A: It is possible to file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company to get compensation. But it is not recommended, as the insurance company does not work for you as a personal injury lawyer does. This means you will probably not get the amount of compensation you deserve, and it might take longer than it should for you to get a check. Hiring a lawyer will make this process easier for you.

A: You can hire a lawyer at any time after you have suffered injuries. Some people call their lawyer as they leave the accident scene, while others wait for months to do it, such as after they’ve realized the insurance company is not helping them. We recommend you hire a firm right away, but it’s not too late to do it today if you haven’t already.

A: The answer is no. Most personal injury lawyers offer a free initial consultation so you can decide together if your case is worth pursuing. If you cannot show that you were injured and that it was someone else’s fault, a lawyer might decide not to take on your case. But it costs nothing to go and find out, so you should schedule an initial consultation any time you are considering getting legal help in Texas.

A: Once you have met with a lawyer and found out you have a case, your legal team will let you know what they need from you before getting started. In many cases, personal injury attorneys will ask for any evidence you have that will help your cases, such as police reports, medical records, photos, or witness statements. These documents can help them do their job, but they are not required if you do not have them.

A: Economic damages are expenses that your lawyer can easily add up in your case, as you will likely have bills, receipts, or estimates showing you are expected to pay for these costs. In most cases, the economic damages you seek will include medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages. This means you should get enough money in damages that you can afford to pay for your medical bills, car repairs, and regular bills despite missing money on your paycheck after staying home from work to heal.

A: Non-economic damages are harder to add up, as you will not have bills for them. They are meant to help make up for any inconvenience or suffering your injuries have caused you, as some types of accidents can be emotionally damaging and even embarrassing to deal with. This is why your personal injury attorney might seek non-economic damages for you, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, or humiliation. You cannot usually add up these damages on your own, so let your lawyer do it for you.

A: In most cases, the person who injured you likely has insurance, so your lawyer will contact the insurance company to seek damages. Whether the person who caused your injury was a driver with car insurance, a resident with homeowner’s insurance, or a business with a commercial policy, your attorney may be able to get your compensation by filing a claim. If they do not come to a settlement, the case could go to court, or the lawyer may decide to bring a lawsuit against a third party. It all depends on the circumstances of your case.

A: If you are worried about legal costs, you should rest assured that you will not owe anything upfront. At legal offices like The Wolf of Law Street, lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which basically means you only have to pay the legal fees once you get your settlement. The amount you pay will be a percentage of your settlement, which you and your lawyer will agree upon at the start of the case. If you do not get money at the end of the case, you don’t owe any legal fees.