Personal injury claims are civil lawsuits that an injured person (the plaintiff) files against another party (the defendant) whom they believe to be responsible for causing their injuries – there are around 39.5 million cases each year. Some of the most common types of personal injury claims include:
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Motor Vehicle Accidents
This includes car accidents, motorcycle crashes, truck collisions, and other incidents involving motorized vehicles. These accidents, which killed 42,514 people in 2022, often lead to injuries like whiplash, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, etc. Faulty drivers, dangerous road conditions, drunk driving, etc., are usually the causes.
Premises Liability
Property owners can be held liable if someone gets injured on their property due to unsafe conditions, with $4 billion paid to compensate victims each year. Slip and fall accidents due to wet floors, broken stairs, poor lighting, etc., are examples of premises liability cases. Inadequate security resulting in assault, molestation, or rape can also lead to premises liability claims.
Medical Malpractice
Doctors, nurses, surgeons, dentists, and other healthcare professionals can be sued for medical negligence like misdiagnosis, surgical errors, anesthesia-related mistakes, lack of informed consent, birth injuries, etc., that cause harm to the patient. California recorded the largest number of claims in 2022, with 4,638 cases.
Defective Products
Manufacturers and distributors can be held responsible when a defective product injures the consumer. Some examples include malfunctioning machinery, toys with sharp edges, faulty car parts, expired food products, etc. 132.2 million defective products were recalled in 2023.
Workplace Injuries
Employers are required to maintain a safe work environment. Workplace accidents like exposure to toxic materials, repetitive motion injuries, construction site accidents, explosions, electrocutions etc. that happen due to the employer’s negligence can become personal injury claims. Injury and illness cases decreased by 8.4% in 2023.
Importance of Hiring a Lawyer
It is highly recommended to consult and hire a personal injury lawyer if you have suffered any significant physical, mental or financial harm due to another’s negligence or wrongdoing. An experienced lawyer can help in several important ways:
- Determine Liability: A lawyer can investigate your claim, gather evidence, establish a theory of liability, identify all potentially liable parties, and prove that the other party was at fault. This is crucial for getting compensation.
- Estimate Damages: The lawyer can calculate both economic and non-economic damages like medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, disability, loss of enjoyment of life, etc. to seek maximum compensation.
- Negotiate Settlement: An attorney can negotiate with insurance companies and attempt to reach a fair out-of-court injury settlement. This avoids lengthy litigation.
- File Lawsuit: If settlement talks fail, the lawyer can file a lawsuit, manage the litigation process expertly, and aggressively represent your best interests in court.
- Deal with Insurance Companies: Insurance providers often try to deny claims or make lowball offers. A lawyer can deal with them legally and strategically.
- Handle Complex Laws: Personal injury laws can be complex. A lawyer will know how to navigate different claim types, statutes of limitations, evidence rules, etc.
Having an experienced personal injury lawyer increases your chances of success and ensures you get rightfully compensated for your suffering. Do not hesitate to consult a lawyer if you have a viable personal injury claim.
