No one expects to be injured in a preventable accident. If you’ve found yourself in this unenviable position, you probably have a lot of questions. Below, we answer some of the most common questions we hear from personal injury victims – and some of the answers may surprise you. For more information, reach out to a personal injury lawyer near you today.
Are Personal Injury Claims Common?
People are seriously injured on a daily basis in the United States. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 39.5 million accident injuries that lead to doctor’s visits and 29.2 million that result in visits to the ER. Some of the most common causes of nonfatal injuries include motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, and poisoning and overdose accidents.
What Accidents Can Lead to Personal Injury Claims?
A wide variety of accidents can lead to personal injury claims, and many claims result from incidents that you typically would not expect to result in serious injury. In addition to the three most-common listed above, incidents that can result in claims include bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, incidents caused by inadequate security, defective and dangerous product accidents, medical malpractice, violence, and nursing home neglect.
Can I Protect My Rights after an Injury-Causing Accident?
Many injury victims are surprised to learn that the things they say and do in the days and weeks after an accident can have an impact on the way their cases are resolved. Some of the steps you can take to protect your rights include calling 911, seeking medical treatment, taking photos and keeping notes about your recovery, following your treatment plan, and speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as you can.
What Damages Can Victims Seek?
Personal injury victims can seek compensation for both their economic and non-economic losses after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. Some damages that victims
commonly seek after a preventable accident include medical bills, future medical costs, current and future lost income, physical and emotional pain and suffering, and damages for permanent disfigurement and disability.
How Much is Your Claim Worth?
The value of personal injury claims can vary widely. For example, many car accident claims involve just a few thousand dollars, while those arising from more serious accidents can result in damages well into the millions.
Some of the factors that can influence the value of your claim include the extent and severity of your injuries, whether you missed work or will be able to return to your previous position, whether you develop PTSD or other emotional or psychological issues as a result of your injuries, whether you will have any permanent complications, and whether conduct that caused your accident was particularly egregious.
What Happens in the Personal Injury Claim Process?
The personal injury process involves a number of steps, and it can take months or even years to resolve claims. The process typically starts by consulting with a personal injury lawyer. Your attorney will then identify the liable parties, calculate your damages, and file an insurance claim. Then, your lawyer will likely try to negotiate a settlement agreement with the insurance company that covers your accident-related losses. If you and your attorney are unable to reach an agreement, your attorney will likely file a lawsuit in court. While your lawsuit is pending, you can still reach a settlement agreement; if you don’t, it’s likely that your case will proceed to trial.
Author information: Olivia Parker is the communications specialist and editor at Blair & Ramirez LLP, a personal injury law firm in Los Angeles. Olivia studied Communications at UCLA and has been writing about personal injury topics for more than five years.
