In just a split second, a rear-end accident can alter the course of your entire life. That’s because recovering from a rear-end crash doesn’t just mean going through the recovery process to heal your rear-end collision injuries. It also involves recuperating financially.
Without monetary support, you could be in dire straits for the rest of your life, even if you return to full health. Fortunately, there are legal options available to you in this scenario.
Before discussing ways to recover from rear-end collisions, it’s vital to first answer the question, “What does ‘rear-ended’ mean?”
A rear-end car crash is one in which two cars in the same lane are traveling forward, and one strikes the back end of the other. The result is damage to both the back of the rear-ended car and the front of the other car, as well as potential injuries to the drivers and passengers in both vehicles.
Typically, the immediate consequences of a rear-end collision are identical to those of any other car accident.
According to Texas law, you are required to immediately stop your vehicle in a safe location as close to the scene of the accident as possible. You should then report the accident to the authorities, share your contact and insurance information with the other driver, and seek medical attention, even if you don’t think you were injured.
Rear-ended injuries may not be immediately apparent, especially if you are experiencing an adrenaline rush. But catastrophic injuries may not be immediately evident for the same reason. As such, an evaluation by a medical professional protects you both physically and legally.
In a rear-end collision, the head is accelerated forward at a rapid speed. However, it can’t continue moving in that direction indefinitely, and the neck can only stretch so far. In a typical rear-end collision, the victim’s head will then whip back at a similarly rapid pace.
That whip-cracking-like action is what often results in the aptly named condition, whiplash, which damages the soft tissue of the neck and back. It can also cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as the brain strikes the front and back of the skull during the violent whipping motion.
Whiplash is a difficult injury to detect. Often, the damage to the soft tissue does not become apparent for days or even weeks after an injury, meaning you must exercise extreme caution after getting rear-ended.
Even if medical personnel initially cleared you, you should still seek a second evaluation about a week after the accident (sooner if you start to feel pain in your shoulders, neck, or back). This doesn’t mean the medical personnel who evaluated you weren’t competent. It just means there was nothing to find at first glance.
Regardless, once you know that you are suffering from whiplash, you should pursue treatment as quickly as possible. The soft-tissue damage from whiplash can worsen and become permanent if left untreated. But with the right (and immediate) treatment, you’ll have a chance at recovery.
However, you must be aware that recovery may take months or even years of therapy. And if you aren’t diligent about getting that therapy, it is effectively the same as not getting any treatment at all.
Unfortunately, TBIs (such as concussions) are much more difficult to recover from than whiplash. These injuries usually result in lifelong consequences, and there is often little that doctors can do to heal them. Instead, recovery usually involves decades of therapy and learning techniques to adapt to life with your injury.
Nevertheless, the sooner you start treatment, the better. TBIs are such injuries wherein the long-term consequences will be comparatively better if you seek immediate medical attention.
As mentioned, recovering from either of these injuries requires a significant amount of therapy, possibly a lifetime worth in certain cases. And that isn’t cheap. One could easily spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on such intensive treatment.
Additionally, the initial recovery period and future therapy sessions will probably result in an abundance of missed work time. Even a day of missed work will cost most people a few hundred dollars, though. If you miss months or weeks of work, that could cost tens of thousands.
You may not know how to (or whether you even can) recover from such a monetary loss. There are two ways in which a victim’s financial recovery can go:
Texas is an at-fault insurance state, and given that the driver of the rear vehicle is almost always at fault in a rear-end accident, their insurance company should be responsible for all your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses resulting from the accident.
Unfortunately, insurance companies aren’t in the business of generosity. They make money by undervaluing claims and outright denying them. And that means you may need to be a little more forceful to get the money you need to recover.
The best way to recover financially after a rear-end car crash is to hire an experienced car accident lawyer. They will be able to accurately determine the value of your claim, even if you still require years of therapy, and they won’t let the insurance company pay you less than you deserve.
Additionally, regardless of whether your attorney reaches a settlement with the insurance company or takes your claim to court, they will take charge of your case, allowing you to focus your energy on your physical recovery.
