🔍 Bastrop County Personal Injury Glossary

Essential Terms to Know After an Accident in Bastrop, Texas

Personal Injury
An injury to your body, mind, or emotions caused by someone else’s negligence or reckless actions. Common in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents across Bastrop County.

Negligence
The failure to act with reasonable care, resulting in injury to another person. Most Bastrop personal injury cases rely on proving negligence.

Liability
Legal responsibility for causing an accident or injury. In Texas, the party at fault is generally liable for your damages.

Damages
The total losses you suffer from an accident—both financial and non-financial. This can include medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Economic Damages
These are specific, out-of-pocket losses like emergency room bills, rehabilitation costs, and lost income from missing work in Bastrop or surrounding areas.

Non-Economic Damages
Compensation for losses such as emotional distress, physical pain, and loss of quality of life.

Pain and Suffering
A form of non-economic damages meant to compensate for the physical discomfort and emotional trauma resulting from the accident.

Wrongful Death
When a person dies due to the negligence or misconduct of another party. Families in Bastrop can file a wrongful death claim to pursue justice and compensation.

Comparative Negligence (Texas Rule)
Texas follows a “modified comparative fault” rule. If you are 50% or less at fault for the accident, you may still recover damages—but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Contingency Fee
A payment structure where your attorney only gets paid if you win or settle your case—common for personal injury representation in Bastrop.

Uninsured Motorist (UM)
Insurance that covers your damages if the at-fault driver in your Bastrop County crash has no insurance.

Underinsured Motorist (UIM)
Coverage that protects you when the at-fault driver’s insurance is not enough to cover your injuries or losses.

Statute of Limitations
The deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas is typically two years from the date of the accident. Bastrop-area residents must act quickly to protect their rights.

Settlement
A financial agreement reached before trial to resolve your injury claim. Many cases in Bastrop County settle without going to court.

Claim
A formal request for compensation submitted to an insurance company. Most injury claims in Bastrop begin with this process.

Insurance Adjuster
An insurance company employee who evaluates your claim. Their goal is to limit payouts—not to protect your interests.

Medical Records
Documentation of your treatment and injuries. In Bastrop personal injury claims, these records are vital for proving the extent of harm.

Demand Letter
A written request sent to the insurance company outlining your damages and the compensation you're seeking.

Litigation
The process of filing and arguing your case in court if a settlement can't be reached. Cases in Bastrop County may be filed in the Bastrop County Courthouse.

Deposition
Out-of-court sworn testimony taken as part of the discovery process in a lawsuit.

Mediation
A process where both parties meet (often with attorneys) to try to resolve the case without going to trial.

TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)
A serious injury to the brain often caused by high-speed car or truck accidents. TBIs can have lifelong impacts and are common in crashes on Highway 71 and Highway 21.

Soft Tissue Injury
Injuries to muscles, ligaments, or tendons—like sprains, whiplash, and strains. These injuries are often seen after rear-end collisions in Bastrop.

Spinal Cord Injury
A severe injury that can lead to paralysis or loss of mobility, often resulting from rollover or high-impact vehicle crashes in Bastrop County.

Total Loss
A vehicle is considered a total loss if the cost of repairs exceeds its value. Insurance companies in Bastrop will typically offer a payout based on the car’s fair market value.

UM/UIM Claim
A claim filed under your own auto insurance when the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.

Bastrop County Courthouse
Located in downtown Bastrop, this is where personal injury lawsuits are filed if the case goes to litigation. It serves the cities of Bastrop, Elgin, Smithville, and nearby communities.

Free Consultation
A no-cost opportunity to speak with a Bastrop-area personal injury attorney about your case, your rights, and your options.

✅ Need Legal Clarity After an Accident in Bastrop County?

Understanding legal terms is the first step. If you’ve been injured in a crash or incident in Bastrop, Elgin, Smithville, Cedar Creek, or elsewhere in Bastrop County, we’re here to help. Contact us today for a free personal injury consultation.