San Antonio TX Personal Injury Attorneys - What to Expect During a Lawsuit in Texas

Filing a personal injury lawsuit is a new experience for many of our San Antonio clients. The novelty of it brings undue stress to victims who don’t know what to expect from the Texas civil court system. Hiring a trustworthy lawyer will help you understand the legal process and ensure that you have someone representing your best interests.

San Antonio personal injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw share the goal of demystifying personal injury lawsuits for clients. We want you to understand every step of your lawsuit so you can make informed decisions that will impact your compensation. Call our toll-free number at 800-862-1260 to schedule a free case review. Someone is available to speak with you 24/7.

The first step is to mitigate damages once you suffer injuries due to someone else’s negligence. This means doing everything you can to prevent the damage from getting worse. This might mean seeking medical care, tarping a roof, or renting property to a new tenant despite a breached rental agreement.

Evidence collection is also an early step in a personal injury case. Photos and videos, witness testimony, medical records, and paper documents help your lawyer to prove negligence and damages so the court can award fair compensation. Your legal team can help you gather evidence after an accident, but some of the best evidence is only available at the scene of the negligent act.

In order to begin a lawsuit for personal injury in San Antonio, an attorney will electronically file a civil complaint at the district court clerk’s office. The next step is discovery, where both parties exchange evidence and information so they can prepare for trial. The court may find it prudent to schedule a pre-trial conference to:

• Consider pending motions or requests
• Address the admissibility of evidence
• Clarify the use of specific laws
• Facilitate a settlement
• Set a trial schedule

A trial isn’t necessary for most personal injury cases, as San Antonio TX personal injury attorneys may negotiate a fair settlement through alternative dispute resolution. The court may also deliver a summary judgment, default judgment, or dismiss the case.

If your case goes to trial, your attorney will present evidence to the judge or jury to argue for compensation for your personal injury damages. These damages include:

• Economic damages: medical bills, repair costs, lost income, and court expenses
• Noneconomic damages: pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of life enjoyment

Depending on your case, your personal testimony may be valuable to prove that you are not at fault or explain your injuries' impact. Many plaintiffs do not have to testify to win their case. At Carabin Shaw, we are compassionate about the stress involved in this part of the lawsuit. Read our client reviews to find out how we help our clients navigate the Texas legal system.

Your trial will end with a verdict. If the judge or jury finds the defendant liable for your damages, they’ll award compensation for damages. An experienced lawyer will help you understand your personal injury lawsuit timeline and receive compensation that covers ALL your losses.

Depending on the defendant's financial situation, you may receive your compensation in a lump sum or in installments. If a defendant cannot pay, the court may garnish their wages or place a lien on their property.

Finally, some plaintiffs cannot collect a full judgment because the defendant doesn’t have the means to pay. Understanding a defendant’s financial ability to pay often determines whether to file a Texas personal injury lawsuit.

At Carabin Shaw, we offer comprehensive support through the legal process so you can focus on physically and emotionally recovering from your personal injury. The decision to file a lawsuit can be stressful, so we offer our services on a contingency-fee-basis. Your financial obligations in a lawsuit only arrive if we win your case. Call today to get more information about your legal options. We have English- AND Spanish-speaking staff available.

For more information:

• TX Courts
• Bexar
• Texas Statutes 41