You cannot afford to wait after getting rear-ended and subsequently injured. Most injuries require immediate medical attention, and your finances can be drained swiftly by medical bills and lost wages. Consult with appropriate legal and medical professionals quickly to work toward the best recovery.
For more information, please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have convenient locations in Bedford and Fort Worth, Texas.
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Bedford
2317 Plaza Pkwy #100,
Bedford, TX 76021
(817) 503-9200
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth
209 N Hampton St,
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 839-3143
Have you recently been involved in a car crash and would like a free copy of your crash report?
If you’ve been recently involved in a car crash and would like a free copy of your crash report, go to texcrashreport.com and enter the information requested. By filling out this form, you grant us permission to purchase and download your crash report for you. Once we do so, we will send you an email with the free report. No obligation. Wondering why we do this? It’s just something we want to do to try to help you in any possible way we can. If you’ve been in a car crash, you might be confused, anxious and not sure where to turn. A crash report can be incredibly helpful for you, the insurance company, and any attorney you might decide to consult with in the future. By helping you obtain your crash report, it is one weight lifted off your shoulders.
We hope you find this helpful and if you ever need any further assistance from us, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Were you injured in a car crash and are you wondering how important it is to continue your medical care after the crash?
So, you’ve been involved in a car crash and you’re injured but not sure if you really need to go to the doctor and continue with your care. The simple answer is absolutely yes—go to the doctor! If you’re hurt, you need to be treated. The insurance companies look at it this way: If you’re not hurt bad enough to go to the doctor, then you’re not hurt bad enough to make a claim.
If you are hurt, it’s imperative that you get the right treatment and that you follow through on the treatment that’s prescribed to you. Whether that’s physical therapy, occupational therapy, follow-up doctor’s visits, injections, etc. It’s absolutely imperative that you do that. I know it can be a drain on your time, and you often think that you don’t need to do it, but if you have a serious injury, you absolutely want to get it cared for.
With April being Distracted Driving Awareness Month, it’s a good time to put safety back in the driver’s seat and reassess our responsibilities when sharing the road.
Taking your eyes off the road, even for a few seconds, could cost a life. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that sending or reading a text at 60 miles per hour is the same as driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. A significant number of drivers on North Texas highways regularly engage in non-driving-related tasks. While we often associate distracted driving with using your cell phone, it can be anything from eating and switching playlists to bickering children or rowdy pets.
According to the NHTSA, 3,522 people were killed because of distracted driving in 2021 and 3,308 in 2022. “It’s tragic to think of how many final moments are preceded by the thought, ‘I’ll just send a quick text.’ It all too often leads to a devastating car accident. Whatever it is you need to send can wait until you reach your destination,” Brad says.
While talking on the phone puts a strain on attention by taking your mind off the road, texting fully switches a driver’s attention by taking the mind and eyes off the road. Even though texting is worse than chatting while driving, it is not by much. Many studies have found that hands-free phone calls are just as distracting as having conversations with another passenger in the car. Minimizing the number of incoming messages and calls can reduce the distraction of having a phone in the car. This can easily be done by enabling a phone’s “do not disturb” feature.
With all the advancements in-car technology, a new version of distracted driving has come about called “automation complacency.” This happens when automated vehicles or cars with several safety features cause drivers to over-rely on the car to prevent crashes. Forward collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warnings are causing drivers to become dangerously complacent about their responsibilities behind the wheel. According to the National Safety Council, a study discovered that using features like lane-keeping assistance resulted in a 50% increase in engaging in secondary tasks.
On so many occasions, when someone texts and drives, they are lucky and escape an accident. The brain responds to that feedback and makes people think that they are capable of safely using their cell phones while driving. This can be a deadly mistake. When the stakes include fatality and the benefit of texting is so minimal, distracted driving is just plain foolish and irresponsible.
Visually distracted driving refers to anything that takes the driver’s eyes off the road. An example of this is turning to look at a passenger while having a conversation.
We tend to forget the importance of listening when driving. Auditory distractions can cause drivers to miss the sirens of emergency vehicles, warning honks from other cars, or rumble strips alerting that we have veered into the shoulder. Auditory distractions include listening to something with earbuds while driving.
