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6 Common Types of Personal Injury Cases

by | Mar 10, 2021 | Firm News

Man on crutches on a gray background. Studio shot

Nobody is completely invulnerable to being injured. We’ve all broken bones, sprained ankles, injured our backs, or had knicks, cuts, and bruises. Though we can take measures to ensure our health and safety, we can never control other people.

So what happens when someone else is responsible for your injury. What happens when their negligence or willful intent leads to a serious accident? What we’re describing are personal injury cases.

Serious injuries result in costly medical bills, time off of work, lost wages, pain, suffering, and lasting emotional trauma. If the accident was someone else’s fault, you shouldn’t have to pay for these expenses.

But what kinds of cases do personal injury lawyers handle? Are you eligible to seek financial compensation for your injuries?

Keep reading for everything you need to know about the different types of personal injury cases.

1. Auto Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are some of the most common types of personal injury cases. There are over six million car accidents in the United States every year. Typically, between your auto insurance and your medical insurance, the costs are well-covered (minus your deductible).

However, insurance companies aren’t always willing to play ball. They find loopholes and red tape to limit how much money they give you for your claim.

You see, like any company, insurance agencies exist to make money, not hand it out. They’re perfectly happy to collect your monthly payment, but settling claims can be tricky.

A personal injury lawyer can represent you to make sure you get the financial compensation you deserve. This can be from your health insurance, your auto insurance, or the other driver’s insurance.

Uber/Lyft

Personal injury attorneys are vital for ride-sharing accidents. Companies like Uber and Lyft have exploded in the last few years, making public transportation much easier and more convenient.

However, if you’re involved in an accident while riding with an Uber or Lyft driver, things can get complicated. But that doesn’t mean your personal injuries are any less important or worthy of restitution.

2. Premises Liability

What happens if you are injured on someone else’s property? Obviously, if you were chopping onions and sliced your finger open, it was just an accident caused by user-error.

However, what if the property owner’s negligence lead to your injury. For example, if you slip while going down the stairs outside because the owner didn’t do anything about ice build-up? Alternatively, what if you brush up against a jagged edge or hit your head on a low-hanging obstruction?

These areexamples ofpremise liability personal injury cases. It is an owner’s responsibility to ensure their property is safe and free of hazards. These laws apply to commercial and residential property owners.

For example, if a homeowner has a pool in their yard and it isn’t fenced-in, they can be sued if a child from the neighborhood drowns or hurts themselves. While the neighbor kid had no business being there, it was the homeowner’s responsibility to fence in the pool or yard.

Likewise, businesses are often sued for slips and falls. These are typically caused by wet floors, ice, tripping hazards, faulty railings, etc.

3. Dog Bites

Pet ownership is a big responsibility. You’re responsible for the animal’s health and overall well-being. However, your responsibilities don’t end there.

Pet owners are also charged with ensuring their pets don’t cause harm to other people (or their property). Dog bites aren’t uncommon types of personal injury cases.

Depending on the circumstances, this can also fall under premises liability. For example, if you were invited to someone’s house and their dog bit you. Additionally, some business owners allow their pets to roam inside the commercial property and interact with customers.

However, if you’re walking on the street or sidewalk and are attacked by an unleashed dog, it still counts as a personal injury case. The owner of an animal is responsible for its actions, regardless of the circumstances.

4. Product Liability

As a consumer, when you invest in a product, you shouldn’t have to worry about being injured by it. Certain products like bicycles, power tools, and trampolines come with certain inherent dangers. These dangers are assumed by the consumer/user.

However, if a product defect causes an injury, it’s a different story. If you were injured by a product defect while using it for its intended purpose, you are probably eligible for compensation.

For this reason, manufacturers often include legal disclaimers to limit their vulnerability. If you were injured by a faulty product, work with a personal injury lawyer to find out what you can do.

5. Wrongful Death

When a loved one dies, it can upset the entire framework of your life. Aside from the emotional trauma, you’re also forced to deal with the financial logistics of their passing. This includes loss of income, burial and funeral costs, and more.

If the death of your loved one was caused by someone else’s negligence or willful intent, you can sue them for restitution. A wrongful death casecan seek compensation based on mental suffering, the loss of their income, the loss of their retirement benefits, funeral costs, and more.

6. Assault and Battery

Some of the most traumatic injuries are caused by willful and malicious intent. If someone attacks you physically, it can result in physical and emotional damages.

You should never have to pay for your own medical bills. Just as importantly, you’re entitled to restitution for what they put you through.

Talk to a personal injury attorney to pursue a lawsuit against your attacker. Aside from legal charges, they need to be held liable for what they did.

Does Your Injury Fall Under These Personal Injury Cases?

As you can see personal injury cases vary greatly from person to person.If you’re still wondering “What counts as a personal injury case?” we can provide more answers. Even if you’re unsure about your case or your injuries, you need to seek guidance.

Contact us today to consult with a legal expert about your case. We will help you understand your options and guide you on what to do next. If you are pursuing compensation, it’s better to act sooner, rather than l