Rhome Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney

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A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can change everything in an instant. One moment you’re driving down US-380 near Rhome, and the next, your life is permanently altered by someone else’s careless actions. TBI is not just a bump on the head. It is a serious medical condition that can rob you of your memory, your ability to work, and your independence. If you or someone you love suffered a brain injury caused by another person’s negligence, you have legal rights in Texas, and Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is here to help you protect them. Our firm serves clients in Rhome, throughout Wise County, and across the Denton, Texas area. Call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.

Table of Contents

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury and Why Are These Cases So Serious?

A traumatic brain injury is any injury that disrupts normal brain function due to a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body. According to the CDC, a TBI is an injury that affects how the brain works. These injuries range from mild concussions to severe, life-altering damage that affects every part of a person’s daily life.

TBIs are far more common than most people realize. There were over 69,000 TBI-related deaths in the United States in 2021, which works out to about 190 TBI-related deaths every day. The numbers at the state level are just as sobering. According to the Brain Injury Association of America’s Texas division, approximately 144,000 Texans sustain a TBI each year, and around 381,000 Texans are currently living with a TBI-related disability.

Common causes of a TBI include sports or recreational activities, assaults, falls, and motor vehicle collisions. In and around Rhome, car and truck crashes on US-287, US-380, and FM roads throughout Wise County are a leading cause of serious brain injuries. Construction accidents, workplace incidents, and slip and falls also cause TBIs in this area.

What makes TBI cases especially serious from a legal standpoint is the long-term impact. A person with a moderate or severe TBI may face months or years of rehabilitation, cognitive therapy, and medical care. They may never fully return to work. Families often become full-time caregivers. The financial and emotional toll is enormous, and that is exactly why having experienced personal injury lawyers in your corner matters so much.

Every TBI case is different. The severity of the injury, the cause, and the long-term prognosis all shape the legal strategy. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys understands these differences and takes the time to build a case that reflects the true cost of your injury.

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Rhome, Texas

Brain injuries in the Rhome area happen in many ways, and most of them involve someone else’s negligence. Understanding the cause of your TBI is the first step toward identifying who is legally responsible for your losses.

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most frequent causes of TBI in this region. US-287 and the stretch of US-380 connecting Rhome to Decatur and Denton see heavy commercial truck traffic daily. A collision with a large truck, a drunk driver, or a distracted motorist can send a person’s head into the steering wheel, the window, or the door frame with enough force to cause serious brain damage. Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.07, causing a TBI that results in a persistent vegetative state through intoxicated driving is treated as a second-degree felony, which reflects how seriously Texas law treats these injuries.

Slip and fall accidents on poorly maintained properties, including commercial buildings near the Rhome area along Boyd Road and around Wise County, can also produce TBIs. When a property owner fails to fix a dangerous floor, broken steps, or poor lighting, they can be held liable for injuries that result. These cases often fall under Texas premises liability law, which requires property owners to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors.

Workplace accidents, including construction site incidents common in the growing Denton County and Wise County development corridors, are another major source of TBI claims. A worker struck by falling equipment or who suffers a fall from scaffolding faces the same devastating brain injury risks as a car accident victim.

Other causes include dog attacks, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle crashes. Regardless of how the injury happened, if another person’s negligence caused it, you may have a valid personal injury claim under Texas law. Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 to talk through the facts of your situation.

Texas Laws That Apply to Traumatic Brain Injury Claims

Several Texas laws directly shape how a TBI claim is built, filed, and resolved. Knowing these laws helps you understand what your rights are and why acting quickly is so important.

The most critical deadline is the statute of limitations. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003(a), most personal injury claims have a two-year statute of limitations, which is the norm for such claims. This means you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit in court. Miss that deadline and a Texas court will almost certainly dismiss your case, regardless of how strong it is.

There are some exceptions worth knowing. Texas law does not start the statute of limitations clock for minors until their 18th birthday. If an injured person is deemed mentally incapacitated at the time of the accident, Texas law allows for the tolling (pausing) of the deadline until they regain legal capacity, which can include severe brain injuries or coma resulting from the accident. This is especially relevant in TBI cases, where the victim may be unconscious or cognitively impaired for an extended period.

If a government entity caused your injury, the rules are stricter. If you are filing a personal injury claim against a Texas city, county, or state government entity, a shorter deadline applies under the Texas Tort Claims Act. You must provide formal notice of your claim within 6 months of the accident.

Texas also follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. This means that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover anything. Insurance companies use this rule aggressively to reduce payouts, which is why legal representation is so important.

In cases involving drunk drivers, Texas Penal Code Chapter 49 adds another layer. When an intoxicated driver causes a TBI, the criminal case and the civil case run separately, and the civil case can result in additional punitive damages against the at-fault driver. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys knows how to use every applicable law to strengthen your claim.

What Damages Can You Recover in a Rhome TBI Case?