Manual distractions are any activities that take the driver’s hands off the wheel. For instance, when a driver is holding food or a beverage, he or she is manually distracted.
Cognitive or mental distractions take the driver’s mind off the task at hand. Dwelling on an intense conversation while behind the wheel might constitute as cognitively distracted driving.
Sending electronic messages while driving became illegal in Texas in 2017. This law only applies to texting or sending emails while in a moving vehicle, which means that a driver can still text in their cars, but only if it is at a complete stop. If you break the law, it will cost you $99 for your first offense. Any repeat offenses cost $200. If there is an accident that happens because of your texting, you could be jailed for up to one year and receive a fine of up to $4,000. Additional cellphone laws to remember include:
In distracted driving cases, you must prove that the other driver was acting negligently. Some types of information can be obtained at the time of the accident, but others can be gathered after the fact. Our attorneys will gather evidence to prove negligence in distracted driving cases, such as:
If there were any eyewitnesses to the accident, such as other car drivers or bystanders, it is pivotal that they state the police. You should also collect their contact details. If your claim goes to court, eyewitness testimony can be crucial evidence.
In some cases, you can rely on traffic camera footage to show a distracted driver’s actions. However, you will need to arrange to get any traffic camera footage as soon as you can after an accident, as traffic camera recordings are typically deleted after a few days or weeks.
If you took any photographs at the scene of the accident, especially of any damage to the vehicles, keep them safe as evidence. Photographs can provide excellent evidence in a distracted driving accident case.
A police report can be important evidence in any accident. It is also an opportunity for you to explain to an officer how the accident happened so they can document everything you saw.
If a driver used their phone at the time of an accident, phone records can provide powerful evidence.
The Texas Department of Transportation offers eight tips for preventing distractions while driving.
Do not text or talk on your phone while driving. Turn off your cell phone until you reach your destination. Research from the National Safety Council shows that hands-free phones are as much of a distraction as handheld phones. Place your device out of sight in the glove box or the console.
If you can’t wait to make a call or text, pull to a safe place. Many Texas cities have strict laws that prevent all handheld cell phone use while on the road. While traveling, cell phones should only be used for emergency purposes.
Don’t wait until you are driving to plan your route. Use navigation devices with voice directions and set your destination before leaving. GPS and navigation systems can be as distracting as cell phones.
Drowsiness increases the risk of a crash by nearly four times. A study by the AAA Traffic Safety Foundation found that 37% of drivers report falling asleep behind the wheel.
Suspend conversations when approaching locations with heavy traffic, road construction, or severe weather conditions.
Eating and drinking while driving may seem like a time-saver, but it makes you less attentive to drivers around you. Dropping a cigarette or spilling food or a drink are major causes of distracted driving.
Make a full-mirror sweep with your eyes every five minutes to ward off a wandering mind. If possible, vary your route so mundane trips like commuting to and from work don’t become tedious.
Driving instructors suggest a following distance of three-to-four seconds in good weather. This gives you more time to react to any risk to you and your passengers.
For more information, please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have convenient locations in Bedford and Fort Worth, Texas.
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Bedford
2317 Plaza Pkwy #100,
Bedford, TX 76021
(817) 503-9200
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth
209 N Hampton St,
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 839-3143
Damages are the different forms of compensation that may be available after a Bedford personal injury accident. If you have been in a car accident, slip and fall, or other incident, it is important to understand the damages you may be entitled to, including nominal damages.
While less commonly awarded, nominal damages are essentially symbolic. Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers team will fight for all damages you may be entitled to, including nominal damages, if applicable to your case.
Texas law recognizes many types of damages. These are designed to compensate you for injuries and losses in a personal injury case. Victims of personal injuries in Bedford may be awarded three categories of damages:
A Bedford personal injury lawyer can evaluate the economic, non-economic, and punitive damages available in your case.
Nominal damages are different than other types of damages. Rather than compensating you for your direct losses, nominal damages are small, symbolic amounts. They are awarded when your rights have been violated, but you suffered little to no actual financial harm for which economic or non-economic damages would be awarded.
