Sometimes you may be injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault. This is never a pleasant experience, but what happens next? Who’s able to help you? Can you even get compensation? Fortunately, the answer is often yes, as discussed here!
What Can You Get Compensated for?
Well, if the injury wasn’t your fault, then you are more than likely able to make a claim. According to Jeffrey Preszler with Preszler Law Firm, if you’re involved in an accident that isn’t your fault, you’re entitled to several different types of compensation, including compensation for lost wages, for current and future medical costs, for pain and suffering damages and more. These are many of the reasons to enquire with your lawyer immediately after an incident.
Types Of Injury Claims
What do we mean when we say injury compensation? Or when we say an accident that wasn’t your fault? Well, there are quite a few different cases to be aware of. Here are some of the most common examples for you.
Car Accidents
Many car accidents are caused by drunk, dangerous, or distracted drivers. If you happen to be the victim of someone else’s negligence whilst driving, you may be able to make a personal injury claim. In fact, car accidents are one of the most common claims, with there being around 6 million car accidents in the USA each year alone.
Workplace Accidents
Workplace incidents are also extremely common all around the world. Every industry has different risks, from a major injury possibility within the construction industry to burns working within a kitchen. If you believe that the incident was a result of poor health and safety management by your company, then this is the time to consider making a claim. Any poor workplace safety is worth investigating!
Slips, Trips, and Falls
This category is similar to the workplace but in a more general sense. Anywhere that you are whilst outside of your home is someone’s responsibility to keep safe. For example, sidewalks are maintained by local councils or governments. If they are not maintained properly causing you to fall and injure yourself, those governing bodies are potentially at fault for your incident. This could also translate across to public transportation, shops, cafes, restaurants, and many more.
Medical Malpractice
A potentially serious, but thankfully relatively less common cause of injury, is medical malpractice or medical negligence. Medical professionals, like all of us, are only human! Sometimes, they make mistakes. Sadly a big mistake could cause you serious long term harm. If you believe your doctor, surgeon, or other medical professional has caused you an injury, you should enquire with your lawyer now!
Who Can Claim?
Simply put, anyone who believes they have been injured due to an accident caused by someone else. It does not matter what you do for a living or how old you are! If you believe one of these categories above applies to you, you are most likely eligible for some level of compensation.
When To Speak To A Lawyer
Really, you should speak to a specialist claims lawyer as soon as possible after your incident. Most incidents will have a set time before the statute of limitations expires. This is usually around 2-3 years but can vary depending on where you are. So the quicker you speak to your lawyer the better. If you are just learning this and a lot of time has passed since your injury, you should still reach out to a lawyer and check.
How Often Does This Happen?
It is thought that somewhere in the region of three to four hundred thousand injury claims are filed in the United States every year. The number is vague, however, as many are settled outside of court, so no exact numbers are known. The U.S. Department of Justice did estimate that around 16,000 cases of this kind went to trial across the country last year alone. There is surely a huge amount of compensation being paid across all these cases!
What Does The Compensation Cover?
Personal injury compensation is designed to make sure you lose no money as a result of one of these incidents. Therefore, it is mainly meant to cover things such as:
- Medical bills and expenses. If you require hospital treatment due to someone else’s action, this will be covered of course.
- Loss of earnings/loss of a job. If the accident causes you to miss time from your job, leading to loss of remuneration, you will be covered.
- Life-changing injury adaptations. You would be compensated if you were required to buy wheelchairs, stairlifts, or any such equipment to help you after a serious injury.
What Amount of Compensation Can I Get?
The amount varies quite a lot, depending on your circumstances and the seriousness of the incident. The average settlement ranges from $5,000 to $75,000 dollars. But there have been cases where a huge amount more has been awarded. For example, in 2006 a New Yorker called Gloria Aguilar lost her left leg being hit by a bus. After four years of a trial she was awarded $27.5 million in compensation.
How Much Could It All Cost?
Fees for injury lawyers work on a no-win, no-fee basis. This means if the firm cannot get you the compensation you deserve, they will not charge you a penny! However, if they secure you a large settlement or court-ordered claim, they will usually take 1/3rd of your compensation. This is always negotiable though, and some lawyers will take considerably less, or more!
How The Process Works
Very simply, jump straight on the phone to your lawyer to find out more. They will clearly explain the whole process to you. This will include gathering evidence about your accident, filing a lawsuit, contacting opposing lawyers, and eventually offering you a settlement deal, or court date. Most cases are settled within 12-24 months.
So really, it couldn’t be easier to get compensated when injured by somebody else. Reach out to a good lawyer as soon as possible, and get their advice. They will look after every step for you, and help you get the money you deserve!
