An Abilene personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of David M. White represents people injured by car accidents, truck wrecks, medical malpractice, and other forms of negligence in Taylor County and throughout the surrounding region.
We manage every phase of the claim, from the initial investigation through trial when an insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement. Insurers rarely pay the full value of a claim unless they are pushed to do so.
They respond to leverage, and that leverage comes from a prepared case backed by an attorney ready to take it to a courtroom. Call 325-437-3311 today for a free consultation about your claim.
How Does the Law Offices of David M. White Handle Personal Injury Cases in Abilene?
We prepare every personal injury case for trial so settlement negotiations reflect the full value of your losses.
Attorney David M. White represents injured people in Taylor County and throughout the surrounding region, building each claim with the evidence and preparation needed to stand up in front of a jury if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation.
Our Approach to Injury Claims in Taylor County
We take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you.
Our focus stays on proving liability, documenting the full scope of your injuries, and holding the responsible party accountable through the Taylor County court system or through negotiated resolution.
Where We Serve
Our Abilene office sits at 1500 Industrial Blvd., Ste. 303. We also maintain an office in San Angelo. Clients come to us from Abilene, Tye, Merkel, Tuscola, Buffalo Gap, Dyess AFB, and communities across West Texas.
If you were injured anywhere in the region, call 325-437-3311 to discuss whether we may take your case.
What Types of Injury Cases Does an Abilene Personal Injury Attorney Handle?
A personal injury attorney in Abilene handles cases where someone else's negligence caused you physical harm. Negligence means the other party failed to act with reasonable care, and that failure led directly to your injuries.
We represent clients across a range of case types that reflect the most common causes of serious injury in the Abilene area.
Case Types We Take On
The specific type of accident or incident determines which laws apply and how we build the claim. Our practice covers the following injury case types.
- Car accidents on I-20, US-83, US-277, Loop 322, and local Abilene roads where another driver's negligence caused the crash
- Truck accidents involving commercial vehicles regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which often require preservation of driver logs, black box data, and maintenance records
- Medical malpractice cases where a healthcare provider's negligent treatment fell below the accepted standard of care and caused injury or worsened an existing condition
- Wrongful death claims filed by surviving family members when negligence or recklessness caused the death of a loved one
- Oilfield and workplace injuries tied to unsafe site conditions, defective equipment, or inadequate safety protocols in the West Texas oil and gas industry
Each case type involves its own set of procedural requirements and evidentiary demands. A personal injury lawyer in Abilene, TX, evaluates which legal theories apply to your situation and how to build the strongest claim under those facts.
How Does the Personal Injury Claim Process Work in Texas?
A personal injury claim in Texas follows a process that moves from investigation through either settlement or trial.
Most claims resolve through negotiation with the insurance company, but preparing for trial from the beginning strengthens your position at every stage.
The Path From Injury to Resolution
After you hire an injury lawyer in Abilene, Texas, the case moves through a series of phases that each serve a specific purpose.
- Investigation and evidence gathering, including accident reports, medical records, photographs, witness statements, and any available video footage
- Medical treatment documentation, where we track the full scope of your injuries, surgeries, therapy, and ongoing care needs to build an accurate picture of your losses
- Demand and negotiation, where we present a demand package to the insurance company with documentation supporting the full value of your claim
- Filing a lawsuit in Taylor County District Court if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement
- Discovery, depositions, and trial preparation if the case moves into litigation
Not every case reaches the courtroom. Many resolve during the negotiation phase or after a lawsuit is filed but before trial.
The strength of your case preparation determines how much leverage you carry at the negotiation table. We prepare every case for trial so settlement negotiations reflect the full value of your losses.
What Damages May You Recover in an Abilene Personal Injury Case?
Texas personal injury law allows injured people to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses caused by another party's negligence. The value of any claim depends on the specific facts, the severity of the injuries, and the impact on your daily life and financial stability.
Types of Recoverable Damages in Texas
The table below outlines the two main categories of damages in a Texas personal injury case and what falls under each one.
| Damage Category | What It Covers |
| Economic Damages | Past and future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, property damage, out-of-pocket costs tied to the injury |
| Non-Economic Damages | Physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, loss of companionship in wrongful death cases |
How Comparative Fault Affects Your Claim
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Section 33.001 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
If you share some of the blame for the accident, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If a court finds you more than 50% responsible, you recover nothing.
Insurance adjusters often try to shift blame onto the injured person to reduce the payout. An Abilene personal injury lawyer builds the evidence needed to counter those arguments and protect your share of the recovery.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Texas?
