Personal injury lawsuits cover a wide variety of circumstances, from car accidents to falls at the grocery store. While some accidents happen by chance, others can be avoided by those involved taking necessary precautions to limit hazards. If you’ve fallen victim to any of the common incidents listed below, a personal injury attorney could help you build a case. 

Common Personal Injury Claims

1. Injuries Involving Motor Vehicles

Every year, there are on average more than 6 million traffic accidents in the U.S. alone. Many of these accidents occur due to distracted or impaired driving, and victims can include car, motorcycle, bicycle, and truck drivers as well as pedestrians struck by vehicles. While the driver at fault will have their insurance company help cover a victim’s damages—whether damage to the car or personal injury—sometimes this coverage isn’t enough in more serious incidents. A personal injury attorney can assist in holding the at-fault driver accountable for his or her actions as well as representing the injured party in a claim against the injured party’s own underinsured or uninsured motorist component of the the insurance policy.

2. Slip and Fall Injuries

Another prevalent type of personal injury lawsuit, slip and fall cases hold a property owner liable when a person injures themselves on the premises because of the owner’s negligence to minimize risk. If you slip or fall due to circumstances like wet floors, broken steps, an unfilled pothole in a parking lot, or poorly lit areas, you may be able to seek compensation from the owner of the property for failing to keep the premises well-maintained. 

Property owners have a legal obligation to keep their premises reasonably safe, and if they don’t, they may have to pay damages to cover medical bills, lost wages, damaged property, and pain and suffering that occurred as a result of the incident. A personal injury attorney will have to prove that the owner did not take reasonable enough steps to limit risk. In the case of a store on Black Friday, for example, if the team in charge doesn’t take precautionary measures for crowd control, they may be able to be held liable if the crowd chaos injures someone.

3. Dog Bite Injuries

The owner of a dog that bites another individual will usually have to take responsibility for his or her pet’s attack, but these laws vary by state. In some, a strict liability stance exists, which makes the dog owner liable even if the dog never had previous signs of violence or aggression. Other states implement a “one bite” rule that holds an owner responsible once there is a pattern of aggression in the dog, such as a previous bite incident. Personal injury attorneys in your state will advise you on the protocol where you live. 

Personal injuries can have a significant impact on your life, and those whose negligence caused it should be held accountable. The team at Burglin & Doxey, PC, can help you navigate this legal process with skill and dedication to your scenario. Their personal injury attorneys have represented families of the North Pole and Fairbanks, AK, for over 30 years and provide a sharp eye for detail that is necessary to prove liability. For more information on their range of legal services and to schedule a one-on-one consultation with one of their lawyers, call (907) 456-4020 or visit their website.

Disclaimer: This article is for discussion purposes only. If you need specific legal advice, contact an attorney directly.