If you sustain injuries or damages through no fault of your own, you may be wondering whether it’s worth pursuing legal action. The easiest way to determine whether you have grounds for a claim is by seeking counsel. Here are just a few scenarios that warrant guidance from a personal injury attorney. 

3 Situations in Which to Call a Personal Injury Attorney 

1. When You Are Hurt Because of Another Party’s Negligence

Negligence, which is simply a breach of the duty of care that one party owes another, is the basis of many personal injury claims. Reckless driving is one of the most common examples of negligence. When a drunk or distracted motorist causes a wreck, injured parties are entitled to hold the driver financially accountable. Other common personal injury scenarios that arise out of negligence include slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, and nursing home neglect.  

2. When You Are the Victim of an Intentional Tort

Since the criminal proceedings typically take center stage, it’s easy to forget that those who suffer intentional torts are entitled to compensation for their damages. If you were the victim of assault and battery, false imprisonment, or some other intentional tort, you have the right to file a civil claim alongside any criminal charges the offender is already facing. 

3. When You Have Grounds for a Strict Liability Claim 

There are a few personal injury scenarios in which neither negligence nor intentional misconduct occurred. If you were hurt while using a defective product, for example, or you were attacked by a dog that managed to jump the fence, you might have grounds for a claim based on strict liability. This means you will not have to prove negligence played a role in the incident. Since proving strict liability poses other challenges, though, it’s wise to seek legal counsel before commencing the proceedings. 

If you need a personal injury attorney in Ohio, look no further than Ibold & O’Brien. Practicing out of Chardon, this firm is proud to represent accident victims throughout Geauga and Ashtabula counties. Clients have been turning to them for virtually all their legal needs since 1980. They offer a broad range of services, and their team strives to build lasting relationships with every individual who enters their office. In addition to personal injury claims, they assist with criminal defense, employment law, Social Security disability benefits, real estate transactions, workers’ compensation, divorce, and business litigation. To learn more about the services they provide, visit their website, and call (440) 285-3511 to schedule a consultation.