Texas law allows TBI victims to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. The goal of a personal injury claim is to make you as financially whole as possible after someone else’s negligence turned your life upside down.

Economic damages cover your measurable financial losses. These include past and future medical bills, which in a serious TBI case can be substantial. Brain injury treatment often requires emergency care, neurosurgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, cognitive therapy, and long-term care. If your injury prevents you from returning to your job, you can also claim lost wages and loss of future earning capacity. For a working adult in the Rhome area, this can represent hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime.

Non-economic damages cover losses that do not come with a receipt. Pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship for your family members are all recoverable under Texas law. TBI victims often experience depression, anxiety, personality changes, and chronic pain, all of which are compensable.

In cases involving especially reckless conduct, such as a drunk driving accident, Texas law allows for exemplary damages (also called punitive damages) under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.003. These damages go beyond compensating you and are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.

Building a strong damages case requires solid medical evidence, expert testimony, and a thorough understanding of how your injury will affect your future. Under the federal standard established in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, 509 U.S. 579 (1993), expert witnesses in federal court must meet rigorous reliability standards, and Texas courts apply similar scrutiny. This means your medical experts, economists, and life care planners must be prepared to defend their opinions. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys works with qualified experts to present a complete and compelling picture of your damages.

Past results in any case do not guarantee the same outcome in another matter, as every case turns on its own facts and applicable law. What we can promise is that we will fight hard to recover every dollar you are entitled to under Texas law.

How Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys Handles TBI Cases in Rhome and Denton County

Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is a personal injury law firm based in Denton, Texas, serving clients throughout the region, including Rhome and surrounding Wise County communities. We handle serious injury cases, including traumatic brain injuries caused by car accidents, truck crashes, workplace incidents, and other negligent acts.

When you call us, we start by listening. We want to understand what happened, how your injury has affected your life, and what you need going forward. From there, we investigate the accident, gather evidence, obtain medical records, and identify all parties who may be responsible. In truck accident cases involving carriers operating on US-287 or other regional highways, this can include the driver, the trucking company, and potentially a cargo loader or vehicle manufacturer.

We handle communications with insurance companies on your behalf. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and they know that TBI victims are often vulnerable, confused, and desperate for quick cash. We protect you from accepting a settlement that does not cover your long-term needs.

Our firm also understands the local legal environment. We are familiar with the Denton County courts, the 16th District Court, the 211th District Court, and the Wise County District Court in Decatur, where cases from the Rhome area may be filed. Knowing the local court system and its procedures helps us move your case forward efficiently.

We handle TBI cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. There is no financial risk to calling us. Reach out to Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 or visit our office in Denton to get started. The consultation is free, and the sooner you call, the sooner we can start protecting your rights.

FAQs About Rhome Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney

How do I know if I have a valid TBI claim in Texas?

You likely have a valid claim if another person’s negligence caused your brain injury. This means you need to show that the other party had a duty of care toward you, that they breached that duty, and that the breach directly caused your TBI and your resulting losses. Common examples include a driver who ran a red light on US-287 and hit your vehicle, a property owner who left a wet floor unmarked, or a trucking company whose driver was fatigued. A free consultation with Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 is the best way to evaluate your specific situation.

What is the deadline to file a TBI lawsuit in Texas?

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, most personal injury claims, including TBI claims, must be filed within two years of the date of injury. If you miss this deadline, a Texas court will almost certainly dismiss your case. There are narrow exceptions, such as when the victim is a minor or is mentally incapacitated due to the injury itself, but these exceptions are strictly applied. Do not wait. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys as soon as possible after your injury.

Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Yes, as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. Your total damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $500,000 and you are found 20 percent at fault, you would recover $400,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate your percentage of fault to reduce their payout, which is one more reason to have a lawyer representing you from the start.

What types of experts are used in a TBI case?

TBI cases often require several types of expert witnesses. Neurologists and neuropsychologists help establish the severity and long-term effects of the injury. Life care planners document the future medical costs and care needs. Vocational experts assess how the injury affects your ability to work and earn income. Accident reconstruction specialists can explain how the crash happened and who was at fault. Texas courts apply rigorous standards for expert testimony, so the quality of your experts matters. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys works with qualified professionals who can present clear, credible opinions in court or at mediation.

Does a criminal conviction against the at-fault driver help my civil case?

A criminal conviction can strengthen your civil case, but the two cases are legally separate. In Texas, the criminal case requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt, while your civil case only requires proof by a preponderance of the evidence, which is a lower standard. If a drunk driver is convicted under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49 for causing your TBI, that conviction can be used as evidence in your civil case. It can also support a claim for exemplary damages. However, you do not need a criminal conviction to win your civil claim. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can pursue your civil case regardless of the outcome of any criminal proceedings.

Content on this page is for general informational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Results in any case depend on the specific facts and applicable law. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future matter. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is responsible for this content. Principal office: Denton, Texas.

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