Accidents happen every single day. When you suffer injuries in an accident caused by another party, you may have the opportunity to pursue compensation for your related losses and expenses. When you need assistance with your claim for compensation, seek representation from a skilled personal injury attorney.
What Is a Personal Injury Claim?
Personal injury law, also called tort law, is the area of law governing situations resulting in physical and mental harm. When you’re hurt due to another party’s negligent or intentional actions, you can seek justice and financial recovery by filing a personal injury claim.
The 10 Most Significant Kinds of Personal Injury Claims
Personal injury attorneys see a wide variety of injury claims every single day. The following are just 10 of the most important types.
1. Car Accidents
Car accidents happen on a daily basis for many reasons. Oftentimes, collisions are the result of dangerous driving behaviors, including:
- Driver inattention
- Fatigued driving
- Driving under the influence
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Failure to yield
- Violation of road rules
Vehicular collisions can also happen due to hazardous road conditions, inclement weather, and defects or malfunctions.
2. Truck Accidents
Like car accidents, trucking collisions happen quite frequently. Truck accidents are often caused by many of the same causes as auto collisions, including speeding, distracted driving, and aggressive driving. Additionally, because of the nature of the trucking industry, fatigue and substance abuse are significant issues, resulting in accidents.
Truck accident cases can be a bit trickier to handle concerning liability. Many parties can share liability for a trucking collision, including truck drivers, trucking companies, and cargo loaders, among many others.
Accidents involving large trucks also frequently result in more severe injuries. Because of their significant size and weight, trucks can cause much more physical harm, like traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. The more extensive the injuries, the more damages an accident victim can pursue for medical care and financial losses.
3. Motorcycle Collisions
Motorcyclists are owed the same level of respect as others on the road. Yet motorcycle riders are constantly involved in collisions, often due to driver negligence, including speeding, inattention, and aggressive driving. Additionally, road hazards and dangerous conditions can easily throw a motorcyclist off balance.
Motorcycle collisions regularly result in serious injuries for motorcyclists, as motorcycles do not protect riders in an accident. Common motorcycle accident injuries include road rash, crush injuries, and broken bones.
4. Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians often face risks as they walk down the street. Like car and truck accidents, pedestrian accidents are frequently the result of driver inattention, violation of road rules, and failure to yield.
Getting struck by a vehicle can leave a pedestrian facing extensive injuries. Pedestrian accident injuries include head injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries. In addition, pedestrian injuries can lead to complications, including paralysis and the need for amputation.
5. Slip and Falls
Slip and fall accidents usually occur when a person slips or trips on a hazard on another’s property. Falls are often the result of:
- Wet, slippery floors
- Loose tiles and floorboards
- Lifted, wrinkled rugs or carpeting
- Objects left on walkways
- Poor lighting
- Defective or missing handrails, guardrails, and banisters
- Cracked, uneven pavement
Slips and falls can happen inside or outside. It is a property owner’s responsibility to ensure their property is free from dangers that could result in serious falls and injuries.
6. Premises Liability Incidents
Under premises liability laws, property owners and occupiers have a duty to properly maintain their properties to fix or avoid potential hazards. Slip and falls are just one example of premises liability accidents, with other accidents including elevator and escalator accidents and swimming pool accidents, among others.
Injuries resulting from negligent security also fall under premises liability incidents. When a property is not adequately supervised, individuals may fall victim to crimes like assault.
7. Dog Bites
Dog owners are responsible for their dogs’ actions. When owners fail to maintain control over their pets, they’re much more likely to cause harm to unsuspecting victims.
Dog bite incidents are dangerous, as injuries can lead to serious health complications. Victims may experience infections, nerve damage, and permanent scarring or disfigurement.
8. Construction Accidents
Construction sites are inherently dangerous places. Therefore, accidents can happen at any moment.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the top four hazards on construction sites include:
- Falls from heights
- Getting struck by an object
- Getting caught in or between equipment
- Electrocutions
Victims of construction accidents can suffer a wide variety of injuries, from burns and broken bones to brain and back injuries. Construction workers are often left disabled after these accidents.
9. Workplace Incidents
Individuals spend a grand majority of their lives at work. During this time, you may experience an accident and suffer injuries. While employees in certain industries are more at risk for harm, including construction and factory workers, employees in any occupation can sustain injuries in the workplace.
Employees can suffer injuries caused by accidents, like head, neck, or back injuries. However, employees may also sustain injuries due to repetitive and excessive motions that strain certain body parts, including carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and bursitis.
An injured worker protected by workers’ compensation insurance can file a claim for benefits and compensation, including medical expenses and wage replacement. While workers’ comp protects employees from liability, employees may have the opportunity to file personal injury claims against third parties responsible for their injuries.
10. Wrongful Death
A wrongful death occurs when a victim passes away because of another party’s negligent or intentional action. Wrongful death claims fall under the category of personal injury. These claims allow the victim’s family to pursue compensation for the monetary and non-monetary losses they’ve experienced from their loved one’s death.
Wrongful deaths commonly result from other types of personal injury cases, including:
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
- Premises liability incidents
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
Similar to every kind of personal injury claim, a victim’s family has limited time to take legal action against the responsible party. A personal injury lawyer can provide guidance and direction to assist in obtaining full and fair financial recovery.
A Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
Suffering an injury can be physically and mentally challenging. You may face a long road to recovery, and your injuries may impact your life and lifestyle in the short or long term. Fortunately, a skilled personal injury lawyer can take on your case. You don’t have to navigate the process alone.
The personal injury attorneys at Schiff & Associates have extensive experience handling a wide variety of injury cases. We protect our clients’ rights and fight aggressively for favorable compensation. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation with a skilled personal injury lawyer.