As an individual, you never expect to suffer a personal injury due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another person. Yet accidents happen every day, and when they do, it's important to understand your legal options for pursuing compensation. The most common personal injury cases involve injuries from car accidents, slip and fall incidents, medical malpractice, and defective products.
If you've been injured in one of these ways through no fault of your own, the liable party should be held responsible. While no amount of money can undo the harm, it can at least help cover medical bills, lost wages, and other costs associated with your injury. With the help of a Texas personal injury lawyer, you have the best chance of obtaining the settlement you deserve.
Car Accidents Are the Most Common Personal Injury Case
Car accidents are the most common type of personal injury case. According to statistics, there are over 6 million car accidents in the U.S. each year, resulting in more than 3 million injuries and over 38,000 fatalities.
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to compensation. This includes accidents involving passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians. The at-fault driver's insurance company is obligated to pay for damages like medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering.
Common injuries from car accidents include:
- Whiplash and neck injuries: Sudden jolts can cause damage to soft tissues in the neck.
- Back injuries: The impact of a collision may lead to sprains, strains, and damage to the spine or spinal disks.
- Head injuries: Bumps, cuts or internal injuries to the brain that can range from mild to severe.
- Broken bones: Fractures most often occur in the limbs, ribs, and collar bones during an auto accident.
- Internal injuries: Bruises, bleeding or damage to organs like the kidneys, spleen or liver. These may not be apparent immediately after an accident.
If involved in a Houston auto accident, seek medical attention promptly even if you feel fine. Be sure to contact the police to report the incident and get a copy of the official accident report. Contact a personal injury attorney to help you pursue a claim against the at-fault driver to recover compensation for your injuries and other damages. With the assistance of counsel, you have the best chance of achieving a fair settlement.
Slip and Fall Accidents Are Also Very Common
Slip and fall accidents are also very common personal injury cases. These accidents can happen anywhere - in public places, commercial properties or even private residences. If you suffer injuries from a slip and fall, you may be entitled to compensation.
Property owners and managers have a responsibility to maintain reasonably safe premises. This includes properly cleaning up spills, ensuring flooring is in good condition, clearing walkways of debris, and eliminating tripping hazards. If they fail to do so and you slip or trip as a result, causing injury, you likely have grounds for a premises liability claim.
Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Wet or uneven flooring surfaces (tile, wood, concrete, etc.)
- Poor lighting that obscures potential hazards
- Cluttered or obstructed walkways and stairs
- Liquid spills, especially in high-traffic areas like store aisles or restaurant dining rooms
- Loose or torn carpeting, damaged floorboards or uneven pavement
The injuries from slip and fall mishaps can range from minor bruises and sprains to severe bone breaks, traumatic brain injuries, and even paralysis or death in extreme cases. If you have suffered harm due to unsafe conditions on another's property, do not hesitate to consult with a personal injury attorney regarding your rights and options for pursuing fair compensation through legal means. With their expertise and guidance, you can build a strong case to help cover costs related to medical care, physical therapy, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Workplace Injuries Account for Many Personal Injury Claims
Workplace injuries account for a sizable portion of personal injury claims. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, private industry employers reported over 5,000 work-related fatal injuries in 2019, with millions of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported annually.
Slips, Trips and Falls
Slips, trips and falls are common accidents that frequently lead to workplace injury claims. property owners and employers have a responsibility to provide safe conditions for workers and patrons. Failure to address hazards like wet floors, uneven walking surfaces, poor lighting, cluttered work areas or lack of railings can often result in injury.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
Performing repetitive tasks, heavy lifting, or working in awkward positions over long periods of time can cause repetitive stress injuries (RSI) such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, bursitis or muscle strain. RSIs develop over time and proper safety measures like job rotation, ergonomic workstations, and reasonable break times should be implemented to prevent these types of overuse injuries.
Machinery and Equipment Accidents
Unsafe or improperly maintained tools, machines, and equipment are frequent causes of workplace accidents and injury claims. Lack of guarding, emergency stops, lockout procedures or safety mechanisms on devices can lead to crushed fingers or hands, amputations, burns and other severe injuries. Proper training, protective gear, and strictly following equipment operating procedures are critical to avoiding these preventable accidents.
Workplace injuries can have devastating and long-lasting consequences. By identifying and correcting hazardous conditions, providing necessary safety equipment and training, and ensuring proper policies and procedures are in place, companies can significantly reduce the risk of employee accidents, injuries, health issues and legal claims. Creating a culture of workplace safety benefits both employers and employees.
