Types of Personal Injury Claims

Personal injuries are frequently life-changing events. Cases are often complex and involve many potential pitfalls that can halt your claim’s progress if you’re not aware of them. Claims may involve multiple parties, including insurance companies, medical providers, and juries. 

If you’re struggling to get answers about your claim, consult a law firm that is experienced in these practice areas, such as Gibbs & Crivelli, Slingshot Law. We can help you navigate all types of personal injury claims and advise you on the best course of action based on your personal injury claim type, no matter how hopeless your situation may feel at the moment.

Car Accidents

A car accident can be caused by human error or by mechanical failure. Cases involving human error can be caused by another driver being distracted or negligent. Drunk driving may also leave you suffering or even grieving the loss of a loved one. 

Wrecks involving mechanical failure may include brakes failing, faulty airbags, or other failings in the manufacturing and design of a car. These cases can sometimes result in class action lawsuits.

Other cases are more complex because they involve a commercial vehicle, so the driver and the driver’s employer may be at fault. Rideshare accidents can be tricky as well since they may involve both the driver’s personal insurance in addition to, for example, Uber’s insurance policy.

No car accident is the same, but personal injury laws never vary no matter what type of accident you’re in. If someone is at fault for your injuries or property damage, you have the right to collect compensation for your damages.

Motorcycle Accidents

In some states, motorcycles have their own rules when it comes to insurance coverage and liability laws. For example, most motorcyclists purchase an insurance policy. But in Texas, anyone that has caused a motorcycle accident can also prove financial responsibility by having:

• A $55,000 deposit in cash or securities made to the county judge or comptroller
• A surety bond on file with the county clerk, which must include two individuals who both own real property in the state
• A certification of self-insurance through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), which is typically reserved for motorcycle dealers since you must own more than 25 motorcycles to be eligible

With this complex set of insurance rules, if you get into an accident with a motorcycle in Texas and need to file a claim, you likely need guidance from a personal injury attorney with experience in these practice areas.

Construction Accidents

Determining liability can be a challenge for any construction accident because there are usually many parties involved. Common types of injuries include:

• Falls – Slip-and-fall accidents are a type of personal injury that can easily occur on scaffolding or ladders. Sometimes, tools are left strewn about, which can cause serious injury to workers or passersby.
• Electrical Shock – Workers may accidentally come into contact with live wires while performing tasks like digging trenches through underground conduits.
• Forklift Accidents – Forklifts carry heavy loads and can cause major bodily injury. Forklifts can also pose serious danger if they’re driven by inexperienced operators.

Premise Liability Claims

Premise liability claims involve injuries that occur on someone else’s property. As such, they cover a wide range of situations, including:

• Slip-and-fall accidents at a business or store
• Dog bites or animal attacks
• Negligent security claims

In order to hold a property owner responsible for your injuries, you must be able to prove that the owner had a duty to keep you safe and that they breached that duty by failing to. 

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice is a type of claim that comes in two basic forms: mistakes and omissions. 

Mistakes occur when a healthcare provider fails to do something correctly and with care. For example, if your doctor left surgical tools in your body cavity, they have made a serious error. 

Omissions occur when someone was supposed to do something and did not do it at all or did not complete enough of it to satisfy the task at hand. In either situation, medical malpractice cases can be devastating for the patient and his or her family.

Formulating a Winning Legal Strategy with an Attorney 

Personal injury lawsuits can be intricate and confusing. There are so many types of personal injury cases and often there is a lot at stake. That’s why it may make sense for you to seek the assistance of a lawyer. 

Gibbs & Crivelli, Slingshot Law are unafraid to pursue the compensation you’re due, even from large corporations and institutions. We offer solutions and insights that you might not have thought of otherwise. Contact us online or call 800-488-7840 for advice on how to proceed with your case.