Abilene Personal Injury Lawyers
If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s careless, reckless, or negligent conduct, you do not have to face the physical, mental, and financial aftermath on your own.
When another person or party is to blame, you have the right to file a personal injury claim and seek financial compensation for your damages, such as medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and more.
At Hanna Allen, PLLC, our personal injury attorneys in Abilene represent clients in all types of complex personal injury matters.
Our legal team has more than 150 years of combined experience and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of the injured and their families. We understand the challenges you are facing, and we are here to advocate for the justice you deserve.
Injured in an accident? Contact Hanna Allen, PLLC today at (325) 440-9996 to schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers in Abilene, TX
When Can You File a Personal Injury Claim in Texas?
Generally speaking, you can file a personal injury claim or lawsuit if you were injured and suffered measurable losses, or “damages,” as a result of another party’s negligence, wrongful conduct, or intentional misconduct.
As the person bringing the claim (known as the “plaintiff”), there are several things you will likely need to prove, including:
- The party against whom you are bringing the claim (the “defendant”) had a legal responsibility to exercise due care and prevent foreseeable injury, known as a duty of care
- The defendant failed to uphold or breached the duty of care through a negligent act or omission or by acting wrongfully
- You sustained an injury, leading to measurable economic and/or non-economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering
- The defendant’s negligent act or omission, wrongful conduct, or intentional misconduct was the direct or proximate cause of your injuries (known as “causation”)
Some cases, such as certain defective product lawsuits, may be brought on the grounds of strict liability. Under strict liability rules, you do not necessarily need to prove that the defendant was negligent or acted wrongfully, only that they are considered strictly liable by law for the incident that caused your injuries and resulting damages.
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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 (325) 440-9996 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.
The Opinions That Matter Most
Read Our 5-Star Reviews
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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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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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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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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. I’m very pleased with the results and would recommend to anyone.Heaven R.
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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.
When To Hire A Personal Injury Attorney
As a general guideline, it’s best to contact a lawyer after an injury as soon as possible. There are a couple of reasons for this, the first being the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is a law implemented on a state-by-state basis that allocates a specific timeline for when personal injury cases can be filed. According to the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code section 16.003 the state of Texas has a two-year timeline.
Beyond the statute of limitations, having someone on your side who knows the ins and outs of the legal system is crucial. The legal system around negligence, liability and personal injury claims can be complex. Insurance companies are experts in defending their best interest, have someone in your corner who will tirelessly defend yours!
Another reason it’s important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible is once you sign a compensation agreement with an insurance company you will almost certainly be unable to recover any other damages, even if you find your injuries became worse later, which is a common occurrence for soft tissue injuries.
If you have suffered injuries due to the negligence of another, talk to our Abilene personal injury attorneys for help today!
Understanding Texas Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
Known as the “statute of limitations,” the deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Texas is two years from the date of injury. In some cases, the deadline may be extended from the date on which the injury was discovered or reasonably could have been discovered, rather than the actual date of injury.
This is often the case in medical malpractice cases and claims involving occupational illnesses, when an injury or medical condition may go undiscovered for days, weeks, months, or even years.
While there are certain exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within this two-year window. If you wait too long and the statute of limitations expires, you will most likely lose your right to sue the liable party for damages. Your best option is to contact a personal injury lawyer in Abilene, TX, when you first think you may have a case.
What Types of Damages Can You Recover in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
The fundamental purpose of filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit is to recover financial compensation for damages incurred as a result of an injury. While the compensation itself is monetary, the damages you have suffered do not necessarily need to be financial in nature for you to be awarded a settlement or verdict.
In fact, you may seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages in a Texas personal injury lawsuit.
Depending on the specific details of your case, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the following damages:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care costs, ambulance and hospital fees, surgery, co-pays, physical therapy, medications, medical equipment, and more
- Future medical care costs, including ongoing treatments and rehabilitation, as well as future prescription medication costs and related expenses
- Lost income, wages, and benefits, including retirement and pension contributions, as well as future lost earnings due to disability, impairment, or incapacitation
- Pain and suffering, including both mental and physical pain and suffering, lost enjoyment/quality of life, emotional distress, trauma, and inconvenience
- Lost or diminished earning capacity due to permanent injury, partial or total disability, or significant impairment/limitation of a body member, organ, or function
- Mental health services, including counseling and therapy, for mental health conditions related to the incident/injury, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety
- Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury, such as in-home assistance with household tasks, childcare costs, and home modification expenses
At Hanna Allen, PLLC, our personal injury lawyers in Abilene understand that many people want to know how much their case may be worth. Unfortunately, it is impossible to accurately estimate the value of a claim without first reviewing the many details involved.
We encourage you to reach out to our Abilene personal injury lawyers today to learn more, including the potential value of your claim and the types of damages you may be able to recover, during a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
Why Choose Our Abilene Injury Attorneys for Your Case
Navigating the aftermath of a serious accident or injury is stressful enough without the added hassle of dealing with the insurance company and fighting for a fair settlement. While you are not required by law to hire a personal injury attorney, study after study has shown that people who hire attorneys statistically recover better settlements than those who try to resolve their claims on their own.
When you trust your recovery to a skilled legal team, you send a message to the insurance company that you are not willing to settle for less than your claim is worth. And, if the insurance company still refuses to play fair, your attorney can represent you at trial.
We have successfully represented catastrophically injured individuals, as well as the families of those wrongfully killed, throughout Taylor County, Jones County, and all of the surrounding areas. Our bilingual team can assist you in English or Spanish, and we provide complimentary consultations in person or by phone for your convenience.
There are no legal fees for you unless we recover compensation on your behalf! Call (325) 440-9996 or contact us online for a free consultation.