When someone is physically and/or psychologically harmed by the action of another, that harm is legally termed as an instance of personal injury. If someone victimized by such an action sues the responsible party through their personal injury attorney, the ensuing case is called a personal injury lawsuit.
Note that in order to launch a successful personal injury lawsuit, it is not necessary for the responsible party to have caused intentional harm to the victim. As long as their actions led to harm, they can be held liable for paying compensation.
Therefore, if you or someone else in your family has been harmed by the actions of a third party, there could be a viable opportunity to seek compensation from the responsible party. The task may seem daunting for obvious reasons at first, but this step-by-step guide will simplify the process for you.
Carefully Collect All Documents
You should pay extra attention to collecting and safely filing all documents related to the incident. At the very least, make sure that you have copies of:
- The initial police reports, further communications, and investigative reports.
- The insurance report, communications, and documents.
- All medical prescriptions, test reports, medication, bills, receipts, and more.
- Damage assessment reports from experts.
- Photos, videos, statements, written reports, names, etc. related to the scene of the incident.
- All of the above directly or indirectly related to the final incident or its aftermath.
Given how varied the cases can be, there is no universal list of documents that can comprehensively include everything. Do not consider any document to be unnecessary without consulting with your personal injury accident attorney first. If you have not yet connected with a personal injury law firm, just keep collecting everything related to the incident for now.
Get to Know the Different Types of Personal Injury Lawsuits
As already explained, any intentional or unintentional injury caused by a third party can qualify as an instance of personal injury. All legally acknowledged instances of personal injury are broadly divided and subdivided into various classifications. It is advisable that you take some time and learn about the different categories and subcategories.
Having only the basic knowledge should be enough for you to identify your own case’s probable category. The following list should provide you with a decent idea about what we are discussing here.
Vehicular/Motor Accident Lawsuits: Personal injuries suffered by a victim after being involved in an auto accident. This includes car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, boating accidents, train accidents, and pedestrian accidents to name just a few.
Product Liability Lawsuits: Personal injury caused by a design or manufacturing defect in any product from vehicles and commercial safety equipment to medical tools and construction equipment.
Medical Negligence Lawsuits: Personal injury caused by negligence in medical diagnosis, treatment, procedure, prescription, and/or aftercare.
Work Related Personal Injury Lawsuits: Negligence in workplace safety standards that are responsible for personal injuries from instances of slip and fall, fall from an elevated surface, electrocution, projectile, struck by an object, etc.
Personal Injury Caused by Assault/Abuse: If the personal injuries were caused by intentional assault and/or abuse, you still have the right to sue the alleged assaulter/abuser for compensation separately in a civil court. The criminal charges on them will be tried separately in a criminal court.
Find the Top Personal Injury Attorneys
You can also save yourself the trouble of searching online with keywords and receive a free consultation directly from one of the top personal injury attorneys California has to offer. Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys specialize in all areas of personal injury claims, ranging from car, truck, and motorcycle accidents to bad faith insurance claims and all claims related to work-related injuries.
It’s a quick, free, and easy way to know if you have a strong personal injury lawsuit on your hands. If a personal injury accident lawyer from the firm does take up your case, they will guide you through every step of the process from that point on. The best part is that Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys only charge their fees after securing the due compensation for their clients and not before. There are Statutes of Limitations that apply to all personal injury claims, so act as quickly as possible.
Get to Know the Legal Process
After you start working with your or personal injury lawyers, they will help you with:
- Obtaining all essential documents.
- Finding the legally responsible party.
- Categorizing and establishing the case against them.
- Employing investigative measures to gather further evidence.
- Assist you in getting the right medical care for your injuries.
- Filling out the applicable form for personal injury, property damage, wrongful death.
- Serving notice of the claim.
- Initiating and negotiating an out of court settlement discussion, if possible.
- Filing a lawsuit, if the above is not applicable or in case the negotiations fail.
- Trial.
If your case goes to trial then your personal injury attorney will represent you at the trial with the goal of helping you receive the highest possible compensation for your injuries, treatments, medication, lost wages, emotional damages, and more, depending on the case’s particulars.
