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Your Personal Injury Questions Answered

Monday, January 4th, 2021
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Everyone has accidents from time to time. We try to prevent them as often as we can but there’s no way to avoid them entirely. Some accidents can be much more serious than others and will require medical attention. When these unfortunate incidents occur, the aftermath can be overwhelming.

When it comes to the personal injury process, some people might not know what their next steps should be. If you want to be proactive about finding information on this subject in the event that you have a personal injury in your future, or if you already have a personal injury claim but you aren’t sure how to pursue legal action, this article contains information that could be helpful to you. We’ll go over what your legal rights would be after an accident in which you were injured so that if it does occur, you will be prepared. The following are some frequently asked questions about personal injury cases.

How common are accidental injuries?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the following statistics regarding accidental injuries in one year in the US:

  • Accidental injuries leading to doctor’s visits: 39.5 million
  • Accidental injuries leading to ER visits: 29.2 million
  • Accidental injuries leading to death: 170 thousand

In the US, accidental injuries are the:

  • #3 leading cause of death for all ages
  • #1 leading cause of death for ages 1 – 44
  • #3 leading cause of death for ages 44 – 64
  • #7 leading cause of death for ages 65+

Some of the most common causes of fatal unintentional injuries include the following:

  • Motor Vehicle Accidents: 40,231
  • Slips & Falls: 36,338
  • Poisoning and Overdose: 64,795

Other common causes include fire and burns, suffocation, and firearm injuries.

These statistics prove that accidental injuries are quite common. This is why learning about personal injury cases can be beneficial. It is very likely that you or your loved ones may experience one of these kinds of accidents and may need to pursue legal action. Tens of millions of people experience accidental injuries every year and if you or someone you know becomes one of them, it is good to know what your options are.

What accidents lead to personal injury claims?

There are countless different kinds of accidents that happen every day to people of all ages. Legal claims can arise from many these of incidents, including:

  • Car accidents
  • Commercial truck accidents
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Medical malpractice
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Inadequate security
  • Dangerous products
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Violence
  • Slips and falls
  • Nursing home neglect

Accidental injuries can come from many different sources, not limited to the examples listed above. If you are unsure whether or not the kind of accident that you experienced qualifies you for a legal claim, you can seek counsel from a personal injury lawyer.

What should you do after a personal injury?

If you ever experience an accident and get injured, there are steps you can take after the fact that will protect your rights. This would include calling 911 after you’re injured and seeking medical attention as soon as possible. Take photos and notes about your condition so you don’t have to rely on your memory, and you’ll have evidence of the injury. Be sure to follow all treatment orders given by doctors after the accident. Then speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can advise you on what your next steps should be given your specific situation.

What damages can you seek for your injuries?

The point of a personal injury case is to obtain compensation for your losses. Damages can cover the following:

  • Medical bills
  • Future medical costs for ongoing treatment
  • Lost income
  • Future lost earnings
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional trauma
  • Permanent disabilities
  • Permanent disfigurement

Recovering from an injury is hard enough without worrying about your financial situation. Accidents can also cause permanent injury that affects the rest of your life. Pursuing a personal injury case can help alleviate that stress by getting compensation after the ordeal.

How much is your injury claim worth?

This depends on the details of your case. As you can see from the long list of different sources and kinds of accidents that can happen, there are a variety of factors that can contribute to the worth of a claim. The value of your claim is determined by answering of the following questions:

  • How serious were your injuries?
  • How extensive were your medical treatments and medical bills?
  • Did you miss work?
  • Can you return to your previous job?
  • Were your injuries particularly painful or restrictive?
  • Did you suffer PTSD or other psychological effects?
  • Were you left with lifelong impairments or disabilities as a result of your injuries?
  • Was the responsible party’s behavior particularly egregious?

How does the personal injury process work?

There are many stages of the personal injury process. First, consult with a trusted injury attorney. They can provide you with professional advice on how to proceed with your case. Next, identify all liable parties. Calculate all your damages, including medical bills, lost income, future lost earnings, etc. File the insurance claims correctly with the help of your attorney. Negotiate a favorable insurance settlement that appropriately compensates you given the damages that you have listed. Then, file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. There will be pretrial settlement negotiations, followed by a jury trial if a settlement agreement is not able to be reached during pretrial. Once the jury trial is completed, the personal injury process will be at an end.

Accidents of all kinds are extremely common for people of all ages. These accidents can cause difficult problems, some financial, some psychological, and some physical. For someone with any damages that came as a result of an accidental injury, they can pursue legal action in the form of a personal injury lawsuit. This can provide relief after the incident that can help with the healing process. By educating yourself about this now, you will be prepared if something goes wrong tomorrow.

If you find yourself needing an experienced personal injury attorney, call the law firm of Attorney Dean Boyd. Our Team has the knowledge and skills to get you the compensation you deserve. You can reach us at (806) 242-3333 or Contact Us by email.

 

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*The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. Viewing this information does not establish/constitute an attorney-client relationship with the law firm of Attorney Dean Boyd.