Personal injury is a legal term that refers to any harm done or injury to the body, mind, emotion, and reputation of a person. Victims of personal injury usually sustain physical injuries, such as whiplash, fractures, and traumatic brain injury.
However, the law also protects victims from non-physical injuries, such as emotional distress or psychological damages (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety).
Personal injury accidents or damages usually stem from an individual’s negligence, reckless behavior, or intentional act. The legal system allows aggrieved parties to file a claim or lawsuit against individuals based on these three grounds.
= when someone acts in a careless or reckless behavior that results in another person’s injury. If found guilty, the at-fault party is legally liable for the resulting harm or damages of their action. An example includes a driver running a stop light, causing it to collide with another car.
= a person is legally responsible for any injuries inflicted on another individual, regardless of the former’s mental state or intent at the time. This means that the at-fault person will still be found liable for any damages, even if they don’t act in an intentional or negligent manner.
= when a person acts with the intent to cause harm or injury to another party. Some examples include assault, battery, and domestic violence.
Personal injury law applies to a variety of different situations, such as accidents, defamation, defective product, and more. Read on below to learn more about personal injury cases and what you should do if you ever get into the same dilemma.
What are the most common causes of personal injury?
Personal injury may occur anytime and anywhere; it may be caused by several different factors and situations. Some types of personal injuries can happen more frequently in Broward County, Florida, than in other places. Those are as follows:
- Vehicular accidents
According to the FLHSMV, there’s been a significant decline in the number of car accidents in Florida for the past two years. However, there’s still a huge number of reported auto accidents each year, wherein 40% result in injuries.
So, it’s not really a surprise to know that car accidents and collisions have been the culprits of many personal injury claims and lawsuits.
So if you have been injured due to another driver’s negligence (e.g., distracted driving, drunk driving), then you may be able to seek compensation for incurred injuries and damages. Some examples of specific vehicular accidents that can be the cause of a personal injury are:
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Car collisions
- Pedestrian accident
- Bicycle and motorcycle accident
- Slip and fall accidents
Slip and fall accidents are more common than you probably think. According to the NIA, 30% of seniors over 65 have a high risk of sustaining a fall that could result in fatal injuries. Such accidents not only happen to high-risk individuals一but to anyone, especially in poorly maintained environments or areas.
Fortunately, you are entitled to compensation if a slip and fall accident happens due to another person’s negligence or carelessness. You may also have a solid personal injury claim if the property owner failed to provide proper care after the accident or if the place was found to be unreasonably dangerous.
- Workplace Injuries
According to the National Safety Council, there are about 540 work injuries occurring every hour. Most accidents result in physical injuries and medical complications that may sometimes become permanent. Not to mention other losses, such as financial, wage, and enjoyment of life.
If you ever get injured at work, you can file a workers’ compensation claim to recover most of your damages. However, if there’s negligence at play, then you may also file for a personal injury claim.
- Assault or battery
Personal injury lawsuits do not always have to be accidents. It can also result from an intentional act that causes harm or injury to another person. A good example is an assault and battery.
Victims of assault and battery can file for a personal injury claim to get compensated for injuries sustained, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.
- Medical malpractice
Medical malpractice refers to an occurrence when a healthcare professional injures a patient due to a negligent action or deviation from their profession’s standard procedure. Some examples include misdiagnosis, surgical errors, and incorrect medicine dosage.
Injuries from medical malpractice can be permanent and life-altering. So personal injury law aims to protect patients from such incidents by compensating them for any medical, financial, and emotional challenges.
What types of damages can you recover from a personal injury claim?
With the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer like Atty. Rafael Gonzalez, you may be able to recover different types of damages based on your personal injury claim.
This monetary compensation may be awarded to you to compensate for both tangible and intangible losses. Some examples of damages you can recover after a successful personal injury claim include:
- Current medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Travel expenses
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical impairment
- Punitive damages
You may not know the extent of your economic and non-economic damages, but a good lawyer will. So if you have been injured in an accident, it’s important to get the help of a trusted personal injury attorney.
What to do after a personal injury?
Any type of accident that leaves you injured can cause you to become overwhelmed, stressed, and confused. During such situations, it’s essential to stay mindful, so you know the best course of action to take. If you ever find yourself in such accidents, here’s what you can do:
Call local authorities and emergency services to tend to your medical injuries first. Even if you don’t see any apparent wounds, it’s still vital to seek medical attention immediately since most claims require victims to seek medical help within a specific time period.
After a doctor has seen and tended to your injuries, your next phone call should be to your attorney. Relay all critical information to your lawyer, specifically the events before, during, and after the accident. Your attorney will tell you if you have a valid personal injury claim and may advise you on what to do next.
- Gather evidence and information.
If you can, you may take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, or any damages to your property. You may also speak to potential witnesses and take note of their names, contact number, and brief testimony. You may also write down any important information you can gather about the at-fault party.
- Participate in investigations.
The authorities will get involved in your accident and may conduct their own investigations. It’s in your best interest to remain cooperative but with the help and guidance of your attorney.
Where to find an excellent personal injury attorney in South Florida?
If you ever find yourself as the victim of a personal injury, don’t try to fight your battles alone. Our personal injury attorney in Pembroke pines, Atty. Gonzalez can help protect your rights and get you the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.
Atty. Rafael Gonzalez of Ask My Attorneys is one of the best personal injury lawyers serving in South Florida. With decades of trial experience and superior knowledge of the law, he can represent your cause and help you get the justice you seek.
Atty. Gonzalez is an English and Spanish speaking car accident lawyer who also serves in other areas, which you can view below:
A personal injury lawyer near me with a no win no fee protocol is just a phone call away. Contact us now!
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
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