A personal injury claim can be a way for individuals who have suffered physical or emotional injuries in a motor vehicle collision or another type of accident to pursue compensation from the person or party found at fault in the accident. Unfortunately, pursuing a personal injury claim can be a complicated and frustrating process, especially when injured individuals find themselves up against high-powered insurance companies, which are notorious for trying to offer low settlements or get out of paying claims altogether. If you have suffered injuries in a car accident, truck accident or pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to damages for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other physical, monetary or mental injuries related to the accident. Consult an experienced personal injury lawyer today to explore your possible compensation options.
In terms of the law, personal injury involves a physical or psychological injury inflicted on a person’s body, mind or emotions, as opposed to damage to property. A person may pursue a legal claim against another person or party for personal injuries resulting from any number of accidents.
Victims of car accidents, pedestrian accidents or slip and fall accidents may sustain short-term injuries that are temporary and treatable, while others may sustain injuries that have a significant impact on their physical capabilities or appearance for a long period of time, or even permanently.
Plaintiffs have a limited period of time during which they can file a personal injury lawsuit, called a “statute of limitations,” beginning when the plaintiff suffers the injury or first becomes aware of the injury.
Personal injury cases are legal disputes that arise when one person experiences harm from an injury or accident, and another person or party is believed to be legally responsible for that harm. Unlike a criminal case, which is initiated by the government, a personal injury case typically begins when an individual, known as the “plaintiff,” files a civil complaint against another person, company, or government agency, known as the “defendant,” alleging that the defendant acted carelessly or negligently in connection with an injury or accident that caused harm.
Plaintiffs have a limited period of time during which they can file a personal injury lawsuit, called a “statute of limitations,” beginning when the plaintiff suffers the injury or first becomes aware of the injury. Statutes of limitations are established by state law, which means they can vary state by state, and the type of personal injury sustained may also affect the time limit for filing a claim.
Unfortunately, once the time limit to bring a case has passed, the injured person will lose his or her right to sue.
The legal term “Personal Injury” covers a wide range of conditions and can include:
In some cases, a personal injury claim may result in a formal lawsuit that is resolved via a court judgment that finds one or more parties legally at fault, or, more commonly, such legal disputes may be resolved via an informal early settlement agreement, usually among the parties involved in the dispute, their insurance companies, and their legal representation. Either way, it’s important to have a qualified lawyer on your side when pursuing compensation for a personal injury, to ensure that you understand your legal rights, the process of pursuing a claim, and the law governing your claim.
If you or a loved one decides to take steps towards pursuing an individual claim following an accident or injury, you will likely have questions about personal injury, and how you can seek reimbursement for your losses. Contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney today to discuss the options for legal recourse that are available to you.
