Houston is home to more than 2 million people and ranks third among U.S. metropolitan areas most affected by personal injury cases per capita. The city’s location in Texas along I-10 and I-45, which are major highways and roadways in the state, makes it a destination for many people from surrounding areas with distinct cultural elements.
Research consistently ranks car accidents and dog bites among the leading personal injury cases in Houston. While trends fluctuate, people continue to die due to the negligence of others.
What Is a Personal Injury Case?
A personal injury case is a lawsuit that involves someone being injured due to the negligence of another. A person or department of the government can file a lawsuit against the at-fault party for compensation. The plaintiff can hire a lawyer to protect their rights and represent their interest.
What Does Compensation Cover?
A personal injury case can help the victim cover:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Hospital and doctor bills
- Property damages
- Physical impairment
Collect any document related to the injuries you suffered in the accident. Having a paper trail can help place a dollar value on the compensation you should receive.
Statistics on Personal Injury Cases in Houston
Texas has a higher amount of personal injury cases than most states. It had more than 600,000 reported personal injury cases in 2016, with an estimated loss of 1.8 billion dollars. Medical bills and pain and suffering totaled a loss of 32 million dollars.
The Cost of Personal Injury Cases
The average medical bill was $3,022.98, and 142,000 people were forced to pay the total amount. Lost wages are an estimated loss of 41 million dollars. While property damages totaled 111 million dollars for 2016, with 1,519 vehicle accidents occurring that caused property damage/damage.
Traffic Accidents
Some cases occurred primarily through automobile-related accidents that caused an estimated total loss of 598 million dollars. The average loss from a car accident is $17,315.26, including medical expenses, property damage, and physical suffering.
Common causes for collisions in Houston include:
- Driving under the influence
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Drowsy driving
- Reckless driving
The all-time high of car crashes was reached in 2019. However, the following year a decrease was noted. Studies report a 12% decrease in car accidents compared to the previous year. Researchers continue to study the influence of the restrictions during the pandemic on car accident trends.
Dog Bite Cases
While the elderly and children are particularly vulnerable in the face of dog bites, a high number of victims of all ages continue to be reported across the United States. Texas is one of the leading states regarding dog attack injuries. Also, Houston earned the title of Dog Bite Capital.
A study recorded 433 dog bite fatalities in the U.S. between 2005 and 2017, of these 62 happened in Texas. More than half of the attacks were inflicted by pets.
A Texas dog owner is held legally responsible for the behavior and actions of their pet under certain conditions. If they had prior knowledge about the pet’s aggressive behavior and failed to take action to discourage the behavior, they may be at fault for the attack.
If you were injured by a dog, gather medical documentation as proof of the accident. Hand these over to your attorney, they will add this to your file and use it to increase the value of your claim. Always keep a copy of any document as a backup.
Contact a Legal Expert
In the event of an accident, get in touch with a Houston personal injury lawyer to safeguard your rights. An attorney is there to represent the best interest of their client.
A legal expert can offer valuable guidance throughout the lawsuit and ensure that you avoid making any mistake that might endanger securing your compensation. What is more, an attorney can take over all communications with insurance companies and negotiate the best deal for you.
Beyond Statistics
If statistics show anything is that you are not alone. While surviving an accident can be a traumatic and alienating experience, do not close yourself off to emotional support and expert help. A legal professional can help you file for compensation that can help you rebuild your life.
As a journalist, Leland D. Bengtson dedicated most of his career to law reporting. His greatest satisfaction is to convey legal matters to the public in a language that they can understand. He is active on various platforms and media outlets, writing about common legal issues that people confront with every day. While medical malpractice is his strong suit, Leland covers plenty of other topics, including personal injury cases, family law, and other civil and even criminal legal matters.