Personal Injury Lawyer

Do I Always Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. An experienced personal injury lawyer can examine the facts of your case, go over your rights and alternatives, and represent you if necessary, at hearings and in court. Personal injury cases can become quite complex. There are countless factors that a plaintiff will need to establish, which will require collecting specific evidence from a combination of different sources like professionals and law enforcement. Therefore, the best way to prepare for a solid personal injury case is to hire a personal injury attorney.

Every day, people suffer injuries because of someone else’s recklessness or negligence. Personal injury lawyers intend to hold the at-fault party responsible for the losses and damages incurred. In many cases, the injured person files a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company to recover damages, including lost income, medical costs, and emotional distress or pain and suffering. If the insurance company offers a low settlement, a personal injury attorney can negotiate a more reasonable settlement or file a lawsuit to compensate you fairly for your injuries.

Types of Personal Injury Cases

Wrongful Death

A wrongful death claim or lawsuit is possible when a person is killed as the result of someone else’s negligence. Losing a family member or loved one is always a very tragic and painful experience. The victim’s family is often left dealing with the emotional and financial burden of their loss and is entitled to compensation from the responsible party.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is sudden damage to the brain caused by a blow or jolt to the head. Common causes include car or motorcycle crashes, falls, sports injuries, and assaults. Injuries can range from mild concussions to severe permanent brain damage.

Slip & Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents often occur due to hazardous conditions on someone else’s property. These accidents can result in injuries and personal injury lawyers can assist with lawsuits to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and the physical and emotional suffering experienced by the victim.

Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are some of the most painful and devastating injuries you can ever sustain – and burns often require hospitalization, surgery, and long-term inpatient care in a burn center for specialized treatment. If you or someone you love sustained burn injuries due to negligence or wrongful action, the law may entitle you to receive compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and physical and mental suffering.

Train/Subway Accidents

Train accidents can result from a variety of factors, including equipment failure, track defects, or operator error. These accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries. Personal injury cases related to train accidents aim to provide compensation for the injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering experienced by victims and their families.

Cruise Ship Accidents

There are a wide range of negligent conditions (slip and fall, food poisoning, pool and water slide) that can take place on a cruise ship and may indicate that you are entitled to recover compensation for your injuries.

Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect cases

Your loved ones are entitled to be protected against Abuse and Neglect. Common signs of Abuse and Neglect are Bed Sores, Falls, and Dehydration and Malnutrition.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

In the United States, personal injury cases stemming from various modes of transportation, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, and other vehicles, are alarmingly common. These incidents often trace their roots back to the negligence of another driver or operator. It’s worth emphasizing that even what might initially seem like minor accidents can result in the need for prolonged medical care and create significant financial burdens. Lawsuits related to personal injury cases arising from motor vehicle accidents aim to secure compensation for an array of expenses, including immediate medical bills, future healthcare costs, lost earnings, and the physical and emotional distress experienced by the injured individual.

Car Accidents

Car accidents are among the most common types of personal injury cases in the United States. These accidents often result from the negligence of another motorist. It is crucial to note that even seemingly minor accidents can lead to long-term medical care and financial burdens. Personal injury lawsuits related to car accidents aim to secure compensation for immediate medical bills and future medical expenses, lost wages, and the physical and emotional suffering endured.

Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can be particularly devastating due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks. These accidents may result from various factors, including driver fatigue, inadequate maintenance, or unsafe loading practices. Personal injury lawsuits related to truck accidents seek compensation for the injuries sustained and the associated damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents pose unique risks to riders, given the lack of protective enclosures. Injuries from motorcycle accidents can be severe and life-altering. A personal injury lawyer can assist with cases related to motorcycle accidents and aim to provide compensation for the immediate and long-term medical expenses, lost wages, and the physical and emotional suffering endured by the victim.

Bus Accidents

Bus accidents can result in injuries to passengers, pedestrians, or occupants of other vehicles. These accidents can occur due to various factors, such as driver negligence, poor maintenance, or adverse weather conditions. Personal injury lawsuits related to bus accidents seek compensation for injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering.

Bike Accidents

Bike accidents can lead to serious injuries, often due to the vulnerability of cyclists on the road. These accidents may involve collisions with vehicles or hazardous road conditions. Personal injury cases related to bike accidents aim to secure compensation for immediate and future medical expenses, lost wages, and the physical and emotional suffering endured by the cyclist.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents occur when individuals on foot are involved in collisions with vehicles. These accidents can have severe consequences, and personal injury lawsuits seek compensation for the injuries sustained, medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering.

Workplace Accidents

Workplace accidents can lead to injuries that require compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits. Personal injury lawsuits in workplace accident cases aim to secure compensation for injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering.

Medical Expenses

You are entitled to receive reimbursement for the medical bills you incurred to treat your accident injuries.

Examples of medical expenses that a personal injury lawyer can help you with:

– Medical bills for physicians, hospitals, and other medical providers
– Emergency room and ambulance bills
– Over-the-counter and prescription medications
– Home health care costs
– Long-term nursing care
– Cost of surgery and therapy
– Medical supplies, equipment, and devices
– Mobility equipment

Loss of Income

Your injury may prevent you from returning to work during your recovery. If so, you are entitled to reimbursement for all loss of income while you are out of work.

Income includes, but is not limited to:

– Salary
– Commissions
– Hourly wages
– Overtime
– Bonuses
– Tips
– Self-employment income

As with medical expenses, if you sustain a permanent impairment that prevents you from working, your personal injury lawyer could help you recover compensation for future lost wages.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Out-of-pocket expenses encompass a broad category that includes all other costs you incur because of the accident or injury. The costs must be reasonable and necessary.

For example, you could include the travel expense to and from medical appointments, such as mileage or public transportation costs. You could also include the cost of paying someone to cut your grass or clean your home if your injuries prevent you from performing these tasks.

Compensatory Damages for Non-Economic Losses

When you file a claim for non-economic damages, it may include:

– Permanent disabilities and impairments
– Mental anguish and trauma
– Scarring and disfigurement
– Physical pain and discomfort
– Emotional distress and suffering
– Loss of enjoyment of life
– A decrease in your overall quality of life
– Loss of consortium

The value of non-economic damages can be challenging to calculate. Unlike economic damages, there is no receipt, bill, or invoice telling you how much the damages are worth.

Many courts and insurance providers use a multiplier method to calculate pain and suffering damages. They’ll generally multiply your economic damages by a number between 1.5 and five.

For example, if your economic damages total $100,000, the value of your non-economic damages could be two, three, or four times that amount.
The multiplier used to calculate the value depends on the facts of the case, such as:

– Whether you sustained permanent impairments or disabilities
– The severity and type of your injuries
– Your overall health and age
– The duration of your recovery
– Your lifestyle and quality of life before the injury
– Whether you sustained scarring or disfigurement
– How your injuries impact your daily life

Generally, the more severe the injuries, the higher the multiplier. It is presumed that catastrophic injuries and permanent disabilities cause more pain and suffering for the individual.

However, everyone suffers in their own way. Your personal injury lawyer should document your damages to create a narrative that maximizes both types of damages.

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