Suffering injuries in a sudden accident can be a stressful and disorienting experience. Not only do you have to cope with the pain of your physical injury, but you also likely need to overcome financial burdens. If another person’s negligence contributed to the accident that caused your injuries, that individual might owe you financial compensation. A Killeen personal injury lawyer could evaluate your case and help you collect the monetary damages you deserve. Proceeding without legal representation can be complicated, but a dedicated attorney could fight to protect your rights.
The Basics of Personal Injury Claims
There are many different accidents that could warrant filing a personal injury lawsuit. Common examples of accidents that might entitle a plaintiff to pursue financial compensation include but are not limited to:- Motor vehicle wrecks
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Near-drowning situations
- Playground accidents
- Boating crashes
- Fires and explosions
- Medical malpractice
- Workplace accidents
Available Damages in Personal Injury Cases
The money that a defendant pays to an injured plaintiff is called damages. In order to collect these funds, a plaintiff must prove their injuries with documentary evidence and valid testimony. A dedicated legal representative could help a client gather all of this information. Once a claimant proves their setbacks and injuries, they can collect damages that include reimbursement for all their injury-related expenses. Typical examples of financial compensation include repayment for medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation sessions, and any further necessary treatment. If the injury will have a long-term or permanent impact, damages could also include reimbursement for projected future expenses. Furthermore, a claimant could also receive money to compensate for their inconvenience, embarrassment, disfigurement, pain, emotional anguish, and diminished enjoyment of daily life. A well-practiced lawyer in Killeen has experience handling severe injuries and could help a plaintiff maximize their financial compensation after an accident.Are Injury Claims Subject to Time Limits?
The law requires anyone seeking damages for personal injuries to file a lawsuit within two years of the accident that caused their suffering. This time limit applies to all varieties of claim, including medical malpractice actions and wrongful death lawsuits. There are some exceptions that apply in specific circumstances, and a knowledgeable representative could help a client determine whether they are eligible for an extension. Meanwhile, much shorter time limits apply if government agency contributed to the accident in question. In these cases, an injured person must file their lawsuit within six months. Acting against a government organization becomes possible when a plaintiff was:- Injured on government-owned property
- Involved in a wreck with a vehicle driven by a public employee
- Hurt because a local government failed in a duty