Catastrophic injuries can turn your life upside down in the blink of an eye, leaving you grappling with significant physical, mental, and financial consequences. When a person or business’s negligence caused the incident resulting in your injuries, and insurance company shenanigans stand in the way of fair compensation, it can make what you’re going through feel even more frustrating and unjust.
At The Bonneau Law Firm, we know what it’s like to face a difficult and uncertain recovery after suffering a life-altering injury. Founder Hunt Bonneau’s personal experiences and deeply held faith drive him to provide caring and capable client-centered legal counsel for personal injury cases in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Here’s what you should know about these complex civil matters and our commitment to helping clients get the compensation and justice they deserve.
Texas Civil Lawsuit Basics
In the Lone Star State, people severely injured in car accidents, truck crashes, motorcycle wrecks, slips and falls, and other incidents caused by someone else’s negligence can file a civil lawsuit seeking compensation from the responsible party (or parties). You or your attorney must file the lawsuit within two years of the injury or, if filing a wrongful death claim, within two years of your loved one’s death. Missing this all-important deadline typically means your case gets dismissed unless you qualify for one of the exceptions to the statute of limitations.
Catastrophic Injuries and Personal Injury Cases
Wide-ranging types of personal injury accidents can cause catastrophic injuries, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck crashes
- Motorcycle wrecks
- Pedestrian crashes
- Slips and falls
- Construction accidents
- Concert injuries
These and other injurious incidents are associated with particularly devastating injuries that can temporarily—or even permanently—upend your life, such as:
- Broken or crushed bones
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Severe facial and dental injuries
- Limb loss or amputation
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Severe electrical shock
- Crushing injuries or asphyxiation
- Depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD)
What You Have to Prove and What You Could Recover
To successfully recover compensation in a personal injury case, you and your injury lawyer must prove the following points “by the preponderance of the evidence,” which means that they’re more likely to be true than not:
- Duty. The defendant owed you, the plaintiff, a duty of care that obligated them to take reasonable steps to avoid injuring you.
- Breach of duty. The defendant breached that duty by engaging in negligent, careless, or reckless actions (or inaction).
- Damages. You suffered physical injuries and financial losses.
- Causation. The defendant’s breach of duty caused your injuries and other losses.
Depending on your unique circumstances and the facts and evidence in your case, your financial recovery might include compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced or lost earning capacity
- Property damages
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental distress
- Extensive scarring or disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Wrongful death plaintiffs may be entitled to funeral and burial expenses and other damages for the loss of a loved one’s care, guidance, and support.
How Having an Attorney Who “Gets It” Can Help Your Personal Injury Case
Having recovered from a serious injury himself, Hunt Bonneau intimately understands their potential to impact every area of life—from making it difficult to complete daily tasks to straining personal and professional relationships. His ability to conduct thorough investigations and meaningfully convey your injuries and losses to insurance companies, judges, and juries maximizes the value of your case and increases your chances for a successful outcome. If you are hurt, we can help!