There are many instances where one may need to consult with personal injury attorneys. However, the most common personal injury cases are related to car accidents. If you suffer personal damage from an accident due to another person’s negligence, you ought to have compensation for the pain and suffering you have gone through. Filing a personal injury accident claim with your attorney will ensure you get a reasonable settlement. This means contacting an attorney is not something to debate whether to do or not.
When looking for a personal injury attorney auto accident, first check their track record with previous cases. If they have managed to get a good settlement for their previous clients, you can be confident they can do that for you as well. Considering how personal injury case law is complex, you will need someone who can help you collect evidence to support your case. Most people are often told to gather evidence immediately after an accident through photography and taking witnesses’ information. However, not everyone is in a position to do that. At times you are too injured and need to get to the hospital immediately. With a lawyer on your side, they will help gather this information to help with your settlement.
There are several different types of personal injury cases, but the two most common personal injury claims involve either car accidents or some form of medical malpractice. These cases can range from (comparatively) minor injuries to life-changing difficulties. Here are some facts and examples of these two types of personal injury claims.
Car Accidents and Examples
Facts: There is a person injured in a drunk driving crash every two minutes. These injuries could involve small cuts and bruises, but may include loss of limb or even life. In 2013, there were about over 21,000 people that were killed in traffic vehicle crashes. In the same year, over 2 million were injured. Over 3,000 of those deaths and 400,000 of those injuries were the result of distracted drivers.
Example: Pretend you’re 18 years old. You see a man pulled over on the side of the road with a flat tire, so you pull over yourself and decide to give the man a hand. While you’re changing the tire, a drunk driver hits you and breaks your right leg, virtually shattering your ankle. You spend the next year in the hospital, and the recovery is never complete. You walk with a permanent limp, and if you’re on your feet for more than a few hours at a time your ankle causes you massive pain.
Medical Malpractice and Examples
Facts: An error in medical diagnosis makes up almost half (46%) of all medical malpractice claims. These cases typically take a lengthy amount of time. The average injured patient waits between 16 and 17 months before filing a lawsuit. Once filed, it can take another 27 months to be resolved. This resolution may come from a jury’s verdict or a negotiated personal injury settlement. Surgical errors make up the majority of medical malpractice suits, accounting for 34% of all claims.
Example: Medical malpractice can take on any number of forms, and has the potential to be very serious. Surgery is a very difficult and stressful occupation, and it’s not uncommon for surgeons to cope using drugs or alcohol. If a surgeon is under the effects of either during the surgery, however, that is certainly a case for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Another example would be operating on the wrong body part — you go in needing bypass surgery and leave with your appendix removed.
Unsure? Consult a personal injury lawyer.
If you’re unsure if you have proper grounds for your personal injury claims, don’t be afraid to ask a personal injury attorney. Automobile accidents are a bit easier to determine if you have a case, but medical malpractice can get complicated. Consulting professional lawyers can clear up any questions you may have.