What are the different types of personal injury cases?

Personal injury law is a broad field. 

It covers most cases which involve a bodily injury to a person. Most personal injury cases are the result of an accident wherein the victim/plaintiff is injured and sues another party (the defendant) for their actions or negligence which contributed to the accident.

A personal injury case usually seeks financial compensation for the plaintiff which covers expenses and damages resulting from the injury, such as medical expenses and lost wages.

Although there is an infinite variety of circumstances which can result in a personal injury case, there are a few broad categories of personal injury claims which are the most common.

Let’s take a look at them.

Car Accident Cases

Car accidents generate a stunning number of injuries and a precipitous mountain of legal liabilities.

When a person is injured as the result of a car accident for which they were not at fault, the party at fault is often liable for damages caused by the accident.

Often this process is handled by insurance agencies, but sometimes the matter must be taken to court. 

Even when working with the insurance agencies, it’s a good idea to have someone versed in the law working on your side.

To ensure that you are receiving the justice and compensation you deserve after suffering a car accident, it’s a good idea to get in touch with a personal injury attorney.

Learn More About Car Accidents

Slip and Fall Cases

Slip and fall cases result from property owners or administrators behaving in a negligent manner which creates unsafe conditions contributing to a slip and fall which results in bodily injury.

If an individual slips, falls, and suffers an injury, the property owners and administrators may be liable for damages resulting from the injury if it can be shown that they contributed to the unsafe conditions, or failed to act in a reasonable manner to alleviate unsafe conditions.

Learn More About Slip and Falls

Medical Malpractice

When a person is injured as a result of a medical treatment prescribed or performed by medical professionals, those medical professionals or the institutions which employ them may be liable for damages.

This type of lawsuit, known as medical malpractice, gives patients legal rights should their medical professionals deviate from the standards of their profession and cause injury to a patient.

Dog Bites

If a dog attacks a person and that person is neither threatening nor attacking the dog or its owners, or trespassing on the owner’s property, the dog’s owner may be liable for damages which result from the dog attack.

Dog attacks can be traumatizing and debilitating events. Compensation for dog bite lawsuits can include medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages associated with the dog bite incident.

Learn More About Dog Bites

Assault, Battery, And Other Intentional Torts

An intentional tort describes an action wherein the person committing the action was aware of and desired the consequences of their actions.

Such is the case with assault and battery, where one party intentionally seeks to harm another.

While these actions may carry criminal consequences as well, they can also be pursued in civil court.

If a person is injured as the result of an intentional tort, they may have grounds for a personal injury claim.

Types Of Personal Injury Cases FAQs

1. What is the average personal injury settlement?

Because there are so many different types of claims covered under personal injury law, it is hard to give an average figure for personal injury settlements. Depending on the type of personal injury claim and the details of the case, settlements and judgements can range from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

2. What is considered a serious personal injury?

Any personal injury which incurs medical expenses, prevents you from working or performing ordinary tasks, requires extended recovery time, or substantially impacts your life is a serious one.

3. Should I file a personal injury claim?

Every personal injury claim is unique and every situation is unique. If you’re unsure if you need to file a personal injury claim or not, schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer who can advise you as to the best course of action.