Houston Personal Injury ATTORNEY

What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston Do?

Ryan A Dehoyos Image | Houston Personal Injury Law Firms | DeHoyos Accident Attorneys

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1,000+

CASES AND
CLIENTS

$20 M

IN SETTLEMENTS & VERDICTS

If you’ve been hurt in a crash, fall, or other accident and are wondering what a personal injury lawyer does, you’re already taking the first vital step to protect your rights. 

It may seem easy to file a personal injury claim: just file a report, send in medical bills, and wait for a check. But in Houston, Texas, things are much more complicated. Insurance companies, big businesses, and transportation companies spend a lot of money to keep what they pay injured people as low as possible. 

A good personal injury lawyer in Houston will be your investigator, strategist, negotiator, and, if necessary, your trial advocate. They will ensure that your losses are recorded and your voice is heard.

What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston Do?

Understanding Personal Injury Law in Texas

Understanding Texas’s complicated personal injury laws can be hard, especially when dealing with injuries and their effects. 

This is exactly what a personal injury lawyer does: they help you navigate this complicated legal system. Texas has “fault-based” rules, meaning an injured person usually has to show that someone else’s carelessness directly caused their injury to get money.

The statute of limitations is an essential part of Texas personal injury law. According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. If you miss this critical deadline, you will no longer be able to sue and get money for your injuries. 

But just meeting this first deadline is only the start of a long and complicated legal process. 

Texas law also has rules about comparative fault (which can lower the amount of damages you can get if you are found partially responsible), complicated lien laws about medical expenses, and possible damage caps in some cases. 

Statute of Limitations at a Glance

It’s also important to remember that in some cases, different, usually shorter, deadlines may apply. 

For example, if you want to sue the City of Houston or Harris County, you usually have to file a notice of claim within a much shorter time frame, just six months from the date of the incident. 

An experienced personal injury lawyer in Houston keeps a close eye on all of these clocks to ensure your claim doesn’t run out before it even starts. This protects your right to seek justice.

The Case Lifecycle: Where a Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston Makes a Difference

Intake and Initial Strategy

At your first meeting, counsel reviews crash reports or incident forms and identifies all potential defendants—from distracted drivers to negligent property managers. In a multi-vehicle collision, prompt requests for 911 audio, dash-cam footage, or truck black-box data preserve critical proof.

Thorough Fact Investigation

Weeks of subpoenas, site inspections, and expert consultations follow. In an 18-wheeler wreck, federal trucking logs may expose fatigue; in a premises case, maintenance records reveal prior hazards. Without an attorney, documents are easily “misplaced.”

Damages Calculation and Future-Loss Modeling

Medical bills tell only part of the story. A seasoned injury attorney works with vocational experts to project lost earning capacity and with life-care planners to calculate future medical costs. Non-economic damages—pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment—are monetized using Harris-County verdict analytics.

Insurance Negotiations

Lowball offers and selective policy readings remain common. Lawyers counter with detailed demand packages and, when needed, complaints to the Texas Department of Insurance. Rideshare crashes pose extra hurdles: coverage tiers shift as a driver toggles the app. A Houston attorney keeps those details straight so you can heal.

Litigation and Trial Advocacy

If negotiation stalls, formal litigation begins. Your lawyer drafts the petition, answers discovery, schedules depositions, and crafts courtroom narratives. Fewer than five percent of cases reach a verdict, but trial-readiness drives larger settlements.

Post-Settlement Liens and Collection

Hospitals, Medicare, and health insurers assert liens. Negotiating lien reductions can save tens of thousands of dollars—yet another place a lawyer adds value long after signing papers.

Houston Accident Landscape: Numbers Every Claimant Should Know

The numbers on accidents in Houston are more than just numbers; they show how many lives have been changed forever by sudden, often avoidable, events. Every incident causes a lot of pain, fear, and money problems for the victims and their families. 

The number and complexity of these crashes in Harris County show exactly what a personal injury lawyer does: they help you get through this overwhelming aftermath.

