Potential defendants are usually covered by insurance. The insurance companies are usually notified immediately when an accident occurs. The insurance companies usually hire attorneys and expert witnesses to investigate the claim. It is important that witnesses be interviewed as soon as possible. It is important that evidence be preserved. Witnesses will often be more difficult to locate or will have a poor memory if they are interviewed much later after the accident has occurred. After an accident evidence such as machinery parts or skid marks on the highway will disappear unless preserved quickly.

Insurance companies have insurance adjusters who will contact you and try to be friendly. You should not trust the statements that insurance adjusters make to you. They are not working for you and will sometimes make misleading statements in an effort to trick you into resolving your case. Insurance adjusters also might record your conversations with them and use your statements against you in order to try to save money for the insurance companies.

For personal injury claims the time period to file a claim could be anywhere from one year to four years depending upon the type of claim that you have. Generally, the time limit is two years to file suit in Texas. It is important to get advice from an attorney because the exact time limits can depend upon the specific facts of your case. It is important to hire an attorney soon after an accident. The insurance companies usually respond immediately and so should you. An attorney can help preserve evidence that otherwise may be lost forever.

Most injury attorneys such as the law firm of Glasheen, Valles, Inderman & DeHoyos, LLP will work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not owe any fees unless we are successful in recovering money for you. We are also willing to pay the expenses in your case “up front.” You also will not owe us any fee or expenses unless we make a successful recovery in your case. We do not charge for our initial consultation and we will be happy to review our contract with you and explain in person how the fee agreements work. A typical contingency is anywhere from 33% to 40% plus expenses, depending upon the type of case.

In Texas you have the right to fire your attorney at any time you like. You have the right to have an attorney represent you that is an attorney of your choice. However, if you have signed a contingency fee agreement with your attorney, then you are required to pay the contingency fee unless you had “good cause” for firing your attorney. Sometimes clients just want a second opinion because they are concerned about the advice that they receive from their attorney. If you would like to consult with us about getting a second opinion or about deciding whether or not you have “good cause” for discharging your attorneys, we will be happy to visit with you confidentially about that. Most disagreements that lawyers have with their clients are the result of poor communication. Usually, if you will sit down with your attorney and tell them specifically what the problem is and ask for a specific answer most of the times it can be resolved. Some lawyers are difficult to contact by telephone and often the best way to handle that is to make an appointment to go in and see the lawyer in person to try to resolve problems. However, if you can’t resolve those problems and need to change attorneys, then we can assist you with that as well.

Attorneys become Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Austin, Texas, which was created by, and operates under the authority of the Supreme Court of Texas.  The Board’s Members are appointed by the President of the State Bar of Texas.  The Board administers the program by which a lawyer may earn a certificate of special competence in a particular field of law.

Kevin Glasheen is Board Certified in Personal Injury and Civil Trial Law and, Rick DeHoyos is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law.

An attorney who is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law must have handled jury trials dealing with matters such as vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation, premises liability, products liability, statutory tort claims, maritime accidents, or social security claims which involve a physical or mental injury to a person.  The lawyer must also have extensive knowledge of the law of evidence, procedure, and other substantive law involved in the trial of Personal Injury Trial Law. In order to be certified , an attorney must have:  

• Been licensed to practice law for at least five years
• Devoted a required percentage of practice to personal injury trial law for at least three years
• Handled a wide variety of personal injury trial law matters to demonstrate experience and involvement
• Attended personal injury trial law continuing education seminars regularly to keep legal training up to date
• Been evaluated by fellow lawyers and judges
• Passed a day-long written examination

Kevin Glasheen is Board Certified in Personal Injury and Civil Trial Law and, Rick DeHoyos is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law.

A Board Certified Attorney is entitled to indicate certification on business cards and letterhead by stating “Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.”  The Attorney may also display the certificate of Special Competence awarded by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and list the certification in legal directories and telephone listings under “Attorneys-Board Certified.”

Kevin Glasheen is Board Certified in Personal Injury and Civil Trial Law and, Rick DeHoyos is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law.

Initial Certification is valid for a period of five years.  To remain certified, an attorney must apply for re-certification every five years and meet practice, peer review and continuing legal education requirements for the specialty field.

Kevin Glasheen is Board Certified in Personal Injury and Civil Trial Law and, Rick DeHoyos is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law.