Even if you suffer a personal injury alone, the consequences can be devastating. They affect the victim physically, emotionally, financially and mentally. The stress and overwhelm can be magnified when it’s someone else’s fault.
The goal of personal injury law is to compensate accident victims with monetary damages. The process of recovering compensation can be difficult, requiring sometimes expert assistance or litigation in court.
Learn about the common types of personal injury claims .
What are the most common types of personal injury claims?
Numerous circumstances can give rise to an injury claim. There is a possibility that a victim may have a claim if a third party causes injury to another by acting negligently, intentionally or recklessly.
There are some categories of personal injury claim that are more common than others. Here are some of the most common.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Personal injury claims arising from motor vehicle accidents are most common. This term includes car, motorcycle, trucks, pedestrian, cyclist, and similar types of accidents.
In these cases, insurance companies are almost always prominent. In most cases, victims’ primary legal recourse is filing an insurance claim on the policy of the driver at fault.
It’s important for victims to remember that insurance companies are businesses with a profit motive. The insurance companies make their money from monthly payments, not large settlements. They will do everything they can to reduce or eliminate their liabilities for the claims that they review.
Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Another common type of personal injury claim is slip and fall. The claims are classified under “premises liability” which is a larger area of personal injury law that holds property managers and owners legally responsible for maintaining their premises in a reasonable level of safety.
The law’s requirements are largely determined by the type of property and victim relationship. A retail shop, for example, would have greater legal obligations towards a customer than a private owner would toward a trespasser.
Slip-and-fall cases often involve a powerful corporation. They have departments that are dedicated to protecting them from legal claims, including personal injury claims.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is also a common cause of personal injury. A doctor, nurse or other healthcare provider who fails to meet their duty of care can be held responsible for any harm caused.
Medical malpractice cases are unique in many ways. In general, victims must provide an affidavit by an expert proving the validity of the claim. The court could reject the case if it is not presented.
Healthcare providers are also held to a higher standard of care during their work. It is often asked, “Would an appropriately careful healthcare provider have behaved similarly in the same circumstances?” If yes, then the victim is on the right track to a positive outcome.
Product Liability
In the area of personal injury law, product liability claims are also common. If a person has been injured by a defective item, they can file a lawsuit against the manufacturer, retailer and/or distributor.
Product liability claims fall into three categories. The claims are divided into three broad categories: design defects, manufacturing defects and failures to warn.
Product liability claims are different from other personal injury cases in that the victim is not required to prove fault. These cases are governed by a legal concept known as “strict liability.” Even if the manufacturer, retailer, or distributor at fault did not act with care, they may still be held responsible for damages.
Why Hire an Injury Lawyer to Help You With Your Case?
It may be best to hire an injury lawyer for help, regardless of what type of claim you plan to make. These are just some of the reasons:
* The party at fault in your case may have either legal representation or extensive resources to defend against your claim. You can ensure you’re not taken advantage of by hiring a lawyer.
* Attorneys who specialize in personal injury can bring in experts to help you throughout the case. This is required in some cases, like medical malpractice, to file a personal injury suit. Even if this is not a requirement, it may be important to recover full compensation for your injury.
* The at-fault party almost always tries to blame you (the victim) in the event of a dispute. You could lose all compensation rights if they are successful. You can hire an attorney to fight these accusations effectively.
You can focus on getting better by hiring legal counsel to handle your entire claim. It can be easier for you to deal with the aftermath of an injury if you hire legal counsel.
Many personal injury lawyers offer free consultations. It is worth your time to contact a lawyer and find out if it is worthwhile to hire one.