If you are injured in an accident, your first priority should always be your health and safety. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor at first. Some injuries take time to appear, and early documentation can be important for both your recovery and your legal claim. If you are able, report the accident to the appropriate authorities and ensure an official report is created.  

Once your immediate needs are addressed, consider reaching out to our team of personal injury attorneys at SYT. Early legal guidance can help protect your rights, preserve evidence, and prevent common mistakes that could affect your claim. Our team can step in quickly to handle the legal aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on healing while we work to protect your future. 

If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s actions or negligence, you may have a personal injury case. These cases can arise from car accidents, truck accidents, unsafe property conditions, defective products, or other preventable incidents. Because every situation is different, the best way to know for sure is to speak directly with an experienced personal injury attorney. By filling out our online contact form, our team can review the details of your accident, explain whether you may have a valid claim, and discuss your legal options at no cost to you. 

Negligence is the legal foundation of most personal injury claims in Texas. At its core, negligence occurs when someone fails to act with reasonable care, and that failure causes harm to another person. In everyday terms, negligence means that an accident could have been prevented if the responsible party had acted responsibly.  

To establish negligence in a Killeen personal injury case, four key elements must generally be shown. First, the at-fault party must have owed a duty of care. For example, drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and operate their vehicles safely. Property owners have a duty to maintain premises that are reasonably safe. Second, that duty must have been breached through careless or reckless behavior, such as speeding, distracted driving, or failing to fix a known hazard. Third, the breach must be the direct cause of the accident. Finally, the injured person must have suffered actual damages, such as medical expenses, lost income, or physical and emotional pain. 

Insurance companies often try to dispute one or more of these elements to avoid paying full compensation. They may argue that their policyholder acted reasonably, that the injuries were preexisting, or that something else caused the accident altogether. At SYT, our team understands how these defenses work and how to counter them. We investigate accidents thoroughly, gather evidence, consult experts when necessary, and build strong cases designed to clearly demonstrate negligence and accountability.  

Proving negligence is not just about assigning blame; it is about securing the resources injured individuals need to recover and move forward. Our attorneys take the time to understand each client’s situation, explain how negligence applies to their case, and pursue compensation that reflects the full impact of the injury on their life.

In most personal injury cases in Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. However, there can be exceptions depending on the circumstances of your case, especially if a government entity is involved or if the injured person is a minor. Because missing a deadline can permanently bar your claim (meaning you will not be able to ever receive compensation), it is important to contact our team as soon as possible so we can confirm the applicable time limits and protect your rights.

The length of a personal injury case can vary widely depending on the facts, the severity of the injuries, and whether the insurance company is willing to negotiate in good faith. Some cases can be resolved through settlement, while others require litigation and trial. At SYT, our team prepares every case as if it will go to trial from the very beginning. This thorough preparation strengthens our negotiating position and ensures we are ready to advocate for you in the courtroom if a fair settlement is not offered. By completing our online case review form, our team can evaluate your situation and give you a clearer understanding of what to expect based on the specifics of your case. 

Not every personal injury case goes to court. In fact, many cases are resolved through negotiations or settlement. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, going to trial may be necessary. Our team prepares every case as if it will be tried before a jury, which strengthens our negotiating position and ensures we are ready to advocate for you in court if needed.

Texas follows a comparative fault system, meaning you can still recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50 percent responsible for the accident. However, your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often attempt to exaggerate a victim’s role in an accident to minimize payouts. Our team works diligently to investigate the facts, challenge unfair blame, and pursue the maximum compensation available under the law.

Texas law requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance coverage of $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. While these limits may satisfy legal requirements, they are often insufficient to fully cover the damages caused by a serious accident. Our attorneys regularly handle cases where insurance coverage is inadequate, and we explore all available avenues for compensation to ensure our clients are not left paying out of pocket for someone else’s mistake.

If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you may still have options for recovery. Many insurance policies include uninsured motorist coverage, which can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Our team can review your policy, explain your coverage, and handle communications with your insurance company to ensure your claim is handled fairly.

Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to fully cover your damages. In these situations, your own policy may provide additional compensation. These claims can be complex, and insurance companies often resist paying them. At SYT, we know how to navigate these challenges and fight for the full value of your claim. 

Claims involving government entities often have shorter deadlines and special procedural requirements. These cases require careful handling and prompt action. If your injury involved a city vehicle, unsafe roadway conditions, or another government-related issue, it is important to contact our team immediately to ensure all legal requirements are met.

Depending on the circumstances, responsibility may fall on a negligent driver, a vehicle owner, an employer, a property owner, a manufacturer, or even a government entity. Identifying all responsible parties is a critical part of maximizing compensation, and our attorneys conduct thorough investigations to ensure no potential source of recovery is overlooked.  

The compensation available in a personal injury case is designed to address the full impact an accident has on your life, not just the immediate expenses. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to recover compensation for current and future medical costs, including emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, physical therapy, medications, and any ongoing care your injuries require.  

Injuries can also affect your ability to work, both in the short term and long term. Compensation may include lost income for time missed from work, as well as reduced earning capacity if your injuries limit your ability to return to your previous job or advance in your career. Beyond financial losses, Texas law recognizes the physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life that often accompany serious injuries. These damages reflect the very real ways an accident can disrupt daily routines, relationships, and overall quality of life.  

In cases involving severe or catastrophic injuries, compensation may extend even further to account for long-term disability, permanent impairments, future medical care, adaptive equipment, and modifications to your home or vehicle. When an injury changes a person’s life, the legal strategy must reflect that reality.  

Our team works closely with medical professionals, vocational experts, and financial specialists to fully understand the scope of your injuries and losses. We take the time to look beyond the immediate aftermath of the accident and fight for compensation that reflects not only what you have already endured, but what you will need to move forward with security and dignity.

While you are not required to hire a lawyer, having experienced legal representation can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and attorneys working to limit what they pay. Having SYT on your side helps level the playing field and ensures your case is handled with the seriousness it deserves. 

An early settlement offer from an insurance company may seem appealing, especially as medical bills and other expenses pile up. However, these initial offers are often far lower than the true value of a claim. Insurance companies frequently make quick settlement offers before the full extent of an injury is known, and once a settlement is accepted, you typically cannot seek additional compensation later.  

Having a lawyer ensures that any settlement offer is carefully evaluated with your long-term needs in mind. At SYT, we assess not only your current expenses but also future medical care, lost earning potential, and the overall impact the injury has on your life. Because we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, insurance companies know we are serious about pursuing full and fair compensation, which often leads to stronger negotiation outcomes.

If an insurance company contacts you after an accident, it is important to be cautious. Adjusters may ask routine questions designed to limit their financial exposure. You are not required to provide a recorded statement or discuss fault or injuries without legal representation.  

A safe and effective response is to provide basic identifying information and let the insurance company know that you are seeking legal counsel. Our team can handle all communications with insurance companies on your behalf. This protects you from saying something that could be taken out of context and ensures that your claim is presented clearly, accurately, and from a position of strength.