Recovering after an accident can be a difficult and stressful process. It can also be incredibly costly. Following an accident, the victim might have to pay for medical expenses and lose wages, adding to the frustration. In personal injury cases, a victim may be entitled to compensation that can help relieve some of this stress and can also help get justice for the victim and prevent future tragedies. A personal injury lawyer may be able to help you with this process, navigating the legal landscape on behalf of the victim to ensure the victim receives the compensation they deserve. You can contact one of our expert personal injury lawyers at Lott Law at (228) 215-2787 today to learn more.
What Is A Personal Injury Case?
A personal injury case involves some sort of accident where another party is at fault due to negligence, intentional harm, or recklessness. These cases also involve some sort of harm to the victim, sometimes resulting in serious injury. Some examples of personal injury cases include:
- Vehicular accidents, such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles
- Slipping and falling on another’s property
- Animal attacks, including dog bites
- Medical malpractice
- Defective merchandise
- Injuries in the workplace
What Is Liability?
The person responsible for an accident is considered at fault or liable. This may be intentional or unintentional, in cases of negligence or reckless behavior. Mississippi Code § 11-1-65 outlines punitive damages in cases of negligence. The liable party may be required to compensate the victim for damages and costs following the accident.
How Can You Prove Liability?
There are a few ways a victim might prove liability. One may be if the defendant admits fault for the accident. Another may be if the victim has proof that the defendant violated their duty of care. Duty of care refers to the defendant’s responsibility to ensure the safety of others under their care or control, such as in the case of medical malpractice, product design, or automotive accidents. Proof may come in the form of photos or videos of the accident.
What Are Damages?
Damages refer to the losses suffered by the victim following an accident. These may include significant injuries. In the event of injury, a victim may want to visit a doctor as soon as possible. Getting documentation of injuries sustained may help to increase the compensation you are entitled to in a personal injury case. Visiting a doctor can also help to prove cause and effect between the accident and the injuries incurred. This sort of documentation can ensure you receive compensation for your medical costs and any other damages suffered.
What Kind Of Compensation Are You Entitled To?
Following an accident, you may accrue a number of expenses, either directly or indirectly. These costs may be covered by the compensation following a personal injury case and may include:
- Medical expenses surrounding the accident, including hospital costs, surgery costs, medication costs, etc.
- Lost wages may be incurred following an accident if the injuries are severe enough to prevent normal everyday activities involved in one’s work.
- Pain and suffering may also be covered by personal injury compensation
What Is Comparative Negligence?
Comparative negligence refers to the amount of guilt held by each party in a personal injury case. If you are found partially at fault, then you may hold some responsibility for the accident. This can cause the compensation the victim is entitled to receive to be lowered. The percentage of fault the victim holds equals the amount their compensation is reduced. However, as long as the victim is found to be less than fifty percent responsible, the victim is still entitled to compensation for damages.
When Should You File A Claim?
Mississippi Code § 15-1-49 outlines the statute of limitations on personal injury cases. This code requires that a personal injury claim be filed within three years of the accident. This three-year limit has a few exceptions, however, including in cases of medical malpractice.
As part of this process, it may be helpful to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as the injuries are discovered. This can help speed up the process and may help remove much of the stress of navigating the legal landscape. A lawyer may also have advice to help you avoid mistakes and allow you to receive the most compensation possible. You can contact one of our expert personal injury lawyers today at Lott Law.
What Are Mistakes That Could Jeopardize Your Case?
There are a number of ways a personal injury case might be put in jeopardy. These might decrease the amount of compensation you are entitled to or may make it more difficult to prove liability in court:
- Waiting to receive medical care may make it more difficult to prove injury or may reduce the amount of compensation you are entitled to
- Ignoring a doctor’s orders may make it difficult to prove the defendant is liable for injuries and medical costs incurred
- Giving an insurance adjuster a recorded statement may also decrease the compensation you are entitled to
- Admitting fault for the accident can also make it difficult or impossible to prove that the defendant is liable
Contact A Personal Injury Lawyer Today And Get The Compensation You Deserve!
Following an accident, serious injuries may keep you from living life to its fullest. This may be exacerbated by medical expenses and financial burdens, but a personal injury case may help. Building a personal injury case may help you receive compensation following an accident. If another party is at fault, you may be able to prove liability and receive monetary compensation as well as prevent further accidents of the same kind. An expert personal injury lawyer can help! Getting legal help can also help release some of the stress of navigating the legal landscape. A personal injury lawyer can also answer any questions you might have throughout the process. You can contact one of our expert personal injury lawyers at Lott Law at (228) 215-2787 today and start building your case.
