If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by someone else in Houston or anywhere in Texas, you may be entitled to significant compensation. But the personal injury claim process is widely misunderstood — and those misconceptions can cost victims real money. At John K. Zaid & Associates, our Houston personal injury attorneys address these myths every day.
Misconception 1: You Can File a Personal Injury Claim at Any Time
This is one of the most damaging myths about personal injury law. In Texas, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of injury, as set by Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. If you miss this deadline, you will almost certainly lose your right to pursue compensation — regardless of how clear-cut the other party’s fault may be. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.
Misconception 2: If You Were Injured, You’re Guaranteed to Win
Being injured doesn’t automatically entitle you to compensation. To win a Texas personal injury case, you must prove that another party was negligent and that their negligence directly caused your injuries. Without strong evidence — accident reports, medical records, photos, witness statements, and expert testimony — even legitimate claims can be lost. An experienced Houston injury attorney will know exactly what evidence to gather and how to present it.
Misconception 3: Minor Injuries Don’t Warrant a Claim
Even injuries that seem minor at the scene can worsen significantly over time. Soft tissue damage, concussions, and back injuries often don’t fully manifest until days or weeks after an accident. And even truly minor injuries can result in missed work and mounting medical bills. Texas law allows you to recover compensation for all accident-related damages, no matter the severity — you deserve to be made whole.
Misconception 4: Filing a Claim Will Bankrupt the At-Fault Party
Many injury victims hesitate to file a claim out of sympathy for the person who hurt them. In the vast majority of Texas cases, however, it’s the at-fault party’s insurance company — not the individual — that pays the settlement or judgment. Filing a legitimate personal injury claim simply allows you to recover the compensation you’re legally owed.
Misconception 5: Personal Injury Lawyers Are Too Expensive
Cost should never prevent you from seeking justice. At John K. Zaid & Associates, we handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront — our fee is a percentage of the compensation we recover for you. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
Misconception 6: You’ll Have to Go to Trial
The overwhelming majority of Texas personal injury cases are resolved through negotiated settlements — without ever going to trial. However, if an insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, our trial-tested lawyers are fully prepared to take your case to a Houston courtroom and fight for every dollar you deserve.
Misconception 7: Personal Injury Claims Only Cover Physical Injuries
Physical injuries are often the most visible consequence of an accident, but Texas law also allows recovery for non-physical harm. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other emotional injuries are compensable in a personal injury claim. Loss of enjoyment of life and damage to personal relationships may also be recoverable damages.
Don’t let these misconceptions stand between you and the compensation you deserve. Contact John K. Zaid & Associates today for a free, confidential consultation with a Houston personal injury lawyer. We’ve been fighting for injury victims across Texas for decades, and we’re ready to fight for you.