The aftermath of a car accident can leave injury victims disoriented and uncertain about what to do next. If you have been injured in an accident, you may have considered filing a lawsuit to get just compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and other damages you suffered as a result. Before you file a claim for damages, however, you may want to ask yourself, “What is personal injury law?” The answer is that it is an area of the law that provides compensation for physical, emotional and financial losses suffered by victims of accidents caused by someone else’s negligence. This type of law is complex and varies from state to state, however, so it is advisable to hire an experienced attorney if you are thinking about filing a lawsuit against the person or company responsible for causing your injuries.
Personal injury cases are also known in legal circles as “torts.” A tort is defined as a wrongful act which results in injury to the person, property, or reputation of another, for which the injured party may seek compensation in court. Thus, the very minimum requirement for such a case is that a person was harmed in some way due to the wrongful conduct of another. Personal injury law allows an individual to sue the party responsible for causing his or her injuries in a civil action.
Just because you sustained an injury in an accident, however, doesn’t necessarily mean you have a claim for personal injury. The injury must have been caused by the negligent or intentional actions of an individual or organization. Without a wrongful action, the injury will not give rise to a lawsuit. When asking yourself what is injury law, it may be beneficial to seek the advice of an attorney. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help determine whether or not the requisite negligence or intent exists in your case and answer any questions you may have.
Almost any type of accident can give rise to a personal injury lawsuit. The most common types of cases include:
- Admiralty & Maritime Injuries
- Jones Act Injuries
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Drug Liability
- Products Liability
- Medical Malpractice
- Wrongful Death
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Social Security Disability
- Bad Faith Insurance Practices
- Premises Liability
