An individual puts themselves in danger every day. It could be small risks that they are vulnerable to such as falling off a ladder or slipping on a bathroom floor, but larger threats also exist. You could get into a collision while driving or be hurt because of falling debris in the workplace. You cannot control everything that happens around you, and injuries often result from dangerous circumstances.
When these injuries are caused by the negligence of another party, this is when personal injury lawyers could become involved. Injured victims have the right to file claims that will reward them with compensation to cover damages like medical bills, lost wages, funeral expenses, property damage, emotional suffering, and more.
But what falls under the category of personal injury and why is it important that you understand some of these nuances? The following are the types of accidents that personal injury lawyers can help with.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
The most common form of personal injury cases is motor vehicle accidents. This encompasses not just cars, but trucks, buses, and boats as well. Plenty of circumstances can cause a vehicle collision, including distracted driving, drunk driving, dangerous road conditions, and inclement weather. You might be the most cautious driver in the world because you own a luxury car, but it is difficult to avoid accidents with your luxury vehicle forever because people around you could make mistakes. If an accident is not your fault, then a lawyer might be the solution to help you obtain compensation.
Medical Malpractice
People are imperfect, and this includes healthcare professionals. Doctors, physicians, nurses, and other professionals in this industry are expected to provide a certain standard of care to patients. When this standard is not met, and patients are injured as a result, the victims can seek compensation for any damages suffered. Some common iterations of medical malpractice include birth injuries, anesthesia errors, misdiagnoses, nursing home abuse, and medication errors.
Workplace Injuries
Workplaces range from being incredibly safe to incredibly dangerous. While severe injuries are unlikely to occur in an office setting, this is not the case for more dangerous locations like cargo shipyards. If you get injured in your workplace, and there is negligence involved, then seeking the help of an attorney can help you protect your rights. Even if you are not sure whether your shipyard injury involved negligence from another party, getting in touch with a Jones Act lawyer can help you determine if you have a case, and this is true for any type of workplace injury.
Dog Bites
Yes, you can even file a personal injury claim if another person’s dog attacks you. The circumstances of the attack will play a big role in whether or not you receive compensation. For example, were you on the dog owner’s property without permission? Were you acting in an instigating or aggressive manner toward the animal? Was the dog properly restrained? All these factors will affect the outcome of the case. It goes without saying that you cannot file a claim if there were no damages from the bite.
Premises Liability
Did you know that property owners are responsible for maintaining safe premises? That is true for both residential and commercial owners. If hazards are present on a property and they cause someone to be injured, the owner could be liable for paying damages to the victim. The status of the hazard matters in these cases. For example, how long was the hazard present? Has enough time passed that the property owner should have taken action to rectify it? Some examples of risks for premises liability cases include spills, insufficient warning signs, and uneven flooring.
Defective Products
Have you purchased an item that then caused an injury due to a defect? Then you may be able to file a claim for it. The laws regarding defective product injuries are very strict. It must be proven that user error was not involved and that the injury occurred because of a manufacturing issue, design flaw, or lack of warning labels. Some of the most common defective product cases involve hernia mesh, cochlear implants, and auto defects.
A Lawyer Can Protect Your Rights and Increase Compensation
If one of the above circumstances has happened to you, then you may be the victim of negligence and have a right to pursue a claim. Going through this process alone can be next to impossible. You have a lower chance of winning and you may not receive the amount you deserve to cover all damages.
Working with an injury lawyer will help you understand your rights and have a fair shot at the right settlement amount. Consider contacting a personal injury lawyer that specializes in your category of injury when these circumstances happen to you. They may be your only chance to get back on your feet financially as you recover from the injury.
