Houston Personal Injury Lawyer

Whiplash to a life-threatening injury leading to permanent brain damage or paralysis.

A split-second error of judgement or negligence from another party can result in life-changing events for families in Houston.

If you are the victim of an accident that was at least partly due to the negligence or misconduct of a third party, you may be able to file a personal injury claim and be awarded compensation.

The at-fault party could be another driver on the roads, a business owner or even a product manufacturer that failed to exercise a duty of care.

Personal injury lawyer Ryan DeHoyos can provide the support you need to get through difficult times and help you claim the compensation that can help you get back on your feet after an injury.

What qualifies as a personal injury in Texas?

If you have been injured as a result of another party’s negligence, carelessness, recklessness, or intentional actions, you have the right in Texas to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.

To recover the damages you deserve, you will need to prove the following three elements:

1. The at-fault party owed you a duty of care
2. This duty of care was breached by the at-fault party
3. You sustained an injury or suffered harm as a direct result of this negligence

How to file a personal injury claim in Texas

Compensation for your injuries does not come automatically, even if the accident was clearly the fault of another party.

To recover the damages that you are entitled to, you may need to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. This will involve dealing with the insurance company of that party – something that many accident victims are not in a position to do.

That’s why the first step in claiming for an injury is usually to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to look after the claims process while you recover from your injuries. Ryan DeHoyos will listen to your version of events and present your legal options to you.

If you decide to proceed with your personal injury claim, we will begin by investigating the accident, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing the case documentation.

This will help us build a powerful claim and calculate specifically what damages you can request: in addition to out-of-pocket medical expenses, there may be a case for lost earnings, property damage, pain and suffering, and other forms of compensation.

We understand what the potential objections will be from the insurance company. They often try to shift fault onto other parties or maybe even you. We will conduct negotiations with the insurance company and attempt to reach a fair out-of-court settlement.

If that is not possible, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf and are prepared to go to court if necessary. Many insurance companies will then re-negotiate a settlement to avoid a trial.

Do you need a personal injury attorney in Houston?

Personal injuries can result from many different situations from a car, truck, motorcycle or cycling accident on the roads to a dog bite injury or slip and fall accident. The consequences can be serious and permanently debilitating, or more minor and temporary.

Based on the nature of the accident, the at-fault party may be another driver, a premises’ owner, a manufacturer or another party.

Regardless, the process of claiming the rightful compensation for your injuries is unlikely to be as straightforward as you hope. The accident may require thorough investigation to prove fault and many rounds of communication with the insurance company before you reach an agreeable settlement.

You may be unsure whether you are entitled to any compensation at all or the insurance company may deny your claim. In other cases, the amount of compensation may be disputed.

Whether you need guidance from start to finish about how to claim or advice on whether a settlement offer is fair, your personal injury lawyer will provide the support you need and help you file a lawsuit to recover damages if necessary.

Causes of personal injury accidents in Texas

Any negligent, reckless or malicious act that results in an injury can be the subject of a personal injury claim in Texas.

They can happen for many reasons and in many different locations. Typical causes of personal injury accident cases that we deal with in Texas are:

• Negligent driving
• Reckless driving
• Unmarked hazards
• Poor lighting
• Unsafe flooring (e.g., water left on the floor)
• Lack of security
• Defective or dangerous products
• Inadequately tested products

What compensation can I get for my personal injury accident in Texas?

In Texas, you can claim for the following damages, dependent on the circumstances of your case:

• Emergency medical care after your accident
• Medical treatment required, e.g., surgery
• Follow-up medical care and physical therapy
• Lost income immediately after your accident
• Lost future income (if you cannot return to work)
• In-home medical care or modifications to your home, if necessary
• Pain and suffering

Should I see a doctor after my personal injury accident?

After an accident, your first thought should be your health and wellbeing and that of those around you. That means going for a medical checkup.

Your personal injury case will also be stronger if you seek prompt medical attention. The extent of your physical injuries will be documented and provide valuable evidence for your case.

The golden rule is to seek a medical checkup even if you do not think you are seriously injured after an accident.

How quickly should I file my personal injury case?

If you have been injured in an accident in Texas, you have two years from the date of the accident (or when the injuries first became apparent) to take legal action against the at-fault party.

After that time, you may have no legal avenue open to recover damages. Generally speaking, it’s best to file a claim as soon as possible after the accident while the incident is fresh in people’s minds and the accident scene can be investigated for evidence.

Should I accept the personal injury settlement upon offer?

If an insurance company is pushing you to settle soon after your accident, be wary. Often, insurance companies exploit the fact that an injured person needs cash flow for settling medical bills.

