Personal Injury Information Center

About Accidents, Injuries and Your Legal Rights

Thank you for visiting our Personal Injury Information Center. With so many different types of accidents, injuries and personal injury claims, as well as the various laws that may apply in your particular state, we believe it is important to get as much information on this subject as possible. This can empower you to make well informed choices about your case and how you can seek financial compensation for the injuries or loss you have endured. In this area of our website, you will find basic information and helpful tips related to personal injury law as a whole, as well as a number of key sub-categories such as the different types of personal injury claims, who can be held accountable, your legal rights, how long you have to file a claim and so much more.

About Personal Injury Law
Though the specific personal injury laws will vary from state to state and jurisdiction to jurisdiction, the basic idea is to provide an injured party with the means to seek compensatory damages from an individual or business entity whose conduct has caused him or her harm. Depending on the case, the injured party may be able to seek money for medical expenses, lost wages and even non-economic damages such as emotional trauma. The injured party will typically have a limited time to file a claim, so it is important to consider involving an attorney before too much time passes. Read more about personal injury law.

Types of Personal Injury Claims
There are different types of accidents and injuries that may provide the injured party with a valid reason to file a personal injury claim. Some of the most common types of personal injury claims in the United States involve motor vehicle accidents (including car, truck and motorcycle accidents), dog bites, slip and fall accidents, nursing home abuse, defective products, medical malpractice and construction accidents. The family of a person who lost his or her life in one of these incidents may also take legal action with a wrongful death claim. Read more about the types of personal injury claims.

Types of Injuries
A personal injury may include either a physical or emotional injury sustained as the result of another's intentional or unintentional conduct. Some examples may include broken bones, brain injuries, severe burns, paralysis, spinal cord injuries, loss of vision or hearing, internal organ damage and amputation. The extent of injury that a person has sustained will most likely have a direct impact on the value of his or her personal injury claim, as the medical expenses and other losses associated with catastrophic injuries may be considerable. Read more about the types of injuries.

Do I have a case?
Determining whether you have grounds for a personal injury claim is best accomplished by reviewing the matter with a qualified lawyer. There are key issues that your lawyer will need to prove in order to seek fair compensation for your claim, and this includes:

• You were injured;
• You suffered quantifiable injuries;
• The defendant (person you're bringing a claim against) acted negligently; and
• The defendant's negligence was the proximate cause of your injuries.

Read more about whether you may have a case.

Financial Compensation: What is my claim worth?
The value of a personal injury claim will vary depending on various factors. One of the most important will be the extent of injury that the victim suffered. The best way to determine what your case may be worth is by involving an attorney who can accurately assess all financial, emotional and psychological damages you have experienced and may experience in the future as a result of your injuries. From there, your attorney can seek maximum compensation on your behalf. Read more about what your claim may be worth.

Determining Liability: Who is accountable?
Attempting to determine and prove liability (legal accountability) in a personal injury claim can be complex. In some cases, more than one party may be to blame. There are also situations where the victim was partially at fault, and this may limit the amount of compensation they are entitled to receive. A thorough investigation will be crucial in determining liability in your personal injury claim, and a lawyer who has the resources and personnel to accomplish this can make a big difference. Read more about liability in personal injury cases.

Personal Injury FAQs
If you're dealing with the aftermath of an accident or are considering filing a personal injury claim, you probably have a number of questions that need answering. We have compiled a list of some of the most common questions related to accidents and injuries, along with helpful and informative answers that can help you get a better idea of what to expect, what rights you have and more. Click here to visit our personal injury FAQ (frequently asked questions) page.

Finding a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you've been injured, finding a personal injury attorney may be the last thing on your mind. You are dealing with an event that may have caused you physical pain and emotional trauma, and you may be facing financial difficulties resulting from medical expenses, property damage and other unforeseen costs. An attorney can actually make a difference in your peace of mind and your financial stability. By reviewing your legal options and seeking financial compensation by way of a personal injury lawsuit, a lawyer can help you begin rebuilding and moving on with your life. Read more about finding a personal injury lawyer.

State Bar Associations
Among various other duties they perform, state bar associations typically track and enforce disciplinary action and complaints against licensed attorneys in the state. You may find that your local state bar association website is a valuable resource to review the records of personal injury lawyers in your area. Click here for a list of state bar associations in the U.S.

Make sure you get the information and legal help you need. Find a personal injury lawyernear you.