You may choose to pursue nominal damages in your personal injury case if you have not suffered actual financial harm. There are many different reasons to do so, including for:
While nominal damages are minimal, their symbolic value cannot be overstated. They play an important part in allowing accident victims to pursue justice and receive formal recognition that misconduct occurred, no matter how small.
Two high-profile cases show how nominal damages may be awarded by a judge or jury over traditional economic and non-economic damages.
The first example involves actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who was accused of recklessly colliding with a retired optometrist while skiing in Utah. The optometrist sued her for negligently causing the collision and his resulting injuries, while Paltrow countersued for just $1 in damages, plus her legal fees, for her own losses.
After a three-day trial, the jury ruled in Paltrow’s favor and awarded her $1 in damages as requested. This gave her vindication against the allegation that she was responsible for the collision.
A second high-profile example involves pop star Taylor Swift, who was sued for defamation by a former DJ. The DJ argued that her comments about his conduct at a club caused him to be wrongfully terminated.
Swift countersued and alleged battery and sexual assault, but sought just $1 in damages. The trial concluded with the jury ruling in her favor and awarding the $1 she requested.
Swift explained to Rolling Stone that she did not sue for substantial damages because her purpose was to hold the DJ accountable and strengthen the social norm against sexual assault.
Pursuing nominal damages is primarily about vindicating your rights and recognizing legal wrongs, even if you do not suffer actual harm. If you find yourself in such a situation, a Bedford personal injury lawyer can help you fight for the justice and vindication you deserve.
For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have convenient locations in Fort Worth and Bedford, Texas.
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth
209 N Hampton St,
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 510-9400
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Bedford
2317 Plaza Pkwy #100,
Bedford, TX 76021
(817) 503-9200
Emotions and adrenaline can run high after a car accident. This may make it difficult to think clearly, causing you to say things you may not intend. These statements can be used against you in a personal injury claim or lawsuit to reduce the compensation you may be entitled to, especially when they relate to fault.
It is a mistake to admit fault directly after a car accident in Fort Worth. If you or a loved one have been in a collision, resist the urge to apologize or accept responsibility. These admissions can have significant legal implications in Texas.
An experienced Fort Worth car accident lawyer will help you understand how concepts like fault and comparative negligence may impact your personal injury case.
Fault is a legal term. In car accident cases, it refers to someone being legally responsible for the damages and injuries caused by the incident.
Fault is often based on the principle of negligence. A driver is considered negligent or at fault when they fail to exercise reasonable care on the road, causing an accident.
There are many examples of negligence on Fort Worth roads, including:
For example, you have a green light and start driving through an intersection. Another driver runs a red light and collides with you. The other driver would likely be considered at fault for the accident since they failed to exercise reasonable care by running the red light.
This example may seem obvious, but it is important to understand that determining fault can be more complicated. Many factors can complicate determining fault, particularly when multiple vehicles are involved.
Admitting fault after a car accident may reduce your compensation. This is because Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule.
When a claimant shares responsibility for an accident, their compensation is reduced proportionally by their percentage of fault. Additionally, if you are determined to be more than 50 percent at fault, you will be barred from recovering compensation entirely for injuries or other damages.
For example, if you are found to be 20 percent to blame for an auto accident and the total damages amount to $10,000, you would be eligible to receive $8,000. However, if you were instead found to be 51 percent at fault for the accident, you would likely recover nothing.
This system shows the importance of not admitting fault immediately after a Texas crash. Other factors may have contributed to the accident, even if you believe you were partly responsible. You may not be aware of these immediately after the accident without some investigation.
For example, another driver may have been speeding or driving while distracted. If you prematurely admit fault, it will be used against you to reduce or bar your potential compensation under comparative negligence rules.
Determining liability in a car accident can be complex because many different variables may be at play.
Factors that impact who is at fault for a Fort Worth car accident include:
A Fort Worth car accident attorney will gather evidence in your case to determine who is responsible. You may not have all the facts about the accident at the scene, which can make admitting fault problematic if you turn out to be incorrect. Let a lawyer investigate your case and evaluate where liability and fault may lie. You deserve to have an experienced team on your side.
Any statements you make after a Fort Worth car accident can be used against you as evidence. Statements may be used in lawsuits or insurance claims to significantly weaken your case, even if they were intended as a simple apology.
