The Real Value of a Personal Injury Claim in Texas
After a serious car crash in Houston, most people have two urgent questions:
- “How long will this take?”
- “How much is my case worth?”
The truth is that no two car accident cases are exactly alike. What matters is how the accident changed your life—and what the law allows you to recover.
This post will break it all down for you.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Car Accident?
In Texas, personal injury damages fall into two main categories:
Economic Damages
These are out-of-pocket costs and financial losses:
- Medical bills (ER, surgery, therapy, prescriptions)
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Property damage (e.g., vehicle repairs or total loss)
- Future medical needs or long-term care
- Funeral expenses (in wrongful death cases)
Non-Economic Damages
These are real—but harder to measure:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish (e.g., PTSD)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement or permanent disability
If your injuries are life-changing, the non-economic portion of your case could be much more significant than the medical bills.
What Determines the Value of a Car Accident Case?
1. Severity of Your Injuries
- A broken wrist heals in weeks.
- A spinal cord injury or brain trauma can affect you for life.
The more serious and long-lasting your injuries, the more your case is worth.
2. Liability (Who’s at Fault?)
Texas follows modified comparative negligence:
- If you’re 50% at fault or less, you can still recover compensation
- Your percentage of fault reduces your final award.
3. Insurance Policy Limits
In Texas, drivers are required to carry:
- $30,000 per person for injuries
- $60,000 per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
But if the at-fault driver was driving commercially, was covered by umbrella insurance, or you have UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage, you may be eligible for much more.
Texas Department of Insurance – Auto Claims
4. Medical Treatment Timeline
Insurance adjusters look at:
- Gaps in care
- Missed follow-ups
- Incomplete recovery plans
Consistent, documented care helps prove your case’s full value.
5. Long-Term Impact
You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Ongoing physical therapy
- Mobility aids (e.g., wheelchairs, braces)
- Job retraining
- Future surgeries
These costs often don’t appear until months after the crash—so don’t settle too early.
Should I Wait to Settle?
Yes—until you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). Settling too early can:
- Undervalue future costs.
- Leaving you paying for follow-up care.
- Lock you into a lowball offer.
What If the Insurance Company Offers Me a Check?
Be careful. That offer may only cover:
- ER bills
- A few weeks of wages
- Zero for long-term issues
Don’t accept any offer until an experienced injury attorney reviews it.
You Deserve Full Value—Not Fast Money
Your car accident case in Houston isn’t just about bills. It’s about your future. A fair settlement should account for everything you’ve lost—and everything you’ll need to recover.
Let Mostyn Law Help You Know What Your Case Is Worth
We help Houstonians recover maximum compensation after car, truck, and catastrophic accidents—without charging a dime unless we win.
Start your free case review now: https://mostynlaw.com/contact-personal-injury-lawyer-houston/
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