If you have been injured in an accident and are trying to navigate the legal world alone, you may be overwhelmed by the prospect of what lies ahead. You do not need to face your injury alone.
Personal injury laws are a complex area of law that governs claims for injuries suffered as a result of someone else’s negligence or intentional misconduct. This includes car accidents, medical malpractice, and workplace injuries, among many others.
There are many steps you will need to take in order to seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries. A personal injury lawyer can assist you with all aspects of the legal process and help ensure that your rights are looked after.
The “fault” in personal injury law is usually determined by applying a test to determine who was responsible for causing an accident. Determining fault is necessary before compensation can be awarded.
If you were injured in an accident caused by another’s negligence, then that person is liable for the damages you suffered as a result of your injuries. You should contact a personal injury lawyer immediately to speak with a legal expert about your options.
A hard-fought battle awaits you if you choose to take matters into your own hands and face the legal system alone. It is strongly advised that you not risk your hard-earned compensation by taking on this fight alone.
Types of Injuries
Personal injuries that healthcare professionals may have caused include things like fractures, dislocations, lacerations, and punctures. Personal injuries that are not caused by medical professionals may include burns, cuts, amputations, and paralysis.
Damages are the injuries and compensation that you seek as a result of someone else’s negligence or intentional misconduct.
Damages may include lost wages, medical costs, physical therapy, psychological care, pain and suffering, mental anguish damages, and any other expenses associated with your injuries.
Defenses are those things that were done to mitigate the harm in an accident, such as seat belts and safety equipment like helmets.
Common injury claims
The most common injuries and claims involving personal injuries include vehicle accidents, slip, and fall accidents, pedestrian accidents, medical malpractice, and workplace injuries.
Car accidents are one of the most common claims made to insurance companies by individuals. Laws regarding car accident claim compensation are very strict. In some cases, these cases can be settled out of court before a trial begins.
In others, they can be settled at trial if forced to go through this process.
This determines the amount of compensation that is paid to the injured party. If you are injured in a car accident that was caused by another driver, you can speak with a personal injury lawyer about your case and how to proceed.
Types of Compensation
Compensation is the amount of money you are seeking as a result of your injury or damages. Compensation can take many forms. These may include wages, medical costs, physical therapy, pain and suffering, and mental anguish.
You can also seek compensation for lost income and future expenses, such as back pay if you were disabled by your injuries.
The compensation will be determined by the extent of your injuries, how long they have been going on and what type of insurance coverage is available to you through your employer.
Shared fault laws
Some injuries are caused by the fault of multiple people. If this is the case, there are laws that address the allocation of compensation when more than one party is at fault for your injury. These cases are handled according to comparative fault guidelines.
Comparative fault laws mean that you can only recover damages if your percentage of fault does not exceed fifty percent. You may also be barred or limited from recovering damages altogether if you are found to be more than fifty percent at fault for your injuries.
Always speak with a personal injury lawyer before you take any legal action. This can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injury and avoid mistakes that could cost you real dollars in the long run.
Time limits
In some cases, it may take more time than you expect to get compensation for your injury. These time limits are set by statute and vary per legal circumstance. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is set at three years.
This means that you must file your claim within three years of your injury or the time of the accident. If you do not file your claim within this time, you may be prevented from collecting compensation for your injuries.
If you have been injured as a result of an accident and need legal assistance, contact a personal injury lawyer to speak about your case.
Conclusion
The steps you will need to take in order to file a personal injury claim can be confusing and overwhelming. If you are asked to fill out a form or submit a medical bill, then you may need help with your case. These injuries are very serious and demanding in nature.
It is best that you consult an attorney who has experience in this area of law. Personal injury lawyers provide legal assistance for all types of personal injury cases, such as car accidents, medical malpractice, and wrongful death situations.