When an Accident Could Lead to a Lawsuit
Accidents happen. It's a fact that we deal with in our lives. Coffee gets spilled. Muscles get sprained during sports. Toddlers fall when trying to walk. A vase gets knocked over and broken. Sure, we don't like when accidents happen, but there is not much we can do about them. But, what about when the accident was not your fault and it caused you harm? Depending on circumstances, these accidents may be the basis of a personal injury lawsuit. Some accidents or other incidents that may be the basis of a personal injury lawsuit (or a wrongful death lawsuit in the event that the incident lead to death) include:
- Auto accident caused by driving under the influence or other reckless driving
- Big rig truck accident
- Construction site accident
- Defective toy causing harm
- Dog bite or other injury by another's pet
- Negligent care at a nursing home
- Poor security or lighting contributing to injury
- Prescription or over-the-counter medicine wrongly prescribed
- Slip and fall due to hazardous conditions in business
- Surgical error, including operating on wrong body part or leaving instrument in body
Because laws vary from state to state and circumstances are different in each accident, to find out if you have a valid personal injury or wrongful death claim, you should speak with a qualified personal injury attorney. Although a lawyer is not required for a personal injury lawsuit, it would be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney with success in filing personal injury cases. The defendant will most likely hire an attorney, especially if you are suing a professional or a company, so you should have the same benefit of legal counsel.