Personal Injury 101: What You Should Know About Personal Injury Claims
If you’ve asked yourself (or the Internet), “What is personal injury?”, you’re certainly not alone. Legal claims like these can be difficult to understand, which is why it’s best to hire reputable personal injury lawyers if you find yourself in a situation that warrants it. In this post, we’ve compiled some of the most common questions we hear about personal injury cases.
What Is Personal Injury?
Personal injury claims are appropriate when another individual or business can be held legally responsible for causing injuries you have sustained. If found to be at fault, the individual who is responsible for personal injury will be ordered to pay damages to the injured party. This makes it a civil action, rather than a criminal one (where the party who has committed the injury could be subject to imprisonment).
What Are Some Examples or Personal Injury Cases?
The answer to the “what is personal injury?” question is actually quite broad, as these cases can cover all types of situations. Car accident victims may be able to file for personal injury, as can those who have sustained harm due to medical malpractice or product liability. According to the DOJ, around 52% of personal injury cases involve motor vehicle accidents, while 15% are medical malpractice incidents, and 5% are due to product liability. But even those who have been injured in the workplace can file (if they choose not to file for worker’s compensation). Wrongful death and child abuse can also fall under the personal injury umbrella. It really depends on whether the injury was sustained due to the negligence (i.e., failure to meet reasonable standards for safety and care) of someone else.
When Should I Contact a Lawyer?
Ideally, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Statutes of limitations often vary by state, but you won’t have unlimited time to file. By meeting with a lawyer right away, you can get started on your case — or they will let you know if your claim would be invalid in court. As a general rule, you shouldn’t wait to take action; otherwise, this could be called into question. In addition, since personal injury settlements can help pay for medical bills and other damages, you’ll want to get moving on your case.
If you’ve been injured and another party is responsible due to negligence, you may be able to file a claim. To schedule a consultation or to find out more, contact the Law Offices of Steve Zwick today.