Personal injury law is a significant field that may become relevant at some point in your life. The circumstances around us often dictate how safe we are, and unfortunately, we cannot control everything. Sometimes, accidents happen or people behave recklessly and we end up getting hurt. Maybe this injury causes us to lose time at work or saddles us with medical expenses that are hard to afford.

Personal injury law allows injured victims to pursue claims against the responsible parties. If they win compensation, it will be used to cover those damages so that victims can get back on their feet financially and start to move on. In a perfect world, these types of claims would prevent future injuries by holding those responsible accountable for their actions, ideally changing their ways or resulting in safer behaviors.

What exactly falls under the umbrella of personal injury? There are many scenarios that may occur for which it would make sense to get in touch with an attorney who can help you file your claim. Here are some examples of personal injury cases.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

One of the most common types of personal injury claims is motor vehicle accidents. Millions of Americans head onto the road each day in their vehicles or walking on the sidewalks to get to work, to school, to grocery stores, or just to get out. With so many drivers operating heavy machines in close proximity to each other while moving at high speeds, there is significant risk involved with being on or near the road. When a driver is negligent, they could cause an accident that leads to severe injuries or even death. If you get hurt in an accident caused by someone else, you might be able to pursue compensation to cover damages. Maybe you had the right of way on a crosswalk and a driver hit you, resulting in injuries from a pedestrian accident. Whatever the situation, contact a lawyer to find out if you have a case.

Medical Malpractice

Another common personal injury claim is a lawsuit for medical malpractice. When you are under the care of a medical professional, a certain standard of care and professionalism is expected. When someone fails to uphold this standard, and you get injured as a result, a medical malpractice claim might be necessary. You could call a lawyer after a surgical error, a misdiagnosis, an incorrect medication mistake, or even a defective medical device incident. If you were injured while in the care of a professional, they could be liable for further medical expenses or lost wages that you experience from an injury.

Dog Bite

Dog owners are responsible for properly restraining their pets in almost all circumstances, though there may be exceptions if victims antagonized the animals or entered a property uninvited. Otherwise, if a dog bite results in damages from your injury, then you can pursue a personal injury claim and hold the owner accountable. You will need to prove that negligence on the part of the owner was involved, such as an unleashed pet or inadequate fencing around their yard, causing the dog to get loose. When in doubt, call an attorney to ask about the details of your case.

Defective Product

A product liability case can be brought against a company or manufacturer if a product that you have purchased malfunctions and causes an injury. However, it is important to know that user error or using the product for an incorrect purpose could undermine your case, resulting in no settlement. If the product was being used as intended and a malfunction leads to an injury, then you may have a case.

Nursing Home Abuse

Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is a major problem in this country. Though we look to these facilities to care for elderly family members, there are risks involved. Abuse could come from both staff or fellow residents. It could take the form of insufficient care, physical assault, incorrect medication administration, and more. When elderly individuals enter a care facility, they should expect to be well looked after. If you or a loved one has experienced nursing home abuse, or you suspect that it may have occurred, then get in touch with a lawyer immediately to investigate and hold the appropriate parties accountable.

Know Your Rights

Other scenarios could lead to a personal injury lawsuit outside of the list above. Birth injuries, workplace accidents, premises liability, and truck accidents could all lead to injury claims depending on the factor of negligence. It is crucial that you understand what your rights are and that you do not have to suffer financial consequences with no solutions if you get severely injured. Find a personal injury lawyer who can advise you on your case, help you build a strong evidence profile, and negotiate a fair settlement that covers all the damages you have suffered.