Insurance companies, in particular, use admissions of fault to minimize payouts. Depending on the facts of your case, such an admission may even be used to deny coverage or liability for damages and injuries you incur.
You provide insurers and other drivers with a way to reduce their liability for a car accident if you improperly admit fault. A Fort Worth personal injury lawyer will protect your rights and help you avoid making admissions that may be used against you in Texas.
Consulting a Fort Worth personal injury attorney can be a wise decision after a car accident. This is because of the challenges associated with establishing fault and the potential consequences of doing so incorrectly.
An experienced car accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process, gather and analyze evidence, and communicate with insurance companies or other drivers. They can also guide you on handling questions from insurance adjusters and represent you in negotiations for a settlement.
If your case goes to trial, a lawyer will also help you refute allegations that you bear fault for the accident, which may threaten to limit or bar potential compensation.
We understand it may be tempting to admit responsibility after a car accident in Fort Worth. However, resist the urge, even if you believe you are at fault.
Admitting fault can have significant legal and financial repercussions, especially when the facts of your accident show otherwise. Consult a Fort Worth car accident lawyer from Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers as soon as possible at (817) 839-3143 for the representation you deserve.
Most accidents and injuries that occur at work are handled through workers’ compensation. However, there are instances when a third-party lawsuit might be necessary to recover compensation for damages.
A third party is someone who is not directly involved in the workers’ compensation claim but who contributed to the cause of the worker’s injuries. Therefore, under Texas tort laws, the third party could be financially liable for the workers’ damages.
A third-party claim is a personal injury claim. Because Texas workers’ compensation laws do not limit the value of these claims, you could recover substantial damages.
The term third party also appears in other contexts within personal injury law, such as a third-party insurance claim after a car accident. It can also refer to certain types of parties involved in lawsuits (we’ll briefly discuss this latter circumstance below).
A third-party claim is a personal injury case. Typically, you begin by filing an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company if they have liability insurance that applies to your claim. You can also file a lawsuit against the third party seeking damages.
Third-party claims can arise from many situations. Examples of third-party claims include, but are not limited to:
You can file a third-party claim and a workers’ compensation claim for the same injury. However, you must prove fault to win a third-party claim.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. You do not need to prove that your employer or another party caused your injury to receive workers’ comp benefits. You can contribute to the cause of your work injury and recover the same benefits as you would if the injury was not your fault.
However, third-party claims are subject to the same tort laws as other personal injury cases. You must prove that the other party caused your injuries and you sustained damages to recover compensation. You cannot recover damages if you cannot prove all required legal elements of your claim.
Additionally, if you are partially to blame for causing your injuries for a third-party claim, your compensation for damages could be reduced under contributory fault laws. The Texas proportionate responsibility statute states a claimant cannot recover damages if their percentage of fault is 51% or greater. However, if they are less than 51% to blame, their damages are reduced by their percentage of fault.
Unlike workers’ compensation benefits, third-party damages can compensate you for all economic damages. Workers’ comp only reimburses you for a portion of these losses. Additionally, you can receive compensation for pain and suffering (non-economic) damages.
Examples of the damages you can receive for a third-party claim include, but are not limited to:
As with other personal injury cases, the value of your damages depends on the facts of your situation. Your fault could negatively impact the amount of compensation you receive. However, sustaining catastrophic injuries and impairments could increase the value of your claim.
The deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits are set by law in Texas. The deadlines depend on the type of claim and other factors.
Most personal injury cases have a two-year statute of limitations, but there could be exceptions. Therefore, seeking legal advice as soon as possible is in your best interest to avoid missing your chance to file a third-party lawsuit.
Third-party can also refer to parties who may be added to the original lawsuit. We refer to these parties as interpleaders, impleaders, and intervenors.
An interpleader situation involves funds for an insurance policy. An insurance company files a lawsuit naming claimants who have claimed the policy funds. The insurance company is usually dismissed as a party, and the court decides the case between the claimants.
