A personal injury case is a legal dispute that arises when a person suffers harm due to an accident or injury, and someone else might be legally responsible for that harm. These cases are civil in nature, meaning the injured parties, also known as plaintiffs, seek monetary compensation from those who are responsible for the harm.
The parties responsible for the harm are referred to as defendants, and the plaintiff must prove negligence by the defendant. The compensation is meant to make the plaintiff “whole” again, or as close to their pre-accident state as possible, from a financial perspective.
Personal cases fall under tort law. A tort is a legal term for a wrongful act that results in injury to another’s person, property, or reputation, for which the injured party may seek legal redress. A tort does not necessarily involve an illegal action, but rather may simply be a negligent act leading to harm.
Negligence is a legal term referring to the failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonable person would have exercised in a similar situation, leading to harm or injury to another person. It is a crucial concept in personal injury law where it serves as the basis for holding individuals or organizations legally accountable for the damages they cause.
The concept of negligence revolves around the duty of every person to act responsibly and avoid putting others at risk. Negligence can apply to a person’s actions or omissions. Some examples of negligent behavior in a personal injury case include:
Most civil lawsuits for injuries allege the defendant was negligent. To win a negligence lawsuit, the injury victim must establish four elements: 1) the defendant owed a duty of care to the victim, 2) they breached their duty of care, 3) the breach caused the injury, and 4) the victim suffered damages.
Under Texas negligence laws, a plaintiff seeking to establish liability and secure a civil, monetary recovery must successfully establish all four of these elements to prove negligence.
“Duty of Care” refers to the responsibility or legal obligation of a person or organization to avoid behaviors or actions that could potentially harm others. It’s the first element that a plaintiff needs to establish to proceed with a negligence claim.
For instance, drivers have a duty of care to other road users to operate their vehicles safely, and a company might have a duty of care to dispose of waste responsibly to prevent environmental harm. The specific level of duty of care can vary depending on the circumstances, but the fundamental expectation is that people should always behave in a manner that does not put others at unreasonable risk.
A “Breach of Duty of Care” occurs when an individual or organization fails to uphold their duty of care, resulting in harm to another person. In essence, it means that the standard of care that was expected in a given situation was not met.
For example, if a driver chooses to speed in a residential area, they are breaching their duty of care because they are not operating their vehicle safely, as is expected of them. Similarly, if a company does not follow proper waste disposal protocols and pollutes the environment, it has breached its duty of care.
To prove a breach of duty in a negligence claim, it must be demonstrated that the defendant’s actions, or lack thereof, fell below the standard of care that a reasonable person would have maintained under the same circumstances.
“Causation” refers to the relationship between the defendant’s negligent action (or inaction) and the plaintiff’s injury or harm. It is a critical element that the plaintiff must establish in a negligence lawsuit. Essentially, the plaintiff must prove that their injury would not have occurred but for the defendant’s negligent behavior. This is often referred to as “but-for” causation.
For instance, if a driver was texting while driving and hit a pedestrian, the pedestrian must demonstrate that their injuries would not have occurred but for the driver’s negligent act of texting while driving. In some cases, causation can be a complex issue, especially in instances where multiple factors may have contributed to the injury.
However, it is vital to understand that establishing causation alone is not sufficient to prove negligence; all four elements—duty, breach, causation, and damages—must be demonstrated for a successful negligence claim.
“Damages” in a personal injury case refers to the tangible and intangible losses suffered by the plaintiff as a direct result of the defendant’s negligence. It is the fourth critical element in proving negligence. Damages are typically categorized into three types, as discussed below:
In a successful negligence lawsuit, the plaintiff can potentially recover all three types of damages, depending on the circumstances of the case and the laws of the relevant jurisdiction. The plaintiff must prove negligence and provide evidence to support their claim for damages, which can include medical bills, receipts, wage statements, and more. Remember, proving damages is just as important as establishing the other elements of negligence—duty, breach, and causation.
There are multiple types of personal injury cases:
No matter what type of accident occurs, a personal injury lawyer can help. Though car accidents are the most common, an attorney specializing in personal injury can help you navigate the aftermath of any kind of injury accident and prove negligence.
If another person’s negligence caused your injuries, Thompson Law can help prove negligence. A personal injury lawyer can help you get compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Call us today for a FREE CONSULTATION to discuss your legal rights and options.
What is negligence?
Negligence means that another person’s actions or inaction caused the accident that led to your injuries. Negligence spans a broad spectrum of behavior, including drunk driving, failure to make premises reasonably safe, failure to keep a dog on a leash, failure to properly secure an 18-wheeler’s load, and countless other instances.
Do negligence laws vary by state?
Yes, negligence laws vary by state in the United States. States primarily adopt one of two systems to determine negligence: 1) contributory negligence or 2) comparative negligence. Contributory negligence completely bars the plaintiff from recovery if they are found to be in any way at fault, no matter how minimal their contribution to the incident was. Conversely, comparative negligence allows a plaintiff to recover even if they are partially at fault, with the understanding that their recovery will be reduced by their percentage of fault.
Do I really need a lawyer to help prove negligence?
Yes. An attorney specializing in personal injury will help you gather compelling evidence and clear documentation to prove negligence, and demonstrate that you deserve compensation after your accident. This involves investigating your case, proving negligence, calculating damages, and negotiating a fair settlement.
What are some common causes of car accidents in Texas?
Common causes of car accidents in Texas include drunk driving, texting or talking while driving, speeding, tailgating, and aggressive driving or road rage. While drivers are often tempted to multitask, even a few seconds of distraction can cause a severe or even fatal crash. We can help you prove negligence on the part of the other driver.
How can a personal injury attorney help?
A personal injury attorney can handle the complex process of a personal injury lawsuit while you focus on relief and recovery. Your lawyer will investigate your accident, talk to the insurance company, negotiate a fair settlement, and estimate your damages. Sometimes, your lawyer will take your case to court.
Who determines fault in a Texas accident?
Deciding fault might look different in each case. Liability depends on the unique details of your accident and whether you choose to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Law enforcement and insurance adjusters make specific judgment calls regarding fault, but if you sue for personal injury, the courts will ultimately decide.
Thompson Law charges NO FEE unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We’ve put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements in our clients’ pockets. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get your questions answered, and understand your legal options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.
