Personal injury law offers compensation if you’ve been harmed due to someone else’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing. While a no-injury fender-bender might not qualify, serious accidents that result in significant losses often lay the groundwork for a personal injury case. Understanding what qualifies as a personal injury helps determine if you have grounds to seek legal counsel.
Motor vehicle crashes
Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of personal injury lawsuits. Approximately 6.7 million police-reported car crashes occurred in the U.S. in 2019, with over 36,000 fatalities. In 2022, according to the Texas Department of Transportation, one crash occurred on Texas’s roads every 57 seconds.
Car crashes, motorcycle collisions, pedestrian accidents, and trucking incidents can all cause life-altering injuries. If someone else’s bad driving, carelessness, or not following traffic laws caused your accident, you could get money for it.
Catastrophic Injury Claims
Catastrophic injuries drastically alter a person’s life. These injuries often lead to permanent disability, long-term medical requirements, and a complete lifestyle change. Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Limb amputations
- Severe burn injuries
- Paralysis
If you or a loved one has a serious injury, contact a Houston personal injury lawyer for help.
Workplace Disasters
Unfortunately, workplace accidents can have devastating consequences. Workplace accidents like explosions, construction hazards, and exposure to chemicals can cause serious injuries or death.
If you were hurt because of dangerous work conditions, careless boss, or broken equipment, you could have a good reason to sue. Work injury laws are complicated. Talking to a Houston lawyer is important to know your rights and choices.
Dog Bite Lawsuits
The CDC says about 4.5 million dog bites happen in the U.S. every year. Dog bites can cause significant physical injuries, emotional trauma, and lasting scars. Children are disproportionately affected by dog bites, and severe injuries often result in extensive medical care and reconstructive surgery. Dog owners must take responsibility for any injuries caused by their pets. This is especially true if the owners knew or should have been aware of the dog’s aggressive behavior.
Wrongful Death Claims
If someone dies because of someone else’s carelessness or on purpose, their family can try to get compensation through a wrongful death claim. Dealing with these situations can be very upsetting. However, receiving the money you deserve can help cover funeral expenses. It can also provide support and make up for lost income.
Situations that might give rise to a wrongful death claim:
- Fatal car accidents
- Medical malpractice incidents
- Defective products
- Workplace accidents
Mass casualty incidents
Mass casualty incidents (MCIs) are large-scale emergencies that overwhelm local resources due to the number of victims. Natural disasters, acts of violence, or transportation accidents can cause these incidents. Injuries in MCIs are often severe and require immediate, specialized care.
Examples of mass casualty incidents:
- Hurricanes, tornadoes, and other severe weather events
- Mass shootings
- Large-scale explosions
- Train derailments or bus crashes
Defective Products
Defective products can cause serious injuries or even death. Consumers may unknowingly put themselves at risk when a product is dangerously designed, poorly manufactured, or lacks adequate warnings. If a defective product has harmed you, you may have grounds for a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer, distributor, or seller.
Types of Product Defects
- Design defects: Exist when the product’s inherent design is unsafe.
- Manufacturing defects: Arise during production when the product deviates from its intended design.
- Marketing defects: Occur when insufficient instructions or safety warnings accompany the product.
If you are in the Houston area and believe you have a personal injury case, seek legal advice from a qualified Houston injury lawyer. A lawyer will assess your situation, explain your rights, and fight for the best possible outcome in your case.
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