When someone causes you to be injured, you can seek compensation for your damages by filing a personal injury claim. Personal injury includes harm to your emotions, body, or reputation. Therefore, personal injury claims cover a wide variety of situations and accidents.
A personal injury lawyer can help you file a claim seeking compensation for injuries and damages arising from these common personal injury situations:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common reasons for filing a personal injury claim. Personal injury claims involving motor vehicles include, but are not limited to, accidents involving:
- Cars
- Pedestrians
- Commercial motor vehicles
- Bicycles
- Rideshare drivers
- Large trucks
- Motorcycles
- Buses
- Scooters
Other drivers are often responsible for causing a car accident. However, other parties, including trucking companies, rideshare companies, government entities, and vehicle manufacturers, could also be liable.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip, trip, and fall accidents are generally considered premises liability claims. Property owners can be liable if hazards or dangerous conditions cause someone to be injured on their property. In addition to the property owner, other parties in control of the property could be liable, such as management companies, businesses, and renters.
Wrongful Death
A wrongful death occurs when another party causes the untimely death of someone because of negligence, intentional torts, or other wrongful acts. Wrongful death laws give family members the right to sue the party who caused their loved one’s death to recover damages. The personal representative of the person’s estate can also file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Medical Malpractice
Medical errors and medical negligence cause thousands of injuries and deaths each year. Medical providers can be held financially liable for malpractice. Common medical malpractice claims involve surgical errors, diagnostic mistakes, and medication errors.
The Importance of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Many people wonder whether they need to hire a personal injury attorney to handle their case. One of the best reasons to hire a personal injury lawyer is that it gives you a better chance of receiving the compensation you need and deserve after a tragic accident.
The insurance company for the at-fault party has a team of professionals and unlimited resources to fight your claim. An experienced personal injury lawyer has the skills, resources, and legal knowledge to pursue a case effectively.
Furthermore, the insurance company knows when you hire a top-rated personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies track the success rate of injury lawyers, so they know your attorney will exhaust all legal options to recover compensation for damages, including taking your case to court if necessary.
When you consider the importance of hiring a lawyer to file a personal injury claim, keep these three things in mind:
Your Damages Could Be Worth More Than the Insurance Company Offers You To Settle
A personal injury can cause physical injuries, financial losses, pain, and suffering. You can recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
However, the insurance company will likely offer you a settlement amount much lower than the actual value of your damages. If you accept the offer and sign a settlement agreement, you waive your right to file a lawsuit.
A personal injury lawyer understands how to calculate the value of damages. They also ensure that all damages are included in a settlement offer.
The Time To File a Personal Injury Claim Is Limited
The statute of limitations restricts the time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. A judge can dismiss your lawsuit if you file it after the statute of limitations expires, even though you have a valid legal claim.
Most personal injury claims have a two-year statute of limitations. However, exceptions to the law and the facts of your case could change the amount of time you have to take legal action. A personal injury lawyer can calculate the time limit to file a lawsuit in your case and monitor the deadline.
You Could Be Unjustly Blamed for Causing Your Injury
A common tactic insurance companies use to avoid liability for a personal injury claim is to blame the victim for causing their injury. Under comparative negligence law, you cannot recover damages if you are 51% or more to blame for causing your injuries. Your compensation is reduced by your level of fault if you are less than 51% to blame.
A personal injury lawyer expects this tactic. They defend you against allegations of contributory fault to protect your right to receive a fair settlement for a personal injury claim.
What Should I Do if I Am Injured by Someone?
A personal injury lawyer protects your legal rights. They help you navigate the complicated personal injury claims process. Your attorney also handles all matters related to your case so you can focus on your recovery.
If you want to know whether you have a claim, you can schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer.
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