Have you ever been the victim of personal injury? Personal injury is defined by Wikipedia as “a type of tort lawsuit in which the person bringing the suit, or “plaintiff,” has suffered harm to his or her body or mind. It’s important to know what steps to follow, as there are time limits and “torts” that can limit you in certain scenarios. A reputable law firm like Hunter Law, a personal injury attorney Tampa-based, can guide you in the right direction.
Types of Personal Injury
Personal injury covers a wide array of accidents and can range from the following list (though it is not all-inclusive):
- auto accident
- boating accident
- dog bite
- truck accident
- lower back pain
- medical malpractice
- slip and fall
- traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- motorcycle accident
- Uber accident (obviously a newer, but still valid, personal injury type)
My Story:
I was in a car accident when I was 16. It was dark and raining, and I was driving past a Walmart. I was going straight and a car at a stop sign pulled out in front of me, trying to make a left turn. I had no time to break and t-boned the other car, which was a minivan compared to my tiny Chevy Cavalier. That location was notorious for that type of accident and now has a light instead of a stop sign, thankfully.
I wasn’t too seriously injured, but enough that I spent 2 days in ICU, bit completely through my lip, tore some ligaments in my knee and had chest pain from hitting the steering wheel. To top it off, I was given an anti-nausea medication in the ICU that I had an anaphylactic reaction too. No better place for that to happen, I guess!
Long story short, I looked into a personal injury claim after finding out the other driver had been drinking. Turns out, my parents had taken a limited tort option on our car insurance to save money. That meant I cannot sue. These are the kinds of things you need to consult a personal injury lawyer about to know your rights. Just because I couldn’t, doesn’t mean you wouldn’t have a case!
Another example: Say Jane Doe needs surgery and something goes wrong during the operation. In the state of Pennsylvania at least, you are limited to only 2 years to make a lawsuit. That might sound like a lot, but some people don’t learn the full extent of their injuries right away.
Tips to Keep in Mind Before Contacting a Lawyer:
- Gather all the documents and evidence to bring with you. Even if it is a phone interview, make sure you have everything in front of you because the lawyer is going to need a lot of details.
- Find out any fees and financial requirements it would take to bring your suit to court. Come up with a figure that you are willing to work with. Depending on the case, some lawyers take their fee from your “winnings.”
- Be prepared to answer personal questions. It may feel like you’re at an inquisition, but that means that lawyer is doing their job well!
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