You probably do everything you can to keep yourself safe from injury-causing accidents. On top of this, you likely also try to mind those around you, whether on the road, at work, or in a public place. This awareness can keep you safe to some degree. However, your safety also depends on the actions of those around you.
Unfortunately, not everyone consciously takes measures to ensure safety. And this disregard often leads to accidents that can cause severe injury, which can be lifelong and sometimes fatal.
That said, if you have suffered an injury due to the actions or negligence of someone else, then you might be able to sue for compensation with the help of a personal injury attorney. Usually, these damages cover medical costs, lost earnings and earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and other related out-of-pocket costs.
So, if your injuries fall under these four types, contact personal injury attorneys immediately:
1. Road Crash Injuries
Motor vehicle accidents are some of the most common types of personal injury cases that attorneys tackle. And that’s because as much as the country has progressed quite dramatically when it comes to infrastructure, vehicles, and traffic regulations, there’s still a lot of negligence and recklessness on the road.
Now, there are different types of accidents under this, with the most typical ones being:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Hit and runs
- Bus accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Taxi cab accidents, including Lyft and Uber accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Subway accidents
- Train accidents, etc.
It should be said that every road crash case is different. Regardless, you must know what to do after such an event. The first step is to call or get someone to contact emergency medical services immediately and keep all medical documentation as you will need it later.
Once treated, you want to figure out who is at fault. You can do this by talking with the other party or parties involved. If they, too, believe they are not at fault, you should definitely contact a lawyer. You also want to get in touch with an attorney if you have suffered severe injuries and the insurance company has refused to pay what you feel is fair or is trying to put some blame on you.
Among other things, your attorney will estimate damages, gather evidence and negotiate fair compensation.
2. Construction Accident Injuries
The construction industry is one of the most dangerous sectors anyone can work in. Unfortunately, it is this very reason that a big number of workers don’t even think about seeking damages for their injuries. After all, aren’t these dangers a part of the job?
The reality is some, if not most, of these construction accidents are preventable. And that’s because construction companies do not always follow all the safety standards laid down by relevant regulations. This can include not providing adequate safety gear, failing to train staff on the safe use of equipment, or not including emergency containment measures.
Some common construction accidents that often lead to severe injuries include:
- Falls from ladders, scaffolding, and other high places
- Falling objects like tools, debris, or even construction materials
- Workers being pinned between equipment or machinery
- Electrocution as a result of faulty wiring or inadequate electric safety
- Vehicle collisions common in high-construction projects
- Respiratory hazards caused by lack of proper PPE
Like other personal injury cases, it is always best to contact a lawyer if you have suffered a construction injury to better understand and fight for your rightful damages.
3. Defective Product Injuries
When you use everyday products like your TV, microwave, detergent, drill, or even bicycle, it probably never crosses your mind that such a product can cause you harm. It is a common belief that companies will typically implement standards that ensure safety before rolling out a product into the market.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. And that is why the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is there- to protect the public from risks of unreasonable serious injury or even death from consumer products under its jurisdiction.
That said, if you suffer injury from using a product, even after taking reasonable care (using the product as per instructions), you may have a defect product injury case. That said, there are three kinds of product defects, and these are:
- Manufacturer defects
- Product design defects
- Lack of instructions or inadequate safety warnings
An attorney will help you establish the facts of the case, including gathering evidence to prove the defect exists and negotiating compensation for your injuries.
4. Medical Malpractice Injuries
Imagine seeking medical attention so that you can feel better, only to develop new complications. Unfortunately, injuries resulting from medical malpractice are quite common, albeit not something professionals in the field would like to admit.
Even sadder is the fact that most medical malpractice injuries cause life-long implications that can affect anything from a person’s ability to work to their ability to do everyday tasks like walking, bathing, or feeding themselves.
Medical malpractice is typically classified into one of these five categories:
- Misdiagnosis: you were diagnosed with a disease you didn’t have and consequently received incorrect treatment. Injuries, in this case, may result from incorrect treatment or ignorance of your medical issue.
- Insufficient treatment: you were inadequately treated for the correct illness, and consequently, the disease advanced, causing you even more severe harm.
- Surgical mistakes: surgery is in itself risky, but if the surgical professionals’ negligence, like surgical tools left behind in your body, led to injury, then it is medical malpractice.
- Birth injuries: newborn injuries resulting from the birth process can be emotionally and financially catastrophic, and as parents, you can sue for damages.
- Illnesses acquired in the facility: you picked up an infection from a medical facility while recovering because of poor hygiene or safety standards.
Medical malpractice can sometimes be hard to prove, which is why you need an attorney to collect evidence, including seeking expert opinions and medical records, to build a strong case.
Contact Personal Injury Attorneys for Any of These Types of Personal Injuries and More
While the four personal injury cases are some of the most common, they are not the only ones. You can also seek damages after a slip and fall on a business or government premise, workplace accident, pedestrian accident, animal bites and attacks, wrongful death, to name a few. All in all, ensure you work with a qualified and experienced attorney for the best chances.