When one party’s negligence or intentional actions injure a person, the injured party deserves justice. This is where personal injury claims come in. Personal injury claims allow an injured person to seek compensation for the negative effects of someone else’s actions and are often filed with the help of a personal injury lawyer.
Personal injury law is a broad field, meaning several accidents fall under its umbrella. A qualified personal injury attorney can help you navigate the complexities of filing an accident injury claim. They will examine accident reports, witness testimony, physical evidence, and accident recreation models to determine what you are owed. You may receive compensation for medical bills, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, lower quality of life, and more.
In the following blog, we will discuss the 10 most common types of personal injury claims, along with what damages you are owed if you are the injured party in any of them. If you are an accident victim, we’d like to help you. At Payne Law Firm, we understand that filing personal injury claims can be stressful and confusing—we’re serious about your well-being and will do the heavy lifting so you can recover in peace and earn maximum compensation.
1. Car Accidents
Nearly everyone is involved in a car accident during their lifetime. This is one of the most common accident types in the country, with millions occurring annually. Though car accidents are common, the law surrounding them is still complex. Several parties can be at fault in a car accident, including drivers, manufacturers, government bodies, and trucking companies.
In most cases, accidents result from one driver’s carelessness on the road, but each accident has its intricacies and damages. An injured party’s compensation can cover property damage, repair costs, medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. A personal injury attorney can examine the facts of your car accident and determine what you are owed. An attorney can also help if you are wrongfully accused of fault or if your claim is denied.
2. Product Liability
Product liability claims are filed when a defective product causes injury. A product liability claim may be filed for any product, including but not limited to: vehicle parts, cosmetics, smartphones, computers, and furniture.
Manufacturers and distributors have a responsibility to protect consumers. If their products are defective or if they fail to provide instructions for safe use, they may face a personal injury lawsuit. Personal injury claims cannot be filed if the injured party failed to follow product instructions or used the product in an unsafe or unintended manner.
3. Premises Liability
Property owners and tenants have a responsibility to keep their premises safe. If there are known dangers, such as faulty elevators, wet floors, or broken HVAC systems, visitors and incoming tenants must be given a fair warning. A personal injury lawsuit can be brought against a faulty party if an issue persists for a long period or causes harm.
Injuries that might result from poor property management include assaults, slip-and-fall accidents, respiratory illnesses, and car accidents. Premises liability law applies to a broad range of accidents, so it is important to discuss your options with a personal injury lawyer before filing a claim.
4. Motorcycle Accidents
There’s nothing quite like the freedom of the open road, especially on a motorcycle. But the addictive thrill of riding a motorcycle comes at a higher risk to bikers’ safety. Because of bikers’ lack of protection around them, which an auto driver might take for granted, they are at a higher risk of severe injury during a crash.
Motorcycle accidents often result from distracted drivers, improper lane changes, potholes, and road debris. If you were involved in a motorcycle crash, you have the same rights as every other motorist. When you file an accident injury claim, you can be compensated for injuries, lost wages, repairs, and other damages.
5. Truck Accidents
Big rigs and other large trucks, such as delivery trucks, can cause devastating damage to cars, motorcycles, and pedestrians in an accident. Since large trucks have so many moving parts, several parties can be at fault in an accident. For example, a truck may have been overloaded, placing too much pressure on its wheels and popping them. This means the team that loaded the truck could be at fault. Or perhaps the driver was overworked, leading them to fall asleep at the wheel.
Regardless of why a truck accident occurred, the guilty party must be held responsible for injuries, property damage, and other losses. Damage from truck accidents is generally more extensive than damage from car accidents.
6. Bicycle Accidents
Bicyclists deserve the same rights as anyone else on the road, especially in their designated lanes. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to protect bicyclists by swerving into their lanes or illegally turning in front of them. Bicyclists have very little protection and can be seriously injured after colliding with a car, truck, or pedestrian.
Accidents often send bicyclists to the hospital with broken limbs, internal bleeding, and other injuries. If you are injured in a bicycle accident, it is recommended that you file a personal injury claim. An expert personal injury attorney can help you file a strong claim and earn you proper compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
7. Wrongful Death
Wrongful death cases are perhaps the most serious segment of personal injury law. No amount of compensation can reduce the pain of losing a loved one, but the justice system is designed to help dependents and beneficiaries after a sudden loss.
A loved one’s death can impose serious financial strain on a family or dependent, often making personal injury claims necessary for the affected’s financial well-being. Compensation may cover lost wages, funeral expenses, and a lowered quality of life.
Wrongful death claims can only be filed if another party’s negligence or wrongdoing led to a loss of life.
8. Dog Bites
If a dog owner’s negligence resulted in their dog biting you and causing pain, long-term injury, or a lower quality of life, you have grounds to file a personal injury claim. Dog bite law can be tricky, as many states, including Texas and North Carolina, have a “one-bite rule.” This means a dog owner can be found non-liable if their dog has never bitten anyone and was not assumed dangerous. But if a dog owner had a duty to protect you and failed, they can be deemed negligent.
9. Rideshare Accidents
When you hire a rideshare service, such as Uber or Lyft, you shouldn’t have to worry about crashes, distracted drivers, or unsafe vehicles. Unfortunately, these issues are a daily reality for rideshare passengers. This has created the need for personal injury firms to have an Uber accident attorney or Lyft accident lawyer on staff.
Multiple parties can be held accountable in a rideshare accident, including another driver, the rideshare company, or the auto manufacturer. A skilled personal injury lawyer will help you navigate the clutter and file a successful personal injury claim.
10. Pedestrian Accidents
Drivers have a duty to protect pedestrians, whether a pedestrian is crossing a street, exiting a vehicle, or walking on a sidewalk. If a driver’s negligent actions injure a pedestrian, they will likely be held liable for damages. Common damages in a pedestrian accident include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Most pedestrian accidents result from distracted driving, failure to yield, and speeding.
Contact a Houston Personal Injury Attorney Today
Filing personal injury claims can be stressful and time-consuming. For such a serious matter, you need serious representation. At Payne Law Firm, we handle the heavy lifting, working tirelessly to earn you maximum compensation after an accident.
After the worst accidents, you need the best help around. The best personal injury lawyer in Houston is the one who has expert knowledge of local courts, insurance adjusters, and resources that build stronger claims.
For years, attorney Jason E. Payne has been that lawyer, earning maximum compensation for his clients throughout Houston. He is board-certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, which very few personal injury attorneys have accomplished.
When you are injured, we help you find expert medical care and win fair compensation. Contact Payne Law Firm today to learn more
