish resulting from the injury.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly reckless or egregious, the court may award punitive damages. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from engaging in similar behavior at any point in the future.
Texas Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims
In Texas, there is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. This means that you have 24 months to file a claim if you want to pursue compensation as a personal injury victim.
If you fail to file within this timeframe, you could end up losing your right to compensation altogether. While there are some exceptions to this deadline, the sooner you contact a personal injury attorney in Austin, the better.
Reach Out to Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Austin Today
Unfortunately, personal injury cases can leave victims facing lasting impacts that cause both physical and emotional pain. When another party’s negligence leads to your suffering, it can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face the legal process alone.
If you’ve been injured, contact a personal injury attorney in Austin immediately. The sooner you reach out, the sooner your lawyer can start building a case on your behalf and helping you protect your rights along the way.
To seek justice and pursue compensation, contact Omega Law Group as soon as possible. Let us help you take action against those responsible for your injuries—we’re here to help.