Abilene Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Lawyers

Abogados de lesiones personales en Abilene

Table of Contents

Abilene Catastrophic Injury Attorneys

We're the Abilene Serious Injury Lawyers You Can Trust

In the legal world, catastrophic injuries have a specific definition. Injuries that fall into this category often affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves, or other body components that play a vital role in thinking and moving. Injuries like this permanently inhibit a person's mobility or cognitive function, necessitating dramatic adjustments for survivors and their families. They will not heal in just a few short weeks. Instead, these are injuries that will require extensive medical care and rehabilitation. In some cases, these are injuries that will forever change the victim's life, causing them to require around-the-clock medical care and drastic lifestyle changes.

What Counts as Catastrophic Injury?

Catastrophic injuries can happen anywhere. However, some injuries occur with more frequency than others.

Catastrophic injuries can include the following:

• Burn Injuries - Burn injuries require an intense period of medical care. Third-degree burns don't just harm the skin—they can cause lasting damage to the tissues beneath the skin. Common long-term effects of third-degree burns include scarring, respiratory problems, and disfigurement.
• Blunt Force Trauma - Blunt force trauma describes a forceful impact to a specific part of the body. If the head is subjected to blunt force trauma, the result can be a catastrophic loss of brain function.
• Spinal Cord Injuries - The spinal column houses a crucial collection of nerves that control the body's ability to move. Trauma to this part of the body can cause loss of mobility or complete paralysis.

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Abilene Wrongful Death Lawyers

Helping Grieving Families Throughout Taylor County

If you have lost someone you love because of someone else's careless actions, contact an Abilene wrongful death lawyer as quickly as possible. Although money won't relieve the pain of losing your loved one, you have the right to seek compensation for your loss. Wrongful death claims force at-fault parties to face the people they hurt, holding them accountable to you in a way that the criminal court system may not do. Not only will you hold at-fault parties responsible for their actions, but you can also fight for the financial security you need.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim can be filed when a third party is responsible for the death of another person negligently or through intentional harm—the responsible parties can be held liable under common jurisdiction. When a family loses a loved one because of another person's carelessness, they are entitled to receive monetary compensation. Even if the person responsible for the death of a loved one has been prosecuted under criminal proceedings, there is still a chance to file a civil lawsuit involving a wrongful death claim. If a company rather than an individual caused the fatality, the only way to hold them accountable is to present a wrongful death claim.

What Qualifies as a Wrongful Death Claim?

Although a wrongful death claim can be filed for most accidents that cause the death of another, it does not cover every kind of incident. Wrongful death claims need to prove that a person or company caused or could have prevented a person's death and that the death left family members with economic or emotional losses.

For example, the following could qualify for a wrongful death claim:

• Car accidents caused by drunk driving, texting, or other careless distractions
• Work accidents caused by lack of training or supervision
• Assaults, attacks, or other criminal actions that led to the death of another
• Malpractice by a doctor failed to identify or treat an ailment correctly
• Drowning accidents due to property damage/premises liability
• Defective products or drugs that caused the user to suffer death

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Abilene?

Although laws vary from state to state regarding the eligibility of the person who can file a wrongful death claim, close family members of the victims usually have the right to bring forth wrongful death claims.

Eligible beneficiaries of a wrongful death claim may include:

• Children
• Spouses or life partners
• Siblings
• Parents
• Parents of unmarried children
• Any other dependents

Children and spouses are given the primary right to file a wrongful death claim, so a parent, sibling, or another relative will likely not be able to file a claim if a child or spouse is pursuing one. There is a statute of limitation on wrongful death claims: you have two years to file a wrongful death claim from the day of death before it is too late to file. To determine if you are eligible to file a claim, consult with an Abilene wrongful death attorney.

To learn more about wrongful death, visit Sec. 71 of the Civil Practice & Remedies Code.

What Damages Are Recoverable in a Wrongful Death Claim?

