🔍 Burnet County Personal Injury Glossary

Common Terms You May Encounter in a Car Accident or Injury Case

Personal Injury
Any physical, emotional, or psychological injury caused by the negligence, recklessness, or intentional act of another person or company.

Negligence
A legal concept meaning someone failed to use reasonable care, resulting in harm to another. Negligence is the foundation of most car accident and injury claims.

Liability
Legal responsibility for an accident or injury. In Texas, the at-fault party (or their insurance) may be liable for damages.

Damages
The losses you suffer due to an accident. Damages include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.

Economic Damages
Measurable financial losses such as medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and lost earnings.

Non-Economic Damages
Compensation for losses that are harder to quantify, such as emotional distress, pain and suffering, or loss of enjoyment of life.

Pain and Suffering
Non-economic damages that compensate you for the physical pain and emotional anguish caused by an accident.

Wrongful Death
A legal claim made by surviving family members when a person dies due to someone else's negligence. Common in fatal car and truck accidents.

Comparative Negligence
Texas law allows you to recover compensation even if you're partially at fault—as long as you are less than 51% responsible.

Contingency Fee
An arrangement where your lawyer only gets paid if they win or settle your case. No upfront fees required.

Uninsured Motorist (UM)
Insurance coverage that pays for your damages when the at-fault driver doesn’t have liability insurance.

Underinsured Motorist (UIM)
Covers the gap when the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to fully cover your losses.

Statute of Limitations
A legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. In Texas, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident.

Settlement
An agreement between the injured party and the insurance company to resolve the case without going to trial.

Claim
The process of seeking compensation from an insurance company for injury-related losses.

Adjuster
The insurance representative assigned to evaluate your claim and try to settle it—often for less than it's worth.

Medical Records
Documents from your doctors, hospitals, and treatment providers used to prove the extent of your injuries.

Demand Letter
A formal request sent to the insurance company detailing your damages and the amount of compensation you're seeking.

Litigation
The process of taking legal action. If your case cannot be resolved through negotiation, it may proceed to litigation in court.

Deposition
A sworn out-of-court testimony used during discovery in personal injury lawsuits.

Mediation
A meeting between both parties (often with lawyers) to try to resolve the dispute outside of court.

TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)
A serious injury to the brain caused by blunt force trauma, often seen in motor vehicle accidents and falls.

Soft Tissue Injury
Damage to muscles, ligaments, or tendons—such as sprains, strains, or whiplash. These injuries can be painful and long-lasting.

Spinal Cord Injury
A severe injury that may result in partial or complete paralysis, often due to high-impact crashes or falls.

Total Loss
When a vehicle is damaged beyond the cost of reasonable repair. The insurer may compensate the owner based on fair market value.

UM/UIM Claim
A claim filed with your own insurance provider when the other driver has no insurance or too little insurance coverage.

Burnet County Courts
Where personal injury cases may be filed if they cannot be resolved through settlement. Most personal injury lawsuits in this area are filed in the Burnet County Courthouse.

Free Consultation
A no-cost, no-obligation meeting with an attorney to evaluate your case and legal options.

✅ Need More Help Understanding a Term?

We’re here to explain the legal process in plain English. If you’ve been hurt in Burnet County, including Marble Falls, Bertram, Kingsland, or Burnet, contact us today for a free consultation.