Frequently Asked Questions

Personal injury law, also known as tort law, allows injured individuals to seek compensation when someone else's negligence or intentional conduct causes harm. This includes car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, defective products, and workplace injuries. The goal is to make the injured person 'whole' again through financial compensation.

You may have a personal injury case if: (1) someone owed you a duty of care, (2) they breached that duty through negligence or intentional action, (3) their breach caused your injuries, and (4) you suffered damages as a result. The best way to determine if you have a case is to schedule a free consultation with our attorneys.

The value of your case depends on several factors: the severity of your injuries, total medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and whether punitive damages apply. During your free consultation, we can provide a preliminary assessment based on the specifics of your situation.

The timeline varies depending on case complexity, injury severity, and whether a lawsuit is filed. Simple cases with clear liability may settle in 3-6 months. More complex cases involving serious injuries or disputed liability can take 1-3 years. We work efficiently while ensuring we pursue maximum compensation.

Most personal injury cases settle out of court through negotiations with insurance companies. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial. The decision to go to court is always yours, and we will advise you based on what we believe is in your best interest.

Yes. Texas follows a 'modified comparative negligence' rule. As long as you were not more than 50% at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault, your damages will be reduced by 20%.

A contingency fee means you pay no upfront costs, and your attorney only gets paid if they win your case. The fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict amount. At VRM Lawyers, we work on a contingency fee basis, so there is no financial risk to you. If we don't win, you don't pay.

At VRM Lawyers, there are no upfront costs. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only collect a fee if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, which we will discuss and agree upon before we begin working on your case. You also pay nothing for your initial consultation.

Bring any documentation related to your accident and injuries, including: police reports, medical records and bills, photographs of the accident scene and injuries, insurance information, witness contact information, correspondence from insurance companies, and documentation of lost wages. The more information you provide, the better we can evaluate your case.

You should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your injury. Early involvement allows us to preserve critical evidence, interview witnesses while memories are fresh, and ensure you meet all filing deadlines. It also prevents you from making statements to insurance companies that could harm your case.

First, ensure your safety and call 911 if anyone is injured. Move vehicles to a safe location if possible. Exchange information with the other driver (name, contact, insurance, license plate). Take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. Gather witness contact information. Seek medical attention even if you feel fine, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent. Finally, contact a car accident attorney before speaking with insurance companies.

We strongly recommend that you do not speak with the other driver's insurance company without first consulting an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts and may use your statements against you. They may also pressure you into accepting a quick, low settlement. Let your attorney handle all communications with insurance companies.

If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you may still recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. If the driver has insufficient insurance, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may apply. Our attorneys can help you explore all available options, including pursuing the at-fault driver's personal assets.

Fault is determined through evidence including police reports, witness statements, photographs, video footage, accident reconstruction, and analysis of vehicle damage and skid marks. Texas follows comparative negligence, meaning multiple parties can share fault, and your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault.

You may recover economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, future medical costs) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life). In cases of gross negligence, punitive damages may also be awarded.

Multiple parties may be liable in a truck accident, including: the truck driver, trucking company, truck owner, cargo loading company, vehicle or parts manufacturer, maintenance company, and government entities responsible for road conditions. Our attorneys investigate thoroughly to identify all responsible parties and available insurance coverage.

Truck accidents involve complex federal regulations (FMCSA rules), higher insurance policy limits, multiple potentially liable parties, and typically more severe injuries. These cases require specialized knowledge of trucking industry practices, electronic logging devices, hours-of-service regulations, and commercial vehicle maintenance requirements.

The statute of limitations in Texas is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, truck accident cases should be investigated immediately to preserve critical evidence such as black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records, which may be destroyed or overwritten if not secured promptly.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates commercial trucking, including: hours-of-service rules limiting driving time, mandatory rest periods, drug and alcohol testing requirements, vehicle maintenance and inspection standards, driver qualification requirements, and electronic logging device mandates.

Yes, trucking companies can be held liable under various theories including negligent hiring, inadequate training, failure to maintain vehicles, pressure on drivers to violate regulations, and vicarious liability for their employees' negligence. Our attorneys evaluate all potential claims against the trucking company.

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, causing injury to a patient. Common examples include surgical errors, misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, medication errors, birth injuries, anesthesia errors, and failure to obtain informed consent. The provider's actions must deviate from what a reasonably competent provider would have done under similar circumstances.

In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the incident or from when the injury was discovered (or should have been discovered through reasonable diligence) to file a medical malpractice claim. However, never wait to consult an attorney, as building a malpractice case takes significant time.

Texas caps non-economic damages (pain and suffering, mental anguish) in medical malpractice cases at $250,000 per defendant, with a total cap of $750,000 regardless of the number of defendants. There is no cap on economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages.

Yes. Texas law requires an expert report from a qualified medical professional within 120 days of filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. The expert must practice in the same or similar specialty as the defendant and must explain how the standard of care was violated. We work with respected medical experts to meet this requirement.

Yes, if a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis resulted from a healthcare provider's negligence and caused harm. You must prove that a competent provider would have made the correct diagnosis under similar circumstances and that the misdiagnosis caused injury or worsened your condition.

Under the Texas Wrongful Death Act, the surviving spouse, children (including adult children), and parents of the deceased may file a wrongful death lawsuit. If these individuals do not file within three months of the death, the executor or administrator of the estate may file unless all eligible family members request otherwise.

Available damages include: funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support the deceased would have provided, loss of companionship, love, and society, mental anguish and emotional suffering of surviving family members, lost inheritance, and in some cases, punitive damages.

If the case goes to trial, the jury determines how to distribute the award among the beneficiaries based on each person's relationship with the deceased and their individual losses. In settlements, the beneficiaries typically agree on distribution, or the court may need to approve the allocation.

Wrongful death claims in Texas must generally be filed within two years of the date of death. However, certain circumstances may extend or shorten this deadline. It is crucial to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Yes. A wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for their losses. A survival claim, brought by the estate, compensates for damages the deceased could have recovered had they survived, such as pain and suffering, medical expenses incurred before death, and lost wages from the time of injury to death.

A catastrophic injury is one that permanently prevents an individual from performing gainful work or enjoying life as they did before. Examples include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis, severe burns, amputations, and injuries causing permanent disability or disfigurement. These cases typically result in higher compensation due to lifelong care needs.

Brain injury cases require specialized medical expertise and careful documentation of both immediate and delayed symptoms. The effects of TBI may not be fully apparent for months or years, making it crucial to work with attorneys who understand these complexities and can ensure adequate compensation for long-term care needs.

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, lifetime costs can range from $1.1 million for incomplete motor function to $4.8 million for high tetraplegia, depending on injury severity and age at injury. These costs include medical care, equipment, home modifications, and lost earnings.

Burns are classified by depth: First-degree (superficial, affecting only the outer skin layer), Second-degree (partial thickness, affecting outer and underlying skin layers), Third-degree (full thickness, destroying all skin layers), and Fourth-degree (extending into muscle and bone). Higher-degree burns require more extensive treatment and result in higher compensation.

Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor. Report the incident to the property owner or manager and request an incident report. Take photos of the hazardous condition, your injuries, and the surrounding area. Gather witness contact information. Do not sign anything or accept blame. Contact a slip and fall attorney before speaking with insurance companies.