An impleader is someone the plaintiff or defendant brings into the lawsuit as a new party. For example, a defendant may add someone to the lawsuit they believe is liable or partly liable for the plaintiff’s damages. Likewise, if the defendant counter-sues the plaintiff, the plaintiff may add someone to the lawsuit the plaintiff believes is liable for the defendant’s claim.
An intervenor is a party who petitions the court to join a lawsuit. There are many reasons why a party might want to join a lawsuit. For example, the outcome of the lawsuit could impact the intervenor’s interests. The parties to the lawsuit could object or challenge the petition for intervention.
Third-party cases can be confusing. If you have questions or need help, contact a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer from Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers during a free consultation at (817) 839-3143.
Were you or a loved one assaulted in Fort Worth, TX? At Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we can help you seek compensation from your attackers and any other responsible parties. With an experienced Fort Worth assault injury lawyer in your corner, you may recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain, trauma, and more.
As leaders in personal injury law, our lawyers have over 37 years of combined experience advocating for victims like you. We’ve succeeded and used our experience to recover over $75 million to help innocent people move forward with their lives after an injury.
You’ve already suffered a serious trauma. Set yourself up for success by calling our law offices in Fort Worth, Texas at (817) 839-3143 to learn more about your legal options today. Your consultation is 100% free of charge.
A serious attack can change your life in an instant. Many victims sustain debilitating injuries and experience lasting psychological trauma. A criminal conviction can give you a sense of justice.
That said, high medical costs and a sudden loss of income can leave you struggling financially. A Fort Worth personal injury lawyer can help you pursue financial compensation from anyone who shared responsibility for the attack.
When you hire Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers, you’ll have an advocate to:
Our Fort Worth personal injury attorneys are known for taking an aggressive approach. We won’t accept a lowball settlement, and we’ll fight until we get a fair deal for you. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options after an assault.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), 90,759 cases of aggravated assault were reported statewide in 2022. 14,639 rapes and 18,645 sexual assaults were reported that year. Unfortunately, DPS also reported 254,339 cases of family violence.
If you have been a victim of assault in Texas, Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers is here to help you demand justice.
We handle all types of assault injury cases, including those involving:
We can help you determine who is financially responsible for your injuries. With that information, we can help you demand financial compensation from your attacker and anyone else who allowed the assault to occur.
Assault is a crime in the state of Texas. Assuming your attacker is caught, they could be facing a lengthy prison sentence and financial penalties.
To convict under Texas criminal laws, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that your attacker:
You may also have a valid civil case under Texas personal injury laws. Regardless of whether the prosecution has the evidence to convict, you may be able to prove your attacker owes you compensation. That’s because the standard of proof is lower in civil cases.
You may also have a valid personal injury claim against a negligent third party. If you were injured while on someone else’s property, you may deserve compensation from the property owner if they failed to provide adequate security.
Your case value will depend on several different things, including:
The outcome of a lawsuit is always uncertain. You can give yourself the best chance of recovering the most compensation possible by hiring an experienced attorney.
Assault injury victims can pursue compensation for all of their economic damages and non-economic damages. The damages you recover are intended to make up for the precise losses you’ve suffered due to the attack.
Some common examples of the economic or financial losses you may have suffered include:
Non-economic damages are meant to help you cope with the pain and trauma of the attack and injury, and may include:
If your attacker is caught, the court may hold them responsible for paying punitive damages. Punitive damages are available in cases involving intentional wrongdoing or extreme reckless disregard for human life.
Of course, your attacker can be held fully liable for your damages. However, that’s only the case if they have the financial resources to pay a settlement or verdict. If you were attacked on someone else’s property, they may also owe you compensation under Texas premises liability laws.
Examples of potentially responsible third parties include:
Determining who can be held financially liable can be the key to making a full financial recovery after an attack in Fort Worth.
Our team at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers takes cases on a contingency fee basis. In plain English, you don’t pay any upfront fees. Instead, you pay our fees as a percentage of your compensation award.
We’ll discuss our fee structure in more detail during your free case review, but our typical fee ranges from 33% to 40%, depending on the complexity of the matter.
Examples of the types of physical injuries your attack may have caused include:
Assault injuries can also be catastrophic and even fatal. Regardless of the extent of your injuries, you can count on our Fort Worth assault injury attorneys to fight for every available dollar. Just give us a call today for your free case review.
