Michael D. Payma
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Michael Payma is the founder, managing partner, and lead litigator of Payma, Kuhnel & Smith. He has been licensed to practice law in the State of Texas since 1994. Michael Payma handles cases involving business and commercial disputes, personal injuries and wrongful deaths, both in State and Federal Courts.
Holding Powerful Parties Accountable Michael Payma is a Dallas trial attorney and managing partner of Payma, Kuhnel & Smith, representing individuals and families who have been injured, wronged, or forced to stand up to insurance companies and corporate defendants. With more than three decades of courtroom experience, Michael approaches every case with one mindset: prepare it for trial. Insurance carriers have adjusters, analysts, and defense lawyers whose job is to limit what they pay. Commercial trucking companies deploy rapid response teams within hours of a crash. Bars and restaurants deny overservice. Corporations minimize harm. The pattern is predictable. They protect themselves first. Michael’s role is to protect his client. Auto Collisions In serious motor vehicle cases, he investigates liability thoroughly, develops clear fault narratives, and builds damages that reflect the full impact of the injury. Medical expenses are only the beginning. Lost income, future care, permanent impairment, and daily disruption must be understood and proven. Preparation creates leverage. Leverage drives results. Commercial Trucking & 18-Wheeler Cases Trucking litigation demands technical precision and speed. Driver logs, electronic data, maintenance records, and safety compliance issues can determine the outcome. Michael moves quickly to preserve critical evidence and expose violations of federal and state safety regulations. These cases are defended aggressively. They must be prosecuted the same way. Dram Shop Liability When an establishment overserves an obviously intoxicated patron who then causes harm, responsibility does not end with the driver. Dram shop cases require disciplined investigation and a deep understanding of Texas law. These claims enforce standards that protect the public and demand accountability when businesses ignore them. Catastrophic Injury & Wrongful Death Some injuries permanently alter the course of a life. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, and other catastrophic harm require long-term planning and expert support. Michael works with medical professionals and financial experts to demonstrate not only what happened, but what the injury will mean years and decades into the future. In wrongful death cases, he represents families with strength and resolve. These cases are about responsibility, truth, and ensuring that the harm is fully recognized under the law. Michael does not posture. He prepares. He does not chase quick settlements that undervalue serious harm. He builds cases designed to withstand scrutiny in front of a jury. When powerful defendants refuse to accept responsibility, he is prepared to stand up in court, present the evidence clearly, and demand full accountability. Because justice is not given. It is pursued. He has resided in the Dallas/Fort Worth area since 1979. He is married and has two children. Michael Payma is also a certified mediator. Bar Admission: State Bar of Texas - 1994 Court Admissions: State Courts in the State of Texas U. S. District Court- Northern District of Texas U. S. District Court- Eastern District of Texas U. S. District Court- Western District of Texas U. S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit Supreme Court of the United States Education B.S.- University of Texas at Dallas (1985) M.A.- University of Texas at Dallas (1989) J.D.-Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (1994) |
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