We know no monetary compensation will bring back your loved one. It can, however, help you and your family move forward and heal without the stress of finding a new job or providing for yourself. You have the right to recover compensation for three general types of damages, depending on the circumstances of the accident.

The damages you may be able to claim include the following:

• Economic Damages – You can receive compensation for financial damages on funeral and medical expenses related to the death, loss of the decedent's future earnings and benefits, and other financial losses associated with their death.
• Non-Economic Damages – This includes damages such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of inheritance, and loss of consortium.
• Punitive Damages – There are cases where you can be awarded in addition to economic and non-economic damages as a way of punishing the responsible parties for willful negligent acts.

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Abilene Work Accident Attorneys

Help Injured Workers Fight for Fair Compensation

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 2 million workplace accidents were reported in 2017. Over 5,000 of them were fatal. Although the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has worked to decrease workplace injuries, employee safety continues to be a concern. OSHA aims to make work environments safe and reduce workplace injuries, but employers must bear the responsibility too.

Our Abilene industrial injury lawyers understand how difficult it is to lose a loved one or suffer injuries in a workplace accident. Fortunately, you have the right to seek compensation, helping support you and your family's future. Your employer may already be planning to defend themselves from a claim or lawsuit by figuring out a way to weaken your case. That's why it's vital to contact an Abilene work accident attorney at Arnold & Itkin to protect your rights. Our attorneys have helped our clients win billions holding employers accountable, so call today.

Common Workplace Accidents in Abilene

Serious work injuries can occur in any workplace. Statistics show that 50,000 people die from occupational diseases every year, resulting in an average loss of 150 workers each day from hazardous working conditions.

Arnold & Itkin has won cases involving:

What Causes Injuries on the Job?

The most common cause of workplace accidents is negligence or inexperience. Employer negligence puts workers in danger—especially if they fail to provide their employees with the proper safety equipment.

Many forms of negligence can lead to injuries, including:

• Equipment Failures 
  Serious injuries can be caused due to poorly maintained or operated machinery. Dangerous equipment can include industrial machinery, vehicles, handheld devices, and electrical equipment.
• Falling Objects & Flying Debris 
  Falling objects and flying debris often occur at construction sites, logging sites, factories, warehouses, and shipyards. These can cause severe damage to the eyes, ears, and head.
• Slips & Falls 
  Slippery or cluttered floors can lead to serious, lifelong injuries. These incidents often occur at hospitals, construction sites, factories, warehouses, ships, and drilling rigs.
• Improper Maintenance 
  Companies need to perform maintenance on machinery and equipment regularly. This maintenance will help ensure they are working correctly while eliminating any risks to employees.
• Failure to Comply with Safety Regulations 
  Employers can endanger workers by failing to meet federal regulations that govern workplace safety.
• Inadequate Inspections 
  Regular inspections should be conducted to identify potential risks, such as defective ladders, scaffolds, defects with derricks, cranes, hoists, pulleys, forklifts, and winches.
• Insufficient Training 
  Employers must train workers to perform their work safely and identify potential hazards.

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Abilene Construction Accident Lawyers

Powerful Help for Injured Workers

Construction workers know they work in dangerous conditions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration proved it: the agency has found that construction workers make up 1 out of every 5 deaths in all U.S. industries. In 2016 alone, 991 out of 4,693 deaths in the workplace were people in construction. Each day, workers are faced with a lethal combination of dangerous equipment, toxic substances, heavy materials, and other hazards. However, there is never an excuse for construction accidents.

Common construction-related accidents include the following:

• Scaffolding accidents
• Exposure to toxic substances
• Accidents involving machines
• Electric shock
• Roofing collapse
• Falling objects

The Construction Industry's Fatal Four

When examining construction fatalities data, OSHA noticed a particular set of accidents that cause the bulk of worker fatalities. This set is known as the Fatal Four, and they account for more than 63% of fatal construction accidents in 2016. Companies could potentially eliminate these accidents and save 631 lives every year.

