Houston Personal Injury Lawyers

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How Can a Houston Personal Injury Attorney Help You?

Choose a proven Houston attorney to help you seek compensation — you only have one chance to file a personal injury lawsuit, and you deserve an experienced professional.

After an injury, individuals and families need immediate resources to heal and stay afloat while they plan for an unpredictable future. Hiring the right attorney can maximize the settlement you deserve, help expedite the process, and relieve stress during a critical time.

At Pierce Skrabanek, our Houston personal injury attorneys have decades of experience securing multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients and their loved ones. 

Headquartered in Texas, we can be contacted by phone at (​​832) 690-7000, or online to schedule a free, confidential consultation. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can start working on your behalf to secure what you need.

Read on to learn facts about personal injury lawyers, how long lawsuits can take, and other local questions about your rights in Houston, on the job, and in the state of Texas.

What Do I Need to Know About a Houston Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Here are three key facts you should know about personal injury lawsuits in Houston and throughout the United States:

  1. Building a case is your lawyer’s job, not yours. Some people skip seeking the fair compensation they are entitled to because they think a lawsuit will be too much work, but that is not the reality. The work of filing a lawsuit is for your attorney to accomplish — you only need to empower us to act on your behalf.
  2. You are far more likely to succeed with professional representation. Personal injury suits represented by attorneys have a 91% chance of securing a settlement (as opposed to a 51% likelihood for those who represent themselves). Additionally, those settlement amounts average 300% higher than self-represented results according to the Insurance Research Council (IRC).
  3. A lawyer knows how to maximize the available damages. The higher results for attorney-represented cases are partly due to the knowledge of what damages are available and how to prove them to the court’s standards. Potential damages include:
  • Medical bills as well as transportation costs to see necessary healthcare specialists
  • Lost wages due to missed work, and lost job-related benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, used vacation time, and lost advancement opportunities
  • Pain and suffering caused by the physical injury and their psychological impact on you and your marriage or family
  • Punitive damages, which are amounts charged to the wrongdoer and then awarded to you if it’s proven that they acted with appalling disregard for your safety
  • Wrongful death damages for surviving loved ones who deserve compensation for both financial losses (as in the death of a family breadwinner) and emotional losses (the person’s unique guidance, companionship, and support)

Your Houston personal injury attorney thoroughly investigates your case to identify all potentially liable parties, such as a truck driver and the company that employs them. 

Your lawyer knows how to account for the true cost of your injuries — not just the line-item bills from a hospital, but the cost of medications, follow-up treatment, and reduced earning capabilities. 

An experienced attorney can also describe intangible injuries, like grief, in terms the court can understand and award.

An attorney’s knowledge of the law and previous courtroom experience are vital advantages you need to ensure your one opportunity for justice has the best possible outcome. Contact the proven Houston personal injury attorneys at Pierce Skrabanek by calling (​​832) 690-7000 — one call could secure award-winning representation for your family. 
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Do All Houston Personal Injury Claims Go to Trial?

Personal injury claims in Houston, Texas, and throughout the country can go to court in a full trial, but it’s rare. Only about 3% of cases are resolved by a judge or jury according to the US Department of Justice (DOJ). The rest are either settled out-of-court or negotiated mid-trial (often for higher amounts than first offered).

See the following step-by-step explanation of how personal injury cases go to court (and know that the vast majority of them stop around steps 4-7):

9 Steps in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Suppose you suffered a whiplash injury after being rear-ended in car accident and needed to take legal action. Here are the major steps you can expect in a personal injury lawsuit, and why you need an attorney to guide you through the process.

  1. Seek Medical Treatment Immediately: You may have injuries you're not aware of (like a concussion); failing to seek help could affect your ability to collect damages later on.
  2. Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Early On: Discuss your situation with a personal injury lawyer early on, before you even take action. An attorney can review your situation and advise you of your legal rights and options.
  3. Your Lawyer Investigates Claim and Reviews Medical Records: Your lawyer will examine the facts of your claim closely and begin compiling medical records and other important documents.
  4. Your Lawyer Makes a Demand and Negotiates an Initial Settlement: Your attorney will make a demand with the other side if they think the case can be settled.
  5. Filing the Personal Injury Lawsuit: If initial negotiations fail, your lawyer will move forward with filing the necessary court documents to set your lawsuit in motion.
  6. The Discovery Phase of a Personal Injury Case: During "discovery", each party investigates the other side's claims, send document requests to each other, and takes depositions of parties and witnesses.
  7. Additional Negotiation: As the discovery phase ends, the attorneys may attempt to settle. If the dispute can't be settled, the case will move further along into trial.
  8. Trial Phase: Each sides' attorneys present their arguments and evidence, as well as opening and closing statements. The lawyer's skill in court is a major factor at this stage.
  9. Damages Awarded: After review, the judge makes a determination and issues a damages award if your case prevails. A skilled attorney can ensure that you receive the full amount of damages.

