Unfortunately, injuries are a common occurrence. After the injury happens, there’s so much to do, including getting treated for the injury, recovering, and paying for the medical bills. Depending on the injury, this can be daunting. If you’ve been injured either in an accident or through the fault of someone else, you might be wondering what the difference is between personal accident and personal injury.
Roseville personal injury lawyers are skilled at helping you navigate this issue. If you continue to have questions, they can help you determine whether your injury was an accident or a personal injury.
The Difference Between a Personal Accident and a Personal Injury
While both terms can be used interchangeably, there are some legal differences between the terms’ personal accident and personal injury. The main difference between the two is whether there is someone at fault for the injury.
A personal injury case requires that the defendant be held responsible, whether due to negligence or actions that led to the injury. A personal accident, on the other hand, could be the result of an event where no specific party is at fault. Instead of seeking accountability from the injuring party, a personal accident case usually seeks compensation from the insurance company.
Examples of a Personal Injury
A personal injury case usually involves someone being at fault, whether by negligence or a wrongful act on their part. After a personal injury takes place, you have two years to file a personal injury claim. Examples of a personal injury include:
- Motor vehicle accidents: In 2022, 794 people were injured or killed in car accidents in Roseville, CA. Motor vehicle accidents can cause severe personal injuries and are common personal injury claims.
- Product injuries: When a company releases a product that causes harm, they need to be held accountable. If you’ve been injured by a faulty product, reach out to a personal injury lawyer to help you not only seek compensation but also help other people avoid the same fate.
- Property issues: If the property isn’t looked after, then it can become hazardous. Slip and fall injuries are some of the most common causes of injuries due to this issue.
- Medical malpractice: If you’ve been the victim of medical malpractice, it’s important that you speak up. This involves proving that the reasonable standard of care wasn’t met.
Other examples of personal injuries could be:
- Dog bites
- Nursing home abuse or neglect
- Workplace injuries
- Pedestrian accidents
- Construction accidents
These examples don’t represent every type of injury. Contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your own personal injury and how they can help.
Examples of Personal Accidents
Personal accidents involve injuries that don’t appear to be anyone’s fault and instead require payment from the insurance company. Examples of these might be:
- An injury at home
- A car accident that doesn’t involve other parties
- An accident while exercising, such as while out on a hike.
Personal accidents can happen to anyone, and no matter what it was, you’ll still need help to pay for medical bills and recovery. A skilled lawyer would be able to help you review your insurance coverage and help you determine how to proceed.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
Whether your injury was the result of someone else’s actions or not, it’s crucial that you hire a personal injury lawyer to help you manage the financial and emotional stress. They are skilled at:
- Evaluating your case
- Collecting evidence
- Providing legal counsel
- Negotiating for your settlement
- Representing you during legal proceedings, either at the Howard G. Gibson Courthouse or elsewhere
You don’t have to face this alone. Hiring a personal injury lawyer can make a big difference in your settlement amount and in your overall outcome. At The Ward Firm, we are passionate about helping you fight for damages, both financial and emotional. Contact us today to find out how we can help.
FAQs
Q: What Is the Average Payout for a Personal Injury Claim in the USA?
A: It’s difficult to predict an average payout amount because a lot of personal injury settlements are kept private. Multiple factors affect how much someone could receive in compensation. One is the severity of the injury. Another is the cost of recovery and how much the injured had to pay in medical bills. There are also other damages to consider, like pain and suffering, loss of wages while recovering, and how liable the defendant is in the accident.
Q: What Is the Difference Between an Injury and an Accident?
A: The difference between a personal injury and an accident has to do with who or what is involved. A personal injury is usually a result of another person inflicting harm, whether intentional or otherwise, onto someone else. An accident can be a result of an event and not another person’s fault. While they can be used interchangeably, a personal injury generally requires that the defendant is at fault, whether through negligence or not.
Q: What Is the Timeline for a Personal Injury Case?
A: The timeline for a personal injury case varies between every client, but there are similar steps along the way. After the accident, you must receive medical treatment right away, not only to treat your injury but also to collect evidence for your injury. Next, you’ll want to consult with a personal injury lawyer to help you receive compensation for your injury. Your lawyer will then investigate your case and collect evidence on your behalf before proceeding to the settlement process.
Q: What Would Be Considered an Injury?
A: What would be considered an injury has a wide definition. Generally, a personal injury claim involves an action, inaction, or negligence that caused bodily harm. This could include anything from a bicycle accident, car accident, product liability, workplace injuries, wrongful death, brain injuries, burn injuries, dog bites, construction accidents, and more. A personal injury lawyer is well-equipped to help you determine if your injury might be eligible for compensation.
Personal Injury Lawyer in California
We provide a compassionate support system, along with aggressive representation to our clients. With years of experience representing personal injury clients, we understand that this can be a difficult time for you, and we want to make sure you receive the appropriate damages for your pain. You don’t have to go through this alone.
The Ward Firm can be by your side every step of the way, providing fierce protection of your rights and legal counsel you can trust. Contact our office today to find out how we can help you.
