We live in a very health-oriented society. With modern science, we have learned the appropriate amount of exercise we should get each day and what foods we should be prioritizing in our diets to reduce our risk of suffering from some of the top leading causes of death in America like heart disease. Still, no matter how healthy of a life we lead, we are not invincible. Accidents are still the fourth leading cause of death in the United States–behind heart disease, cancer, and covid-19. Accidents are not something you can prevent through planning, you can only do your best to exercise caution and have a plan for how you will bounce back afterward. Arguably the most important thing you can do to help your future self is to know what to look for in a personal injury lawyer.

Understanding Personal Injury Lawsuits

Personal injury lawsuits are incredibly common, with over 400,000 of them being filed each year in the United States. Surprisingly, only about three to four percent of these cases end up going to court. This is because, with skilled legal representation, both parties can usually agree to a fair settlement without even needing to bring the case to court. Sometimes, though rare, the parties will fail to agree on a settlement, either because the victim does not feel that it is fair or the negligent party feels that the victim does not have a solid case. You are encouraged to file a personal injury lawsuit if you or a loved one have been a victim of any of the following:

• Motor vehicle accidents. This includes truck, bus, or motorcycle accidents, and especially instances of drunk driving.
• Slip and fall accidents
• Medical malpractice. This could include surgical errors, misdiagnoses, or any other unprofessionalism that causes harm.
• Construction accidents or other worker’s compensation cases
• Dog bites
• Nursing home abuse, which could include neglect.
• Wrongful death

These are just some examples of incidents that could warrant someone filing a personal injury lawsuit. The most important factors in any personal injury case are fault and negligence. If you believe that you or a loved one suffered as a result of someone else’s choice not to protect your safety, then they can be held liable and forced to provide compensation for your suffering. If you are still unsure whether or not you have a strong claim, you should consult a personal injury lawyer and they can either tell you to let it go or help you build your case.

Most Common Personal Injury Cases

The most common cause behind personal injury lawsuits is motor vehicle accidents. Car crashes are so common in the United States that nearly 13 of them occur every minute. Maybe you’ve heard a driver’s education teacher once say something along the lines of “There is no such thing as a car ‘accident’ since someone is always going to be at fault.” This wasn’t just a case of your teacher trying to scare you into being safe, there is plenty of truth to this statement. The leading causes of car crashes are due to negligence–driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving recklessly by speeding or ignoring other traffic laws, and distracted driving like driving while texting. Someone will always be to blame, so there are almost always grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. The rare exceptions are in cases like medical emergencies or severe weather, but even still, you should always continue to ask questions like: did the driver know about their condition and the impacts it might have on their ability to drive or did the driver slow down to accommodate the poor road conditions? Don’t ever be too quick to blame yourself.

How Your Lawyer Can Help You

In personal injury cases, it’s important to hire a skilled lawyer. That way, you have someone in your corner coaching you through the entire litigation. An injury lawyer can help you better understand what to expect in terms of the steps and timeframe of the legal process as well as the compensation you’re due. Hiring a skilled personal injury lawyer removes any stress and uncertainty from your situation. They will be able to build a strong case for you, handling all negotiations with the other party. If you do your research and find the right personal injury lawyer, then all you’ll have to do is focus on healing and bouncing back from your accident.