Common Types of Bodily Injury Claims

No one plans on being injured, and injuries can make everything in life more difficult, even routine daily living activities. The only thing worse than dealing with an injury is having to deal with an injury caused by someone else. 

A bodily injury creates stress and anxiety since most victims are worried about medical bills, loss of income, difficulties in carrying out daily living activities and interrupting your interaction with your family.  

Deciding whether to file a civil lawsuit is not a decision to be taken lightly. However, it is also not something that you can delay for too long a period of time. Deciding whether or not to pursue a claim and contacting an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible will enhance your chances of being treated fairly in your case.  

The determination as to whether your injury and the details surrounding its cause will qualify you for a valid claim is a determination that only personal injury lawyers can make; however, here are some insights on the most common types of personal injury cases.

Motor Vehicles

Each year in the U.S. there are 3 million injuries involving motor vehicle collisions. These types of cases represent the main cause of bodily injury claims in the United States. 

The majority of motor vehicle collisions are due to the other driver’s negligence. Three of the most common types of negligence are failing to control speed, drinking and driving, and distracted driving. Especially with the common practice of driving while using electronic devices, distracted driving incidents are increasing. The negligent driver, in the vast majority of cases, is held accountable for damages arising out of the negligence.

Dogs

This is another case where negligence typically plays into an injury encountered by an unsuspecting victim. Anyone who owns a dog must obey the laws surrounding their dog. 

This sometimes means that they must have the dog on a leash at all times or at least insure that the dog not be allowed to roam freely. This can be especially dangerous for certain dogs that are not welcoming to strangers. If the owner fails to restrain their dogs or they are unable to control their dogs, then dog bites occur. Victims who suffer from a dog bite, due to the negligence of a dog owner, can pursue damages for injuries caused by the bite.

Medical

Healthcare professionals are highly trained in their fields and, as a general rule, trusted by the members of the community. However, medical professionals are held to a high standard, and their level of care should reflect that high standard. Anyone can make an error in their judgment, and this includes healthcare professionals. And, just like everyone else, they have to be accountable for errors they make which result in harm to their patients. Patients who receive improper medical care or patients who believe they were not treated with competent medical care should seek out professional services to have their possible claim evaluated to see if it has merit. 

Products

Manufacturers are under a duty to see to it that their products are safe for use by consumers. Products can be designed defectively or they can be manufactured defectly. The type of products involved can be anything from a food product to a motor vehicle and even medications. Consumers who believe they were injured due to defects may have a claim. Contacting an attorney can help you determine the proper steps, but initially, the product and product label should be kept by the consumer for reference purposes.

While no one can, or should, guarantee a specific outcome when it comes to your bodily injury case, utilizing the professional services of personal injury lawyers help to ensure that you have the necessary documents and information to establish the best case possible. Trying to attempt to develop or settle a bodily injury case without representation is a very, very risky choice.