
When you are the victim of someone else's negligence and suffer serious injury you may need to consider filing a Texas personal injury claim. A serious accident can leave you with thousands of dollars in medical bills and additional expenses such as rehabilitation, lost wages, and non-economic damages like the pain and suffering your injuries have caused you and your family.
You may be able to recover compensation for these damages by filing a Texas personal injury claim with the help of a Houston personal injury attorney.
Filing Your Complaint
The first step in filing a Texas personal injury claim is to prepare the documents that state the basic complaint you are issuing against the defendant that caused your injury. The complaint is a document that identifies the parties involved, the court that holds jurisdiction over your claim, your statement of facts related to the claim, and your demand for judgment.
Once the complaint is filed, the defendant will be served a summons letting them know they are being sued. The summons contains a copy of the complaint and gives them a time limit to answer the complaint or attempt to have the case dismissed. The defendant may either accept or deny the complaint or file an alternate response.
The Defendant's Response
When you are filing a Texas personal injury claim, the defendant is given 4 options to respond to the complaint you file. They may admit to the complaint, which often leads to settlement outside of court. They may also deny the complaint which most likely will result in full trial proceedings. In some cases, the defendant will submit that they have insufficient knowledge to admit or deny the complaint, which also normally leads to trial.
There is also a series of filings that a defendant may submit, including counterclaims, cross-claims, and third-party complaints. A counterclaim basically reverses the roles and becomes an attempt to blame you for your injuries. A cross-claim is when the defendant brings in another defendant, asserting that they are also responsible for your injuries. Third-party complaints assert that a third party is the one responsible for your injuries and not the initial defendant.
Hiring a Houston Personal Injury Attorney
Preparing the documents and handling the response from the defendant when filing a Texas personal injury claim can be a daunting task. However, you always have access to experienced legal help when you retain the services of a Houston personal injury attorney.
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious personal injury, you have the right to the legal expertise of a Houston personal injury attorney to help you fight for fair compensation. Contact the law offices of Steven Lee, P.C. today at 713-921-4171 or 1-800-232-3711. Help is available 24 hours a day and the initial consultation is always FREE. We are also able to provide transportation options as well as home and hospital visits.
Steven M. Lee, PC
5823 Gulf Freeway
Suite 300
Houston, TX 77023
Phone: 713-921-4171
Toll Free: 800-232-3711
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