Contact Pierce Skrabanek for legal help.
(832) 690-7000 | www.pstriallaw.com

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Personal Injury Statistics for Houston, Texas

Personal injury lawsuits address a wide variety of damages. Here are Houston- and Texas-specific statistics based on the practice areas handled by Pierce Skrabanek:

  • Car and motorcycle accidents: Texas is regularly among the top five states with the most car accidents per year, including fatal and incapacitating crashes. Houston has the most reported accidents in the state, nearly doubling the next two highest cities — Dallas and San Antonio — in recent years.
  • Commercial trucking accidents: The deadliest road in the U.S. is I-45 which runs from Dallas to Houston and averages 5 deaths per every 100 miles. The highway is a major transport route for products into and out of the port city of Houston, increasing the risk of catastrophic tractor-trailer and semi-truck accidents.
  • Maritime and worksite scaffolding injuries: Port Houston is ​​​​the largest Texas port with a massive 97% market share in containers, and the largest Gulf Coast container port, conducting 70% of U.S. Gulf Coast container traffic. Ship, oil rig, dock, and construction work all carry extreme risks for workplace accidents and injuries.
  • Medical malpractice: The Texas Medical Board regularly receives nearly 9,000 care-related complaints each year. Nationwide issues with defective medical products and pharmaceuticals can be handled by your Houston personal injury attorney through multi-district litigation (MDL).
  • Wrongful death: The most common types of wrongful death suits in Texas and the U.S. include all of the above-mentioned areas of law, as well as aviation and pedestrian accidents.

Our Houston personal injury attorneys also litigate cases for apartment injuries, nursing home abuse, and homeowners’ and hurricane insurance claims. If you’ve been injured and need the help of a Houston personal injury lawyer, reach out to our stellar team at (​​832) 690-7000 for a free, confidential case evaluation. 

How Long Do You Have to File a Houston Personal Injury Claim?

In Texas, where Pierce Skrabanek is located, the deadline for filing most personal injury claims is 2 years

The deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit can range between 1-6 years depending on your state, and the type of injury, and the circumstances involved. The clock starts ticking on the date of your injury, and you may have as little as 1 year to file a claim based on your area’s laws (known as “statutes of limitations”). 

Your particular circumstances greatly influence the potential timeline of a personal injury lawsuit.

There may be timeline exceptions for children, for cases involving the federal government, or for certain medical malpractice injuries. For these reasons, it is important that you contact a local attorney as soon as possible so they can inform you of your specific timeline.

Time may be running out — contact the Houston attorneys at Pierce Skrabanek today at (​​832) 690-7000. One phone call could help secure representation right away, and allow us to file your claim before it’s too late.

Serving Houston Personal Injury Victims for Over 30 Years

Testimonials

Read what our past clients have to say about our legal services. 

Daryl M.

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“My experience with Mr. Skrabanek was honestly far better than all expectations that we had. He took care of us like we were family, making sure me and my wife always felt like a priority and walked us through all of the concerns that we had. If you are looking for a professional who truly cares for his clients you can stop the search. You won’t be disappointed.”

Denise J.

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“Mike and his team helped me settle an injury claim case. I was informed and helped through every step and they were always professional and very responsive. I really enjoyed working with them.”

Victoria S.

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“My attorney, Michael, did an amazing job with my case. He’s a straight shooter and has a vast knowledge of the law combined with an extensive amount of experience, making him a fantastic attorney. I fully recommend this firm.

Thank you Pierce Skrabenek!”

Gabriela C.

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“Paul Skrabanek of the law firm Pierce Skrabanek was very professional and went above & beyond in handling my daughter's case. Very dedicated, worked diligently, and got justice for my family. If I could give a higher rating than 5 stars I would. Thank you and your firm for such tenacity.”

