When someone’s hurt in a car accident, slip and fall incident, or some other traumatic event, the real suffering occurs during the recovery stage. It’s not always possible to get back to normal. Sometimes, a new normal is the best and most realistic outcome after a long recovery process.
It can be stressful visiting doctors, specialists, and other healthcare providers to get help. And the process can take weeks, months, or longer — requiring lots of financial resources. That’s one reason it makes sense to consult a personal injury lawyer after getting injured.
According to the National Safety Council, the U.S. experienced 62 million injuries, 224,935 preventable deaths, and related costs of over $1.2 trillion in 2021.
Whether you, a family member, or someone else you know suffers a personal injury, getting help is vital.
Keep reading to see four types of personal injury cases — and how a lawyer can help you.
- Car Accident Cases
Motor vehicle collisions account for many personal injury cases. If hurt in a car accident, you can potentially file a claim whether a driver, passenger, or pedestrian. You likely know someone who has been involved in a vehicle accident — and you might have personal experience. The mental, physical, and emotional trauma after a collision can be life-altering.
A reputable personal injury lawyer will review the facts, speak to witnesses, find an accident reconstruction specialist if required, and build you a solid case to get compensation.
- Dog Bite Cases
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 4.5 million people find themselves on the receiving end of dog bites annually. Of that total, 800,000+ require medical attention because of the dog bites. It’s not just the physical injuries, either, as many victims are traumatized following a dog bite.
While not all dog bites meet the standard for personal injury cases, serious bites can. A personal injury lawyer will determine, based on the particulars of your situation, if a case is possible.
- Slip and Fall Cases
Around 3 million seniors in the U.S. suffer falls each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that works out to more than 25% of older adults. Yet less than 50% of them inform their doctors. The CDC adds that north of 800,000 people annually are hospitalized due to a fall injury.
If you know anyone who has suffered a slip or fall, you know the injuries can be severe. While injuries are often merely bumps and bruises that quickly heal, older adults can suffer more serious accidents like broken hips or head injuries that can leave them compromised physically.
Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere. If a property owner fails to maintain their grounds and you fall and injure yourself as a result, you may have grounds for a personal injury case. It can also happen in the workplace or in a retail store.
- Workplace Accidents Cases
Work-related medically consulted injuries added up to 4.53 million in 2022. Meanwhile, the number of avoidable work fatalities totaled 4,695 in 2022, up 5% year-over-year. Workplace accident types include trips and falls, falls from heights, electrocution, overexertion, collapsed structures, lifting, and burns.
A workplace injury might force you to take an extended absence from work, which can add a financial burden if you have difficulty paying your rent, mortgage, or other things. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer is vital since you’ll know what compensation is available. You’ll also have funds to pay for whatever help you need to get back on your feet.
These are four personal injury case types to be aware of. If injured in an accident, your best bet is to speak to a legal professional who can let you know if you have grounds to file a case. You’ll learn about the process, your options, and how to get the compensation required.
