When people think of personal injury, they may envision a car accident or a slip and fall. However, there are many other potential scenarios that could give rise to a personal injury claim. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
When Does Personal Injury Happen?
A personal injury situation can happen at any time. Some common examples of personal injury include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Trip and fall accidents
- Dog bites
- Assault and battery
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
The most common personal injury cases happen as the result of car accidents. In fact, car accidents are the leading cause of personal injury claims in the United States. Other common causes of personal injury include slip and fall accidents, dog bites, and defective products.
What Are the Different Types of Personal Injury Claims?
There are two different types of personal injury claims: civil and criminal.
Civil Personal Injury
Civil personal injury claims are brought by the injured party in order to recover damages from the person who caused the injuries.
Criminal Personal Injury
Criminal personal injury claims, on the other hand, are filed by the state or federal government in order to punish the person who caused the injuries.
Which One Is Most Common
The vast majority of personal injury claims are civil in nature. The most common type of civil personal injury claim is a negligence claim.
In order to succeed on a negligence claim, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant owed them a duty of care, that the defendant breached that duty of care, and that the breach of duty was the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries.
What Are Some Examples of Personal Injury Damages?
There are many different types of damage that may be available in a personal injury case. Some of the most common types of damage include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages
How Do I Know If I Have a Personal Injury Claim?
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you may have a personal injury claim. The best way to determine whether or not you have a claim is to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. For example, an LA accident lawyer will be able to review the facts of your case and help you determine whether you have a claim and what type of damages you may be entitled to. So don’t hesitate to call your LA accident attorney today.
