PERSONAL INJURIES

Being injured in an accident is always a stressful and challenging experience. You may wonder about your legal options if you've been injured because of someone else's negligence. Personal injury law exists to help people who have been injured due to the negligence of others. Personal injury lawyers work with their clients to get them the compensation they deserve for their damages. Settlement for personal injuries can include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, it's essential to seek legal guidance as soon as possible to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Common Personal Injuries that Need Legal Guidance

Many people are concerned about getting hurt in an accident and how they will pay their medical bills. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1-44. That's why it's important to know what common personal injuries are.

Animal Bites (Dog Bites)

Animal bites are, unfortunately, prevalent personal injuries. Though most bites occur from dogs, cat bites can be just as dangerous. Animal bites can often cause infection, comprising over 15% of all emergency room visits for wounds annually. Most of these infections are Pasteurella multocida bacteria, but many other bacteria can be present in an animal's mouth. These bacteria can cause severe infection and sometimes even death if not treated quickly and adequatel

Life-Changing Personal Injuries

A life-changing personal injury can happen to anyone at any time. It can result from a car accident, a slip and fall, or even an act of violence. Regardless of how it occurs, a life-changing injury can profoundly impact every aspect of a person's life. In addition to the physical pain and suffering, victims often face enormous financial burdens. They may be unable to work, leading to lost wages and mounting medical bills. The emotional toll can be just as severe, causing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice is a term used to describe personal injuries that occur due to the negligence of a medical professional. While the exact definition of medical malpractice can vary from state to state, it generally includes any recklessness, carelessness, or intentional wrongdoing by a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare providers. This can include errors made during diagnosis, treatment, or surgery and failure to obtain informed consent from patients before performing procedures.

upset man in a scrub suit due to personal injuries caused by medical malpractice

Premises Liability

You may have a premises liability claim when you are injured due to someone else's negligence. These injuries can occur anywhere, from a friend's house to a grocery store. To win your case, you must prove that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and did not take steps to fix it or warn you about it. If you were injured at a grocery store, you would have to prove that the store employees knew or should have known about the spill in aisle four and failed to clean it up or put up a warning sign.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of personal injuries in the United States. Thousands of people are injured or killed in car crashes every year, and many more are left dealing with the aftermath. While some accidents are unavoidable, many result from careless or dangerous driving.

black cop retrieving victim clothes from a car crash that involves personal injuries

Product Defect Accidents

Many people think of personal injuries as caused by car accidents or falls, but other types of accidents can also lead to serious injuries. One type of accident that is often overlooked is a product defect accident. These accidents can occur when a consumer uses a defective product in some way, which can often be severe. Product defect accidents can happen in many different ways, but they all have one thing in common: they are caused by someone else's negligence.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and Fall Accidents are a type of personal injury that can occur when someone slips, trips, or falls due to a dangerous condition on another person's property. These accidents can often be caused by wet floors, poor lighting, stairway defects, etc. Slip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries like broken bones, head injuries, and even death in some cases.

Toxic Exposure

Toxic exposure injuries can happen to anyone. They occur when you are exposed to a harmful substance, such as asbestos or lead. This exposure can occur at work, at home, or even in your backyard. Toxic exposure injuries can cause various health problems, including cancer, respiratory illnesses, and congenital disabilities.

woman in a black dress grieving her loved one's death due to personal injuries

Wrongful Death

A wrongful death occurs when someone dies due to the negligence or recklessness of another person or entity. Wrongful death claims can be complex, and experienced personal injury lawyer often handle them. To have a successful wrongful death claim, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant’s actions were the cause of the decedent’s death. The plaintiff must also show that the decedent would have had a claim for personal injuries if they had not died.

Who is Protected by

Personal Injury Law?

Everyone has been the victim of personal injury, whether a trip and fall accident or a car wreck. And while most people know that they can seek compensation for their injuries, they may not be aware of who else is protected by personal injury law. For example, did you know that if a defective product injures you, you may be able to sue the manufacturer? Or if you're hurt while on the job, may you be able to file a workers' compensation claim? The fact is, personal injury law is comprehensive and covers a wide range of potential victims.

What are the Requirements
for Filing a Lawsuit?

Filing a lawsuit can be a complicated and confusing process. Many requirements must be met for a case to go to court. First, you must have a valid reason for filing a lawsuit, known as "standing." This means you must have suffered some harm or injury due to the defendant's actions. Second, you must file your lawsuit within the statute of limitations, which is the deadline for filing a particular type of case. Third, you must have exhausted all other dispute resolution avenues, such as mediation or arbitration. Finally, you must prove that the defendant is liable, meaning that they are legally responsible for the harm you have suffered. If you meet all of these requirements, you may have grounds for filing a lawsuit.

Reasons Why Hire a
Personal Injury Attorney

Many people are reluctant to hire a personal injury attorney, thinking they can handle their case independently. However, there are several good reasons to seek legal assistance after an accident.

Understand whether or not you have a personal injury case.