The Fatal Four consist of the following accidents:

• Falls (38.7%)
• Struck by an object (9.4%)
• Electrocutions (8.3%)
• Caught-in/between (7.3%)

Other Causes of Serious Construction Accidents

Construction sites are varied in their design and function. This means that proving fault for an accident requires case-by-case investigation. However, though they are all different, construction sites have similar factors that lead to injury. If these factors aren't actively addressed at each site, construction workers will pay the price.

These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Poor worksite design
• Improperly secured equipment
• Failing to mark hazards such as holes or trenches
• Malfunctioning or improperly maintained equipment
• Safety code violations

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Abilene Car Accident Attorneys

Billions Won by Car Crash Lawyers in Abilene

Unfortunately, with so many miles of highway, our state has a car accident problem. The Texas Department of Transportation revealed that, in 2017, a highway accident happened every 59 seconds. These resulted in 3,721 deaths and 254,853 injuries. Statistically, many of these injuries and fatalities were suffered by people who weren't at fault. Car accident survivors experience lasting injuries, medical bills, and lost income. When someone else is at fault for the accident, it's unfair to expect you to shoulder the cost of your recovery. Hiring an experienced Abilene car accident lawyer is crucial to getting the money you need to move forward.

What to Do After an Abilene Car Accident?

Taking the proper steps after a car accident can make a significant difference in your ability to maximize your amount of financial compensation. If you are physically able, speak to the other driver(s) and collect names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance information. Additionally, take photos of the accident scene and any damage to vehicles. Any information you collect could be helpful in your claim later.

While speaking with your insurance company within 24 hours is required, be very mindful of what you say to them or the other party's insurance. Saying too much could make you seem at fault for the accident, even if you were not. If you're able, call an attorney first. Having the assistance of a lawyer can protect you from saying things that the insurance company will hold against you. Calling a lawyer will also ensure you benefit from any and all avenues for compensation, including claiming lost work time, diminished future earnings, and more.

Pursuing Maximum Compensation with the Help of a Car Wreck Lawyer

Having an accurate, consistent record of the crash scene is a crucial step in obtaining the best possible results. The reality is the insurance company will take every chance to minimize your payout. An Abilene car accident attorney knows this and will be prepared for it. An experienced attorney will know what questions to ask to strengthen your claim, resulting in larger results. Some studies indicate that having an attorney for an accident claim often resulted in far larger results—even after accounting for the cost of hiring a lawyer.

Attorneys may strengthen your claim with questions like:

• Was the other driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
• Did distracted driving cause the accident?
• Did reckless driving make the accident worse?
• Could the other driver have prevented the accident?

There's another reason to hire an attorney: only a lawyer is qualified to take insurance companies to court. The possibility of facing a jury is often what gets insurance companies to deal fairly with claimants. Lawsuits are sometimes the only way to force an insurance company to make a fair offer.

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Abilene Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Representing Victims of Serious Motorcycle Crashes in Abilene

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motorcycle-related deaths have increased by 55% since 2000. Over 4,990 people were killed on motorcycles in 2017, which is 296 more than the previous year. It is common for individuals in motorcycle accidents to suffer severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment. If you sustained injuries or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you shouldn't have to pay for someone else's negligence. You deserve compensation. An Abilene motorcycle accident attorney can help.

At Arnold & Itkin, we understand the dangers of riding a motorcycle and the serious injuries that result from an accident. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, our Abilene motorcycle accident attorneys can help you. Our firm has the skill, resources, and commitment to deliver results. We have recovered billions of dollars on behalf of our clients, working tirelessly to help them get the compensation they deserve. We have a proven track record that demonstrates we are capable of helping you get the best possible results for your case, so call today. Contact our Abilene motorcycle accident attorneys today for a free consultation.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Research shows that motorcyclists have a 35% higher chance of being involved in an accident than a car driver. Although it may seem like motorcycles cause their own accidents, driver negligence, blind spots, dangerous roads, and defective parts are more likely to blame.

