Injury Lawyer For Accidents Caused By Marijuana Use In Dallas
With the influx of states decriminalizing marijuana use, some drivers may be tempted to smoke and drive. However, not only is marijuana consumption still illegal in Texas but driving while impaired by marijuana can cause serious car accidents. Just as with alcohol, having foreign substances in your body while driving can reduce your reflexes and impair your judgment. Anyone who has been injured in a crash caused by marijuana in Dallas should seek representation and legal advice from our firm, a Dallas car accident law firm, .
How our firm, a Dallas car accident law firm, Can Help Me
Your injuries were caused by a person who chose to drive while influenced by marijuana. This is a serious amount of negligence and it means that your injuries should be compensated by that other individual. our firm, a Dallas car accident law firm, has experience in local court systems, meaning that we may be able to gauge the likely leanings of the jury pool, give you advice based on previous cases that are similar to yours, and negotiate with opposing counsel with whom we may have previously worked.
The Damages for Which I Can Sue
Whatever the nature of your injury, your damages go well beyond simply medical costs. In fact, there are two categories into which your harms can be sorted: economic damages and non-economic ones.
Economic Harms
Perhaps the most objective damages for which you can sue are called economic harms. They are the items that directly affect your bank account, and they often come with bills or receipts that delineate their monetary values. Examples of these kinds of damages include lost wages, lost earning capacity, car repair costs, and medical expenses. For the latter, you may sue for up to the actual amount that you paid or were charged, according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §41.0105.
Non-Economic Harms
The second category of compensable damages includes all of the harms you experience that are not monetary in nature. They are not bills or service, but rather encapsulate all of the subjective harm that comes to you as a result of your injury. Examples of non-economic damages are loss of consortium with a spouse, physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment in life, and similar issues.
Exemplary Damages
In some cases, including car accidents that result from marijuana use, the jury may decide that the at-fault party acted in a way that was especially negligent. These situations can mean that the jury awards you extra compensation known as exemplary damages. The jury is limited in the amount they can award for this compensation by Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §41.008. If they do decide to award you exemplary damages, the amount you receive can be higher of the following two amounts:
- $200,000
- Two times your economic damages, plus up to $750,000 of your non-economic harms
I Should Get an Attorney on My Case Immediately
Time is a crucial factor in a successful personal injury claim. The more time elapses after your car accident, the more evidence can be lost. Finding the right attorney for your car crash should be a primary goal after seeing to your medical health.
Statute of Limitations
In Texas, personal injury claims are viable for up to two years after the injury occurs. This deadline, set by Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003, is called the statute of limitations and it means that waiting past the two-year mark eliminates your ability to pursue compensation. With a skilled lawyer, however, you can ensure that your paperwork is filed on time and your rights and interests are preserved.
Evidence of Fault in My Claim
Having a successful claim means showing evidence of the other person’s fault. A legal term, “fault” is a measure of the blame that each individual has for the accident. Evidence of fault can include a wide variety of items, such as the police crash report, eyewitness testimony, drug tests, footage from nearby surveillance or traffic cameras, etc.
Apportioning fault is a very important part of your claim. Unlike other states, Texas allows you to recover compensation even if you are found to be partially responsible for the accident. Known as a system of proportionate responsibility, the system allows you to pursue compensation as long as you are no more than 50% responsible for the accident. Unfortunately, any percentage of blame shouldered by you also reduces your compensation by an equal amount. For example, if you are found to be 25% responsible for the accident, your total compensation will be reduced by 25% as well.
Get a FREE Consultation from a Skilled Attorney
At our firm, a Dallas car accident law firm, , we understand that the period after a serious injury can be full of uncertainty surrounding finances and life schedules. That is why we offer clients a FREE consultation to discuss the value and merits of each claim, and it is why we do not collect a fee unless we win your case.
Get in touch with us today by filling out the form on our contact page or by calling us at (469) 998-4069.
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