Houston Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were injured in a car, truck, or rideshare crash in Houston or anywhere in Harris County, you may be able to recover compensation from the person or company responsible. Attorney Elena Vlady represents injured people in Houston and throughout Texas from her Austin-based office.
Personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis: you owe no attorney’s fee or case expenses unless we recover for you.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Houston
- Car accidents, including rear-end, intersection, and T-bone collisions
- 18-wheeler and commercial truck accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents, for passengers, drivers, and other motorists
- Slip and fall injuries at stores, apartment complexes, and businesses
- Premises liability claims when a property owner failed to keep the property reasonably safe
- Vehicle property damage claims after a crash
Houston Roads and Crash Risks
Houston drivers share some of the busiest roads in Texas, including I-45, I-10, I-69/US-59, the 610 Loop, Beltway 8, and the Grand Parkway. Heavy commuter traffic, ongoing construction, and large numbers of commercial trucks serving the Port of Houston and the region’s industrial corridors make serious collisions common.
Truck accident cases often involve federal safety rules, driver logs, and more than one insurance policy, so it is important to start investigating and preserving evidence early.
Do I Need a Lawyer Located in Houston?
Not necessarily. Texas personal injury law is the same statewide, and much of a claim, from gathering medical records to negotiating with insurance companies, can be handled remotely.
Clients communicate with our office through a secure online client portal, where you can upload photos and documents and receive updates on your case. If a lawsuit becomes necessary, it is typically filed in the county where the accident happened, such as the Harris County district courts, and we appear there as needed.
Key Texas Rules That Affect Your Claim
The two-year deadline
In most Texas personal injury cases, a lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of injury (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003). Claims involving a government vehicle, such as a city truck or a METRO bus, can have much shorter notice deadlines, sometimes six months or less.
Shared fault and the 51% rule
Texas follows modified comparative responsibility. If you were partly at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001).
Texas is an at-fault state
The driver who caused the crash, and that driver’s insurance company, are generally responsible for the resulting losses. Texas requires minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage, which may not be enough when injuries are serious.
Your own auto policy may also include personal injury protection (PIP) or uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Texas insurers must offer these coverages unless you rejected them in writing.
What Compensation May Be Available
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Physical pain and mental anguish
- Physical impairment and disfigurement
- Repair or replacement of your vehicle
Every case is different. The value of a claim depends on the facts, the injuries, and the insurance coverage available.
What to Do After a Houston Car Accident
- Call 911 and get medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Report the crash to the Houston Police Department or the responding agency, and write down the report number.
- Photograph the vehicles, the scene, and your injuries, and get contact information from any witnesses.
- Exchange insurance information with the other driver.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before getting legal advice.
- Request your crash report through TxDOT’s Crash Records Information System (CRIS) once it becomes available.
- Keep copies of all medical bills, records, and receipts.
How Our Contingency Fee Works
For personal injury clients, we charge no upfront fees. We handle your case on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe no attorney’s fee or case expenses unless we recover for you. The fee percentage and terms are explained in a written fee agreement before any work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my Houston injury case take?
Many claims are resolved through settlement with the insurance company, usually after medical treatment is complete and the full extent of the injuries is known. Cases that require a lawsuit take longer. We will explain the expected timeline for your situation.
What if the other driver had no insurance?
You may be able to make a claim under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, if your policy includes it.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. Your recovery would be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Can I bring a claim if I am not a U.S. citizen?
In general, the right to recover for an injury in Texas does not depend on immigration status. Attorney Elena Vlady also practices immigration law and can address questions about how a claim may relate to your status.
Do you speak languages other than English?
Attorney Elena Vlady speaks Russian, and our office assists clients in Spanish, Ukrainian, and other languages depending on staff availability.
Request a Free Case Evaluation
If you were injured in Houston or elsewhere in Texas, request a consultation through our website. We will review your situation and explain your options.
Attorney responsible for the content of this page: Elena Vlady, Law Office of Elena Vlady, PLLC, Austin, Texas. This page provides general information and is not legal advice.