Personal Injury Lawyer in Richardson, TX
Expert Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer in Richardson, TX to fight for the compensation you deserve. At DFW Legal, PLLC, our skilled attorneys have a proven track record of success in personal injury cases, including high-profile wins. We’re ready to put our resources and expertise to work for you. Contact DFW Legal, PLLC at (972) 535-4484 to schedule a free consultation today.
Personal injury cases are some of the most complex cases to litigate. There are many different types of injuries that can occur, and each one has to be evaluated on its own merits. When you’re dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial stress following an accident, the last thing you want to do is try to navigate the legal system on your own. That’s where we come in. The personal injury lawyers at DFW Legal, PLLC will handle every aspect of your case, from investigating the accident to negotiating with insurance companies. We will take the stress off of your shoulders so that you can focus on what’s important – recovering from your injuries.
Three Types of Damages in Personal Injury Cases
There are three types of damages that can be recovered in a personal injury case: economic, non-economic, and punitive. Depending on the severity and nature of your injuries, you may be entitled to one or all of these types of damages.
Economic Damage
Economic damages are intended to reimburse the victim for their financial losses. This can include lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and any other out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident. This is usually the easiest type of damage to calculate, as it is based on quantitative evidence like pay stubs, medical bills, and receipts.
Non-Economic Damage
Non-economic damages are intended to compensate the victim for their intangible losses. This can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. These damages are more difficult to calculate, as they are subjective, meaning that the reasonable amount of compensation is not easily quantifiable.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer for their actions. They are only awarded in cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly egregious, such as drunk driving or hit and run accidents. Punitive damages are given after both economic and non-economic damages have been established.
Negligence Laws in Texas
Negligence is the legal theory upon which most personal injury cases are based. In order to recover damages, the victim must prove that the defendant owed them a duty of care, breached that duty and that the breach was the proximate cause of their injuries.
Duty of Care
The duty of care is the legal obligation to take reasonable care to avoid foreseeable injury to others. The duty of care can be imposed by law, such as in the case of motor vehicle accidents, or it can arise from the relationship between the parties, such as in the case of a doctor-patient relationship.
Breach of Duty
A breach of duty is any action or inaction that fails to meet the standard of care required to protect others from foreseeable injury. For example, a driver who runs a red light and causes an accident has breached their duty of care.
Proximate Cause
Proximate cause is the legal causation between the defendant’s breach of duty and the plaintiff’s injuries. In order for the plaintiff to recover damages, they must prove that the defendant’s actions were the direct cause of their injuries.
Comparative Negligence
In Texas, comparative negligence or “shared fault” laws will apply if the jury finds that the plaintiff contributed to their own injuries. Under these laws, the plaintiff’s damages will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to them. For example, if the jury finds that the plaintiff is 20% at fault for their own injuries, their damages will be reduced by 20%.
51% Bar Rule
The 51% bar rule is a special provision in Texas law that prevents plaintiffs who are more than 50% at fault for their own injuries from recovering any compensation. If it has been proven that the plaintiff is more than 50% at fault, they will be barred from recovering any damages, no matter how severe their injuries are.
The Critical Role of a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been injured in an accident, it is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to investigate the accident, gather evidence, and help you recover the maximum possible compensation for your injuries. They will also be able to protect you from insurance companies who may try to take advantage of you during this difficult time.
Reach Out to Our Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Today
At DFW Legal, PLLC , our personal injury attorneys have decades of experience handling a wide range of cases, including car accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and more. We understand the financial and emotional toll that an accident can take on victims and their families, which is why we will fight tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve.
Plus, we work on a contingency basis, which means you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case. Call us today at (972) 535-4484 or use our online contact form to discuss your case with one of our expert personal injury lawyers.