Have you suffered an injury due to the reckless or negligent actions of another individual, business, or entity but are unable to come up with thousands of dollars to hire a personal injury lawyer? Our legal team is here to help you. We offer free case evaluations, if we take your case we will work on a contingency basis. This allows injury victims the opportunity to hire a lawyer to help them navigate the legal process of an injury claim without all the costs and fees.
What is a contingency fee?
A contingency fee is a form of payment that your lawyer receives only when your case reaches a settlement. With a contingency fee you do not have to pay anything up front for the legal services provided by your lawyer. Your lawyer’s payment is contingent upon you having received some amount of compensation. Your lawyer’s payment will be an agreed percentage amount of your settlement.
What is a typical contingency fee amount?
Contingency fee arrangements are most common in personal injury cases and the amount is a percentage of the settlement in the case. A typical percentage is anywhere between 33.33% and 40%. Usually, a lawyer will charge a fee of 33.33% pre-suit (before trial) and 40% if the case goes into litigation. Make sure you know what amount your lawyer is charging.
What is the Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in Texas?
Two Years is the Standard Time Limit for Texas Personal Injury Lawsuits
The Texas personal injury statute of limitations is spelled out at Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code section 16.003, which says that any civil action for “personal injury” must be filed “not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues” — that means two years from the date of the accident that led to the injury, in most instances.
So if, after another person’s careless or intentional act causes you injury, you want to ask Texas’s courts for a civil remedy (damages) for your losses, this two-year deadline applies, whether the case is driven by the liability principle of “negligence” (which applies to most accidents) or intentional tort (which applies to civil assault and battery and other purposeful conduct).
What If You Miss the Filing Deadline?
If more than two years have passed since the underlying accident, but you try to file your personal injury lawsuit anyway, the defendant (the person you’re trying to sue) will almost certainly file a “motion to dismiss” and point this fact out to the court. And unless a rare exception entitles you to extra time (more details on these exceptions later), the court will summarily dismiss your case. Once that happens, you’ve lost your right to ask a court to award you damages for your injuries, no matter how significant they might be, and no matter how obvious the defendant’s liability.
Texas’s personal injury statute of limitations is obviously pivotal if you want to take your injury case to court via a formal lawsuit, but the filing deadline set by this law is also crucial to your position in personal injury settlement negotiations with the defendant and his or her insurance company. If the other side knows that the two-year deadline has passed, you’ll have lost all your negotiating leverage, making “I’ll see you in court” the very definition of an empty threat.
Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston
Just like a doctor who will help you heal and recuperate, a personal injury lawyer is part of your injury team. They will work with your medical team to assess your injuries, their long-term effects and what you need to recover as completely as possible. The lawyer understands the law and has the experience to use it to your advantage as your case evolves. While you could negotiate with insurance companies on your own, having a lawyer on your side usually means that you’ll get a larger settlement even after you consider the lawyer’s fees.
Working With a Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston
It’s essential to set the right expectations when working with a personal injury attorney. At the onset, you want your lawyer to set the tone and help you get a sense of how much your case might be worth. While there are no guarantees, understanding the end goal will help you, as the injured party, work through the ups and downs that will inevitably happen in the case.
Free Initial Consultation With Experienced Attorney
Attorney Fuller is a seasoned attorney with nearly three decades of experience representing a wide range of clients. This includes individuals who have suffered an injury due to another’s actions, individuals facing criminal charges, those who have been arrested for DWI, individuals who have found themselves in a civil litigation dispute, and those looking for legal guidance in business.
After filling out a client intake form, Attorney Lanease D. Fuller will take appropriate action in your case to help you get the results you are looking for. This includes but not limited to gathering evidence, going to trial, and earning a settlement that is appropriate for your specific situation. Reach out to us today to take the first step towards settling your case.
LANEASE D. FULLER LAW
4615 S. Frwy St. 820
Houston, TX 77051
713-439-7400
View our Google Listing
