Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer

When you are hurt as a result of someone else’s negligence or intentional conduct, you need to understand whether or not you are entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. In Dallas and other parts of Texas, you must prove the following four things to receive compensation from the defendant:

1. The defendant owed you a duty of care.
2. The defendant breached the duty due to negligence, carelessness, recklessness, or intentional conduct.
3. The breach caused your injury.
4. The injury resulted in damages (such as incurring medical expenses and other losses).

A skilled Dallas personal injury lawyer will help you establish the above-mentioned elements to ensure that you are fairly and fully compensated for your injuries and losses and that the at-fault party is held liable. Speak with our skilled attorneys at The Patel Firm to talk about your case. Our knowledgeable lawyers will address your needs and concerns and help you prove liability and the scope of your damages in your case. They will walk with you through the entire process, making sure you recover compensation.

Fighting for fair compensation in a personal injury case can be complicated, especially if you are not represented by an attorney in Dallas area. Seeking the compensation you need for your injuries usually means filing an insurance claim and dealing with the negligent party’s insurance company. If no settlement is reached, your case may go to court.

But how much is your personal injury claim worth in Texas? Since no two cases are the same, the value of your claim depends on the following factors:

• How severe are the injuries suffered?
• How much have you incurred in medical expenses?
• Are you expected to recover fully?
• How does your injury impact your ability to work?
• How many days have you missed at work due to your injury?
• Were you partially at fault for the accident?

When speaking with an attorney, you will need to answer these and many other questions to estimate the value of your personal injury claim. Our detail-oriented and experienced lawyers at The Patel Firm are prepared to help you understand how much your claim is worth. Schedule a free case evaluation with our lawyers to determine the value of your claim today. Call 361-400-2036.

Often, injured people who pursue personal injury claims without a lawyer do not realize what compensation is available in their case. Most people believe that their recoverable damages are limited to medical bills.

However, you are entitled to other economic damages, such as lost wages, and non-economic damages, including mental anguish, the loss of enjoyment of life, and others. Damages in personal injury cases can be broken down into three categories:

1. Economic damages, – Including medical expenses, loss of income, the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property and belongings, and other easily quantifiable damages
2. Non-economic damages – Including relatively subjective losses including mental anguish, emotional distress, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and others
3. Exemplary damages (also known as punitive damages) – Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 41.003 provides that exemplary damages are available when the defendant’s conduct can be described as malicious, fraudulent, or grossly negligent. Unlike other damages, exemplary damages are meant to punish the defendant for their wrongful conduct. These damages are rarely awarded in personal injury cases.

A Dallas personal injury lawyer at The Patel Firm is prepared to review your particular situation to identify all damages that are available in your case. Our goal is to help you obtain the compensation you deserve because we believe you should not have to pay out of your own pocket for someone else’s negligent conduct.

Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003, the time limit to bring a personal injury claim, which is also known as the statute of limitations, is two years from the date of your injury. If you fail to bring a claim within the time limit, you may lose your right to pursue a legal claim against the defendant.

Many states limit damages awarded by courts in personal injury cases. Texas law does not impose any damages caps in personal injury cases unless the plaintiff is injured due to medical malpractice.

In medical malpractice cases, Texas caps non-economic damages at $250,000 pursuant to Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 74.301. Speak with our attorneys at The Patel Firm to understand other statutory limitations that may apply to your personal injury case.

Texas follows the doctrine of modified comparative negligence, which is also known as “proportionate responsibility” under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 33.001. It means that if you are partially to blame for your injury, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault.

Under the doctrine of modified comparative negligence, you are entitled to compensation as long as your degree of fault is not greater than 50%.

Comparative negligence in Texas personal injury cases works like this:

• The court assigns a percentage of responsibility to parties involved in the accident – For example, you are deemed to be 30% at fault for your injuries.
• Your total recoverable damages are reduced by the percentage of your fault – For example, if your damages are $5,000, the total amount will be reduced by 30%.
• You receive the compensation to which you are entitled – If your fault is 30% and your total damages are $5,000, you will receive $3,500.

However, under Texas law, plaintiffs cannot receive any compensation if their percentage of fault exceeds 50%. Consult with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer in Dallas to discuss your particular case and determine your degree of fault.

An investigation is a critical element of any successful personal injury claim. Investigating a personal injury claim is a complex process that involves gathering evidence, talking to witnesses, and preparing documentation for your legal claim.

Our attorneys at The Patel Firm have decades of experience representing clients in various types of personal injury cases. When conducting our thorough and comprehensive investigation, we focus on collecting the following types of evidence:

• Medical bills
• Statements and receipts of other expenses related to your injury
• The cost of repairing or replacing your damaged property
• Witness statements
• Photos and videos from the scene of the accident
• Video surveillance footage
• A police or accident report

These and many other types of evidence are necessary for a comprehensive investigation of any personal injury case. You should not have to worry about collecting evidence and handling other legal aspects of your claim. Let our experienced lawyers at The Patel Firm help you with your claim while you focus on your medical treatment from medical professionals.