Brown County Personal Injury Lawyers

Maximize Your Recovery with Our Experienced Support

When you’ve been injured in an accident, the consequences can be severe for both your physical well-being and financial security. If someone else caused the accident, their insurance company must help restore your losses. Even in clear cases, building a strong claim takes careful preparation. Securing a win is only part of the process—fair compensation truly matters.

The personal injury attorneys at Woodley & Dudley have more than 80 years of combined experience assisting clients pursuing fair compensation. Our team serves English- and Spanish-speaking clients across Comanche, Mills, Eastland, Coleman counties, and throughout Brown County.

Call today at (325) 246-3250 or contact us online to set up a consultation with our personal injury lawyers in Brown County.

Common Types of Injury & Accident Cases We Handle in Brown County

We support clients across Brown County and neighboring communities in a wide variety of personal injury and accident cases. 

Common scenarios include:

• Auto collisions 
• Truck accidents
• Slip and fall
• Wrongful death

Our careful approach ensures we address the details unique to each accident, whether the incident happened downtown in Brownwood or on a remote country lane. We recognize that safety responsibilities lie with property owners, workers, and motorists alike. 

To assemble a full picture for each injury claim, our team examines police reports, medical documents, and insurance coverage. By considering all relevant evidence, we pursue fair results for individuals and families navigating the aftermath of serious accidents in Central Texas.

How To Win a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Texas

Building a successful personal injury claim in Texas requires proving four elements of negligence: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. You must establish each legal requirement, or the case cannot proceed.

1. Duty of Care

First, you must prove the person who caused the accident owed a duty of care to the injured party.

In many cases, such as motor vehicle collisions, drivers automatically owe duties to others sharing the road. For example, a motor vehicle accident rarely questions the existence of this duty.

Other cases, like premises liability, involve more debate over duty of care. Property use and the nature of visitor relationships shape these arguments.

Texas law groups property visitors into three categories to define duty of care:

• Invitees: These are people specifically invited onto the property. Guests and customers typically qualify as invitees when present during business hours.
• Licensees: Individuals who enter property for their own reasons, like uninvited houseguests or traveling salespeople.
• Trespassers: Those entering property without legal permission.

Invitees are owed the highest standard, which means owners must repair or warn about hazards. Trespassers get the lowest protection, although some exceptions apply for children.

Every unique situation deserves careful review. A personal injury lawyer in Brown County can assemble case details and demonstrate the relevant duty of care in your situation.

2. Breach of Duty

Once we demonstrate duty of care, we analyze how the defendant failed to meet it. An injury alone does not prove a breach. Courts know some accidents happen despite reasonable care.

We look closely at the actions of the person responsible. Was a driver distracted or reckless? Did a business warn customers about a slick floor? Responsible conduct matters in court.

In Brown County, local hazards like road work on U.S. Highway 377 or rapid changes in weather sometimes affect how courts view accidents. Understanding those factors lets us better challenge defense claims and build a strong record for our clients.

3. Causation

Establishing a clear link between an accident and your injuries is often the deciding factor in a personal injury case. Insurance companies frequently argue that pre-existing conditions, such as back problems, caused the pain rather than the recent incident. 

Seeking prompt medical care at Brown County hospitals or clinics strengthens your case by documenting injuries immediately and connecting them directly to the accident.

Accurate medical records are essential in proving long-term effects and countering insurance disputes. At Woodley & Dudley, our attorneys gather and present this evidence to show how the accident caused your current challenges. We work tirelessly to secure fair compensation that fully addresses your losses. Call (325) 246-3250 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation and protect your right to recovery.

4. Damages

After proving negligence, injured people must show the full cost of their losses. The process measures how the injuries affect every part of their life, not just the immediate bills.

Recoverable damages start with the most direct expenses from the injury. Most often, these include medical bills from hospitals or physicians and wages lost due to missed work.

Several other damage types require careful analysis. Examples include:

• How long rehabilitation or therapy might take and whether your recovery will require extended treatment.
• How much time and money you’ll lose if you can't return to work quickly or ever.
• Potential impact on career development if ongoing injuries stall progress.
• Whether home modifications or new equipment are necessary for accessibility.
• Need for mental health care or counseling during recovery.

