Your Personal Injury Questions, Answered

Sustaining an injury in a preventable accident can be a traumatic experience, and victims are likely to have several questions. In the material below, we answer some of the most common questions we hear from clients who come to us for help after suffering injuries because of someone else’s carelessness or negligence. For more information or to discuss the details of your case with an experienced personal injury attorney, call one in your area.

How Common are Accidental Injuries?

Accidental injuries affect unsuspecting victims every day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 39.5 million accidental injuries leading to doctor's visits each year and 29.2 million that lead to emergency department visits.

What Accidents Lead to Personal Injury Claims?

Virtually any type of accident can lead to a personal injury claim. Victims are typically entitled to compensation when their accident is the result of the negligence of another person. Negligence is the legal term for a person failing to use the degree of care that would ordinarily be used by a reasonable person in the same or similar circumstances. Some of the more common accidents that lead to personal injury claims include:

What Should You do after Sustaining an Injury?

It is extremely important for accident victims to take steps to protect their rights after an injury caused by the negligence of someone else. Some of the most important include:

• Call 911 as soon as you can
• Seek medical treatment, even if you do not think you are seriously injured
• Document the accident and your injuries with photos and notes
• Follow all treatment orders
• Call an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible

What Damages are Available?

Under state law, you can recover for both your economic and non-economic accident-related losses. Some of the most common losses sought in personal injury claims include:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical costs for ongoing treatment
• Lost income
• Future lost earnings
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering
• Permanent disabilities
• Permanent disfigurement

As an accident victim, it’s important to be aware of the fact that the insurance company is actively trying to minimize the amount it pays out. For this reason, it’s critical to document all of your losses and retain a personal injury lawyer familiar with representing accident victims.

How Much is Your Claim Worth?

If you have recently suffered injuries in an accident, it’s only natural that you want to know how much compensation you will likely receive. There are many factors that will determine the value of your claim. Some of the most important include:

• The severity of your injuries
• The extent of your medical treatment and bills
• Whether you missed work
• Whether you can return to your previous employment
• The extent of the pain you experienced
• Whether your injuries prevented you from engaging in certain activities
• Your emotional and psychological injuries
• Whether you will suffer long-term impairments or disabilities
• Whether the at-fault party’s conduct was particularly egregious

What is the Personal Injury Process?

The process of obtaining compensation can be complicated, and it's in your best interest to retain a personal injury attorney as soon as you can. Some of the steps involved in obtaining compensation include meeting with a lawyer, calculating your losses, filing an insurance claim, attempting to negotiate a settlement, filing a lawsuit in the appropriate court, and conducting a trial.