How long it takes to settle your Texas car crash lawsuit generally depends on the complexity of your case and whether or not fault is being contested. For example, a multi-vehicle collision involving a commercial vehicle will likely take longer to settle than a crash involving two vehicles as there is more evidence to gather and liability may not be immediately apparent.

The cost associated with hiring a personal injury attorney and how payment is collected may vary from firm to firm. At Thomas J. Henry, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that we don’t charge our clients a penny unless and until we win their case.

Working on a contingency fee basis allows clients access to resources and legal representation they might otherwise struggle to afford. The more serious a case is, the more money it costs to take to trial. This is because complex litigation tends to take longer to resolve and the entities involved fight harder.

This is especially true if your lawsuit is against a large company, as would be the case in a trucking accident or on-the-job injury. Such companies employ teams of lawyers and have seemingly unlimited financial resources. You need an attorney who has the same. Thomas J. Henry employs a team of more than 100 attorneys and has the money to fight your case out to the end.

Finally, by collecting any fees and expenses after a verdict or settlement is secured, Thomas J. Henry can help ensure his clients are able to focus on healing. “The client’s job is to heal. We will handle the rest,” says Thomas J. Henry.

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After an accident, ask the other driver for their:

• Name
• Phone number
• Insurance information
• Name of the insurance company
• Insurance agent’s name
• Policy number

If the other driver refuses to provide their insurance information, ask them for their home address, drivers’ license number, and license plate number. If you can’t safely obtain this information either, recording the driver’s license plate number could be enough for the police or the insurance company to track down the driver.

In Texas, a personal injury case is only worth what a jury is willing to award you. This is why you need an attorney who can not only prove the economic damages you have sustained due to your accident, but can also demonstrate the value of non-economic damages you may have sustained, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of consortium.

Learn more about how to estimate the value of your personal injury claim here.

Before your meeting, gather all of the evidence you collected from the accident and anything that may be related to your injuries, such as:

• Photographs of the accident scene, damage to your car and other vehicles involved, your injuries, or anything else pertaining to the incident
• Copy of a police report or accident report
• List of names, phone numbers, or addresses of witnesses you spoke with at the scene
• Medical records

If you received medical attention after your accident, bring any records or documents showing the procedures or treatment you had completed, the names and contact information of the doctors or medical professionals you saw, what future treatment may be recommended, and the costs associated with your care. In addition, bring medical and auto insurance information with you, if you have them.

Other documents that you may have that you should bring to your first meeting with a lawyer include:

• Letters or emails you received from your insurer or the other driver’s insurer
• Name and phone number of the at-fault driver from the accident (and their insurance company’s information)
• Contact information of any insurance company or claims adjusters that you have spoken with
• Receipts of anything you purchased to remedy an injury or repair due to the accident

In general, bring any evidence, documents, or information related to your injuries and the accident with you to your initial consultation with your attorney. The more information you bring, the quicker and easier your lawyer can evaluate your case and provide you with the next steps to take. To keep the documents organized and to avoid losing anything, keep all of these in an envelope or folder that you can then bring with you to the law office (or wherever you meet your attorney).