If you were injured in an accident, it’s important to know your rights.
Personal injury is a broad area of the law. It covers any type of injury caused by someone else’s negligence or intentional act. It also includes injuries sustained during commercial transactions and accidents at work.
You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, mental anguish, property damage, and more. However, you have to act swiftly. The statute of limitations for filing an injury claim varies depending on what state you live in.
Read on to learn the best way to handle injuries, when you’re the victim.
Handling Car Accident Injuries
Nationwide there are over 30,000 motor vehicle deaths a year. Knowing what to do after being injured in an accident involving a car can be one of the trickiest parts of personal injury law.
Unfortunately, a lot of drivers mistakingly believe that if their injuries are minor they should tough it out. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth!
Whenever you’re involved in a car accident, it’s always a good idea to seek medical attention. You’ll also want to get advice from an attorney who specializes in car accident cases.
You may wind up needing to see a personal injury chiropractor as well. After consulting with an attorney you can contact your insurance company.
What if You’re at Fault?
What happens if you’re hurt in a car accident, but you’re at the at-fault party? First off, don’t assume you’re at fault.
Even if you hit the other vehicle, they may be partially liable. Perhaps their tail lights were out, or maybe they were speeding. It’s the cop’s and insurance adjusters’ job to determine liability.
Whatever you do, don’t apologize or accept responsibility for the crash. Prematurely accepting responsibility can make life hard for your lawyer. You could wind up forfeiting money for your injuries, just because you got the story wrong.
Pedestrian Injuries
Personal injuries can happen on the sidewalks too. If you’re hit by a car while walking, you’ll want to seek medical attention immediately.
When pedestrian injuries occur, they’re usually more serious than normal car accidents. There’s a good chance you’ll suffer leg and head injuries. You should also report other damages such as broken bones or whiplash.
Dealing With Workplace Accidents
If you fall at work, get injured by equipment, or slip and fall on someone else’s property, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim.
Like car accidents, many employees mistakenly think their injuries are too minor for legal action. This is never true! If your job duties required you to lift boxes all day, but the company didn’t provide you with the right equipment or training, they may be liable for your injuries.
If you were injured at work, get in touch with an attorney immediately. They’ll help you determine if you’re entitled to damages like lost wages and medical expenses. When filing a work-related personal injury claim, it’s common to file both state and federal claims.
Your employer might assume “worker’s comp” will cover your injuries. However, worker’s comp doesn’t always handle everything. In many cases, victims are entitled to compensation from their employers as well as traditional health insurance providers.
Accidents That Happen to Customers
Were you injured while visiting a business? If so, you might be able to file a personal injury claim against the owner or operator.
For example, let’s say you’re at a restaurant, and a server trips and dumps an entire tray of hot drinks on you. The restaurant owners could be liable for your injuries, even though they didn’t directly cause them.
When you’re visiting another business, the premises are legally required to provide a safe environment for customers and visitors. If an accident occurs due to poorly lit stairs or faulty equipment, that business might be liable.
Malpractice Injuries
Are you dealing with an injury, and you think a doctor is to blame? If yes, you might be looking at a medical malpractice claim.
If your doctor fails to diagnose a serious illness, and you suffer permanent injuries as a result, you may be eligible to file a malpractice claim.
Most doctors keep up with their state’s rules and regulations.
However, it only takes one mistake to cause life-altering damage or death. With that said, most people who suffer from medical malpractice are entitled to significant damages.
Tips for Hiring an Attorney
So far, we’ve been discussing the different types of personal injury claims. As you can see, having an attorney in your corner will make the claim process much easier. However, that’s only if you find the right person to fight for your rights.
How can you be sure you’re hiring an attorney worth your time? Simple. Interview at least 3 attorneys before making your choice.
Ask them questions, and see how they respond.
Do their answers sound rehearsed or canned? Does the attorney seem confident in his abilities and knowledge of the law? If their answers aren’t satisfactory, meet with someone else.
It’s also important to consider the attorney’s success rate and their previous clients’ opinions. Were they happy with how he or she handled their case? Did they receive compensation for their injuries? If you can’t find any reviews online, ask around for referrals instead.
Paying for a Lawyer
If you’re worried about affording a lawyer, don’t be. When it comes to personal injury cases, a lot of attorneys are willing to work with their clients. Some will offer a free consultation, while others won’t charge you a dime until they win your case.
In addition to that, many law firms take on injury cases on a contingency basis. This means that the attorney only gets paid if he or she wins your case. In other words, you’re never financially responsible for his or her fees.
Recovering After Being Injured in an Accident
As you can see, if you were injured in an accident, the sooner you file your claim, the better off you’ll be. Go ahead and set up a few interviews with lawyers in your area today.
Remember to ask them all of your questions, and keep searching until you find a good fit. Once you have a legal expert fighting for your rights, you’ll feel much better about your financial future. We hope you recover quickly from your injuries! Please feel free to explore the rest of our site.