Some common causes are listed below:

• Negligent Drivers: Drivers' conduct in neighboring vehicles are a major cause of motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists are trained to notice and avoid hazards posed by cars, but drivers are not prepared to look out for motorcycles. Any time a driver endangers a motorcyclist with their behavior, they are driving negligently. When drivers are not paying attention, not checking blind spots, or swerving into a lane abruptly, they are more likely to cause an accident.
• Driver Blind Spots: Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that motorcyclists have a higher fatality rate compared to car drivers. Motorcyclists have little protection in an accident, making it vital for car drivers to take extra precautions. One of the main errors that cause motorcycle accidents is when drivers fail to check blind spots. Every vehicle has blind spots, and drivers need to check them regularly to avoid accidents. If a driver fails to use their blinker or look at their blind spots, they will likely collide with a motorcycle.
• Dangerous Roadways: Another common cause of motorcycle accidents is hazardous roadways. Potholes, uneven pavement, and other similar hazards can be deadly. These roads can cause a motorcycle operator to lose control. In such cases, the municipality or county in charge of upkeep, as well as third-party contractors, would be responsible.
• Defective Equipment: An often-overlooked cause is faulty equipment. There are instances when some motorcycle parts are poorly designed or manufactured. In this case, the company can be held liable for producing or selling a defective part.

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Abilene Bus Accident Attorneys

Helping the Victims of Serious Bus Accidents in Abilene

With their massive size and sturdy construction, buses can carry dozens of passengers affordably without interruption in service. Buses also last a long time—which is a problem. While modern buses are built with safety restraints, many of buses still lack basic safety equipment. If a bus is in an accident, the things that make it economical also make it more dangerous. Bus accidents can result in serious injuries and even death.

Common causes of bus accidents include:

• Distracted drivers
• Improper driver training
• Bus driver under the influence
• Poor bus maintenance
• Lack of safety restraints
• Driving too fast for weather conditions

Bus accidents are severe for a few reasons: buses have weak roofs, no safety restraints, and weigh thousands of pounds more than most vehicles. Adding to the danger of buses is the fact that, though some have safety restraints, Texas law does not require passengers to use them. The injuries resulting from these crashes can require months of treatment; the consequences are permanent in many cases. In many cases, people who are hospitalized for weeks go bankrupt. When people shoulder the cost of their treatment, it affects their stability.

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Abilene Oilfield Accident Lawyers

Our Abilene Land Rig Injury Attorneys Help Workers & Families Nationwide

Many people approach the oil industry for the promises it offers to workers. Oilfield work offers steady pay, benefits, and stability offered by working with a product that's in constant demand—especially in our state. One thing that workers don't go into oilfields for is preventable, life-changing accidents.

While earning wages in an oilfield is dangerous, nothing excuses accidents. While many companies blame bad luck or even workers, the truth is that they are responsible for preventing them from happening. At Arnold & Itkin, our Abilene oilfield accident lawyers have heard every excuse in the book. We're ready to fight for the compensation you deserve by demanding accountability from the parties that failed to protect you.

The Dangers That Abilene Oilfield Workers Face

Working in an oilfield is dangerous because of the heavy equipment, volatile substances, and other hazards present in one. Using heavy machinery to look for a substance that is highly toxic and flammable will always be dangerous—and employers are always required to protect their employees.

Abilene oilfield accidents often include:

• Explosions, Fires, and Toxic Exposure: The very substance that oilfield workers spend their days extracting is what makes their job dangerous. One tiny spark can be enough to cause an explosion or fire that kills or seriously injures workers. When workers suffer from an oil-related accident, it's likely due to poor planning, improper training, inadequate management.
• Slip and Falls: When an oilfield worker slips or falls, it's usually not because of their clumsiness. Instead, inadequate worksite maintenance is often to blame. Slippery surfaces, poorly marked hazards, and other types of negligence make it too easy for workers to sustain injuries during a slip or fall.
• Falling Objects: Workers often work from a height or have heavy objects above them. Tools should always be secured, machinery should always be securely anchored, and netting should exist to catch objects known to fall during oilfield operations. When a tool or piece of equipment falls on someone, it can cause them to sustain injuries that change the rest of their life.
• Malfunctioning Equipment: Oilfield owners often cut costs by neglecting equipment maintenance. Besides making operations more difficult for workers, this practice also makes it dangerous. Employers are responsible for ensuring equipment is maintained correctly to prevent all types of accidents.