Assault injury claims are often based on negligent security. Premises liability laws hold property owners liable if they fail to provide adequate security.
To prove your case, you’ll generally have to prove:
Property owners can only be held responsible when their negligence allows a preventable act to occur. For example, if there is a history of criminal activity in the neighborhood, the owner is responsible for installing security to prevent additional crimes. When a certain type of business is likely to attract people who might commit assault, additional security precautions may be necessary.
Security guards, cameras, locked gates, and adequate lighting are all examples of the types of security measures that could easily prevent an assault.
You only have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit. In Texas, the statute of limitations is two years in most cases. That two-year clock starts running on the date of your assault. That means it’s important not to delay–if you wait longer than two years, you forfeit your right to sue for damages.
If you or a family member are a victim of assault in Fort Worth, Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers is here to stand up and fight for you. Contact us today to learn more about how a Fort Worth assault injury lawyer can help you fight to recover full financial compensation.
If you were injured in an auto accident at an intersection in the Fort Worth, TX, area, you could be entitled to compensation if another person’s negligence caused the crash. Establishing liability after an intersection accident and collecting damages can be a complex process made easier with the help of an experienced Fort Worth intersection accident lawyer from Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers.
Street intersections are the scenes of many car accidents due to the volume of traffic that passes through and brings drivers near each other in Fort Worth, Texas. After a crash happens, there will be finger-pointing and blame over which driver had the right of way and which was negligent. A skilled Fort Worth intersection accident attorney will know how to sort through the evidence and build a personal injury claim for victims of an intersection accident.
Call our law office at (817) 839-3143 to discuss your options during a free initial consultation.
In short, yes. Intersection accidents can be notoriously complicated in Fort Worth, TX. It is difficult for a crash victim, acting alone, to present evidence in a way that is convincing to insurance companies and the court system. Enlisting a Fort Worth car accident lawyer will be critical to your case, as it will protect you from liability and allow you to obtain the financial compensation you deserve.
A car accident lawyer will work diligently on your case to reach your goals.
Some of the tasks a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer will do for you include:
Don’t delay getting the help you need after an intersection accident in the Fort Worth area. Contact Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with our Fort Worth intersection accident attorney.
Nationally, almost 40 percent of traffic accidents are related to intersections. Of these, about 96% involved the fault of a driver rather than other conditions.
Some common causes of intersection accidents are:
Fort Worth sees about 15,000 car crashes each year, with many of those involving injuries to at least one driver. Applying the national average to these wrecks, Fort Worth alone might see over 6,000 intersection accidents each year. It is crucial for Fort Worth drivers to not only use caution when approaching intersections but also to know what their legal rights are if they are hit by another driver at an intersection.
As opposed to other stretches of road, intersections are where drivers meet other commuters and also pedestrians and bicyclists. Some drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists might not know all the rules of the road or act carelessly when crossing an intersection.
Distracted driving has also increased in recent years despite efforts to regulate cell phone use by drivers. When drivers are put into close contact through intersections, the risk of accidents goes up. Even if you drive carefully and obey all traffic signals, there is no guarantee that all other drivers are acting the same way.
Intersections also involve turns, and not all drivers will turn safely. For example, many intersections do not allow left turns, or right turns at a red light. Nevertheless, drivers might ignore the signs and proceed anyway, without regard for local rules. Drivers might also fail to check for pedestrians or bikes when turning through an intersection.
Another common problem is drivers attempting to race through an intersection to “beat” a light while it is yellow or even turning red. This creates a dangerous situation for other drivers and pedestrians at the intersection.
Under Texas law, a driver contributing to an accident can be found liable based on the percentage they are responsible for the accident. As long as you are not more than 50% at fault for the accident, the other party can be held liable in court and ordered to pay damages.
If you were injured in an accident at an intersection, you could be entitled to compensation from the other party. This includes other vehicle drivers, motorcyclists, bus drivers, truck drivers, transit companies, and even the employers of a driver who hit you.
