Millions of Americans seek medical attention for personal injuries sustained in various situations yearly. These include auto crashes, slip & fall accidents, dog bites, swimming pool accidents, etc.

When someone else is to blame for the accident that led to your injuries, you may be eligible to recover compensation for all resulting damages. Therefore, it is important to understand some common types of personal injury accidents that may lead to a valid injury claim.

But before we look at that, let’s first understand the importance of involving a personal injury lawyer in your case.

Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Being involved in an accident can be an overwhelming ordeal. Besides the initial shock of an accident, you have to deal with physical pain, emotional trauma, medical bills, not to mention the possibility of missing out on work.

Worse, the at-fault party or their insurer may not be willing to accept liability or your settlement request. That’s where a lawyer comes in.

A personal injury lawyer can help you understand facts specific to your case and work with you to establish liability. Lawyers understand all the tactics insurance companies use to lower, delay or deny compensation, meaning they are the right individuals to help you pursue the rightful compensation.

However, you must choose a lawyer who understands local personal injury laws. If, for instance, you are in Joliet, choosing a personal injury lawyer in Joliet with experience in Illinois personal injury laws can help you increase your chances of a favorable outcome.

Finding the best personal injury lawyer

It’s hugely beneficial to seek legal advice after an accident that wasn’t your fault. Whether you were injured at work due to using faulty or poor-quality equipment, or you were hit by another vehicle as a result of negligence, you could be eligible for compensation. If you’re thinking about making a claim, or you want professional advice, it’s crucial to take the time to find the best personal injury lawyer. Look for firms and individuals that specialize in the relevant practice area, for example, firms that handle truck accidents and slips and trips or an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. Read client testimonials, use the Internet to learn more about the firm’s track record and results and ask colleagues, neighbors and friends for recommendations. Speak to representatives and try to schedule a call or a consultation. Ask questions, get to know lawyers better and choose a reliable, trustworthy firm that gives you confidence.

Common Types of Personal Injury Accidents

Car accidents

Most personal injury cases involve auto accidents. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 33,244 fatal motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2019 alone, resulting in thousands of injuries and deaths.

In most cases, fractures and broken bones, back injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal burns, and internal injuries are some common injuries you can sustain in a car accident. If the car accident that led to your injuries resulted from someone else’s negligence, having a lawyer is necessary.

A car accident lawyer can evaluate your claim, identify the liable parties, calculate claims’ value, and help you recoup the compensation you deserve, whether through settlement negotiations or trial.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip, trip, and fall accidents are quite prevalent. They can happen virtually anytime, anywhere.

Whether you slip on a snowy or icy surface, trip over uneven steps at an apartment, or stumble down the stairway, the possibility of sustaining injuries is often high.

Most people don’t know that they could qualify to collect compensation after a slip and fall accident, especially if it happened due to another person’s negligent acts.

However, you must prove that the owner of the property where the accident happened owed a duty of care and that their negligence led to the accident.

Dog Bite Accidents

There are many good reasons why dogs are man’s best friend. However, these furry friends can become your worst enemies in a split second, causing harm, particularly to strangers.

Pet owners have a responsibility to appropriately control their dogs, prevent them from escaping, or at very least warn people of the possible harm the furry friends can cause.

When that doesn’t happen, and someone is attacked and bitten by a dog, the victim could be able to seek compensation for the resulting medical costs and other damages from the pet owner through a personal injury claim.

Other common types of personal injury accidents include:

  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Truck accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Oil field accidents
  • Swimming pool accidents

What is Fair Compensation for Personal Injuries?

Fair compensation for a personal injury claim should cover all economic and non-economic damages.

These include medical bills, reduced earning ability, and pain and suffering. In instances where the personal injury resulted from gross negligence or wrongful actions, the court may sometimes award punitive damages.