If you’re suffered injuries in any kind of accident, you know how it can impact every area of your life, wrecking your plans and hopes. You’re dealing with a perfect storm, with medical bills, physical pain, emotional stress, and anxiety about the future. You wonder if you will be able to work in the future and how you will look after your family. If your injury was caused by the fault of another party, or due to their negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. Personal injury lawyers who are familiar with the law and the process of negotiating a settlement can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
What is a personal injury claim?
If you have been injured in an accident or due to the fault or negligence of another party, you may be able to sue them in a court of law for compensation for your injuries. Personal injury claims can arise from a variety of cases, like traffic accidents, medical malpractice, slip and fall injuries, product liability, and more. An injury can throw your life completely off track, destroying your plans and diverting you from your goals.
An injury can land you in hospital, with major medical bills. It can cause you physical pain and emotional distress, and necessitate a long period of recovery and rehabilitation. You may not be able to work during this period and may suffer from loss of income. The law recognizes that when these hardships are caused by another person, you are entitled to sue them for compensation for the various harms you have suffered.
Different types of personal injury
Personal injury claims can arise in a variety of ways. Traffic accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, premises liability, and construction accidents may all lead to personal injury lawsuits.
- Traffic accidents
Drunk and distracted driving are leading causes of traffic accidents. Around three million people are injured in traffic accidents every year in the U.S., and there are thousands of fatalities. The injured person or a surviving relative of the deceased may be able to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. - Slip and fall accidents
Slip and fall accidents are among the leading causes of injuries, many of which can be serious. About 17,000 slip and fall accidents happen each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These can give rise to personal injury cases based on premises liability. - Medical malpractice
Medical malpractice cases are surprisingly common, and it is estimated that 40 wrong site surgeries are carried out each week. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that as many as 225,000 fatalities are due to medical malpractice each year. Around 20,000 personal injury cases deriving from medical malpractice are filed each year.
How personal injury lawyers can help
The vast majority of personal injury cases, or 95% to 96%, are settled out of court. It helps to have legal advice and support from personal injury lawyers who have a thorough knowledge of the law and who are experienced in negotiations. An experienced personal injury attorney can offer sound legal advice on everything from the right time to file a claim to the amount of the settlement.
Injuries and accidents can throw your life off track and wreck your plans. If your injuries were caused by another at-fault party, you may be able to sue them for compensation for your medical costs, loss of income, and emotional distress. Having an experienced firm of personal injury lawyers on your side can make it easier to negotiate the process successfully.