7 Types Of Personal Injury Cases and What You Need To Know
What types of personal injury cases are most common? According to a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report, in 2018, there was an estimated 130 million emergency department (ED) visits in the U.S. An overwhelming majority of these visits are due to accidents causing unintentional injuries - often the result of negligent or reckless actions of others. If you were hurt in an accident that was another party's fault, you may seek compensation which can make a huge difference in your healing and recovery.
What Is A Personal Injury Case?
A personal injury claim is a civil claim for damages (money). A civil claim is different from a criminal case - where a person faces charges for a crime that may be punishable by jail time. A civil claim seeks money, commonly referred to as damages. In some cases, such as a road rage accident or a drunk driving accident, a driver may face both criminal charges and a civil case for damages. Types of damages available in a personal injury claim include medical expenses, lost earnings due to being unable to work, and pain and suffering.
Personal injury claims are part 'legal case', and, most of the time, part 'negotiation'. The majority of personal injury cases settle out of court. If you are involved in an accident and accept a quick personal injury settlement, you may not fully realize the extent of your injuries, and you may be given far less compensation than you deserve. It is always advisable to speak with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer before accepting any settlement offer.
7 Types Of Personal Injury Cases
If you or a loved one was injured in Georgia - and the accident was someone else's fault, you have legal rights to seek monetary compensation depending on the circumstances and nature of your accident. Below are the top seven types of personal injury cases we handle:
#1 Truck Accident Injuries
In 2020, there were over 4,000 fatalities in crashes involving large trucks. In 2019, the Governor's Office of Highway Safety In Georgia reported over 200 fatal crashes and over 150,000 injuries in Georgia resulting from collisions with large trucks. Trucking accidents can cause catastrophic injury or death - sometimes both - and severe damage to property. If you or a loved one was injured by a tractor-trailer, dump truck, cement mixer, tanker truck, or another type of commercial vehicle - it's important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney immediately.
#2 Car Accident Injury
There are more than 900 vehicle accidents every day in Georgia, many leading to serious injury or catastrophic loss. According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, there were 331,796 crashes reported in Georgia in 2020 (including 1,588 fatal crashes) and 404,0004 in 2019 (including 1,299 fatal crashes). Car accident injuries, including whiplash injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and broken bone injuries, are common types of injuries resulting from vehicle accidents.
#3 Medical Malpractice
Negligent care from health care professionals such as doctors, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, nurses, and pharmacists can result in serious injury or death. Medical malpractice claims can arise from birth injuries, surgical errors, misdiagnoses, prescription errors, and more. Patients often suffer life-altering injuries, such as brain damage, paralysis, severe disfigurement, and/or wrongful death.
#4 Slip and Fall Injury
A property owner or business owner may be liable for injuries resulting from their negligent maintenance or security. Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common types of premises liability claims. Claims may be filed against any property or business owner. We've handled lawsuits involving falls in supermarkets, restaurants, government buildings, hotels, and more.
#5 Injuries In The Workplace
According to the National Safety Council, medical expenses resulting from workplace injuries in 2019 were $35.5 billion. Workers in all industries are vulnerable to being injured on the job. In some instances, a claim may be filed against an employer. If a worker is injured by a defective piece of equipment or the negligence of a third party, a personal injury lawsuit can recover money against responsible parties.
#6 Wrongful Death
The loss of a loved one due to another's negligence is heartbreaking and devastating. A wrongful death claim is similar to a personal injury claim but pursues compensation for the loss - including what the victim would have earned over their lifetime to support their loved ones.
Hiring a lawyer right after an injury is probably not the first thing on your mind. But, securing prompt legal representation is incredibly smart, and ensures important evidence can be preserved, damage and expenses can be documented, and your lawyer can be there to help you through the whole post-injury procedures.
#7 Catastrophic Injury
Catastrophic injuries continue to be one of the worst types of accidents in Georgia and throughout the United States. These are often very costly, and we frequently see clients with medical bills in the millions due to one injury. Catastrophic injuries can happen anywhere and can result from a wide number of causes including car accidents, motorcycle wrecks, tractor-trailer collisions, dump truck crashes, pedestrian collisions, defective products, medical malpractice, and more.
How To Find An Attorney For A Personal Injury Case
Choosing a lawyer to represent you can be overwhelming. We recommend you look for a Georgia personal injury lawyer with:
- Proven case results handling personal injury cases
- Trial experience in the courtroom
- A practice dedicated to personal injury law
- Prompt communication and personal service
The personal injury lawyer you choose to represent you can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. The dedicated and experienced attorneys at The Graham Firm have recovered millions and are not afraid to take on challenging cases with complex liability issues. Whether your case is against an individual, small business, large corporation, or insurance giant, we will stand up for your rights.
In our free case consultation, we can help you understand your legal rights to pursue a personal injury claim. If we represent you, we will aggressively fight to recover the maximum financial compensation you may be entitled to. Because we handle all types of personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, we are paid nothing unless we recover money for you.
If you are considering a lawsuit, you do not have to be a legal expert or navigate Georgia's legal system alone. If you have questions about a potential personal injury case or would like to schedule a free consultation with one of the lawyers at The Graham Firm, contact us today. Because you have only a limited period of time to pursue injury claims, do not delay in reaching out to us.