Raymond H.

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“These guys are awesome, they were very informative from the beginning to end, working with them was super smooth, and I had all questions answered thoroughly. The whole team at this firm works to help in every way they can. They were able to get me the compensation I deserved and exceeded my expectations. If you’re ever in need of a stellar team to stand behind you and work for you, these guys are the ones you would want in your corner.

Thank you very much Paul and thank your team for me.”

Cam F.

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“Working with Paul Skrabanek was a very positive experience. He helped me understand the legal process as someone who has never been a part of a lawsuit, and was able to get me settled quickly and painlessly! Loved working with Pierce Skrabanek law firm!”

Michele R.

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Michael Pierce and his team, especially Krystle, were very professional, always available (even on weekends), and very knowledgeable. We appreciate their hard work on our case and the time they took to explain every detail as our case progressed. Mike is a phenomenal attorney and we highly recommend them for your legal needs.”

Beverly C.

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“I found Mr. Skrabanek to be very trustworthy, creditable, and genuinely concerned about my well-being while I was going through this very difficult process. He showed constant concern for me being completely satisfied before making any final decisions.”

Diane T.

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“Fantastic team of attorneys and staff dedicated to their clients. Michael Pierce is an outstanding trial attorney for personal injury cases.”

Deborah S.

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“We watched, participated & listened to Paul Skrabanek fight for a settlement which we could be happy with. Just this month the case has been put to rest.”

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Why Should I Hire Pierce Skrabanek for My Houston Personal Injury Claim?

When you or a loved one are hurt in a negligent accident, you need an experienced attorney to stand up for your rights. At Pierce Skrabanek, our Houston personal injury lawyers have extensive proven backgrounds in helping those affected by careless, negligent, or intentional acts. 

We provide compassionate counsel and aggressive representation to every client, and have recovered numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements including:

  • A $117 million jury verdict for an auto accident (the largest single personal injury verdict in the state)
  • $11.6 million for a catastrophic workplace injury that involved damage to our client’s eyesight
  • $2.5 million in a product liability judgment for a defective steering mechanism on a boat motor (after an initial $0 offer from the defendant)

Our founding attorneys, Michael Pierce and Paul Skrabanek, combined their unique knowledge of personal injury law and have dedicated their careers to seeking justice for those affected by serious injuries in Texas, on the sea, and nationwide.

If you or a loved one have been hurt due to the careless actions of another party, consult with one of our dedicated personal injury attorneys today by scheduling a free case evaluation online or calling (​​832) 690-7000. We have the skills, experience, and proven results you can trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is personal injury law?

Personal injury law covers a wide range of matters involving preventable accidents caused by negligence. For example, in the United States, roughly 8 million people visit emergency rooms every year due to a fall, and roughly 2.8 million workers suffer injuries on the job. In Texas, 1 person every 2.56 minutes is injured in a traffic collision. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident caused by someone’s careless acts, you may need a personal injury lawyer to protect your rights.

What kinds of injuries are common in personal injury cases?

Personal injury cases can range from minor to catastrophic harm. Some of the most common injuries include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and neck or spinal cord injuries. Accidents can also lead to organ damage, burns, amputations, and other forms of disfigurement.

In these and other injury situations, the personal injury lawyers at Pierce Skrabanek will work tirelessly to recover the compensation you need to put the pieces of your life back together.


How does a lawyer for personal injury prove liability?

A personal injury lawyer needs to establish negligence in a personal injury case. First, they must show that the individual or entity being sued failed to act with reasonable safety or care, causing your injury. Then the attorney must describe the cost of your losses with items like receipts or bills for medical care, or expert witness testimony describing suffering like PTSD. 

In some cases, there may be multiple parties liable for your injuries. Your attorney will investigate thoroughly to hold all parties accountable, and pursue the maximum available funds.


How long does a personal injury case take to settle?

The best timeline estimate for a personal injury case is between a few months to a couple of years. How quickly a case settles depends on the willingness of the other side to negotiate, and the ability of your attorney to enter negotiations with a trial-ready case. If you have questions about your particular situation and whether our attorneys can help you, contact our Houston offices directly at (​​832) 690-7000 to discuss your options.