Accident victims can pursue a personal injury claim for both monetary and non-monetary damages. Monetary damages include medical expenses, property repairs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and future expenses for medical treatment and therapy. These are damages that can be broken down into dollar figures and requested from a defendant or their insurance company.
Non-monetary damages include intangible items such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and wrongful death if the accident is fatal.
The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim in Texas is two years from the date of the injury or the date the injury was discovered (or should have been discovered). However, it is always recommended to start building your claim as soon as possible – while evidence is still available and witnesses still have a fresh recollection of the accident.
Our dedicated Fort Worth car accident lawyers stand ready to help you recover financially from an intersection accident while you recover physically. We have the knowledge and resources to go up against insurance companies and defense attorneys who will try to minimize your claim in Fort Worth, TX.
Contact Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Fort Worth intersection accident attorneys.
Premises liability refers to the responsibility that a property owner or occupier has to maintain safe conditions on their premises. You could have a premises liability claim if you’ve been injured on someone else’s property.
To help you understand your rights, here’s an overview of premises liability in Texas. If you have specific questions about your case, a Bedford personal injury lawyer can help you navigate a premises liability claim.
Premises liability is a type of negligence claim in Texas. Under Texas law, the person who owns or occupies a property has a duty to keep the property in a safe condition. This means taking reasonable precautions to create a safe environment.
The duty of care changes based on the facts of each case, but the key elements of a Texas premises liability are consistent in all types of cases.
The injured party, or plaintiff, must prove four elements to be successful in a premises liability case.
Here’s a brief look at each element that the plaintiff must prove:
A primary issue in premises liability cases is the duty of care the defendant owes the plaintiff.
Under Texas law, the defendant’s duty of care changes based on the reason the plaintiff was on the property. This means there is a higher level of care owed to some plaintiffs than others. Determining the plaintiffs’ reason for being on the property impacts the defendant’s liability.
There are three categories of visitors in premises liability cases: invitee, licensee, and trespasser. Property owners owe a different standard of care to each type of visitor.
An invitee is an individual on the property in a business or a commercial setting. An invitee has an implied invitation to be on the premises. Examples of invitees are diners at a restaurant, customers at a store, or guests at a hotel.
Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees and must protect invitees from known reasonable risks and foreseeable risks that the owner could identify with a simple inspection. In premises liability cases, we refer to this as a duty to inspect.
Property owners must fix all known conditions and inspect the property for additional hazards. Owners must either repair the condition, make the condition safe, or warn invitees of the hazard.
A licensee is a person who has been given permission to be on the premises for non-commercial reasons. This can be a social guest, a neighbor, or a delivery driver. Owners owe a lower duty of care to licensees than they owe to invitees. Owners do not owe licensees a duty to inspect, but they do have a duty to fix or make safe any known dangerous conditions.
To successfully bring a premises liability case as a licensee, you have to prove:
The main difference here is that you have to show that the defendant had actual knowledge of the dangerous condition. There is no duty to inspect for licensees. There is simply a duty to fix or warn of known hazards.
As you might imagine, property owners owe an even lower duty of care to trespassers. A trespasser is someone who enters a property without consent. If the owner does not know the person is on the property, they owe them no duty of care. If the owner knows the trespasser is on the property, they simply must warn of any unnatural hazards.
Property owners have no duty of care to inspect or keep premises safe for trespassers. Their only duty is to not harm a trespasser through gross negligence or willful or wanton conduct.
There are many different types of premises liability cases, but there are a few categories of cases that we frequently see.
Here’s an overview of the premises liability cases we see the most:
If you’ve been injured in an accident on someone else’s property, you might have a premises liability claim. The first thing to do when you’re injured is to seek medical treatment. Getting the medical care you need is the number one priority.
Next, contact a Texas premises liability lawyer to discuss your case. In Texas, plaintiffs must initiate premises liability cases within two years of the accident.
A premises liability lawyer can analyze your case, determine the type of claim you have, and discuss the applicable laws. They can work with you to ensure you get the compensation you need for your injuries and losses.
For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have convenient locations in Fort Worth and Bedford, Texas.
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth
209 N Hampton St,
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 510-9400
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Bedford
2317 Plaza Pkwy #100,
Bedford, TX 76021
(817) 503-9200