Do not settle any major personal injury claim without first seeking a trusted legal opinion on the offer. Once you sign, you forego the right to file a lawsuit. The offer may be well short of the amount that you are entitled to.

Practice Areas

DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, PLLC has years of experience with all types of personal injury cases. The most common cases we handle include.

Car Accidents

Insurance companies are experts at reducing or denying your ability to recover damages after a car accident. They will use every tactic in the book to get you to say something that they can later use against you. Do not talk to insurance companies without legal representation.

Bicycle Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 783 cyclists lost their lives in collisions with motor vehicles in 2017. At DeHoyos Injury Law, we will ensure that your rights are protected if you have been injured in a bicycle accident.

Motorcycle Wrecks

Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to be killed in collisions than individuals in passenger vehicles. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), helmets dramatically reduce this risk. In fact, wearing a helmet reduces your risk of death in a crash by 37 percent. If you have been injured in a motorcycle wreck, a Houston injury lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Dog Bites

Approximately 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs annually, and about 800,000 of them require medical treatment. Since dog bites often involve the face and head, cosmetic surgery is frequently necessary. Ryan DeHoyos can help you calculate damages following a dog bite injury so that you can heal and get on with your life.

Pedestrian Accidents

A total of 5,987 pedestrians were killed in 2016 in a collision with a motor vehicle, and more than 129,000 required emergency medical treatment that same year. Sadly, pedestrian accidents often result in serious injury or death. If you or a loved one has been injured due to another’s negligence, consult with a Houston injury lawyer today.

Ride Share Wrecks

According to reports from the National Safety Council (NSC), about 40,000 people lost their lives and approximately 4.5 million suffered serious injuries in car crashes in 2018. And a recent report from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business estimates that overall auto accident fatalities have increased by two to three percent as a result of ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. If you have been injured in a ride-share wreck, the legal team at DeHoyos Injury Law can help.

Premises Defect Injuries

When you suffer an injury on another person’s property due to negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for any resulting damages. Premises defect cases are highly complex, and negligence isn’t the only factor involved in a successful claim. Whether or not you are entitled to compensation is largely dependent on your status as a visitor. Were you an invitee, a licensee, or a trespasser? A Houston premises liability lawyer can help you determine how to proceed.

Truck Accidents

Due to their massive size and weight, collisions with large trucks often have catastrophic consequences. If you have been injured in a crash with a commercial truck, it is essential to work with an attorney who understands the complexities of truck accident cases, including hours of service rules and the likelihood that multiple parties are involved.

Wrongful Death Cases

If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another, you may be entitled to compensation for your loss. Following such a traumatic experience, the last thing you want to do is gather evidence and deal with insurance companies and piles of paperwork. Let us shoulder that burden for you. At DeHoyos Injury Law, we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The DeHoyos Injury Law Process

If you have been injured, you are likely feeling overwhelmed. For many people, even the idea of seeking legal counsel is stressful and scary. But when you know what to expect, that anxiety can quickly be replaced with peace of mind.

At DeHoyos Injury Law, we will ensure that you fully understand your rights and options before moving forward with any legal strategy. Although Ryan will offer his advice, the client remains in control throughout the entirety of the case. Whether you accept or decline a settlement offer, or decide to go to trial, is completely up to you.

The claims process is largely dependent on the type and severity of your injury claim. That being said, most claims involve:

• A thorough investigation into the details of your case
• Gathering evidence to substantiate your claim
• Handling the insurance companies
• Contacting and interviewing eyewitnesses
• Collecting and reviewing medical records and police reports
• Negotiating with insurers or the at-fault parties for a reasonable settlement
• Taking your case to court, if necessary

Ryan will handle all of the above on your behalf so that you can focus on healing. He and his entire legal team are here to protect your rights and interests. Our compassionate approach favors alternative resolutions, such as mediation, and our goal is always to settle out of court.

If, however, we are unable to obtain a reasonable settlement offer, Ryan is prepared to take your case to trial, and he has an impressive track record of achieving his clients’ desired results.

Contact DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, PLLC Today

After graduating from Texas A&M University in 1999, Ryan went to work for a Fortune 500 company in an effort to hone his business and management skills, both of which are of immense benefit in the courtroom.

He later went to the South Texas School of Law and graduated in 2009 with a Doctor of Jurisprudence. Ryan’s holistic understanding of litigation, mediation, and all other aspects of the legal process allow him to consistently obtain favorable results for his clients.

Contact DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, PLLC today at (832) 745-4878 for a free and confidential consultation about your case.