These future costs require an attorney to look ahead and document your long-term needs as completely as possible.

Some losses have no clear price tag, but Texas law still recognizes them. For example:

• Limitations on hobbies or favorite activities after the injury.
• Emotional distress from adjusting to new circumstances or chronic pain.
• Loss of enjoyment from time spent with friends and family.

While financial records may not capture quality-of-life impacts, fair settlements should address them in every Brown County personal injury lawyer’s approach.

Collecting Damages: Modified Comparative Fault in Texas

A critical aspect of personal injury law in Texas is the doctrine of Modified Comparative Fault. This rule is often used by insurance companies and defense attorneys to try and reduce or eliminate the compensation you receive by shifting some of the blame onto you.

• Reduction of Damages: If you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your total damage award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury awards you $100,000 but finds you 20% responsible, you would receive $80,000.
• The 51% Bar: Crucially, if you are found to be more than 50% responsible for the accident, you are legally barred from recovering any damages from the other party.

This rule makes retaining a skilled Brown County personal injury lawyer imperative. Our firm aggressively combats attempts by the defense to inflate your fault percentage, ensuring that the focus remains solely on the negligent actions of the liable party. We understand how to protect your right to full recovery.

The Texas Civil Litigation Process for a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Navigating a personal injury lawsuit in Texas is a multi-stage process that can be daunting without a skilled Brown County personal injury lawyer by your side. Our firm guides you through every phase:

• Initial Investigation & Evidence Gathering: The moment you retain Woodley & Dudley, we immediately investigate. This involves collecting police reports, medical records, photographs, witness statements, and hiring accident reconstructionists or other expert witnesses. We must act quickly, as the Texas Statute of Limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury. Missing this deadline means forfeiting your right to file a lawsuit.
• Filing the Petition: If negotiations fail or the statute of limitations is approaching, we file a formal petition with the court, officially initiating the lawsuit. This document outlines the facts of the case, the legal claims of negligence, and the damages sought.
• Discovery: This is the information-exchange phase. Both sides exchange evidence, ask written questions (Interrogatories), request relevant documents (Requests for Production), and conduct depositions (taking sworn testimony from parties and witnesses). This is a critical period where our firm prepares the evidence necessary to win at trial.
• Mediation and Settlement Negotiations: Texas courts often require parties to attempt mediation, a formal settlement conference with a neutral third-party mediator. Many cases resolve at this stage. Our firm enters mediation fully prepared for trial, which gives us maximum leverage at the negotiating table.
• Trial: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to a jury. Woodley & Dudley has a reputation for diligent preparation and persuasive courtroom advocacy, ensuring your story and your damages are understood by the jury.

We handle all the procedural complexities, allowing you to focus completely on your physical and emotional recovery. Woodley & Dudley offers payment plans and free initial consultations.

Why Choose Woodley & Dudley for Your Personal Injury Attorney in Brown County

Choosing the right legal representation is the single most important decision you will make after an injury. Our firm is not just another law office; we are dedicated advocates who treat your fight as our own. We bring decades of combined experience, an unwavering commitment to trial preparation, and a personalized approach to every case. 

When you hire us, you get a team that is focused on your recovery and your results. Our firm takes on the insurance companies so you don't have to, and we are proud to fight for the hardworking people of Brown County. Woodley & Dudley is the dedicated personal injury attorney in Brown County you need.

Call our Brown County office today at (325) 246-3250 or contact us online to set up a consultation.

FAQs

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Texas?

Texas law typically gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury claim. This deadline can be critical, so you should consider your options as soon as possible after an accident.

What should I bring to my first meeting with a personal injury lawyer?

Bring any documents related to your injury, such as accident reports, medical records, insurance information, and photographs of the scene. These materials help your attorney understand your case and give advice on your next steps.

Can I recover compensation if I was partly at fault for the accident?

You may still be eligible for compensation even if you share some responsibility. However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, Texas law prevents you from recovering damages.