What is a Personal Injury?

Sometimes, an accident is just that—an accident. Other times, an accident is the direct result of negligence on the part of another person or entity. A personal injury refers to injuries associated with the body, mind, or emotions, in contrast to property damages. Personal injury law allows an injured person to file a civil lawsuit in court, receiving a legal “remedy” in the form of damages for all losses directly related to the incident. The idea behind damages is to make the injured person “whole” again.

Personal injury law involves negligence, and negligence is based on the following principles:

• The negligent person owed you a duty of care (i.e., every driver has a duty of care when driving to obey all traffic laws and to follow the rules of the road).
• That duty of care was breached as a result of the other party’s negligence.
• You received injuries from the accident as a result of this breach of duty of care.
• Those injuries led to financial damages in the form of medical expenses, lost wages, future lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Auto accident injury claims can allow an individual to receive financial compensation for their damages. While many Harris County injury claims are settled through negotiations between your Houston personal injury attorney and the negligent party’s attorney, some will require your attorney to file a lawsuit to force the insurer to pay what your claim is worth. If you’ve been injured as a result of the negligence of another individual, the single best thing you can do is to speak to an experienced Houston injury lawyer about your situation and your options.

How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help with Your Personal Injury Claim?

Pursuing personal injury compensation on your own is rarely a good idea. Insurance companies—despite their warm and fuzzy television commercials—are not your friend and do not have your best interests at heart. If you attempt to negotiate without an experienced personal injury attorney, you won’t be taken seriously and will likely only receive an offer that will not begin to cover your damages. Once you have a knowledgeable Harris County personal injury attorney by your side, your settlement amount will increase because the insurer will gain respect for you. Additional benefits of having a Houston personal injury attorney in your corner include:

• You are protected from the many tricks most insurance companies practice regularly. Your Houston injury lawyer will ensure your rights and your future are protected while you are given the time you need to heal from your injuries.
• Your Harris County injury claim will be properly valued. Your personal injury attorney has significant experience in comprehensively evaluating your damages, then placing an accurate dollar figure on those damages.
• Liability can be definitively proven once you have spoken to a knowledgeable Harris County accident injury attorney. Seasoned personal injury attorneys have the resources to show that the other person was negligent, thus liable for your damages.
• All settlement negotiations and litigation will be handled by your Houston personal injury attorney. Your case will be comprehensively prepared so that no matter what twists and turns it may take, your attorney is equally prepared to negotiate or to litigate. A detailed settlement demand package will be presented to the insurance company, clearly outlining the legal theory for fault and liability, along with evidence to prove your damages and substantiate the value of your Houston injury claim.

What Are the Primary Types of Personal Injury Claims?

• Auto Accidents—Auto accident injury claims are the most common types of personal injury claims. While there are other types of personal injury claims (slip and falls, medical malpractice, dog bites, etc.) auto accidents comprise the majority of personal injury claims. Auto accident injury claims can include drunk driving accidents, head-on collisions, hit- and-run collisions, high-speed collisions, t-bone accidents, and rear-end crashes, although no two accidents are exactly alike.
• Car Accidents—Car accident injury claims occur regularly. The CDC found that in 2022, 42,795 people died in fatal car crashes, with speeding accounting for more than 30 car accidents per day. TXDOT statistics found that 4,481 people died in car crashes in 2022 across the state of Texas, with 18,88o people sustaining serious injuries from car crashes.
• Truck Accidents—Truck accidents are often much more severe than passenger vehicle accidents, resulting in catastrophic injuries and fatalities to those in the smaller vehicle. A fully-loaded semi-truck weighs as much as 80,000 pounds, compared to the average 3,000-pound passenger vehicle. There are also more potential defendants in a truck accident, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the loading company, the maintenance company, and the truck part manufacturers. Only an experienced Houston truck accident attorney knows how to hold multiple liable parties accountable while protecting your claim, your health, your future, and your family.
• Motorcycle Accidents—Like truck accidents, motorcycle accidents are typically more complex than passenger vehicle accidents. Motorcyclists have virtually no protection in a crash, leading to severe injuries. Additionally, many jurors have preconceived stereotypes regarding motorcyclists, viewing them as hard-living, reckless risk-takers. This is generally very far from the truth, so having an experienced Harris County motorcycle accident injury claims attorney on your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.

Getting the Assistance You Need from the Houston Law Firm of Sullo & Sullo

Despite the many different types of car accidents, some law firms and lawyers are simply better equipped to hold the insurance company accountable and secure a full and fair settlement on your behalf. Auto accident injury claims can be much more complex than you might imagine and rarely benefit from a DIY approach. When you choose a Harris County personal injury attorney from Sullo & Sullo, you have taken an important first step in ensuring you receive an equitable settlement while receiving the medical treatments you need. Don’t wait—contact a Sullo & Sullo personal injury lawyer in Houston, TX today.