Personal injury law, which is also known as tort law, is in place to ensure that people are held responsible for the injuries they cause to others. It’s different from criminal law in that it doesn’t involve jail sentences. It’s in place to provide monetary compensation to help you overcome the hardships you face from your debilitating injuries.
Though most personal injury cases involve the same concept of proving negligence, each has its own specific approach and personality. Learn about the most common types of personal injury cases, from auto accidents to slip and fall cases, and why a personal injury attorney is so important.
Car Accidents
Car accidents encompass all manner of incidents involving motor vehicles. These include accidents between two cars, those involving motorcycles, accidents involving pedestrians, and others. It should be noted that big truck accidents are their own type of case, as they hold different qualities and burdens of proof than other types of vehicle accidents.
Car accidents are the most common form of personal injury case across the U.S. The driver that caused the accident can be held financially responsible for the serious injuries and property damage that arises from these injuries.
Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are separate from other vehicle accident cases because there are so many potential parties involved. The truck driver, the trucking company, the maintenance crew, the shipping company, the loading company and even the parts manufacturers can hold responsibility. Of course, they’ll fight between themselves while at the same time working together to avoid paying out at all.
Even worse, truck accidents are on the rise across the nation, up over 20% in the past two decades. This is in spite of increased awareness of the dangers involved with trucking, and increased regulations to prevent these incidents.
Premises Liability
Also often known as “slip and fall” cases, premises liability arises when you get hurt on someone else’s property. They’re arguably the next most common form of injury case behind car accidents. The owner of a property, or the people who are renting, have a legal obligation to provide a place that’s safe for those who visit. These laws apply whether you’re visiting a friend or family in their home or apartment, or visiting a business.
If a dangerous situation does arise, the person responsible for the property also has a responsibility to address the problem quickly or to warn you of the potential hazard. In a premises liability case you’ll need to prove that they knew or should have known about the hazard, and failed to take the right steps to address the issue.
Medical Malpractice Cases
Medical malpractice suits can be some of the most complex cases to pursue. They arise when a doctor or other healthcare professional fails to live up to their responsibility to keep you safe. A doctor has a responsibility to provide skilled care and avoid doing harm. When they apply treatment that is dangerous and fail to warn you, or when they make a critical error that causes you harm, you can be entitled to monetary damages for the injuries you suffer.
Dog Bite Cases
If you’re bitten by a dog, or more rarely, injured by another kind of pet, the pet’s owner bears responsibility for the injuries you suffer. Each state has its own laws regarding dog bites, and these statutes can get very complex. Getting the maximum award can require experienced and knowledgeable help.
Intentional Injury
When you’re hurt by someone who has acted with deliberate malicious intent, you can hold them financially responsible for the injuries they cause as well as holding them criminally responsible. A civil case proceeds separately from a criminal case—regardless of whether the person who hurt you is found innocent or guilty, you can pursue them for financial damages to help cover your injuries.
Working with a Personal Injury Attorney
When you’re hurt due to someone else’s carelessness or malicious intent, you deserve to be compensated for your pain and suffering, your medical bills, emotional trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, lost wages and compensation, loss of consortium and other damages. Of course, getting this compensation requires the best legal help.
The right personal injury attorney knows how to prove that the other party acted irresponsibly, that this negligent act directly resulted in an accident, and this accident was the direct cause of your injury. If you’re in need of help, call Stewart Bell Injury Lawyers for a free consultation today.