The phrase “Have you been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault?” is commonplace in ads for personal injury lawyers. It’s very broad and vague on its own and can have people questioning whether their personal experience actually counts. Is compensation a possibility after all?
Personal injury cases revolve around two main points. First, there’s the fact that an injury occurred and that it caused pain and suffering in some form. Second, that injury and the circumstances of the accident must be down to someone else’s negligence. Let’s start by looking at the types of accidents people claim for before looking at the types of injuries.
What Accidents Count In Personal Injury Cases?
The short answer here is a surprising amount. Some people may assume that personal injury is all about slipping over in the workplace or dealing with negligent drivers, but there’s far more to it than that. Personal injury lawyers can help you make a case when dealing with any of the following situations.
Vehicular Accidents
Car accidents are the ones that first come to mind when thinking about personal injury cases. Drivers hit by other motorists due to negligence on the road can file a claim if they can prove the other driver was at fault. The same is true for other vehicles, such as trucks and boats. Also, pedestrians struck by cars and buses can file claims, as can cyclists hit by inattentive drivers. There are even lawyers working on cases involving trains.
Slip and Fall
Then there are the common slip-and-fall cases, where people claim for injuries sustained when falling on someone else’s property. That could be a wet floor or damaged staircase on commercial property or even an icy sidewalk on city property. Those responsible are liable if they knowingly have a dangerous area with no attempt to fix the problem or warning signs.
Workers Compensation
Workers can claim against employers for slip and fall cases when working in dangerous environments, especially if they aren’t given the right training or safety equipment for the task at hand. There is also a wide variety of other situations where the negligence of employers can lead to employee injuries. These range from injuries caused by equipment to contact with electricity or dangerous chemicals.
Dog Bites
It can be a surprise to learn that you can also claim for injuries caused by animal bites. Dog bites are the most common, simply because of the number of protective and uncontrolled dogs around. Owners who aren’t in control of their dog at the time may be liable.
Nursing Home Abuse
A final example here is sadly more common now with the growing elderly population and poor funding in care homes. Nursing home residents who experience injuries or suffering due to the actions of carers are entitled to help. Family members can claim on their behalf and help highlight problems that may get swept under the rug.
What Injuries Count In Personal Injury Cases?
The other factor that can make victims unsure about taking legal action is the nature of the injury. Some people believe that an injury has to be severe, with significant physical damage, to make a case worthwhile. That isn’t the case at all. As long as you can prove that an injury caused by someone else’s negligence caused pain and suffering, you can make a claim. It doesn’t even have to be physical suffering. Here are some examples of ways an experienced Southfield injury lawyer can help:
Back and Neck Issues
These are some of the most frequent injuries claimed for via injury lawyers. Slip and fall accidents and vehicular accidents, in particular, have a high likelihood due to blunt force trauma to these areas, herniated discs, muscle damage, and whiplash. Injuries leading to an inability to work, mobility issues, and pain management have a higher chance of higher compensation payouts because of financial, physical, and emotional trauma.
Limb Damage
It’s a similar story with limb damage. Some accidents will cause small-scale sprains and lacerations, such as minor workplace incidents or dog bites. This still counts if there is clear proof of pain, medical bills, or other related issues. Serious accidents involving broken bones and life-changing injuries, such as limb loss, can lead to higher awards because of the impact.
Brain Injury
Brain injuries are also applicable here. The damage may not be as obvious physically, but there are clear signs of trauma through related conditions such as concussions, chronic headaches, or personality changes. Serious brain injury can also mean a loss of earnings and high medical bills while dealing with all the tests and treatments. These brain injuries could come from any of the issues raised above.
Depression
It isn’t just physical health issues that count when claiming for personal injury. The crucial term here is pain and suffering, which can also mean suffering through emotional trauma and mental health issues. Depression is a common secondary factor following accidents and injuries. The inability to work due to an injury can cause severe anguish and a loss of self-esteem. The same is true when dealing with physical disfigurements or the impact of life-altering conditions.
Anxiety and PTSD
In addition to depression, there are also cases of anxiety and deeper issues of PTSD. Anxiety is understandable when returning to work after an incident, getting back in a car after a crash, or being around dogs after a bite. This could make it harder to continue everyday life in the same way, leading to knock-on effects on income, social situations, and general well-being. Serious and traumatic workplace accidents and crashes can also lead to debilitating cases of PTSD.
If In Doubt, Ask A Professional.
The point here is that with so many types of injuries qualifying in personal injury cases and so many types of accidents claimed for, it’s worthwhile seeing if you could make a claim. The worst thing that can happen is that a local injury lawyer looks at your case and says no. The best thing that can happen is they say yes, help you build a case, and get you significant financial compensation. That money could help with the debt caused by a loss of earnings, medical bills, or other expenses. The win could help others in similar situations. So, give your local firm a call and get started.