Here’s a quick look at recent incident data and the important evidence that is needed:

Accident Type2024 Harris County Incidents¹Key Evidence to PreserveDeHoyos Experience
Passenger-vehicle collisions67,289 crashes / 512 fatalitiesCrash report, photographs, EMS run sheetsCar Accident Injury Lawyer
18-wheeler accidents1,078 crashesDriver logs, electronic-control-module data18-Wheeler Wreck Injury

Don’t let the weight of your accident overwhelm you. Securing knowledgeable legal guidance is your crucial next step if you or a loved one has been injured. Contact DeHoyos Accident Attorneys for a free consultation today to understand your rights and begin your path to recovery.

Common Misconceptions About Personal Injury Attorneys

Many people think that hiring a personal injury lawyer means paying a lot of money or getting into a fight. 

According to the American Bar Association, working with a lawyer for personal injury usually means no upfront costs (contingency fees), and clients who are represented typically get much more money than those who handle their own cases. 

Having a lawyer on your side levels the playing field with insurance companies and often speeds up a fair resolution.

Case Narrative: From Impact to Resolution

Maria, a Houston nurse, was driving home on I-610 when a fatigued trucker drifted lanes. Her minivan rolled, causing multiple fractures and a mild brain injury. DeHoyos Accident Attorneys subpoenaed dispatch logs, proved hours-of-service violations, and retained an orthopedic surgeon to project future knee replacements. 

An $80,000 opening offer became a $1.2 million settlement—enough for medical care, lost wages, and college funds for Maria’s child.

This is just one example of how a dedicated personal injury lawyer makes a tangible difference. See more powerful stories of justice and recovery from our clients. Visit our testimonials page today to see what our clients say about their experience with DeHoyos Accident Attorneys.

Selecting the Right Houston Personal Injury Lawyer

Professional Credentials

Check State Bar disciplinary records, peer-review ratings, and verdict history. Board Certification in Personal Injury Trial Law is a strong signal of expertise.

Local Insight

Harris County docket rotations, mediator preferences, and judicial tendencies all affect outcomes. A hometown lawyer leverages this knowledge for faster, higher settlements.

Client Communication

Secure web portals and routine updates transform a stressful process into a manageable one, qualities praised by many DeHoyos clients.

Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages in Texas

Economic damages pay for hospital stays, rehabilitation, and lost wages. 

Non-economic damages compensate for pain, mental anguish, and diminished quality of life.

 Because Texas does not cap economic damages in ordinary negligence cases, meticulous documentation can dramatically increase recovery.

Punitive Damages and Gross Negligence

When conduct shows fraud, malice, or a willful disregard for safety, juries may award exemplary damages (capped under Texas law). These punish and deter reckless behavior, as seen in refinery-explosion verdicts.

How Contingency Fees Align Attorney and Client Interests

Adding legal fees to the mix can be scary for people who are already dealing with the stress of medical bills, lost wages, and not knowing what will happen after an injury. 

This is precisely where the contingency fee arrangement becomes a strong and client-friendly option, because it makes the lawyer’s interests the same as the client’s. It’s a key part of what does a personal injury lawyer do to make legal help accessible.

Your personal injury lawyer pays for all costs and legal fees in a contingency fee arrangement. These costs include filing fees, court costs, expert witness fees, and investigation costs.

 The lawyer only gets paid and reimbursed for these costs if they can earn you money through a settlement or a trial verdict. 

This structure creates a powerful incentive for your personal injury attorney:

Shared Risk: 

The lawyer takes on the financial risk of the litigation, not you. This ensures that expert legal representation is accessible even without upfront funds.

Motivation to Maximize Recovery: 

Since the attorney’s payment is a percentage of the final compensation, they are inherently motivated to secure the highest possible award for your damages. Their success directly mirrors your financial recovery.

Focus on Client Outcomes: 

The entire legal strategy is geared towards achieving a positive result for you, the client, because that is how the firm recovers its time and investment.

Emerging Issues: Autonomous Vehicles and Personal Injury Law

The field of personal injury law is changing quickly, as technology does.

Houston is a lively and forward-thinking city, becoming a real-world testing ground for cutting-edge autonomous technologies. For example, self-driving taxis can now navigate downtown streets, and delivery robots can cross sidewalks. 

These new technologies promise to make things easier, but also make accident liability more complicated than ever. For example, Texas House Bill 3026 requires these vehicles to have liability insurance, but figuring out who is at fault when a self-driving car or robot hurts someone is not easy. 