When you are injured in an accident, it can be challenging to know whether or not you have a personal injury case. After all, there are many different types of accidents and injuries, and the laws vary from state to state. This is where a personal injury lawyer can help. A personal injury lawyer will review the facts of your case and advise you on the best course of action.

Pursue compensation for personal injuries.

Have you recently suffered a personal injury? Whether it was due to a car accident, a slip and fall, or something else, you may feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do next. Fortunately, a personal injury lawyer can help. Personal injury lawyers are specially trained to deal with cases involving injuries, and they can provide invaluable assistance as you pursue personal injury settlements.

Guide you in meeting the statute of limitations.

A personal injury defense lawyer will guide you through the process of filing a claim and help ensure that your rights are protected. They will also work with you to gather evidence and build a strong case for compensation. Perhaps most importantly, a personal injuries lawyer will keep track of the statute of limitations for your case.

Hold the appropriate parties responsible.

An experienced attorney will be able to review your case and help you understand your legal options. In many cases, victims of accidents are entitled to monetary compensation for their injuries. This compensation can come from the at-fault party's insurance company or, in some cases, from the at-fault party directly. Personal injury lawyers are experienced in negotiating with insurance companies and, if necessary, taking cases to trial.

Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

The Type of Personal Injuries

Many types of personal injuries can occur, each with a different statute of limitations. For example, if you suffer a slip and fall injury, you generally have up to two years from the accident date to file a claim. If you are injured in a car accident, you generally have three years from the accident date to file a claim. And if you suffer a workplace injury, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. The type of personal injury you suffer will determine how much time you have to file a claim.

Age of the Parties Involved

In many jurisdictions, the age of the parties involved is a statute of limitation in personal injury law. This means that if someone is injured by another person when they are both under the age of 18, they have until they reach the age of 18 to file a claim. After that, their case will generally be barred. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but they are rare. This law protects defendants from being held liable for injuries that occurred when they were children.

Claims Against the Government

In the United States, there is a time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit against the government, called a statute of limitations. This law prevents indefinite delays in seeking compensation for an injury and protects the government from having to defend itself against frivolous claims.

The statute of limitations varies from state to state, but it is typically two to four years after the date of the injury. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as when the injury was caused by fraud or intentional wrongdoing. Suppose you have been injured due to the negligence of a government employee or entity. In that case, it is essential to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to determine if you have a valid claim.

When the Injury was Covered

Have you ever wondered how long you must file a personal injury claim? Most people know that there is such a statute of limitations, but they're not always sure what it entails. The statute of limitations is the time you have to file a lawsuit after you've been injured. This time limit exists because, as time goes on, it becomes more and more challenging to prove your injuries occurred due to someone else's negligence. Witnesses move, memories fade, and evidence disappears. For these reasons, taking action as soon as possible is vital if you've been injured.

Things to Consider in
Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

When you've been injured in an accident, the thought of dealing with insurance companies and legal proceedings can be overwhelming. You may be tempted to try to handle everything on your own, but this is usually not a good idea. Personal injury cases can be complex, and the stakes are high. That's why it's essential to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side.

Here are a few things to consider when hiring a personal injury lawyer:

Reputable Background and Experience

You want to be sure that your injury lawyer has a good reputation. This means they should have a clean, professional record. Furthermore, they should have plenty of experience handling cases like yours. Ideally, they will have worked with clients who have had similar injuries to you. This way, you can be confident that they know what they're doing.

Legit Professional Record

In addition to a good reputation, you'll also want to ensure that your personal injury lawyer has a legit professional record. This means checking if they're licensed to practice in your state. Furthermore, you'll want to see if they have any disciplinary actions against them. You can typically find this information on the state bar website.

Trusted Reviews and Testimonials

black and white typewriter on a white table with the word “Review” on the paper

Another essential factor to consider is whether or not the personal injury lawyer has any trusted reviews and testimonials. These can give you insights into what it's like to work with them. Furthermore, it can help you gauge their success rate. Look for reviews on third-party websites like Google and Yelp.

Just Verdicts and Settlements

It's also important to consider the personal injury lawyer's record of verdicts and settlements. This will give you an idea of their success rate in court. Furthermore, it will give you an idea of how much money they've been able to get for their clients. Look for data on their website or ask them for specific numbers during your consultation.

Initial Consultation

personal injury lawyers discussing a personal injury case

Finally, take advantage of the initial consultation that most personal injury lawyers offer. This is usually a free service that allows you to meet with the lawyer and get a feel for their personality and approach to cases like yours. It's great to see if you're comfortable working with them before committing.

Let Us Help You Get the Legal Guidance You Deserve!

If you've been injured in an accident, you know how overwhelming the aftermath can be. Medical bills start to pile up, and you may be out of work for weeks or even months. The last thing you want to deal with is a complex legal case. But that's where we come in.

Our lawyers have years of experience handling cases of personal injuries at OUCH USA. We'll take care of the paperwork and the negotiations so you can focus on your recovery. And if we can't get you a fair settlement, we're not afraid to take your case to court. So call us today at +1-844-872-6824 or email us at hello@ouchusa.com for a free consultation. Let us help you get the legal guidance you deserve.