Who Is Liable for Oilfield Accidents?

Employers have the legal obligation to provide a safe workplace for employees, regardless of how dangerous the nature of their work is. This means they must provide training, safety equipment, and take any other steps required to ensure accidents don't occur at their worksites. Besides employers, other companies and contractors often share liability during oilfield accidents.

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Abilene Train Accident Attorneys

Representing Victims of Train Accidents in Abilene

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reported that over 2,000 train accidents occurred nationwide in 2011. Millions of Americans have contact with the railway system every day—and it only takes one equipment malfunction or a moment of negligence for a railroad passenger or worker to suffer a catastrophic injury.

When people get hurt in train accidents, railroad companies must be held accountable.

If you have sustained injuries in a train accident, you have the right to seek compensation. An experienced train accident lawyer in Abilene can help you fight for the financial compensation you need to help you pay your medical expenses and take care of your family. Train accident claims tend to be complex and are based on several factors, including how the accident occurred and who was responsible for it. Our attorneys can help you through this. We have the knowledge and experience needed to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions. Contact our Abilene train accident lawyers today for a free case review: (888) 493-1629!

Passenger Train Accidents

Passenger rail services in the U.S. operate with few fatalities; however, many serious injuries occur annually. Many of these accidents occur as passengers board or deboard. Therefore, train operators and managers need to remain vigilant when it comes to protecting their riders. Vigilance helps prevent life-altering accidents.

Common causes of railroad accidents include:

• Damaged or out of adjustment switches
• Defective or missing crossties
• Failure to apply sufficient hand brakes
• Failure to comply with restricted speeds
• Failure to control shoving movement
• Switch points worn or broken
• Unclear or unsafe crossing design
• Switches improperly lined

Common Types of Train Accidents

Although train accidents can occur for various reasons, a train accident of any nature is likely to result in massive destruction. Below is a list of the most common types of railroad accidents.

• Train Accidents Involving Cars 
  There is an overwhelming amount of train accidents that involve cars every year. Accidents involving cars and trains are destructive because of the significant difference in size and speed. These accidents can occur if a conductor is negligent—causing catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Another reason for train and car collisions is improper maintenance and excessive cargo loads; this can easily lead to derailment or malfunction. Railroad crossings are also a common site of train-car collisions.
• Train-on-Train Collisions 
  Trains weigh hundreds of thousands of pounds and move quickly, so it almost always has tragic results when two trains collide. For this reason, the industry has taken great measures to implement safe operating procedures in all areas. If an accident does occur, it is often because the operator or conductor acted negligently. Even the shortest moment of negligence can cause a tragic accident.
• Train Accidents Involving Individuals 
  Train accidents involving pedestrians, as well as railroad workers, are rare but do happen. Pedestrians have little chance of survival against a train going full speed down the tracks. Unfortunately, many accidents have occurred due to improper railroad maintenance and supervision.

Accidents Caused by Conductor Negligence

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the train company, and other local authorities conduct thorough investigations after a train accident. They review the potential causes, including railroad conditions and conductor negligence. Officials will investigate conductor negligence because train conductors must follow specific regulations and pay close attention to all of their surroundings. When they fail to follow these regulations, they can put hundreds of people in danger.

Examples of conductor negligence can include:

• Operating the train while intoxicated
• Working while on drugs or prescription medication
• Talking on a cell phone or texting
• Any other type of behavior that will distract the driver from doing their job

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Abilene Truck Accident Lawyers

Billions Won by 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers in Abilene

There are 12.6 million commercial vehicles on U.S. highways—5% of 253 million vehicles on the road, the average age of which is more than a decade. This small portion of the road's occupants are responsible for an outsize number of fatalities: more than 1 in 10 vehicle deaths involve a large commercial truck.

