The Most Common Types of Personal Injury Cases
Personal injuries are a leading cause of financial loss in the United States, so it is not surprising that personal injury cases make up the majority of civil claims each year. A personal injury lawsuit allows injury victims to hold liable parties accountable when negligent or reckless behavior causes an accident that results in injuries and financial losses.
Although all personal injury cases share some commonalities, they are not all the same. Here, personal injury lawyers Sean M. Burke and Jason N. Argos, who serve Irvine, CA, and surrounding areas, discuss the most common types of personal injury cases that are filed in the court system.
Car Accident Claims
Car accident claims are, by far, the most common type of personal injury lawsuit. Given that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported over 5.2 million non-fatal crashes on U.S. roads in 2020, it is understandable that car accident claims are so common. During the same timeframe, the NHTSA estimates that over 2.2 million people were injured on United States roadways. A car accident claim allows injury victims to go after liable parties for both the economic and non-economic damages of a car accident.
Medical Malpractice Claims
Medical malpractice claims are a type of personal injury lawsuit aimed at negligent medical professionals. All medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc., have a duty to provide care that meets up to the accepted standard, or that which would be provided by similarly trained medical professionals. If a medical professional is negligent, or provides care that falls short of the standard, and a patient suffers illness or injury as a result, they can be held accountable for all damages related to the patient’s injuries.
Workplace Accident Claims
When someone is injured or involved in an accident at work they should file a workers’ compensation claim as soon as possible. Workers’ compensation insurance provides injured workers with compensation for losses such as medical expenses and lost wages. It is also important to consult with a personal injury lawyer after a workplace accident. If an accident was the result of neglect or unsafe working conditions, additional damages may be due. Workplace accident claims come from all industries, but are especially common in the field of construction.
Product Liability Claims
A product liability claim allows our Irvine clients to hold product designers, manufacturers, or distributors accountable for injuries caused by a defective product. All consumers have the right to assume that a product will work safely when used as directed. If a product defect results in an injury, injured parties may be due financial compensation for damages.
Premises Liability Claims
If a personal injury takes place at a commercial or privately owned property, the property owner may be held accountable for accident damages. Premises liability laws hold property owners responsible for ensuring that their property is free of hazards or dangers that could pose a threat to invited guests. If hazardous conditions, such as a wet floor, uneven pavement, or broken stairs, cause an injury, a premises liability claim can be filed.
Wrongful Death Claims
A wrongful death claim is a type of personal injury lawsuit that can be filed by the descendants of the deceased when accident injuries are fatal. A wrongful death claim allows our Irvine clients to pursue compensation for their own losses, as well as any damages suffered by their loved one between the time of their accident and their death.
Contact Our Irvine Law Firm
If you have been injured in an accident that was caused by another person’s reckless or negligent behavior, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim. To schedule a legal consultation and discuss your situation with lawyers Sean M. Burke and Jason N. Argos, send us a message online, or call our Irvine law firm at (949) 644-3434.
