Common Causes of Personal Injury Claims
There are many reasons why you may need to file a personal injury claim. It can be a challenge to determine what caused your injury, who should be responsible, and how much you deserve for the damages you have sustained.
It is important to understand the common causes of personal injury claims so that you can avoid making mistakes that could limit your ability to recover compensation.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of personal injury claims in the United States. These accidents can occur for a variety of reasons.
Driving under the influence of alcohol, inclement weather, fatigue, and poor road maintenance are all contributing factors that can lead to car accidents.
If you are injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligent actions, you may be entitled to compensation. This could include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere, including in a home, on a sidewalk, in a store or any other public property. These types of accidents can result in serious injuries such as broken bones, a broken hip or spinal cord damage.
If you or someone you love has suffered a slip and fall accident, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party. You can hold the responsible party accountable for damages such as medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
Typically, you must prove that the negligent party knew or should have known of the dangerous condition and did not fix it within a reasonable amount of time. This is often a difficult task, but it can be achieved with help from an experienced attorney.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is one of the most common causes of personal injury claims. It occurs when healthcare providers – including doctors, nurses, hospitals, and other healthcare professionals – fail to meet the acceptable standard of care required by law.
To succeed in a medical malpractice lawsuit, the victim must prove that the doctor or other healthcare provider owed them a duty of professional care. They also must show that the healthcare provider breached this duty and caused them harm.
Damages can include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, emotional distress, and loss of companionship. In addition, medical malpractice cases are usually much more expensive than regular personal injury cases.
Workplace Accidents
One of the most common causes of personal injury claims is workplace accidents. They can be traumatic and affect employees and employers alike.
They can also be expensive for businesses to deal with. Employers can face citations for safety violations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and their employees may sue for damages.
Accidents are often caused by unsafe practices or insufficient training. When these factors are corrected, injuries and losses become much less frequent and severe.
A major factor in preventing these types of injuries is timely reporting. Encouraging workers to report any on-the-job mishaps helps employers gather vital information and avoid unnecessary claims and insurance costs.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death is by far the most common cause of personal injury claims. This is because wrongful death allows family members to bring a lawsuit even though the person who was harmed no longer exists.
The wrongful death statutes in each state vary, but most allow family members or a personal representative elected by the deceased to file a lawsuit against those who caused the fatality. Survivors can seek compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering suffered before the death.
It is a very difficult time for loved ones to go through after the death of a family member. This is why it is so important to act quickly and get legal help. An experienced wrongful death attorney will help your family recover the maximum compensation possible.