You may have heard about “personal injuries” before, but what does this term mean? Well, here’s a simple personal injury definition: 

A personal injury is simply any physical, mental, or emotional injury sustained by a person. So, it’s damage to a person rather than property damage. 

If someone else is to blame for your injuries, it might be possible to make a “personal injury claim” – here’s what you should know.   

What Are the Most Common Types of Personal Injury Cases?

The most common types of personal injury cases include:

• asbestos-related illnesses
• birth injuries
• car and motorcycle accidents
• truck crashes
• medical negligence
• product liability
• slips, trips, and falls
• workplace accidents  

Common Personal Injury Examples

Personal injury law includes a wide range of injuries, such as:

• broken bones
• cuts, bruising, and lacerations
• emotional distress and anxiety
• fatalities
• head trauma
• limb loss
• nerve damage
• paralysis 
• post-traumatic stress
• soft tissue damage e.g. ligament tears, muscle strains
• spinal cord injuries

If you have an accident, seek medical advice – some injuries take time to manifest. 

Bodily Injury vs. Personal Injury

“Bodily” injury refers to physical injuries to the body. It’s most commonly used in criminal cases. “Personal” injury, however, is the more common term in civil cases because it covers a wider range of physical and mental injuries which all form part of your negligence claim. 

What Is a Personal Injury Lawsuit? 

A personal injury lawsuit is the formal legal process for claiming damages from the person responsible for your injuries. 

• Your attorney will attempt to negotiate a fair settlement for you out of court.
• If the defendant won’t admit liability or the settlement isn’t fair, your attorney can file formal proceedings with the court. The case may go to trial.

Most cases settle outside the courtroom, but more complex cases may proceed to trial.  

How Do You Prove a Personal Injury Claim?

To make a personal injury claim, you must prove four things.

• Someone else had a “duty of care” towards you, meaning a duty to act responsibly to avoid causing harm. This includes, for example, drivers, employers, and business owners.
• The person breached this duty in some way e.g. driving carelessly or failing to maintain a safe work environment.
• You suffered mental or physical injury in an accident. 
• The other party’s negligence is the reason why you’re injured. 

If successful, you can claim compensation for e.g. lost income, medical bills, and rehabilitation.

Is There a Time Limit for Personal Injury Cases? 

You typically only have two years from the accident date to make a personal injury claim. However, the time limit is different for certain claims – an attorney can explain what time limits may apply. 

How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help | Alexander Law Firm

There are many types of personal injury cases. At the Alexander Law Firm, we understand that every claim is unique, and we’re committed to giving all of our clients the dedicated, compassionate representation they deserve.  

To find out if you have a personal injury claim, schedule a free case evaluation: contact us now on (800) 350-5110 or complete our online form.