Personal Injury Law Information Center
Top U.S. Personal Injury Attorneys
Every day in the United States, hundreds of people suffer injuries in a wide variety of situations. Some are hurt because of their own carelessness, but many others are injured because of someone else's actions or negligence. The area of law that deals with injuries caused by the negligence or actions of another party is known as "personal injury."
The experienced attorneys who are listed on the Top U.S. Personal Injury Lawyers directory are well aware of the challenges that often arise in personal injury cases. It is extremely important to hold negligent parties accountable when their actions or lack of action cause injuries to innocent victims, but doing so can be difficult. If you or a loved one is dealing with such an injury, you can learn more about collecting compensation by contacting a top attorney in your area. You can also find some helpful information here on our directory.
Do You Have a Case?
The first step in recovering damages in a personal injury case is recognizing that you even have a case. A personal injury is generally defined as any type of bodily injury, but in the context of the law, it refers to a bodily injury that would not have occurred but for the negligence or actions of another party. Typically, claims for property damage alone are not considered personal injury cases, though property-related losses can be addressed as part of a personal injury lawsuit.
How Much Is Your Case Worth?
Once you have established that you do have a personal injury case, you are likely to wonder how much your case is worth. This is a common question, but it is not an easy one to answer. The amount of compensation that is available to you will depend on a variety of factors, including the nature and extent of your injuries, how your injuries occurred, and the laws that govern personal injury litigation in your state. No two personal injury cases are exactly the same, and even those that seem similar at first could lead to dramatically different compensation packages. A qualified attorney can review the details of your case and help you determine how much you could reasonably hope to recover.
Who Is Responsible for Your Injuries?
Most personal injury cases hinge on the concept of liability. In personal injury law, liability refers to the responsibility a given party has for causing a victim's injury. A party's liability generally stems from the inherent responsibility of the party to behave in a manner that does not cause others to suffer harm—also known as a "duty of care." A truck driver, for example, owes other motorists a duty to operate his or her truck safely and in compliance with the rules of the road. Likewise, a property owner owes visitors and guests a duty to keep them safe while on the property. If a person or entity breaches this duty of care and you are injured as a result, the person or entity is likely to be responsible for your injuries. Depending on the situation, several parties could even share the responsibility.
The Personal Injury Process
The process of seeking compensation through a personal injury lawsuit can be long and involved. It generally begins with a comprehensive investigation of the details of the incident in question to identify all of the parties who could share in the liability for your injuries. From there, the next step is likely to be filing claims with the appropriate insurance companies. If the claims process does not result in sufficient compensation, you and your attorney will need to file a lawsuit in a court with jurisdiction over the matter. The litigation process consists of several important phases, including discovery, direct negotiations, possible mediation, and, if necessary, a trial. Settlement discussions often take place throughout the process, and a settlement could be reached at any stage of the proceedings.
Types of Personal Injury Cases
There are many different types of personal injury cases, and each type may have different laws and legal concepts that will apply—some of which may vary by state. Click or tap on the links below to learn more about various kinds of personal injury cases:
- Traffic accidents, including car, truck, and motorcycle crashes, as well as accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists
- Mass transit accidents, including accidents involving buses, trains, and airplanes
- Boating accidents, including private boats and personal watercraft (Jet Skis and WaveRunners)
- Injuries sustained on a cruise ship
- Product liability, including incidents caused by defective cars, baby products, and pharmaceuticals
- Premises liability, including slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall accidents, dog bites, and injuries caused by negligent security
- Medical malpractice, including doctor errors, surgical mistakes, misdiagnosis, hospital-related infections, birth injuries, nursing errors, and medication mistakes
- Nursing home abuse and neglect, including injuries caused by falls, bedsores, poor supervision, and abuse
- Construction injuries, including falls from heights, falling objects, electricity-related injuries, and burns
- Farming and agricultural injuries
- Toxic exposure
- Mass torts and class action lawsuits
- Wrongful death
Contact a Top Attorney Near You
If you or a member of your family has suffered injuries caused by another party's negligence, contact a Top U.S. Personal Injury Lawyer to get the help you need. Free consultations may be available, and many top lawyers only charge fees if you collect compensation. Schedule your introductory appointment today.
