Understanding the different types of personal injuries becomes critical if you find yourself in an unfortunate accident. From motor vehicle crashes to slip-and-fall incidents and other possibilities, these injuries can significantly, sometimes permanently, impact your life.
Kentucky law recognizes various types of personal injuries and delineates essential distinctions between personal injury claims and lawsuits. Our expert legal team at the Law Office of Matthew L. Collins is here to help you recognize occasions when you may need to make a personal injury claim.
Types of Personal Injury
There are countless ways that a person may experience an injury at no fault of their actions. If you or a loved one has been the victim of an accident or workplace or medical injury, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit. Here are the main different types of injury:
- Motor vehicle accidents: Motor vehicle accidents resulting from other car, truck, and motorcycle drivers, or pedestrian accidents may involve injuries such as whiplash, bone fractures, and head injuries.
- Slip-and-fall accidents: This type of personal injury is caused by slipping, tripping, or falling due to hazardous conditions in public or at work and could result in sprains, broken bones, and head injuries.
- Workplace injuries: Injuries sustained while on the job (and not covered by an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance) have been known to include repetitive muscle and joint strain injuries, machinery accidents, and other falls.
- Medical malpractice: These injuries result from medical professionals’ negligence or errors and may involve misdiagnosis, surgical errors, and prescribed medication mistakes.
- Nursing home abuse and neglect: This type of injury could involve any kind of physical, emotional, or financial abuse, as well as neglect, of a resident in a nursing home.
- Product liability: This type of personal injury is typically caused by defective or unsafe products or medications and may result in injuries such as burns, cuts, adverse side effects, and poisoning.
- Dog bites and animal attacks: Animal-related injuries can be a result of animal bites or attacks and could incur injuries such as lacerations, infections, and even psychological trauma.
- Wrongful Death: Wrongful death cases result in the death of someone caused by another person’s negligence or wrongdoing.
Remember, the list of personal injuries someone can sustain can go on, but those mentioned above offer a good overview of the main types covered in most cases.
Personal Injury Claim vs. Personal Injury Lawsuit
In short, after someone sustains an injury in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, a personal injury claim is an initial request for compensation made to the at-fault party’s insurance company. A personal injury lawsuit involves a formal legal action taken when a fair settlement cannot be reached through a claim.
Herein lies one of the inherent benefits of consulting with a personal injury lawyer. Such consultation and guidance can help you make an informed decision about whether to file a claim or to follow up a claim with a lawsuit if the claim can’t be negotiated fairly.
Find a Personal Injury Attorney to Advocate for You
With a knowledgeable personal injury attorney on your side, navigating the complexities of personal injury law becomes more manageable. It’s not about being pushy or aggressive; it’s about protecting your rights and securing the fair compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured and need legal support, contact the law office of Matthew L. Collins, a trusted personal injury attorney. We will use our expertise to work with you to provide personalized legal assistance, guidance through the claim or lawsuit process, and counsel based on what is best for you.
Schedule your free consultation today. We are located in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and serve the surrounding Central Kentucky area, including Anderson County, Woodford County, and Fayette County.