Sloan Bagley Hatcher & Perry Law Firm

Injury Law 101 from Texas Personal Injury Law Attorneys

Personal injury attorneys serving the areas of Longview, Marshall, Rusk County, and Upshur County

Injury Law 101 is written to help those who are victims of personal injuries in Longview, Marshall, Rusk County and Upshur County, Texas.  Get the help of an experienced injury law firm specializing in general practice in Longview and its surrounding areas.

A simplified explanation of personal injury law is that it covers the issues that arise when one experiences a physical or emotional injury or sustains damage to personal property. A personal injury lawsuit provides victims the opportunity to seek compensation when someone’s carelessness, recklessness, or intentional misconduct causes injury or damage to you or your property.

In legal circles, personal injury law is also known as tort law.  The word tort in French means wrong.  The person who commits the tort, or wrongful act, is sometimes called a tortfeasor, but common language refers to this person as the defendant.  The victim who brings the suit is called the plaintiff or claimant.

Types of Personal Injury Under U.S. Law

We classify personal injury law in the United States in three broad categories, related to the type of fault involved.  These categories are negligence, intentional torts, and strict liability torts.

Each category comprises different types of legal wrongs or causes of action.  The differences of these categories indicates a different standard of care, or level of responsibility the defendant owes. 

An automobile accident is a classic example of an event to which personal injury law applies. If someone hits the back of your car while you are stopped at a red light, that person commits a tort against you.  This action may result in a personal injury lawsuit against the person who hit you. 

Usually, state law governs personal injury lawsuits, but, sometimes, federal laws apply, too.   For example, if you suffer an injury on federal property, the injury may be covered by the Federal Tort Claims Act.  Injuries that occur in an airplane crash may be governed by international treaties.  Examining the personal injury law in Longview and its surrounding areas our attorneys will file your claims in the best possible way to bring the negligent parties to justice.

How Personal Injury Lawsuits Work

In order to seek monetary recovery, one must prove an injury happened because of someone else and that the injury caused damages.  For example, if you were to slip and fall due to someone else’s fault or negligence, but you didn’t get hurt, you could not recover damages.  Letting our knowledgeable injury attorneys examine and build your case grants you a better chance of receiving the justice and possible injury settlement you deserve.

Personal injury lawsuits determine who is responsible, or liable, for causing injury and how much the responsible party is required to pay for damages resulting from the injury.

Your Rights Under Personal Injury Law in Marshall and Longview

In all matters involving personal injury in Rusk County or Upshur County, it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, to investigate the accident in question, and to file a lawsuit prior to the deadline imposed by the statute of limitations.  

Statutes of limitations vary by state and determine how long you have to file a lawsuit.  If you wait too long after your Longview, Marshall, Rusk County or Upshur County, Texas accident with personal injuries, you lose the right to file a lawsuit and recover monetary damages.  That is why it is imperative that you contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit with our Law Firm

If you or a loved one is the victim of a personal injury in Longview, Marshall, Rusk County or Upshur County, please tell us about it on our Free Case Review page.  

The initial consultation in our office is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds.

Don’t delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your Longview, Marshall, Rusk County and Upshur County injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.

Call 1 903 757-7000 for your free consultation for your situation involving personal injury law in Marshall, Longview, or elsewhere in Rusk County or Upshur County.



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