Personal injury cases can be devastating for those involved. In Texas, there are many different types of personal injury cases that are commonly pursued in court. In this blog, we will explore the seven most common types of personal injury cases in Texas and what you need to know about each one.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the most common types of personal injury cases in Texas. They can occur due to a variety of factors, including distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, and more. If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation’s Annual Texas Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics, there were 549,924 total crashes on Texas roads and Highways in 2021. Of those crashes, 19,448 people were seriously injured and 4,489 people were killed. An injury is only considered a serious injury if the person was incapacitated by the wreck. So, these numbers do not even include all the people who suffer severe pain and discomfort but are still able to walk and drive as they could before the crash.
Truck Accidents
According to Safertrucking.org, 643 people were killed in large truck wrecks in 2020 in Texas. This represented a 49% increase in fatalities in this state over the last decade. Somewhat surprisingly, 73% of the fatal truck accidents occurred on non-interstate roads. Nationwide, one child every two days was killed in a large truck accident in 2020.
Bicycle Accidents
The Texas Department of Transportation reported 2,265 total crashes involving non-motorized, pedal-operated vehicles such as bicycles in 2021. Of those, 91 result in one or more fatalities and 332 in serious injuries. Although bicycle accidents are far less common than car and truck accidents, the odds of the bicyclist suffering serious injury or death due to the accident is significantly higher.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents occur when somebody is hit by a car when walking in a parking lot, crossing the street, or sometimes even when they are standing or walking on a sidewalk. In 2021, the amount of reported pedestrian accidents in Texas according to the Texas Department of Transportation totaled 5,366. There were 824 fatalities in pedestrian accidents and 1,837 serious injuries. Like bicycle wrecks, the odds of being seriously injured or killed in a pedestrian accident are higher than in a truck or car accidents. Also, many pedestrian accidents occur in private parking lots and driveways. Often times the police will not file a report in those situations because it has occurred on private property rather than a public roadway. This means that the amount of actual pedestrian accidents in 2021 is probably significantly under-reported.
Motorcycle Accidents
There were 5,467 motorcycle involved crashes in Texas in 2021. Of those, 2,319 resulted in serious injury to either the driver of the motorcycle or their passenger. Another 521 resulted in the death of either the driver or one of their passengers. Research shows that the disproportionally high number of motorcycle accidents may be due to a phenomenon knowns as inattentional blindness, or a person’s failure to notice an unexpected objected located in plain sight.
Workplace Injuries
Workplace accidents can occur in any industry, from construction to healthcare. If you have been injured on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. In some cases, you may also be able to file a personal injury claim.
Texas employers can either subscribe to worker’s compensation benefits or they can elect to be a non-subscriber. If they are subscribers, that means that they have worker’s compensation and therefore the injured employee can only receive the benefits provided by worker’s compensation. If the employer has opted out of worker’s compensation for its employees, then the injured employee can file a personal injury claim. In such a situation, the employee only has to prove that the employer was 1% or more at fault for his injuries to be able to recover for his injuries.
Premise Liability and Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere, from grocery stores to private homes. In Texas, property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe for visitors. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident due to the negligence of a property owner, you may be able to file a personal injury claim.
Conclusion
In conclusion, personal injury cases can be complex and require the expertise of an experienced attorney. If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of another party, it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. With the right legal representation, you can get the compensation you deserve and move forward with your life.
