Millions of people are the victims of accidents or injuries each year, many of which are caused by the carelessness of another individual or organization. What some people don’t realize is that these accidents are known as personal injuries and that they may be eligible to file a claim to get a financial award that may cover the costs of expenses related to the accident. However, in order to have a valid claim, you will need to prove that what happened was the fault of another entity and that it was due to negligence. If you want to learn more about what qualifies as a personal injury, keep reading to find out about some examples of different types of personal injury claims.
What are some examples of different types of personal injury claims?
First, before we discuss specific types of claims, you should know that if you’ve been the victim of any accident or injury, you need to talk to a personal injury lawyer to determine whether or not you have a valid claim. You should look for an experienced attorney with a track record of success, like this personal injury attorney Chicago. Ideally, you want to work with a lawyer that has a history of winning cases that are similar to yours. Your lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company or file a lawsuit to obtain the compensation you’re owed if necessary.
When it comes to personal injury lawsuits, there is a long list of potential claims. Some of the most common personal injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, and workplace injuries, but these are far from the only reasons why you may be entitled to file a claim. Other examples of personal injury claims include:
- Dog bites
- Defective products
- Birth injuries
- Nursing home abuse
- Wrongful death
- Slips and falls
The main element required in determining fault is negligence, which is defined as carelessness or recklessness that causes harm to another person. You must show that the negligence resulted in your injuries and that you suffered damages as a result. Damages can include things like medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Why do you need to talk to an attorney as soon as possible?
Now that you understand what types of accidents may qualify as personal injuries, let’s talk about why you need to look for a lawyer as soon as possible. In most states, your personal injury lawsuit will be subject to a statute of limitations. That means you only have a limited amount of time to make a personal injury claim, or else it will likely be dismissed. The time frame can vary, and there are exceptions in certain cases, but generally, it’s always best to talk to a lawyer immediately. They will be able to tell you exactly how long you have to file your claim.
By far the most common reason people avoid seeking legal advice is fear of what it will cost. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to prevent you from seeking justice. This is because most personal injury attorneys work on what is known as a contingency fee basis. Under this arrangement, you will only owe money to the lawyer if they are able to obtain a successful judgment or settlement on your behalf. Their fee is then taken as a percentage of the financial award. This allows individuals to obtain legal representation even if they can’t afford to pay a lot of money upfront.
As you can see, there are many personal injury claims that can be made, but they are all based on the standard of harm being caused by the negligence of another individual or organization. If you think you may have been the victim of a personal injury, the best thing to do is to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. They can meet with you for a consultation and explain what you should do to ensure that you get any compensation that you are entitled to. Don’t delay, as you may only have a limited amount of time to press charges. By following these tips, you can get on the road to recovery and have an excellent chance of winning your case.
