How Do You Know If You Have A Personal Injury Case?

personal injury case

Personal injury cases can be complicated and difficult to navigate, especially when dealing with injuries, medical bills, and legal matters. Knowing whether you have a personal injury case can be the first step in getting the compensation and justice you deserve.

We’ll cover everything you need to know about personal injury cases, including what qualifies as a personal injury case, how to determine if you have a case, and how a team of Orlando personal injury lawyers can help.

What is a Personal Injury Case?

A personal injury case is a legal dispute that arises when someone is injured due to someone else’s negligence or intentional harm. Personal injury cases can include many situations, such as slip and falls, car accidents, dog bites, and more.

In a personal injury case, the injured person (also called the “plaintiff”) seeks compensation for damages from the person or entity responsible for causing the injury (also called the “defendant”).

Types of Personal Injury Cases

There are many types of personal injury cases, including:

How to Determine If You Have a Personal Injury Case

To determine if you have a personal injury case, you need to consider three main factors: fault, injury, and damages.

Proving Fault

In a personal injury case, you must prove that the defendant was at fault for causing the injury. This is also known as “establishing liability.” Liability can be established through proving negligence or intentional harm.

Negligence means the defendant failed to act reasonably, causing you harm, while intentional harm means the defendant hurt you deliberately.

Proving Injury

The plaintiff must also prove that they suffered an injury due to the defendant’s actions or inactions. This can include physical injuries, such as broken bones or cuts, and emotional or psychological injuries, such as anxiety or depression.

Proving Damages

Finally, the last thing you must prove is that they suffered damages—or losses—due to your injury.

A couple of common types of damages in a personal injury case exist:

  1. Economic damages (sometimes called “compensatory damages”) include direct financial losses experienced by the injured party. These include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
  2. Non-economic damages refer to other personal losses that are more difficult to quantify. These include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment in life, diminished earning capabilities, and more.

What to Do If You Think You Have a Personal Injury Case

If you believe that you have a personal injury case, there are several steps you should take to protect your rights and increase your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.

Seek Medical Attention

The first step after any injury is to seek medical attention. Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s important to get a thorough medical evaluation to ensure that you haven’t suffered any hidden injuries. Medical records can also be valuable evidence in your case.

Gather Evidence

You’ll need to gather as much evidence as possible to build a strong case.

This can include:

  • Photos of the accident scene
  • Witness statements
  • Medical records
  • Police reports
  • Insurance information
  • Any other documentation related to the accident or injury

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

It’s important to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your injury. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. An attorney can also help you determine if you have a case and what damages you may be entitled to.

Your lawyer will work with you to gather evidence, build a case, negotiate a settlement, or represent you in court. Choosing a lawyer with experience in personal injury law and handling cases like yours is important.

Trusted Orlando Personal Injury Lawyers

You may have a personal injury case if you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence or intentional harm. If you have a case, protecting your rights and increasing your chances of getting the compensation you deserve is important.

Remember, personal injury cases can be complicated and stressful, but with the right legal representation, you can get the compensation and justice you deserve. Contact us today at Purely Legal, and we’ll review your case to ensure the best possible settlement outcome.

Author Bio

Orlando Sheppard

Orlando Sheppard is a Co-Founder and Partner of Purely Legal, a multi-state personal injury law firm serving clients in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. He handles a wide range of personal injury matters, including car accidents, bike accidents, dog bites, premise liability, slip and falls, and wrongful death.

Orlando received his Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University College of Law and is a member of the Florida Bar, the Maryland State Bar Association, and the Orange County Bar Association.

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