The Lowdown About Personal Injury Cases
Personal injuries are a common occurrence, whether you are driving with your friends or at work fulfilling your duties. If you are not familiar with the term, a personal injury refers to any injury suffered by your body, either physically, mentally, or emotionally. It is commonly used when a victim institutes a suit against the party who caused the harm.
Because every personal injury case has a different statute of limitation, it is important to act as quickly to take the necessary steps else, your efforts will be in vain.
Many Circumstances Qualify As Personal Injury Cases
Anyone who has worked as a lawyer or any other profession related to personal injuries will tell you that most cases are based on car accidents and collisions. As such, most people believe that anything that is not within this category does not qualify for a lawsuit. On the contrary, a personal injury case can be filed whenever an entity or individual causes harm to your body as a result of negligence or reckless conduct. You could also sue your employer if the working environment has led to your injuries. Do you doubt the details of your case? Contact a personal injury law firm to help you out.
Compensation Varies With The State Of Your Injury
It is worth noting that each case is treated uniquely and victims are compensated differently depending on the gravity of the injury caused. Of course, you cannot expect to receive the same financial support as someone who has sustained life-threatening injuries if what you have is just a small bruise. This is what many people get wrong. To keep this from happening, it would be best to assess your injury and do an estimation using previous cases.
But, bear in mind that you won’t necessarily have a similar ruling because several factors come into play. For instance, if the case involves loss of property or financial support, you might be compensated for such losses, provided the other party is proven guilty of negligence or recklessness. In case of death, compensation may include funeral expenses, loss of companion, and any related medical bills.
You Can Expect Many Court Actions For A Single Case
You will rarely find a case being closed after only one court action. A single accident can result in several lawsuits against the party suspected to be responsible for your injuries. Therefore, brace yourself for several court visits if demanded. For instance, if you are an employee, there is more than one party that you can sue. You can file a personal injury case against your employer, an accident benefits insurer, and any other party involved in the accident.
As a result of being burdened with various bills, some victims always accept the first offer given to them by the insurance company. Well, you ought to know that apart from having several lawsuits, it can also be a lengthy process. It could take you more than a year to get a fair compensation. Others could take a few months to be settled, but that may still too long for some victims. Patience is key to getting the right amount of compensation from your insurance company.
Cases Can Be Settled Out of Court
Sometimes, you might need the money, but you do not want to go through the long court process. If you agree with the other party to settle the case out of court, then, this is final and may not be interfered with by the state court. In other words, you will lose your right to claim any further compensation from the relevant parties. Also, keep in mind that settlements done this way are sometimes disadvantageous on the injured person. The main drawback is that there are high chances of you receiving very little compensation as compared to the other route, which involves several lawsuits.
Conclusion
If you are new to personal injury cases, then, you should first know that there are several circumstances that qualify for this category. Car accidents are the most common, but if you are injured by a person or entity in any other way, then, you can file a case against them. Your compensation in such cases depends on the severity of your injury. Remember, it doesn’t have to be a new injury; even aggravation of a previous situation is subject to compensation. Everything is stipulated in the law, but you might need to consult a lawyer and let them handle your case.
