Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston, Texas

Houston Office of Glasheen, Valles & Inderman

When you have been in an accident that was not your fault, it can affect all areas of your life. Suffering the consequences of someone else’s actions has profound effects, and you should not be left to deal with these losses on your own. A Houston, TX personal injury lawyer can help you get the justice you need and recover maximum compensation. 

When you hire Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers, we are committed to your case from the outset and work diligently to win big for you. When tragedy strikes and your life is upended, our team stands by you and advocates for your needs. We take an aggressive approach to ensure you are treated fairly and receive results as swiftly as possible. With more than 30 years of experience handling a variety of cases, we can provide solutions tailored to your circumstances. With an office in Downtown Houston, we are centrally located and easily accessible to our clients.

What is a Personal Injury Case?

According to the National Safety Council, an estimated 62 million injuries and 222,698 preventable deaths were reported in the most recent U.S. accident data. For an accident to specifically qualify as a personal injury case, the event in question must be the result of another party’s negligent actions and failure to take precautions to avoid causing harm. These types of actions can cause serious injuries and disruptions to an individual’s life when they have been an unnecessary victim. As such, this can be grounds for legal action to recover losses. 

Types of Personal Injury Cases Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers Handle

Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers have extensive experience handling a wide variety of personal injury cases. We understand that every case requires a different approach and has its own set of nuances. Our team has a deep knowledge of personal injury law, the local court system, and how to pivot quickly to meet changing needs in a case. If you or a loved one finds yourself dealing with the aftermath of any of the cases below, we can provide representation and advocate for you. 

• Car accidents: Car accidents can vary in severity depending on the direction and force of the impact. Injuries can range from broken bones and whiplash to catastrophic injuries or death.    
• Drunk driving accidents: Getting behind the wheel after drinking can lead to an accident and injury. Alcohol or drugs can impair a driver’s ability to react and remain alert, and other motorists can be harmed as a result. 
• Distracted driving accidents: Distractions are a significant contributing factor in accidents. Cell phone use, multitasking, or adjusting radio or vehicle settings can all pull focus away from the road and affect a driver’s reactions and awareness. 
• Motorcycle accidents: Motorcycle drivers are susceptible to serious injury in an accident since they do not have outer protection from other vehicles or impact with the road. Their speed and reduced visibility can make them particularly vulnerable to other motorists. 
• Truck accidents: Trucks cause significant harm to motorists when they are unable to safely avoid hazards. Their size and weight can cause severe injury in a collision. These cases often face liability challenges that require experienced legal guidance.
• Amazon truck accidents: Amazon trucks maintain tight schedules and work long days. Their fast pace and potential fatigue can lead to careless actions and cause injury to other motorists or pedestrians.
• Train accidents: Train accidents can cause significant destruction and harm. When train companies fail to maintain equipment and crossings, or cause an accident because of human error, they can be held liable for injuries and losses. 
• Catastrophic injuries: Catastrophic injuries can forever change your life. They may affect your mobility or ability to function as you did prior to your accident. These injuries may require extensive care and treatment.
• Traumatic brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) have serious ramifications for physical, cognitive, and behavioral functions. They can have a long-term impact that may make simple tasks incredibly challenging. These injuries can also take a profound emotional toll.
• Burn injuries: Whether burns are first, second, or third degree, they can cause painful injuries and require a significant amount of treatment. There is also a high risk of infection with this type of injury. Burn injuries may also take a while to heal and cause disfigurement. 
• Electrocution accidents: Electrocution accidents occur most commonly in the workplace and on job sites. If proper steps are not taken to ensure safety or remedy a hazardous situation, then it can lead to serious injuries. If negligence was the underlying cause, legal action may be taken. 
• Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries disrupt signals in the body and nervous system that affect movement and control of faculties and functions. These types of injuries may lead to paralysis or other types of disabilities.  

Legal Options if a Fatality Occurs

Sadly, any type of accident can result in death if the accident is severe enough. While this is possible for any of the accidents listed above, motor vehicle accidents are among the most common. In these instances, surviving family members have the right to file what is known as a wrongful death claim with the help of wrongful death lawyers in Texas. 

These types of claims allow immediate family members to recover losses on behalf of the decedent, since the decedent would have had a right to file a personal injury claim if they had lived. Wrongful death claims can help offset the unexpected expenses families face after the unexpected loss of their loved one.  

What to do After an Accident in Houston, TX

After an accident, you may feel shaken up or even be too injured to be aware of what is going on around you. This can be an overwhelming time as the shock of the accident sets in. Unfortunately, insurance companies do not wait to start badgering or blaming you, and the more information you have about the accident, the easier it can be to minimize their tactics and receive the compensation you need faster.

