Do You Actually Have a Personal Injury Case in Amarillo? Here’s How to Tell

If you’ve recently suffered an injury due to an accident, you may be wondering if you have a valid personal injury case. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed and uncertain, but the good news is that you can seek professional guidance throughout every step of the post-injury process. The personal injury lawyers at Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway P.C. can assess whether you have a case and, if so, begin handling everything for you. 

Factors That Determine If You Have a Personal Injury Case

The purpose of personal injury law is to protect individuals who suffer harm due to someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or fault. The person responsible for the injury is usually held financially accountable for damages that directly result from the accident. Simply put, personal injury law aims to make the injured party whole by offering financial relief. 

However, not all injuries automatically lead to a valid case. There are several important elements that need to be present for your injury to qualify for compensation. 

You Were Injured Due to Another Person’s Negligence

The primary element of any personal injury case is that someone else’s actions (or inaction) caused your injury. In Amarillo, Texas, this falls under the umbrella of negligence. This means that the responsible party was careless, failed to meet a duty of care, or otherwise acted in a way that led to your injury.

For example, if you were involved in a car accident and the other driver was texting while driving, that driver’s failure to pay attention could be the basis for your claim. Becoming distracted while driving would be the negligent behavior that led to the accident, and your injuries.

You Can Prove Liability

Even if you were injured, proving that another party is liable for the accident is not always straightforward. Liability means that you can demonstrate that the other party was responsible for the situation that caused your injury. This could be through evidence, such as:

• Witness statements
• Surveillance footage
• Police reports
• Medical records
• Expert opinions 

A personal injury lawyer can help you gather and present this evidence in a way that supports your case. 

You Suffered Real Damages

Even if you have evidence that someone else caused the accident, you cannot pursue a personal injury case unless you suffered real, measurable damages. These damages can include:

• Medical expenses for hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, etc.
• Lost income if your injury kept you from working
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering due to injuries 
• Property damage in cases like car accidents

For instance, if you were in a minor fender bender and did not suffer any injuries, you may not have a case. But if you were in a crash that led to chronic pain, significant medical costs, and lost work, those are damages you can claim through a civil lawsuit. Victims of a car accident often need time and guidance from medical professionals to fully understand the extent of an injury.

The Statute of Limitations Has Not Expired

In Texas, personal injury cases are subject to a time limit, or statute of limitations. For most personal injury claims, Texas law sets the deadline at two years from the day when the injury occurred or was discovered. This means that if you wait too long to pursue a case, you could lose your right to compensation.

It’s important to contact an injury attorney right after an accident to help you determine if you have a viable case. This ensures you have ample time to build a compelling claim while ensuring you don’t miss the deadline. The attorneys at Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway P.C. can help you understand how the statute of limitations applies to your case and take timely action to protect your rights.

Contact an Amarillo Personal Injury Lawyer Today to Evaluate Your Case

If you’ve been injured and are wondering whether you have a personal injury case in Amarillo, it’s essential to evaluate the circumstances carefully. The team at Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway P.C. will evaluate the facts of your case to determine the validity of your injury case. Contact us online or call 800-433-2408 to get started on your case.