Every year in the United States, some 214,000 people die from an injury. That comes out to one person every three minutes. It’s a shocking statistic, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Millions of people get injured and survive. However, many of the survivors end up experiencing life-long physical, psychological, and financial difficulties.
In this definitive guide, we tell you all you need to know about personal injury, as well as how to go about filing an injury claim if you need to. Read on to learn more.
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What Is Personal Injury?
A personal injury refers to a physical or mental injury or illness that happens due to an accident or negligence. As a result of the injury, the victim experiences physical pain, mental anguish, debilitation, inconvenience, loss of capacity to enjoy life and aggravation. Personal injuries can have a significant impact on people’s lives, ranging from mild injuries to long-term disabilities. In some cases, the victim is forced to give up work.
How Does a Personal Injury Impact Your Life?
A personal injury can affect your life in numerous ways. For instance, you could lose your earnings soon after the injury. When the injury is so severe that you have to take time off work or close your business, the impact on your finances can be significant. Unfortunately, any loss in earnings does not lead to a drop in your bills, mortgage or rent payments, and so on. Your expenditures still stay the same even though your earnings have gone down. Additionally, you now have to worry about prescription charges, medical bills, specialist care, and so on. In short, the impact of personal injuries cannot be underestimated.
Accident or Negligence
One of the top concerns for most victims of personal injury is whether their injury was the result of a random act or whether it was preventable. If you sustained an injury as a result of someone else’s fault and you have evidence to prove it, then you stand a better chance of winning your personal injury claim. Before claiming for compensation, first determine the type of personal injury you have.
Types of Personal injury
Every day, a wide variety of personal injuries take place across the country. They range from accident injuries to trauma, such as physical assault.
Generally, personal injuries can be put into two major categories: physical and psychological. However, they can also include disease or illness. Below is a list of the most common types of personal injuries:
- Whiplash, for instance, caused by a car accident
- Back injuries, such as those caused by lifting heavy objects
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, for example after a military situation
- Hand or wrist injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome
- Head injuries, such as those incurred after a physical assault
- Ear injuries, for instance, noise-induced deafness
- Psychiatric injuries, for example, stress from workplace bullying
- Eye injuries, such as injuries caused by chemical splashes
Auto accidents account for a considerable percentage of personal injury claims, although cases of workplace accidents, criminal injuries, and falls are also prevalent. All in all, human beings are active creatures who are constantly interacting with their environment, so there’s always the potential for any kind of injury.
What to Do After Experiencing a Personal Injury
Once you have experienced a personal injury, you can decide whether to pursue a claim for compensation. Don’t forget that a personal injury often causes psychological trauma in addition to the physical injury. For this reason, it can be beneficial for you to consider going for counseling and support.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim
Once you have decided to make a claim for compensation for your injury, you may consider hiring a personal injury lawyer to help you along the way. Compensation claims invariably involve legal processes that require the expertise of a professional. A seasoned Florida personal injury lawyer understands the legal system and will advise you accordingly.
Never agree to anything or sign any documents without legal representation. Take the time to find an attorney who specializes in personal injury claims and who has a proven record of winning cases. Don’t forget that there is a time limit for filing your personal injury claim, so do not wait too long before seeking legal representation.
Common Misconceptions about Personal Injury Compensation
Several misconceptions have arisen over the years regarding the issue of personal injury compensation. One of them is that your claim has to go to court for you to receive compensation. The reality is that you can still receive compensation in an out-of-court settlement.
Many people also think that personal injury claims are lengthy and complicated. However, this is not always the case. As long as the at fault party admits liability, the claim can be settled within a short period.
Finally, you may have heard that there is a lot of money available for personal injury compensation and that you should aim for the highest amount you can. In reality, the amount of compensation you will receive depends on the extent of your injury or illness and its impact on your life, as well as the amount of available insurance money.
Make Your Personal Injury Claim Today
Personal injuries are more common than you think, but that does not mean that survivors of these injuries are without options. As long as your injury is the result of someone else’s negligence, you can make a personal injury claim and seek the compensation you deserve. Are you looking for legal representation for your personal injury claim? Contact us today.
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