What type of injury have you suffered?
Car Accident
- Car Accident
- Head Injury
- Premises Liability
- Products Liability
- Truck Accident
- Wrongful Death
Car Accident
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(877) 880-4090Living with an injury caused by someone else’s negligence can change your life. Medical bills and the cost of medication may skyrocket, and your medical insurance may not cover every item. Filing a lawsuit to gain compensation for your injuries may help you pay for fees stemming from your injuries, and if you live in Fort Worth, TX, you may wonder how to find a lawyer or legal team that can handle your case with experience and confidence. Finding an attorney who suits your needs might be simpler when you know which steps to take, from the initial search to making the final choice.
Before you begin your search for an attorney, you may want to review the circumstances that caused your injury. While many lawyers offer a free initial consultation, reviewing your accident may help you gauge whether you have a case at all. You can consider several factors, including:
While an attorney can place a monetary value on your case, reviewing the events that led up to your accident and organizing the related data can help you realize whether you have a viable lawsuit. Reviewing documents as well as your own personal account of what caused your injury may assist with this decision.
Not all attorneys in the Fort Worth area have extended experience with personal injury cases, so you can begin your search by narrowing down practices near you that specialize in them. If you have serious injuries resulting from an accident that has affected your mobility, consider hiring an attorney who travels to hospitals or your home and uses digital communication to make meetings simpler.
Personal injuries that stemmed from car accidents in Texas in 2022 mostly involved the back, chest and abdomen, which may include spinal and crushing injuries that require extensive physical therapy. Speaking with your doctor before you consult with an attorney and asking for a complete medical report, including whether you need long-term treatment, may help you find an attorney experienced with gaining this type of compensation.
Asking friends, family and co-workers about their experiences with a local personal injury attorney can streamline your search for a personal injury attorney. If someone approaches you with a referral, you can ask them a few questions to determine whether a referred attorney is a good fit for your case, including:
You may also want to ask if any attorney in question works on a contingency fee, which is an agreement that your attorney charges a certain percentage of your settlement money if he or she wins the case for you. While contingency rates vary, they can range from 35% to 45%.
If friends or family cannot offer a referral for a personal injury attorney in Fort Worth, then you may find one online who suits your needs. You can begin your search by looking up lawyers in your area and gathering reviews on each so you can make comparisons concerning services, pricing and what they offered past clients. Taking both positive and negative reviews into account may allow you to make the best choice possible for your situation.
Even if you find an attorney online that meets your criteria, you may want to meet with several possible choices before you make your final decision. Meeting face-to-face with an attorney can help you gauge several important factors, including:
Meeting with your prospective choices can also give you the opportunity to ask some questions about their experience with personal injury cases and how much energy and focus the firm dedicates to personal injury cases.
As you meet with personal injury attorneys, having your case documentation in hand can help any prospective lawyer get a better idea of the circumstances and effects of the accident on not just you but your loved ones as well.
Keeping a tally of your medical bills and any documents given to you by a medical provider can give an attorney some idea of what your case might be worth. An accordion file folder can keep your documents well sorted so you can access a single document quickly.
Your attorney can form a possible defense by reviewing any insurance documents related to your injuries. Offer copies of any claims you made, insurance adjuster’s reports and any settlement offers made by the defendant’s insurance company. Some companies may want to settle outright instead of going to court, so making inquiries about the fairness of these offers can help protect your best interests.
One major aspect of any personal injury case includes how one or more injuries affect the injured party on a daily basis, so keeping a medical or injury diary can give your attorney a better idea of which aspect of your life is most altered by your accident. Rate your pain daily and include where you feel the most discomfort. You can also include other details, such as:
The more details you provide in regard to how the pain from your accident affects the way you usually function, the better your attorney can build a solid court case.
When you meet with the attorney you choose, such as during an initial consultation, making your goals clear can improve communication and ensure that you both work toward a shared final cause. While your main goal is to win your case, other goals, such as settling the case in a certain time frame or reaching a monetary goal can help you avoid misunderstandings along the way.
If you plan to ask for punitive damages, you may want to let your attorney know at the outset. A court may award you these damages if the accident that injured you was the result of someone else’s extreme carelessness or neglect, such as if the defendant was drunk or abusing drugs at the time of the accident. However, as the plaintiff, the burden of proof regarding particularly negligent behavior falls upon you and your attorney.
Texas law states that you have no longer than two years to file a personal injury case with the court system. This gives you ample time to find a lawyer who suits both your case and your personal tastes. It is wise to start your search as soon as you decide to file a lawsuit so you do not have to rush and make a decision before you are ready.
At Fielding Law, we understand the many intricacies that make up a personal injury case and how the effects of your accident can have far-reaching medical and emotional consequences. Our attorneys stand ready to review your case during a free initial consultation. Contact us today and let us handle your case with experience and efficiency so you can look forward to a brighter future.