What is a Personal Injury Case?

Knowing whether you have a personal injury case after an accident or injury can be challenging. Understanding the signs and steps of a case may help you recognize whether you have a path to compensation and justice. 

Understanding what a personal injury case is can help you determine whether you need a personal injury lawyer and what steps to take next. 

What Are Personal Injury Cases?

What Are Personal Injury Cases?

Personal injury cases allow accident victims to hold at-fault parties accountable and recover compensation for the harm they suffer. Most personal injury cases arise from negligence or wrongful acts, but they can also involve intentional acts. The goal of bringing a personal injury case is to recover compensation for damages and promote accountability.

Personal Injury Claims vs. Lawsuits in Lafayette

Most personal injury claims are classified as either claims or lawsuits. While the terms may be used interchangeably, they are different. A Lafayette personal injury lawyer can help you fight for compensation no matter what stage your claim is in.

Personal Injury Claims in Lafayette

Before filing a lawsuit against the party responsible for your injury, your personal injury case will likely begin as a claim made to the person responsible or their insurance company. You will present a demand outlining the details of your accident, injuries, and other damages. 

You may then negotiate in an attempt to reach a settlement that fairly compensates you for your losses. The goal is to resolve your case without going to court, but it is not always possible. This may require going to trial.

Personal Injury Lawsuits in Lafayette

If you cannot settle your case, the next step often involves filing a personal injury lawsuit. This is a formal court case that requires filing a complaint against those responsible within the one-year statute of limitations. You will need to participate in the pre-trial process, which may include exchanging evidence, taking depositions, and filing motions before potentially going to trial. At trial, you will present your case to a judge or jury, who will decide liability and damages. You can appeal the decision if you are unsatisfied with the decision.

Types of Personal Injury Cases in Lafayette

Personal injury law covers a range of accidents. Personal injury cases come in many forms, and each has unique challenges and liability laws that may apply. 

A Lafayette personal injury lawyer can help you or a loved one fight for compensation in some of the most common accidents, including:

  • Car accidents: Cases that occur when someone is injured by a car, truck, or motorcycle.
  • Pedestrian accidents: Cases that occur when vehicles, defective traffic signals, or other hazards injure someone.
  • Slip and fall cases: Cases that occur when someone is injured on someone else’s property due to unsafe conditions that they failed to correct or warn about, such as a wet floor or loose handrail.
  • Medical malpractice: Cases that occur when someone suffers injuries or death from a healthcare professional’s negligence, such as a misdiagnosis or improper treatment.
  • Product liability: Cases that occur when someone is injured from defective or unsafe products, such as faulty brakes.
  • Workplace accidents: Cases that occur when someone is injured in the workplace from defective safety equipment or other causes, which may involve workers’ compensation.

Speak with a Lafayette personal injury lawyer about your accident and injury to learn who may be liable.

Signs You May Have a Personal Injury Case

It can be hard to know whether you have a personal injury case. Understanding signs that may point to a case will help you know when to speak with a Lafayette personal injury lawyer. 

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, signs to look out for include:

  • Someone else’s carelessness or recklessness caused your injury.
  • You incurred significant medical expenses.
  • You experienced a loss of income.
  • Your injuries impacted your daily life.
  • Your injuries are due to a defective product or unsafe condition.
  • You received a settlement offer from an insurance company.
  • You experienced emotional distress or mental suffering.

These signs can help you determine whether you may have a personal injury case. It is always recommended to schedule a free consultation with a Lafayette personal injury lawyer to discuss your accident and identify potentially liable parties. The sooner you act, the better your chances of a successful outcome.

What Compensation Is Available for Lafayette Personal Injury Cases?

You may be entitled to pursue compensation for economic and non-economic damages you suffer from someone else’s negligence. Familiarizing yourself with the different types of compensation available will help you assess the value of your case. A Lafayette personal injury lawyer will help you fight for a settlement or trial award that covers all your losses, including:

Economic Damages

These damages are quantifiable losses you incur as a result of your accident.

Economic damages in Lafayette personal injury cases can include:

A Lafayette personal injury lawyer can calculate the economic damages that may be available in your case.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages compensate you for losses that are not easily quantified but still impact your life. 

Non-economic damages can include:

A Lafayette personal injury lawyer can use experts to prove the non-economic damages you have suffered from an accident or injury.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyer to Learn if You Have a Case

If you think you have a personal injury case, do not wait. Speak with a Lafayette personal injury lawyer to understand your rights and the compensation you may be entitled to. Kenny Habetz Injury Law can provide you with the experience and support you need to navigate your case from beginning to end. Contact us to schedule a free consultation, or give us a call at (337) 399-9000.