This new area of law often needs people with special skills. A personal injury lawyer who is up to date on new technologies knows how important cyber-forensics is. In traditional accidents, evidence might be skid marks or witness accounts. 

A proactive personal injury attorney knows how to get these critical electronic logs before they are lost or overwritten. This is important for correctly assigning blame and building a strong case. 

Key Takeaways for Houston Residents

If you live in Houston and are dealing with the confusing aftermath of an unexpected injury, knowing what a personal injury lawyer does can turn a crisis into a clear plan for getting better and getting justice. 

It’s about knowing that you don’t have to deal with big insurance companies or complicated legal issues on your own. 

This is especially true in a busy city like ours, where car accidents happen daily on major roads like the I-45, the 610 Loop, and even neighborhood streets.

A good personal injury lawyer is your most important guide and advocate, taking on many essential tasks. 

If you were in a car accident near the Texas Medical Center or slipped and fell in a store off Westheimer, your lawyer would be there right away. They carefully examine every detail of your accident, collecting necessary evidence from police reports and traffic camera footage from busy Houston intersections. 

They carefully determine how much your economic damages (like high medical bills from Houston Methodist or lost wages from your job downtown) and non-economic damages (like the pain and suffering that keeps you from enjoying a Rockets game or a walk in Memorial Park) are. 

What to Expect When Working With DeHoyos Accident Attorneys

At DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, we don’t just handle cases—we help people rebuild. Whether you’re recovering from a serious motorcycle accident or grappling with a loved one’s injury, our team is committed to securing justice and compensation on your behalf.

Free, Empathetic Consultation: 

We listen to your story, understand your pain, and explain what does a personal injury lawyer do to help, with no obligation.

Thorough Investigation: 

We meticulously gather evidence, work with experts, and build a strong case to prove fault and damages.

Aggressive Advocacy:

We handle all dealings with insurance companies, fighting for the maximum compensation you deserve, and are ready for trial if needed.

No Upfront Fees:

We guide you through medical care coordination, manage legal complexities, and alleviate your stress so you can focus on healing.

No Upfront Fees:

We work on a contingency basis – you pay us only if we win your case.

Read what past clients have said on our testimonials page, or browse our FAQs for answers to common questions.

Contact the Houston Personal Injury Lawyers at DeHoyos Accident Attorneys for Help Today!

Still wondering what does a personal injury lawyer do? In short, they fight for you when no one else will. From managing complex legal claims to negotiating with insurance companies and advocating in court, their job is to ensure your voice is heard and your losses are recognized.

At DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, we help Houston injury victims reclaim their lives and secure the compensation they’re owed. If you’ve been injured in an accident, don’t wait—contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.

$2,000,000

CAR ACCIDENT SETTLEMENT

$1,130,000

PEDESTRIAN SETTLEMENT

$1,100,000

SPINAL CORD INJURY

$955,000

PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT

$1,300,000

CAR ACCIDENT SETTLEMENT

$980,000

CAR ACCIDENT SETTLEMENT

$960,000

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT

$850,000

SLIP & FALL SETTLEMENT

$250,000

LONG-TERM DISABILITY

A personal approach to personal injury in Houston, Texas

“As a client to this Law Firm, I found it to be rewarding base on their work ethics. With there expertise, knowledge, flexibility and being responsive to their client needs. They will see that their client receive the best outcome on there case. There are many people out there that have bad ideas about lawyers, but DeHoyos Accident Attorneys will make sure that you’re not stressed about anything pertaining to your case. I’ll recommend that you seek this Lawyer and Law Firm for any unraveling situation you might face.”

RIDLEY OSBOURNE


“I can’t say enough good things about DeHoyos Accident Attorneys! Mr. Ryan DeHoyos is extremely knowledgeable in his field of Personal Injury. I was injured in a motor vehicle accident last year and Mr. DeHoyos stopped at nothing to get me the compensation I deserved. He kept me updated on my case regularly and guided me to get the medical care I needed. Additionally, his staff is so kind and caring, especially Ashley… Thank you, DeHoyos Accident Attorneys for your professionalism in closing my case…and WINNING big!”

RAVEN DOLBERRY


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