Causes of Paralysis in Houston

Interstate 45 through Houston is commonly regarded as not only one of the most dangerous roads in Houston but also in the nation, due to its high volume of traffic and the frequency of accidents. Many types of injuries can result from accidents on I-45 and other local roadways, with one of the most serious being a spinal cord injury that causes paralysis, as this loss of sensation and function is typically permanent and can impair the injured person’s ability to earn an income or live independently. However, being badly injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver isn’t the only way that one can become paralyzed due to someone else’s carelessness. Here is a look at the causes of paralysis in Houston and the personal injury claims process that can be used to seek compensation for the monetary and psychological costs of this catastrophic injury.

If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence. Contact a dedicated paralysis injury lawyer today for a free consultation. 

How Negligence Can Lead to Paralysis

In most situations, people and businesses have a legal obligation to take reasonable actions to avoid causing harm to others. This is commonly referred to as a duty of care. A breach in the duty of care occurs when someone is careless or reckless, such as a distracted or impaired driver, or the employees of a retail store failing to clean liquid or debris from the floor to avoid causing someone to slip and fall. In Houston, motor vehicle accidents, including those involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, or even watercraft, and falls are two of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis. Other causes may include medical mistakes or accidents involving defective products.

Negligence is the common factor in all of these types of accidents. When one person’s carelessness causes harm to another, the injured party may pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. Typically, the claim is brought against the liability coverage provided by the at-fault party’s insurance policy, such as a property or auto insurance policy. If the insurer does not offer fair compensation, the claimant has the option to initiate a lawsuit.

There is a Very Limited Time to File a Claim After Being Paralyzed

Like all states, Texas imposes a statute of limitations on personal injury claims. Unlike many states that allow four years or more, Texas sets the deadline at two years. This means the injured party must file a lawsuit within two years in most cases for the court to consider the claim. Within this timeframe, the insurer also needs time to review the claim and potentially participate in settlement negotiations with the claimant’s attorney. The claimant’s condition must stabilize enough to allow for an accurate assessment of the financial and psychological impacts of the injury, as well as to support the collection of evidence and documentation necessary to establish negligence and damages.

Contact a Houston Attorney if Negligence Caused Your Paralysis

Whether your injury stems from one of the common causes of paralysis in Houston or another type of accident, you may be entitled to compensation if it resulted from someone else’s negligence. Our legal team is available to discuss your case and answer any questions you have. Keep in mind, Texas law gives you only two years to file a claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.