Medical Malpractice Cases Are Complex but Not Uncommon
Medical malpractice cases arise when a patient is harmed by a medical professional's negligence or improper treatment. These complex cases require the expertise of a personal injury attorney to determine if medical malpractice occurred and if the patient is entitled to compensation.
Errors in Diagnosis or Treatment
If a doctor fails to diagnose a condition properly or provides improper treatment, it can lead to further injury or harm. For example, if a physician fails to detect signs of a heart attack or provides the incorrect dosage of medication, it may constitute medical malpractice. Your attorney will review medical records and consult with expert witnesses to establish if the standard of care was breached.
Surgical Errors
Mistakes made during surgery, such as operating on the wrong body part or leaving surgical instruments inside the patient, are examples of surgical errors that can lead to medical malpractice cases. Surgeons are held to a high standard of care to avoid preventable errors that harm patients.
Failure to Obtain Informed Consent
Doctors are required to provide patients with information about the risks and benefits of any medical procedure or treatment so the patient can provide informed consent. Failure to disclose risks or alternatives to a procedure that a reasonable patient would want to know can be grounds for a medical malpractice claim if the patient is injured as a result.
Medical malpractice cases allow patients who have been harmed by negligence to recover damages related to additional medical bills, lost work and wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Though complex, an experienced personal injury attorney can determine if you have a viable claim against a medical professional who failed to meet the appropriate standard of care.
Dog Bites and Other Animal Attacks Lead to Injuries
Dog bites and other animal attacks are a common cause of personal injury. When an animal attacks and injures a person, the owner can typically be held liable. According to the CDC, there are about 4.5 million dog bites each year in the United States. Most dog bites happen to children, especially those between the ages of 5 and 9 years old.
Some of the most common types of injuries from dog bites and animal attacks include:
- Laceration, puncture wounds and abrasions from bites and scratches. These can become infected if not properly treated.
- Fractures and broken bones from knockdowns and falls. An attacking animal can easily knock a person, especially a child, to the ground causing broken wrists, arms and other bones.
- Eye injuries like corneal abrasions, lacerations and even enucleation from scratches and bites to the eye area.
- Scarring and disfigurement which can have lasting psychological impacts.
- Rabies and other diseases transmitted through saliva. All animal bites should be evaluated for possible rabies exposure.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite or animal attack, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. An experienced personal injury attorney can help determine who is liable in your case and work to recover compensation on your behalf. They can also help ensure that dangerous animals are properly handled so that no one else is hurt.
While some breeds of dogs are more prone to aggression and biting, any size or breed of dog can attack and cause harm. Dog owners have a legal responsibility to keep others safe from their pets. If they fail in this duty, they can and should be held accountable for injuries their dogs cause.
Fletcher Law Texas Injury Lawyers Have Experience To Help
As experienced personal injury lawyers, Fletcher Law Texas Injury Lawyers have handled many types of cases over the years. Some of the most common personal injury claims we see include:
Car Accidents
Car accidents are an unfortunately common cause of injury that can lead to a personal injury case. If you have been in a collision due to another driver's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for damages like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Property owners have a responsibility to maintain safe conditions. If you have slipped, tripped or fallen on a hazard on someone else's property, the property owner may be liable for your injuries under premises liability law. Common causes of slip and fall accidents include wet floors, uneven walking surfaces, poor lighting, and cluttered walkways.
Medical Malpractice
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have a duty to provide a reasonable standard of care. If you have been harmed due to a medical mistake or negligent treatment, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. Surgical errors, misdiagnosis, improper medication, and lack of informed consent are examples of medical malpractice.
Workplace Injuries
Employers are required to provide a safe work environment and necessary safety equipment and training. If you have been injured on the job due to unsafe conditions, defective equipment, or hazardous tasks, your employer may be responsible. Workers' compensation claims can cover lost wages, medical care, rehabilitation, and permanent disability benefits.
The personal injury attorneys at Fletcher Law Texas Injury Lawyers have the experience and skills to determine if you have a valid claim for compensation. We have a proven track record of achieving favorable settlements and verdicts for clients in Dallas and throughout Texas. Please contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation about your case.
Conclusion
In the end, the most common personal injury cases arise from instances of negligence, carelessness, or recklessness that cause harm to others. If you have been injured due to the fault of another person or entity, you have the right to pursue compensation to cover medical costs, lost wages, and other damages. If you are injured in Houston, Texas, speaking with a personal injury attorney is often the best first step to understand your legal options and determine if you have grounds for a claim. A lawyer can advise you on the merits of your specific case, help gather evidence to support your claim, handle communications with insurance companies, and represent you in court to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. While no amount of money can undo the harm that was caused, it can at least help provide security and relief during recovery. Call Fletcher Law for help today.