What Types of Serious Injuries Are Commonly Seen in Personal Injury Cases?

We see a wide array of personal injury cases in our Texas law practice. Some types of personal injury are more common than others, of course, but all are serious. In the context of Missouri law and personal injury claims, there are several types of claims that we have extensive experience in handling. Whatever type of injury you’re facing, contact us to learn more about how we can help.

11 Common Types of Personal Injury

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents rank among the most common types of injuries leading to a personal injury case. In these cases, a personal injury claim often follows a car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident.

The injured party can sustain serious injuries, such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and neck injuries, to name a few. These accidents very frequently lead to personal injury lawsuits, especially when another party’s negligence caused the accident.

Whether due to distracted driving, intoxication, or sheer negligence, the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident can range from minor scrapes to severe injuries, or even wrongful death. Victims may suffer from neck injuries, back injuries, or broken bones, leading to substantial medical bills and a long road to recovery.

Slip and Fall Accidents

One of the most common types of personal injury, slip and fall accidents often lead to a personal injury lawsuit. These falls can occur anywhere, from a grocery store to a private residence. When an individual slips and falls due to hazardous conditions, like a wet floor or unsecured carpeting, the property owner could be held accountable.

These personal injury cases may seek compensation for a range of injuries, from fractures and broken bones to more severe harm, such as spinal cord injuries. Dealing with the aftermath of a slip and fall accident involves medical treatment, potential loss of income, and often a struggle to return to a normal life.

Workplace Injuries

Workplace accidents also contribute significantly to the volume of personal injury cases. An injured worker may have grounds for a personal injury claim when the injury occurs due to employer negligence or unsafe working conditions.

Common workplace injuries include falls, accidents with machinery, and even asbestos exposure, all of which can lead to personal injury claims.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice represents another significant category of personal injury cases. This type of case arises when a healthcare provider, such as a doctor or nurse, fails to provide standard care, resulting in harm to the patient. This harm could range from a misdiagnosis to surgical errors or issues related to medication administration.

Any failure to meet the standard of care that another medical professional in the same situation could reasonably have been expected to give is likely medical malpractice.

When a medical malpractice case is filed, the victim seeks compensation not only for their medical expenses but also for the suffering and long-term consequences of the medical malpractice.

Often, medical malpractice cases are complicated by the technical and specialized knowledge required to demonstrate that the medical professionals involved did not meet the expected standard of care, so it’s especially crucial to work with personal injury lawyers who have expertise in this particular area and a network of medical experts to call in.

Wrongful Death Claims

In our legal practice, some of the most distressing types of personal injury cases we handle are wrongful death claims. When a person’s life is prematurely ended due to someone else’s negligence, the deceased’s family members may file a wrongful death claim.

These cases go beyond the physical damage inflicted on the victim and involve compensating for the losses and the emotional trauma endured by their loved ones.

Dog Bites

Dog bites might not be the first type of claim that comes to mind, but they are among the more common personal injury cases we see. A dog bite can cause serious injuries, particularly if the victim is a child or elderly person, where horrific injuries can result.

The owners of the dog can be held responsible in some cases, but not in others, depending on the circumstances. Always talk with a personal injury attorney about your claim to get the best advice for your specific situation.

Product Liability Claims

Product liability claims comprise another major category of personal injury cases. If a consumer is harmed by a defective or dangerous product, the manufacturer or seller of that product may be held accountable.

From malfunctioning appliances to unsafe medications, these types of personal injury claims are often complex and require a detailed understanding of personal injury law.

Premises Liability

We also see a considerable number of premises liability cases. These personal injury claims arise when a person suffers an injury on another person’s property due to unsafe conditions, such as poor maintenance or inadequate security.

Slip and fall accidents are a common subtype of premises liability cases, but there are myriad ways for a person to be injured on the premises of a negligent property owner.

Boating Accidents

Less common but no less serious, boating accidents represent another area of personal injury law. When accidents happen due to negligence on the water, such as reckless operation or intoxication of the boat operator, a claim can be filed.

As with auto accidents, boating accidents can result in serious injury or even wrongful death, making it imperative to seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.

Pedestrian Accidents

The unfortunate reality of pedestrian accidents also falls under the umbrella of personal injury cases. Motor vehicle accidents involving a pedestrian can lead to especially catastrophic injuries, given the vulnerability of pedestrians relative to the size and speed of a modern vehicle.

From medical bills to rehabilitation costs, the fallout from car accidents can be substantial. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help an injured pedestrian seek rightful compensation after car accidents.

Compensation in a Personal Injury Case

In personal injury claims, one of the main objectives is to secure compensation for the damage incurred. This process often begins with a personal injury claim, where the injured party or parties seek to recoup losses for medical expenses, loss of income, and other damages resulting from the accident.

Compensatory Damages: Recouping Your Losses

In personal injury lawsuits, compensatory damages aim to restore the injured parties to their normal life, as close as it can be, before the injury occurred. Bills for past medical treatment, future medical treatment, and any lost earnings due to the injury are often covered under these damages. Emotional distress, also known as mental anguish, is another factor that might be considered in the calculation of compensatory damages.

The amount that you might be able to win for pain and suffering or emotional distress, which are not easy to quantify with receipts like a medical bill, depends heavily on the skill of your personal injury lawyers.

If you’ve suffered injuries, or if you or a loved one have otherwise suffered due to someone else’s negligence, be sure to talk to set up a free consultation with us to find out more exactly what your claim may be worth.

Punitive Damages: Making a Statement

In some personal injury cases, the responsible party’s behavior is deemed so egregious that the court may award punitive damages. These are not designed to compensate the injured party but to punish the offender and serve as a deterrent for others.

This aspect of personal injury law underscores the gravity of the misconduct involved in cases of severe injury or wrongful death, and the primary purpose of these damages is to warn others from acting in the same negligent way by showing that such negligence can have severe consequences.

Your Personal Injury Claim

Navigating the complexities of a personal injury claim can be overwhelming, particularly when you’re dealing with the physical and emotional aftermath of an accident. Your attorney will be with you at every step of this process.

Filing a personal injury lawsuit is a key step in many personal injury cases, when negotiations fail or when insurance offers simply do not cover your damages. This legal action allows the injured party to seek compensation for their injuries and other damages, whether through a settlement or a court verdict.

From preparing necessary documentation to representing you in court against negligent property owners, a personal injury attorney will be committed to pursuing the justice you deserve.

The Importance of a Free Consultation

At our law office, we understand the stress and uncertainty that come with dealing with these common types of personal injury cases. That’s why we offer a free consultation to discuss your case, learn about the details, and then evaluate the best course of action.

Our personal injury attorneys will carefully review the circumstances of your accident, any incurred medical bills, lost wages, and the impact your personal injuries have had on your life. Then we’ll guide you to the next best steps.

Legal Support for Your Personal Injury Claim

We want you to know that you’re not alone in this process. Our law firm has dealt with all personal injury types, and we are equipped with the resources to fight for your rights after workplace accidents, unintentional injury due to negligence, motorcycle accidents, fall injuries, food poisoning, or any of the common types of personal injury.

We firmly believe in holding the negligent parties accountable for what they have done or failed to do in creating dangerous conditions. Dealing with even the common types of personal injury claims can be a trying experience, but you don’t have to face all this alone. We encourage you to reach out to us for guidance and support during this difficult time.

Personal injury cases can be very stressful, but with a dedicated team of legal professionals at your side, you can navigate this challenging path. Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, a slip and fall injury, a workplace injury, or any other type of personal injury, we’re here to help. Contact Brian C. Gutierrez at 979-271-5338 for a free consultation. Your journey towards justice and healing starts here.