We work on a contingency fee basis. That means there is no upfront payment, and we only get paid if we win your case. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Every case is different, and the timeline depends largely on your medical treatment. We do not rush to settle your case while you are still treating, because doing so could leave money on the table. Your claim is strongest once your doctors have a complete picture of your injuries, your recovery, and any long-term limitations you may face. For some clients, that process takes a few months. For others, it can take a year or more.
Once treatment is complete, we prepare a comprehensive demand package and begin negotiations with the insurance company. Many cases resolve at this stage. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we file a lawsuit. Litigation adds significant time to the process and can take several years from the date of filing through discovery, depositions, mediation, and ultimately trial. We keep you informed at every stage and will never pressure you to accept a settlement that does not reflect the full value of your case.
Texas law allows you to recover compensation for far more than just your medical bills. You may be entitled to recover past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity. But those are only part of the picture.
Your injuries affect your everyday life in ways that carry real value. The sleep you have lost because of chronic pain. The activities you can no longer enjoy, whether that is playing with your children, exercising, cooking, or simply getting through the day without discomfort. The strain your injuries have placed on your relationships with your spouse and family. The anxiety and frustration of not being able to do the things you once took for granted. All of this matters, and all of it has value under Texas law.
These are what the law calls 'non-economic damages,' and they often represent the largest portion of a personal injury recovery. They include physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, physical impairment, and loss of consortium. In some cases, punitive damages may also be available when the defendant's conduct was especially reckless or egregious.
We take the time to understand how your injuries have changed your daily life, not just what they have cost you financially. That is how we build cases that reflect the true value of what you have been through.
No. You should never accept a settlement offer from an insurance company without first consulting a personal injury attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to contact you early, often while you are still in pain and overwhelmed, and offer a quick payout designed to close your claim for as little as possible. That initial offer almost never reflects the true value of your case. It typically does not account for future medical treatment, long-term pain and suffering, lost earning capacity, or the full extent of how your injuries will affect your life going forward.
Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, your claim is closed permanently. You cannot go back and ask for more money if your injuries turn out to be worse than you initially thought, if you need surgery down the road, or if you are unable to return to work. The insurance company knows this, which is exactly why they want to settle quickly.
Our firm will evaluate any offer against the full scope of your damages, including what your case is likely worth at trial, and advise you on whether to accept, counter, or reject it. We do not let our clients settle for less than they deserve.
You may still be entitled to compensation. Texas follows what is known as a 'modified comparative fault' rule. Under this rule, you can recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. If you are 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovery entirely.
If you do recover, your compensation is reduced by your share of responsibility. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are found to be 20% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000.
Insurance companies routinely try to shift blame onto the injured person to reduce or eliminate what they owe. That is one of the reasons it is critical to have an attorney involved early. We investigate the facts, gather the evidence, and build a case that accurately reflects what happened, so that the other side cannot unfairly minimize your claim.
Yes. In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is called the statute of limitations, and if you miss it, you lose your right to pursue your claim entirely, regardless of how strong your case may be.
There are limited exceptions that can extend or shorten this deadline. For example, if the injured person is a minor, the two-year clock typically does not begin to run until they turn 18. Claims against a governmental entity, such as a city, county, or state agency, require formal notice within six months of the incident, well before the standard two-year filing deadline.
Beyond the legal deadline, there are practical reasons not to wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget details. Surveillance footage is overwritten. Medical records become harder to connect to the accident. The sooner an attorney is involved, the sooner critical evidence can be identified and preserved. If you have been injured, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible for a free consultation so we can evaluate your claim and protect your right to recover.
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If you were hurt by someone else's negligence, Michelle Acosta will fight for every dollar you are owed. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.