Sweetwater Personal Injury Lawyers
In the aftermath of a serious accident or unexpected injury, you may find yourself facing numerous challenges. From obtaining the proper medical care to managing your everyday expenses while you are out of work, navigating the recovery process can be difficult. This is especially true when you are dealing with severe injuries, significant disability, or permanent impairment.
At Hanna Allen, PLLC, we understand what you are going through, and we want to help. Our personal injury attorneys in Sweetwater, Texas represent people throughout Nolan County and the surrounding areas, providing compassionate legal counsel tailored to each unique situation. We know that no two cases are exactly alike; when you trust your recovery to our team, you can count on us to provide the personal attention and dedicated, one-on-one representation you need.
To learn more, contact us at (432) 220-2649 and request a free consultation today.
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What Is Considered a Personal Injury in Texas?
In a legal sense, a “personal injury” is an injury arising from a negligent act or omission, wrongful conduct, or default. In other words, if someone else—whether it’s another person or a company, business, manufacturer, or similar entity—was at fault for an incident that led to injury, the injured victim likely has grounds for a personal injury claim.
Common examples of personal injury claims include cases involving:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Semi-truck accidents
- Bus and other commercial vehicle accidents
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Slip and falls
- Unsafe property conditions
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
- Birth injuries
- Nursing home abuse
- Workplace injuries
- Construction accidents
- Oilfield accidents
- Wrongful death
As the person bringing the claim, known as the “plaintiff,” you have the burden of proof. This means that you are the one responsible for proving your case against the defendant. Often, this requires proving that the defendant had a legal responsibility to exercise due care and prevent foreseeable injury but failed to uphold this responsibility, thereby directly or indirectly causing your injury.
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How will I pay my bills after an accident?
When you’ve been in an accident through no fault of your own, the aftermath can be emotionally traumatic, physically painful, and financially catastrophic. You still have your normal household bills in addition to mounting medical expenses. If you are unable to work due to your injuries, you may have no way to pay this debt — putting your and your family’s home and entire future into question.
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What damages will a lawyer help me win?
In the state of Texas, damages for personal injury cases fall into two main categories: “Special” and “General.”
Special damages are the easiest to determine because they are already associated with a concrete dollar amount. They include compensation for:- Hospital and other medical bills, including medication, medical devices, therapy and rehab
- Expected future medical costs
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How much is my case worth?
Every personal injury claim is different. Your injuries may be moderate or life altering. They may be patched up in a day or you may end up spending weeks in the hospital. You may go back to work quickly or be permanently disabled and unable to return. And, of course, how much you are able to receive in lost wages or lost earning capacity depends on your income before your accident.
A West Texas personal injury lawyer at the Hanna Allen, PLLC will be happy to sit down with you and discuss the facts of your particular case. Whatever the circumstances, our goal is to make sure you receive the maximum possible compensation for your injuries and losses. You can trust us to not leave anything on the table. Call (432) 220-2649 to schedule a free consultation.
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What if I can't go back to work?
If you are unable to return to your job and collect that all-important paycheck, we will include that financial loss in your personal injury claim. If you need time off to recover but are able to return to your previous employment at your previous salary, we will request compensation for the total amount of your lost wages. If your injuries are so severe that you will not be able to return, we will seek compensation for loss of earning capacity, covering your full, long-term expected losses.
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What if my loved one was killed in an accident?
If you lost a close family member in an accident and someone else is at fault, we can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit. A wrongful death lawsuit is similar to a personal injury claim, but it’s initiated by the victim’s survivors.
In order to file a wrongful death case, the plaintiff must be a spouse, parent, or child (adult or minor). Grandparents, siblings, and other relatives are not eligible.
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What is comparative negligence?
Texas is a comparative negligence state. This means that you, the plaintiff, may be found to be partially responsible for the incident that caused your injuries, and that your compensation will be reduced by that percentage as a result. But as long as the defendant is deemed to be more than 50% at fault, you may receive damages.
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Does Texas have a statute of limitations?
