As you search the internet for “affordable personal injury lawyer in Houston,” you may feel overwhelmed by the results on the page.
There are lots of attorneys out there offering their services. Where should you turn? Is there a way to get free attorney advice within Houston, Texas?
While accidents occur every day, no one thinks about needing a personal injury attorney until the unthinkable happens. You may feel devastated by your situation and the financial stresses resulting from your injuries.
Here are some considerations to keep in mind when looking for advice from a trusted personal injury attorney.
What to Look for When Seeking an Affordable Personal Injury Attorney in Houston
Although each personal injury case presents different facts, most of these cases revolve around the same legal principles.
So personal injury attorneys typically apply a common cluster of legal strategies to handle claims.
Personal injury attorneys understand the tactics employed by insurance companies and opposing counsel. They also prepare every case for trial, even if your attorney believes a favorable settlement can be reached.
Additionally, these attorneys act in the best interests of their clients when pursuing compensation on their behalf.
Knowledge of the Law
Personal injury attorneys understand personal injury law and may practice in this area exclusively. In fact, it may be wise to retain a personal injury lawyer that focuses their practice on personal injury law.
A competent personal injury lawyer stays up to date on case law and statutory changes and applies these facts to your particular case.
Experience
Seek an attorney that possesses experience taking cases to trial. Attorneys who don’t have trial experience may push a case to reach a quick settlement without considering other options.
While a lifetime’s worth of knowledge may not be necessary to represent you in your case successfully, an attorney you choose should prove they have successfully litigated other personal injury cases.
Contingency Agreements
When you meet with an attorney, be sure to discuss the manner of payment and collections for legal services. Having no fee agreement with a personal injury attorney in Houston leaves you open to a lot of heartaches.
And every reputable attorney will insist on being clear about their fee upfront. A fee agreement outlines the services the attorney contracts to provide you.
Most personal injury attorneys operate on a contingency basis.
A contingency fee agreement provides that your attorney gets paid only if you receive compensation in your case.
Based on the complexity and riskiness of the case, a fee agreement may provide a contingency percentage ranging anywhere from 25% to 40%.
When your attorney obtains a settlement or judgment for your case, they receive that set percentage from your award.
In addition to legal fees, litigation costs—such as court and filing fees associated with retaining expert witnesses and receiving medical records—are also deducted from your total compensation award.
Contact Us to Find Out How Affordable a Personal Injury Lawyer
The attorneys at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP share a common calling to provide the highest caliber legal services to our clients.
We possess the skills and experience to handle all kinds of personal injury cases, and we are serious about getting justice for our clients.
Our consultations are always free, and we never take a fee unless you win your case. Contact us today for a consultation to find out how we can help you!
Scott Armstrong obtains remarkable results for his clients. He has successfully tried numerous cases to favorable verdicts and reached significant settlements on his clients’ behalf. In the process, he has recovered millions for his clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely nothing. At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you owe us nothing unless we win your case, whether that’s in the form of a settlement or a judgment. We offer a free consultation to anyone who thinks they might have a personal injury case.
We suggest speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury. Something to keep in mind is that all personal injury cases need evidence, and that evidence often degrades over time. As a result, many jurisdictions have a strict statute of limitations (or time limit) for filing a claim. In Texas, most victims have only two years from the date of injury to file, so it is important to start building your case immediately.
In the state of Texas, employers have the option of filing for workers’ compensation insurance. This policy covers them in case an employee suffers an injury on the job. However, some employers choose to be non-subscribers, which means they opt out of this coverage and lose certain legal protections. This means that if an injured employee sues them after a work injury, they may end up paying more damages. In addition, they may be liable for pain and suffering, punitive damages, and medical benefits. Learn more about non-subscriber injuries here.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) keeps track of employers that report their non-subscriber status. Currently, you can find a spreadsheet of every reported non-subscriber business in Texas under TDI’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage verification page. This includes the business address, business name, and filing dates. Learn more here.
There are a few different ways to manage your bills while waiting for your case to settle. For medical treatment, it is common to arrange a lien with the doctor’s office or hospital. A medical lien is essentially an agreement to pay back your treatment costs with a portion of your potential settlement. Another option for miscellaneous bills, such as rent, utilities, or other essential expenses, is lawsuit funding. Much like a lien, you pay these loans back with a portion of your settlement or judgment. However, these loans have high interest rates and fees, so be sure to discuss this option with your attorney.