Frequently, I have clients that say they are glad they came to the initial consultation because they were not sure they had a lawsuit. Too often, non-lawyers are confused about when a personal injury lawsuit is appropriate. I like to tell clients that if they were injured by the fault of someone else, it is at least worth having a conversation with a personal injury attorney to learn their options. This post will give common examples of accidents that may give rise to a lawsuit. I should note, these are just common examples and it is best to consult with an attorney whenever you were hurt by someone else.
The most common example of accidents that cause injuries involve motor vehicles. This makes sense. Vehicles are heavy and move at great speeds. When two or more 2-ton objects collide with people inside, there will likely be an injury.
It is worth remembering, there are subsets of motor vehicle accidents including large trucks, municipal vehicles, bicycles, and motorcycles. It does not matter the types of vehicle involved. If you were hurt by someone else’s driving, you may have a lawsuit. Any of these motor vehicle accidents may have been caused by a drunk driver, which is still an unfortunate reality in our world. A drunk driving accident may lead not only to a lawsuit against the driver but possibly to a case against the person or facility that provided the alcohol, called a Dram Shop Action.
Another type of accident that can lead to a personal injury case is a slip and fall. If someone falls at a store, business, public area or in someone else’s home, there may be a case against the property owner. Not every fall will lead to a case but if there is a dangerous condition, a slippery floor, uneven flooring or poor lighting, the fall might give rise to a lawsuit.
There are various other injuries that may be actionable. For instance, if someone else’s dog bites you, you may have an action against the dog’s owner. If a product malfunctions or has design flaws that hurt you, you may be able to seek damages from the maker of the product. You may also be able to seek damages for a brain injury or if a loved one passes as part of an accident, a wrongful death claim against the perpetrator.
Again, the best policy when you are hurt by the actions of someone else is to set up an appointment with an attorney to discuss the details of your accident, and whether you might have a case. Working with an experienced attorney is the best way to know if you have a case and what you need to do to bring your lawsuit.