In the state of Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years. This means that you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should wait a couple of years before calling a West Texas personal injury attorney at the Hanna Allen, PLLC; it’s important to contact us well before the deadline so we can prepare your claim.
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Read Our 5-Star Reviews
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"Professional, compassionate, honest, and extremely knowledgeable!"They assisted my loved one during an unbelievably difficult time, helped provide peace of mind while easing some of the stress.S.
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"We felt like they really cared and we were part of their family."Highly recommend this law firm! We felt like they really cared and we were part of their family. Jeffery did a thorough job of explaining in terms we could understand.Cie K.
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"Highly recommend Mr. Hanna and his practice."Mr. Hanna worked long hours, spent countless days preparing for settlements and trials. His compassion for the law and his clients is far better than anything I could have expected or wanted.Justin D.
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"They go above and beyond and have helped my family."Great people! They go above and beyond and have helped my family and I more times than I can count. Highly recommended!Laura M.
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"Took really good care of us in a professional manner."Took really good care of us in a professional manner. I’m very pleased with the results and would recommend to anyone.Heaven R.
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"I’m glad I gave him a call and you will be too!"I had always heard great things about Hanna Allen, and after Meeting Mr. Hanna I too was very pleased with the way he showed me respect and compassion.Shawn F.
What Types of Damages Can Be Recovered in a Personal Injury Claim?
To bring a successful personal injury lawsuit, you will need to prove that you were injured and, as a result of the injury, suffered specific losses (known as “damages”). These damages can be economic, meaning they have a set dollar value, or non-economic in nature.
Examples of common damages that may be recovered in a personal injury claim include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Funeral/burial costs
- Lost income/wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Lost earning capacity
- Lost enjoyment of life
The exact types of damages you may be entitled to recover will depend on the specific details of your case, including the severity of your injury, the cost of medical care, whether you are disabled or impaired because of your injury, your degree of fault (if any), and more. We encourage you to meet with our Sweetwater personal injury attorneys to learn more during a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
How Long Do You Have to Sue Someone for Personal Injury in Texas?
The statute of limitations, or filing deadline, on most Texas personal injury cases is two years. Typically, this two-year deadline begins on the date of injury. However, if the injury was not discovered immediately, the two-year deadline may begin on the date on which the injury was discovered or reasonably could have been discovered.
While there are some exceptions, you likely only have two years to sue the liable party for damages. If you wait too long, you could lose your opportunity to recover fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. We strongly recommend that you get in touch with an experienced attorney, like those at Hanna Allen, PLLC, as soon as possible.
When you reach out to our team, we will immediately begin a thorough investigation of your claim. We strive to guide each client through the complexities of the legal system and conduct rigorous investigations of every incident to gain a complete understanding of the damages involved and, most importantly, who is liable. As your legal team, we will be there to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have.
Why Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
There are many reasons to work with a personal injury lawyer after a serious accident or catastrophic injury. First, numerous studies have shown that people who hire attorneys typically receive better settlements than those who try to resolve their personal injury claims on their own. This is largely because the insurance company knows that your attorney understands the law and is dedicated to protecting your rights.
Insurance companies are businesses, and, like any other business, their main goal is to make money. One way they do this is by limiting insurance claim payouts. Insurance adjusters often use a variety of tactics, such as inflating a victim’s percentage of fault or disputing the severity of an injury, to devalue and deny claims. When you work with an attorney, you put the power back on your side.
At Hanna Allen, PLLC, our Sweetwater personal injury lawyers not only know how to fight back against the insurance company’s efforts to dispute your claim, but we are also fully prepared to represent you at trial if necessary. Our team will handle every detail of your case, including communicating with the insurance company on your behalf, so that you can focus on what matters most: healing.
We know that hiring a lawyer may seem like just another expense. But at Hanna Allen, PLLC, we offer our legal services on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not pay anything upfront or out of pocket when you work with our firm. Instead, we only collect attorney fees if/when we win your case. If we do not recover a settlement or verdict on your behalf, you do not owe us a dime.
Get started with your free consultation today; call (432) 220-2649or contact us online. Hablamos español.