What Types of Cases Do Personal Injury Lawyers Handle?
In the aftermath of an accident, you may face the costs of your medical care and the additional financial challenges associated with being unable to work. However, if another person’s carelessness led to your injury, you must recognize that you have rights. Asserting them with the assistance of experienced personal injury attorneys can help you obtain full compensation.
Personal injury lawyers represent clients hurt under various circumstances brought about by another’s negligence or wrongdoing. If you have been injured and another party is to blame, speaking with an attorney about your rights and the next steps can be advantageous.
6 Types of Cases a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help With
Only some firms or attorneys will handle the same personal injury cases. You must carefully review a firm’s website or ask questions to ensure that an attorney you are considering hiring can represent you adequately.
Nevertheless, most personal injury firms can help you if you have been hurt by any of the following:
1. Motor Vehicle Accidents
Collisions between cars, trucks, pedestrians, and bicyclists happen frequently and often result in some injury to one or both parties involved. These injuries can range from aches and pains to broken bones, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries. When these crashes result from one person’s carelessness, that person may bear financial responsibility.
A personal injury attorney can gather police reports and other existing records describing how the accident unfolded. They can also speak with witnesses who saw the accident and consult with experts if the cause of the crash is unknown. Finally, they can assist injury victims in navigating the insurance claims process and obtaining a fair settlement for their losses.
2. Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall claims are a form of premises liability that seeks to hold property owners liable for injuries that guests suffer on their properties. In addition to slipping and falling, individuals may have legal rights if they trip down poorly lit stairs, are electrocuted, or are attacked by someone else while visiting a property.
Property owners’ legal obligations are complex, and an attorney’s first task is determining the exact obligations the owner owed you. Your lawyer will then look for videos, witness statements, and other evidence that can be used to show how the property owner violated these obligations.
3. Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice lawsuits are complicated matters involving massive amounts of medical records, opinions regarding the standards of care, and other relevant evidence. As such, not every law firm or personal injury attorney will handle medical malpractice cases. However, those who do can be of great value to you if you have been hurt because of negligent care.
An attorney helps injured clients sift through the available information to determine whether their provider acted carelessly and is liable for damages. Besides doctors, medical malpractice cases can be filed against negligent surgeons, dentists, pharmacists, and hospitals, among others.
4. Dog Bites
You might not immediately consider the need for an attorney’s assistance after being bitten by a dog. However, in many states, dog owners are strictly liable for the harm their canines cause through such attacks. Individuals who suffer nerve damage or other severe injuries through a dog bite can seek the compensation they need for their expenses.
However, not every dog bite victim may be entitled to compensation. Those who have antagonized a dog or were trespassing at the time of the attack might be unable to recover damages. A skilled lawyer can help victims understand their rights and how to receive compensation.
5. Defective Products
You might instinctively trust that pharmaceuticals, cooking appliances, and other consumer products are safe for use. However, manufacturers who cut corners to increase their profit margins can allow dangerous products to enter the market. These can fail unexpectedly, resulting in severe injuries or even death.
A product liability attorney can analyze the design and marketing of a product that injured you, holding a manufacturer liable for damages caused by their dangerous products. Manufacturers may also face legal repercussions for failing to take adequate remedial measures (such as recalling or warning about the flawed product) once a defect is discovered.
6. Workplace Injuries
If you suffer an on-the-job injury, worker’s compensation benefits can help cover your medical expenses and some of your lost wages. However, in the event that someone besides your employer caused your injuries, you may be able to pursue additional compensation.
The interplay between a workplace accident and third-party negligence can be complicated, though. Thankfully, an experienced lawyer will not only advise you about your rights after you are injured at work but also help you manage your benefits and recovery so that you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Should You Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you have suffered an injury and incurred a financial loss as a result, you should consider having your case evaluated by a personal injury lawyer. Even if you think you did something wrong, you might be surprised to discover the legal rights you have.
However, because personal injury lawsuits must be filed within the appropriate statute of limitations, it is best to consult an attorney sooner rather than later. Waiting too long to seek legal counsel can make it more difficult to receive the compensation you would otherwise deserve due to the loss of evidence and the unavailability of witnesses.
Reaching Out For Legal Assistance Is the First Step To Recovery
You might not understand your legal rights following an accident. However, personal injury attorneys can assist individuals hurt by another’s carelessness under numerous and varied circumstances. And because many of them offer free consultations, you can often take the first step toward recovery and learn about your rights without any risk.
