Houston Personal Injury Frequently Asked Questions
An experienced trial lawyer answers your questions
During his more than 15 years of personal injury experience, Texas Board certified personal injury law attorney Shane R. Kadlec has gained the in-depth knowledge and refined skills to answer complex personal injury questions.
Accident injury lawyer Shane R. Kadlec answers common general questions here, and can give you in-depth, case-specific answers during a free initial consultation.
- Do I even need an attorney if I have been injured?
- Why is it important that an attorney be Texas Board certified in personal injury law?
- Is there a deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit?
- What is a contingency fee?
- How can I receive adequate medical care after an injury if I am uninsured?
- What is a personal injury?
- What financial compensation can I recover?
- If I have a personal injury claim do I have to go to court?
- If my employer does not participate in the Texas workers compensation program, can I still recover for my workplace injury?
- If an auto collision is partly my fault, can I still have a successful claim?
- What should I do after a car accident?
Contact a knowledgeable Houston injury lawyer to answer your questions
The law office of Shane R. Kadlec is located between the Galleria and downtown Houston and represents clients throughout Texas, primarily in and around Houston, Beaumont, Galveston, Austin and the Rio Grande Valley.
Call Shane R. Kadlec at 281-643-2000 or contact the law firm online to schedule your free consultation.
1. Do I even need an attorney if I have been injured?
If you or a family member has been injured, contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Do not give statements or sign papers of any kind until you have discussed your rights with a qualified lawyer. Defense lawyers and insurance companies do not have your best interests at heart, and are always engaging in damage control and limiting liability at the expense of victims. Accident injury lawyer Shane R. Kadlec can advise you of your rights during a free initial consultation.
2. Why is it important that an attorney be Texas Board certified in personal injury law?
Only a select few attorneys are certified in a particular area of practice. To be part of this exclusive group, lawyers must prove their knowledge, experience and professionalism in their designated practice areas. The Texas Board of Legal Specialization certifies attorneys as specialists through a rigorous application process. Learn about the advantages of retaining a lawyer who is Texas Board certified in personal injury trial law.
3. Is there a deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit?
Texas law imposes strict deadlines on filing personal injury cases. The statute of limitation varies depending upon the type of case, but is usually two years after the date of your injury. If you fail to file your claim within the statutorily imposed deadline, you may forever lose your right to compensation for your injuries.
To preserve your rights, visit Shane R. Kadlec for your free consultation as soon as possible after you have been injured.
4. What is a contingency fee?
A contingency fee means you are not charged for legal services until your attorney has recovered compensation in your case through a settlement or verdict. The contingency arrangement removes the pressure of legal fees so you can concentrate on your physical recovery. Shane R. Kadlec discusses his contingency fee arrangement with you before you retain him so you know exactly what to expect.
5. How can I receive adequate medical care after an injury if I am uninsured?
If you are one of the many uninsured or underinsured Texans, seeking medical care for your injuries can financially devastate your family – or worse, prevent you from receiving the level of health care you need to recover. Shane R. Kadlec believes that all injured persons have the right to quality medical care. He refers clients to a network of doctors who share his concern for injured patients lacking the financial resources to pay for good medical treatment. These doctors defer billing for their services until your personal injury case has been successfully resolved. Read more about uninsured accident medical care referrals available at the law office of Shane R. Kadlec.
6. What is a personal injury?
A personal injury is any physical or mental injury to a person as a result of someone's negligence or harmful act. Some of the most common circumstances resulting in personal injury and the types of cases handled by Shane R. Kadlec include:
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7. What financial compensation can I recover?
Personal injury victims are entitled to recover money damages for the losses and expenses they incur as a result of an accident. The damages may include:
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8. If I have a personal injury claim do I have to go to court?
Just because a lawsuit is filed, it does not mean that a case will have to go to trial. Most personal injury cases are settled out of court at mediation or negotiations between your lawyer and the insurance companies and defendants. If it is in his clients’ best interest to avoid trial, Shane R. Kadlec guides negotiations toward the maximum possible settlement. He is prepared to advocate for rightful compensation in the courtroom, however, when defendants and their insurance companies refuse to agree to a fair damages award.
9. If my employer does not participate in the Texas workers compensation program, can I still recover for my workplace injury?
Texas law does not require employers to participate in the state’s workers compensation program. Companies that do not carry workers compensation insurance are called nonsubscribers. If you are injured in a workplace accident, you have the right to sue a nonsubscriber in civil court. Shane R. Kadlec advocates for your right to receive maximum compensation for on-the-job injuries.
10. If an auto collision is partly my fault, can I still have a successful claim?
Even if a traffic collision was partially your fault, you still may be entitled to monetary compensation, based on the concept of comparative negligence or contributory negligence. Discuss the facts of your case with a qualified Houston auto accident lawyer who can determine if you have a claim against another negligent party. Shane R. Kadlec offers a free consultation to assess the viability of your claim before you make a financial commitment.
11. What should I do after a car accident?
Knowing how to react to a car accident ahead of time helps you stay calm and make purposeful decisions in the immediate aftermath of a frightening event. Read these helpful guidelines to learn more about what to do if you are involved in a car accident.