Texas law gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Section 16.003 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code sets this deadline, known as the statute of limitations. Missing it means losing the right to file your claim entirely.
Exceptions and Special Circumstances
Certain situations may change the filing deadline. The two-year clock may pause, or toll, in specific circumstances.
- If the injured person is a minor, the statute of limitations may not begin to run until they turn 18
- If the defendant leaves the state after the incident, the time they spend outside Texas may not count toward the two-year period
- Medical malpractice claims in Texas carry additional procedural requirements, including a mandatory pre-suit notice period under Section 74.051 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code
Waiting to act on a personal injury claim costs you more than time. Witness memories fade, physical evidence deteriorates, and insurance companies treat delayed claims with more skepticism.
Contacting a personal injury attorney in Abilene soon after an injury protects both your legal deadline and the quality of your evidence.
What Tactics Do Insurance Companies Use to Reduce Your Claim?
Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Their job is to close your claim for as little money as possible, and they use specific strategies to accomplish that goal. Knowing how those tactics work puts you in a better position to avoid costly mistakes.
Common Insurance Tactics in Abilene Injury Cases
The playbook rarely changes from one insurance company to the next. Adjusters rely on a set of predictable strategies to pressure injured people into accepting less than their claim is worth.
- Contacting you quickly after the accident and requesting a recorded statement before you have legal representation, hoping you say something they later use against you
- Offering an early lowball settlement that covers only a fraction of your medical expenses and ignores future treatment, lost income, and non-economic losses
- Disputing the severity of your injuries by pointing to gaps in treatment records or pre-existing conditions that they claim explain your symptoms
- Delaying communication, missing deadlines, and dragging out the process to pressure you into accepting a lower offer out of financial need
Every one of these tactics loses its power when an Abilene personal injury attorney handles the communication and builds a claim that leaves little room for the adjuster to maneuver.
Ask the Law Offices of David M. White
How much does a personal injury lawyer in Abilene cost?
We take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Call 325-437-3311 for a free consultation to discuss your case.
How long does a personal injury case take in Abilene?
A straightforward claim may resolve in a few months through negotiation. Cases that go to litigation in Taylor County often take a year or longer.
The timeline depends on the severity of injuries, the complexity of liability, and whether the insurance company negotiates in good faith.
What if I was partly at fault for my accident in Texas?
You may still recover compensation under Texas comparative fault law if you were 50% or less responsible. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 51% or more at fault, Texas law bars recovery entirely.
FAQs for Abilene Personal Injury Lawyers
Do I need a lawyer if the insurance company already made me an offer?
Yes, you likely do. Insurance companies make early offers before the full extent of your injuries and losses are known.
Accepting that offer closes your claim permanently, even if your condition worsens later. Having a personal injury attorney in Abilene review the offer before you respond protects you from settling for far less than your claim may be worth.
What evidence helps prove a personal injury claim in Texas?
Medical records, accident reports, photographs of the scene and injuries, witness statements, and documentation of lost income all strengthen a personal injury claim.
In truck accident cases, electronic logging data and vehicle maintenance records may also play a significant role. The sooner you begin gathering this evidence, the stronger the foundation of your case.
What is a contingency fee and how does it work?
A contingency fee means the attorney collects a percentage of the recovery rather than charging hourly fees. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fees.
This arrangement removes the financial barrier to hiring a lawyer and aligns the attorney's interests with yours.
What happens if my personal injury case goes to trial in Taylor County?
A jury in the Taylor County District Court hears both sides, reviews the evidence, and decides whether the defendant is liable and how much compensation to award.
Trial adds time and complexity, but it also removes the insurance company's ability to dictate the outcome. We prepare every case for trial so that filing a lawsuit is always a credible option.
What is the medical malpractice pre-suit notice requirement in Texas?
Texas law requires you to send a written notice to each healthcare provider you intend to sue at least 60 days before filing a medical malpractice lawsuit.
This notice triggers an investigation period and may lead to early settlement discussions. Missing this step may delay or jeopardize your claim.
Talk to an Abilene Personal Injury Lawyer About Your Case Today
The insurance company already has a plan for your claim. That plan does not include paying you what your injuries and losses are actually worth.
An Abilene personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of David M. White builds the case that forces a different outcome, whether through a negotiated settlement backed by strong evidence or a jury verdict in Taylor County court.
Your consultation is free, and you owe nothing unless we recover for you. Call 325-437-3311 today and find out where your claim stands.