3 Types of Personal Injury Claims a Lawyer Can Help You With

Getting injured can turn your life upside down. Injuries, especially if they are severe, like traumatic brain injuries or spine fractures, can leave you with medical bills, lost wages, and a lot of stress. 

But you don’t have to bear the financial burden all by yourself. You can seek compensation for injuries you’ve suffered due to the other party’s negligence. American law allows victims to do that. 

Since navigating the legal complexities alone is no easy task, hiring a personal injury lawyer will be the best bet. These skilled individuals will help you navigate the legal maze as well as win the compensation you deserve. 

That said, we’ll discuss a few personal injury claims a lawyer can assist you with, giving you a clearer picture of your rights and options. 

#1. Car Accidents

Approximately 43,000 fatal car crashes take place in the U.S. every year—no wonder most personal injury lawsuits are due to car accidents in the country. 

If you’re injured in a car accident due to no fault of your own but the other driver’s, you’re entitled to claim compensation. Crash-related injuries can range from a minor bruise or small cut to collapsed lungs or broken ribs. Sometimes, they can even result in permanent disability or death. 

All 50 states in the U.S. allow car accident victims to recover damages by filing a personal injury claim. These claims, however, hinge on proving negligence—demonstrating the other party failed to act responsibly on the road. 

A personal injury attorney can be instrumental in filing a car accident claim. They can help you gather evidence, from police reports to medical records, to prove the fault of the other party. An attorney experienced in personal injury claims will also represent you in court in case a fair settlement can’t be reached. 

#2. Product Liability 

Most—if not all—businesses comply with safety standards and strict quality during manufacturing. Yet mistakes happen. 

You might get injured or harmed by using defective products. Injuries tied to defective products range from burns and cuts to serious health issues. Fortunately, you can seek compensation for the harm you suffered after using the faulty product. 

A classic example of a product liability suit is the AFFF lawsuit. Over a thousand firefighters have sued the manufacturers of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) after studies linked it with cancer. This firefighting foam contained PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). PFAS exposure has been linked to testicular and kidney cancers. 

Another study found that firefighters who were diagnosed with testicular cancer had elevated concentrations of PFAS in their blood samples. Affected individuals are seeking justice by filing this lawsuit. TorHoerman Law reveals that the defendants in the lawsuit are ChemDesign Inc., Chemguard Inc., Tyco Fire Products, and 3M, along with more than a dozen companies. 

Whether you’ve developed cancer or severe burns due to a defective product, a personal injury attorney specializing in product liability can help you seek justice. They will investigate the defect, consult industry experts, and collect the necessary evidence. 

A skilled personal injury lawyer will also navigate complex regulations and standards governing product safety as well as handle negotiations with corporate legal teams. Ultimately, they will help you attain your goal— securing compensation for lost income, medical bills, pain and suffering, etc.

#3. Dog Bites

Dog bite cases are surprisingly common in the U.S. An estimated 4.5 million people are attacked by canines every year. Dog bites can not only cause significant physical injuries but also emotional trauma. You can claim compensation for the damages by filing a lawsuit. 

The laws around dog bites vary from state to state, though most hold owners liable for the attack. Some states, however, follow a one-bite rule—you will have to prove that the owner knew about the dog’s propensity to bite yet failed to take action. Texas, Alaska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Arkansas, to name a few, are states that follow the one-bite rule. 

A personal injury lawyer, however, can help you prove that the bite occurred due to the negligence of the dog owner. They will help you gather all the evidence needed to hold the dog owner liable for the attack. This includes medical records, witness statements, and prior complaints about the dog.  

To wrap things up, navigating the aftermath of an injury you’ve suffered can be overwhelming. But you can navigate it effectively if you understand your rights and the types of personal injury claims available. 

Whether you’ve been involved in a car accident or bitten by a dog, a skilled personal injury lawyer can be your advocate. They will provide you with the expertise and support you need to pursue justice and compensation. 

If you ever find yourself in such a situation, seek legal counsel right away. As you focus on recovery, your lawyer will navigate the legal complexities and help you secure a fair outcome by building a solid case.