Five Most Common Types of Personal Injury Cases
Every day, people in the United States are injured as a result of someone else’s negligence. Whether it’s a car accident, slip and fall, or medical malpractice, these injuries can have a life-changing impact on the victim and their loved ones. If you’ve been injured because of another person’s negligence, it’s important to understand your legal rights and options. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the most common types of personal injury cases. When you need legal assistance, turn to Avera & Smith, Gainesville’s best personal injury attorneys.
What is a Personal Injury?
A personal injury is any physical or psychological injury that occurs as a result of someone else’s negligence. It can include property damage, but it must involve some type of physical harm. If you’ve been injured in an accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Are There Time Limits on Personal Injury Cases?
In Florida, there is a limit to the amount of time you have to file your personal injury case. Also known as the statute of limitations, the time frame for most claims is four years from the date of injury, but for some cases it can be less. If you are injured, it’s important to meet with an attorney right away, even if you decide not to pursue the case. Discussing it sooner rather than later will allow for the timely collection of evidence and witness statements. If you wait too long, evidence could be lost and details forgotten.
What Are the Common Types of Personal Injury Cases?
While there are many different types of personal injury cases, some are more common than others. The following are the five most common types of personal injury cases:
- Car Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Product Liability
- Slip and Fall
- Wrongful Death
If you find yourself facing one of these personal injury cases, our attorneys at Avera & Smith can help. We have successfully represented thousands of clients in these and other personal injury cases, and we can put our experience to work for you.
Car Accidents
One of the most common types of personal injury cases is car accidents. Every day, people are injured or killed in car accidents as a result of another driver’s negligence. From fender benders to hit and run accidents, the number of accidents on the road each year continues to remain high, and insurance companies are notorious for trying to give victims less compensation than they deserve.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, call on our experienced car accident lawyers to help. We’ll work with you to get you the compensation you need for your injuries, including for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Medical Malpractice
One careless mistake by a doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional can have a lasting impact. Whether it’s failing to provide adequate care, giving the wrong prescription, improper testing, misdiagnosis, nursing home abuse or neglect, defective medical devices, anesthesia mistakes or something similar, medical malpractice stems from the medical professional(s) failing to provide a certain standard of care. It can cause serious injuries or death to the patient.
If you believe that either you or a loved one has been a victim of medical negligence, speak with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer right away. In Florida, medical malpractice victims and their families have a very short window of time to file a claim.
Product Liability
When we purchase products, we expect them to be safe. But every year, people are injured by defective products, whether it be toxic food or chemicals, defective product design, or inadequate instructions and safety warnings. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a defective product, contact for the product liability lawyers at Avera & Smith immediately.
Slip and Fall
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. Whether it’s on someone else’s property or on public property, you’ll need to prove that the property owner was negligent in maintaining the property and that this negligence led to your injuries. Common slip and fall accidents include injury from wet floors, frayed carpet, defective staircases, inadequate lighting, unseen drop offs or sudden dips/rises in floor level, damaged sidewalks and more. Anyone can file a slip and fall claim, too, from invited guests to trespassers. These cases can be complex, so it’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death cases are filed when someone dies as a result of another person’s negligence. These cases are often complex and emotional, so it’s important to have the help of an experienced Florida wrongful death attorney who can help guide you through the process. Though sensitive in nature, the statute of limitations in Florida for a wrongful death case is only two years, so acting quickly is key.
Avera & Smith: Gainesville’s Personal Injury Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident that was not your fault, our attorneys at Avera & Smith can help. We have successfully represented many clients in personal injury cases, and we can put our experience to work for you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.