While it may not always be feasible to acquire this information at the scene, it is important to take the following steps as soon as possible after an accident: 

• Allow paramedics and medical professionals to assess your condition and treat your injuries
• Request that a police report be filed and obtain a copy of the completed document
• Exchange applicable information with any other parties involved
• Gather evidence in the form of photos, videos, and/or witness statements
• Hire personal injury lawyers in Houston, TX
• Begin the claim process

The Role of Negligence in a Personal Injury Claim

When filing a personal injury claim after an accident, the other party’s negligence has to be established before a claim can be resolved and compensation can be distributed. This is a key requirement in these types of cases, and your lawyer will help you gather the evidence needed to support your claim and clearly show the other party’s role and fault in the accident. 

To do this, they will demonstrate the following: 

• Duty of care: The party at fault had a responsibility to prevent harm and avoid putting you in danger.  
• Breach of duty: The at-fault party engaged in actions that disregarded their obligation to maintain safety. 
• Causation: As a consequence of their actions, they caused an accident that resulted in your harm.
• Damages: Once negligence has been officially established, the at-fault party must compensate you for your losses.

Each of these elements combines to create a clear picture of what happened by directly linking each aspect together. This process also becomes especially important when determining fault for accidents involving multiple parties. According to Texas’ modified comparative negligence law, percentages are assigned to represent each party’s fault. 

Those who contributed less than 50% will have their compensation reduced proportionately to their fault, and those who are more than 50% at fault are barred from compensation entirely. 

Compensation You Can Recover to Offset Your Losses in Houston, TX

When your losses begin to accumulate, compensation is necessary to cover your expenses and ensure you can continue to get the care that you need. It can also provide valuable peace of mind during your recovery and help you on your journey to reclaim your life. 

The losses you have suffered will dictate which ones you can recover. Your settlement or verdict will often include a mix of the following: 

• Special damages: Compensation that covers the monetary losses that you have suffered at the hands of someone else. These damages can cover a variety of medical expenses, property damage costs, lost wages, and even funeral and burial expenses. The value of each applicable loss is added together to determine the amount of special damages you may receive. 
• General damages: Compensation that offsets the traumatic impact of your experience on your life. Your pain and suffering, emotional and mental distress, and decreased quality of life, enjoyment, and companionship may all be covered through general damages. These types of damages are calculated differently, and an experienced lawyer can help you determine how much you may be able to receive. 

After reviewing the losses you suffered in your accident, your lawyer will help you calculate what your case is worth and ensure you receive compensation that matches that amount as closely as possible. Your lawyer will aggressively negotiate a fair settlement that will sufficiently cover your losses.  

Statute of Limitations for Recovering Damages in Houston, TX

If you plan to file a claim against the at-fault party for damages, it is important to reach out to a lawyer to start the process as soon as possible. Texas imposes a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury accidents. Depending on the type of accident you have suffered, or the circumstances surrounding it, some exceptions could apply. Your lawyer can provide clarity when they take on your case. 

What to Expect When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

A personal injury attorney in Houston, TX acts quickly to help you recover compensation after an accident and hold the other party accountable. They will investigate and learn about your case as they gather and review evidence. They will also aggressively negotiate on your behalf to ensure fair treatment and protection of your rights. 

Your lawyer will also communicate with you frequently to ensure that you receive regular updates on your case. They will work diligently and efficiently to make sure your case is a priority and receive results as swiftly as possible. Your lawyer will remain laser-focused on the needs of your case and apply innovative strategies and resources to get effective results. 

Settlements and Verdicts in a Personal Injury Case

Every case is unique and affected by different factors that can influence the outcome of your case. As such, the settlement or verdict you could receive will be specific to your situation, the severity of your injuries, potential liability, applicable insurance policy limits, and more. While the outcome of personal injury cases can vary widely, you can check out a sampling of some of our team’s past case results. 

How Personal Injury Attorneys Charge for Their Services

Hiring a lawyer may seem intimidating and financially impossible during this difficult time, but lawyers operate on a contingency fee model so that legal services are accessible. Because they do not charge any fees upfront, winning your case and securing a settlement or verdict is how personal injury lawyers get paid. This way, you never have to pay for an attorney out of your own pocket and can be confident that your lawyer is aligned with your goals. 

Let Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers Fight for You

Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers believe trust is vital to any attorney-client relationship, and we work diligently and communicate frequently with you throughout your case. Our firm puts our extensive experience to work for you to get you the most favorable outcome possible. 

When you have lost so much, you should be able to recover your losses as quickly as possible. To schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward justice, contact our Downtown Houston office today.