When people's lives are irreparably harmed by a trucking accident, our Abilene trucking accident lawyers help them rebuild. By holding truck companies accountable, we can fight for the money people need to get medical care, provide for their families, and replace the income they lost due to the crash. Our clients have won billions of dollars because Arnold & Itkin invests our resources into developing each case as much as possible.

Why Abilene Truck Accidents Are Happening More Often

The trucking industry's practices put truckers, and the public, at risk. The industry as a whole pays new truckers a few cents for every mile they drive—companies then assure drivers that if they 'work hard,' they'll be able to make a good living. Never mind that a trucker spends hours of their life doing necessary but unpaid work—work like submitting to federally-mandated rig inspections, waiting for loading and unloading, driving to new loads from the dispatcher, and (of course) sleeping.

Pay-by-mile ensures that trucking companies only pay for the work that matters to them—while drivers end up paying for everything else. New truckers quickly learn how to deceive federal regulations designed to make the road safer, rules that force companies to allow drivers to sleep for 8 hours or rest for at least 10 hours a day. By getting around the rules, drivers haul as long and as far as they can, sacrificing rest to make ends meet. The result? Thousands of drivers get behind the wheel while suffering from severe sleep debt.

Common truck accidents include:

Sleep debt isn't just a personal health issue—statistics suggest that 13% of all truck crashes are directly caused by fatigue. Experts believe the actual number of crashes affected by tiredness is far higher. Up to 1 in 4 crashes happened after 17 hours of hauling. Researchers on sleep debt believe that moderate tiredness impairs our driving as much as drinking does.

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About Abilene, TX

Founded and incorporated in 1881, Abilene is the seat of Taylor County, Texas. The city encompasses 112.2 square miles, 5.4 of which are covered by water: Lytle Lake, Kirby Lake, and Lake Fort Phantom Hill. As of the 2020 census, Abilene had a population of 125,182 residents. The city is split down the center by a railroad, and the historic downtown area lies on the north side of the tracks, along with Clear Creek, which flows into Elm Creek. Abilene is home to Dyess Air Force Base, which, with 8,400 employees, is the biggest employer in the city.

Abilene has a lot to offer visitors and residents, with numerous historic sites, museums, galleries, and 29 parks. The Abilene Zoo is one of its most popular attractions, along with Fort Phantom Hill, Frontier Texas, and The Grace Museum. The city is known as the “Official Storybook Capital of America,” with statues of characters from classic children’s books hidden throughout. Abilene is also home to the West Texas Fair and Rodeo, a 10-day event that features the history of Abilene and modern attractions.

The economy in Abilene used to rely heavily on livestock and agriculture, but today it is dominated by government, healthcare, manufacturing, and education. Dyess Air Force, Hendrick Health System, Abilene ISD, and Abilene Christian University are the city’s biggest employers. Abilene is also home to six colleges, which have the capacity to enroll about 14,000 students in all. Anthony Williams is the current mayor of Abilene; he took office in 2017.

Abilene Links & Resources

• City of Abilene
• Visiting Abilene
• Attractions in Abilene, TX
• Taylor County
• Abilene Wikipedia Page
• Abilene Local News
• Texas State Historical Association: Abilene
• Abilene Chamber of Commerce

Our attorneys are committed to helping people in the Abilene area who have been injured, have lost loved ones, or have been harmed in any way because of the wrongdoing or negligence of another person or a company. We help workers in all industries, families across the city, and individuals from all walks of life who need guidance from an experienced Abilene personal injury attorney.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery: Call (888) 493-1629

In the time after a serious accident or injury, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn. At our firm, we want you to know the next step can be simple: give us a call. Once you hire our firm, we can help take over the legal complexities. Let us worry about the red tape, insurance companies, and more. We take over all of that so you and your family can spend more time focusing on what's actually important: recovering.

Contact Arnold & Itkin's Abilene personal injury lawyers for a free consultation today at (888) 493-1629.