8 Situations That Require A Personal Injury Lawyer

When it comes to seeking legal advice, many people are unaware of their rights regarding personal injury. Misinformation or a lack of understanding can leave you footing the bill for an incident someone else should be covering.

Here are eight situations in which a personal injury lawyer should be consulted.

Automobile Accident

When most people think about contacting a personal injury lawyer, car accidents come to mind. This is a common reason to reach out for legal counsel, as the costs can be tremendous. From time off work to healthcare costs, an automobile accident can have lasting financial and emotional implications.

Even if there's a chance that you will be found at fault for the accident, it's worth reaching out and discussing your options.

Injury Caused by Defective Products

Few people know that they can file a legal claim when they incur an injury caused by a defective product. The term "defective product" is broad. If you sustain an injury caused by a manufacturing issue, such as a laceration from an edge that wasn't adequately sanded, you can work with a personal injury lawyer. If your airbag fails to go off in an accident, the manufacturer could be held liable - hence why it's important to consult a personal injury lawyer regardless of the accident details.

Additionally, a defective product can pertain to something that was correctly manufactured but lacks the proper usage instructions or warnings to ensure your safety. For example, failure to warn that using a product near water could be a shock risk.

Animal Attack

Animal attacks are another example of personal injury that could result in legal proceedings. For instance, if your neighbor's dog bites you and you have to get stitches, that's a personal injury.

While we tend to think of larger dog breeds when considering animal attacks, many small breeds can be aggressive if overly inbred. It's always worth exploring your options should an issue arise.

Slip and Fall

Slip and fall accidents are another widely known reason for consulting an attorney. These could be caused by a wet floor at a shopping mall or an unmarked step at a restaurant.

Older individuals, in particular, need to consult an attorney when these accidents occur, as the results can be devastating in the long-term.

Medical Malpractice

While many people tend to think of malpractice as an issue of its own, it boils down to personal injury. If your paperwork gets misplaced and you experience extended suffering or an adverse prognosis as a result, then you require an attorney. Additionally, if a mistake is made that causes you further harm during a procedure, you have rights.

Aircraft Accidents

Aircraft accidents occur more often than many people think. When we envision an accident, we often picture a fatal crash. In reality, there are smaller, less serious incidents daily. For example, if your plane skids on ice on the runway and goes off, you've been in an aircraft accident.

Smaller aircraft accidents often have similar implications as an automobile accident. You could get whiplash, a concussion, and knee damage from hitting the seat. If you experience an aircraft accident— even a seemingly innocuous one— you should contact a lawyer.

Pedestrian Accident

Thousands of pedestrian accidents occur every day. More often than not, they're caused by distracted drivers. If you're involved in a pedestrian accident, especially a hit-and-run, contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Premises Liability Claim

A premises liability claim occurs when you are invited to someone's property and experience an injury as a result of negligence. Accidents could be anything from a slip and fall on an icy driveway to falling from the stairs that don't have a proper railing.

If you were properly warned about a potential issue ahead of time (i.e., a wet floor sign or a text saying to watch out for the icy driveway), the property owner might not be considered liable. Even so, it's worth exploring your options.

Getting injured is costly. Working with a personal injury lawyer can help you recoup those costs and get back to health.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes