Personal injury law focuses on compensating victims of slip and fall accidents, car accidents, and other injuries caused by another party’s carelessness or willful acts. It’s a civil rather than criminal action, which means the defendant faces no jail time. Rather, the defendant may be liable to pay for repairs and medical treatments along with potential punitive damages. Learn more about the basics of personal injury law below.

The Basics of Personal Injury Law

What Situations Does Personal Injury Law Cover?

In addition to car accidents or slip and fall incidents, there are many other situations that can qualify as personal injury cases. For instance, if you've suffered losses due to an intentional act — such as assault, battery, or infliction of emotional distress — you can attempt to recover the losses and receive compensation through a personal injury suit. Medical malpractice is another common situation, as is injury caused by a defective product. Personal injury also includes damage to your reputation, such as by liable or slander. 

How Does the Personal Injury Lawsuit Process Work?

Most personal injury cases are fairly clear-cut and never reach a courtroom. If you seek damages, your lawyer will contact the defendant to explain the situation and your desires for redress. They will then commence informal negotiations with the opposing lawyer. If the two parties can agree on a settlement amount, no trial is necessary. If they cannot, your attorney will file a suit with the court. The two sides will then compile evidence and witnesses and present their cases before a judge. If either party desires it, a jury can be involved as well. 

What’s a Statute of Limitations?

A statute of limitations also applies to personal injury cases. According to a statute of limitations, you must bring suit within a certain amount of time after the incident occurred or after you reasonably could have become aware of the loss. This time limit varies by state and by type of action. In New York, the statute of limitations for a car accident injury or property damage is three years, while the statute of limitations for fraud is six years.

If you've suffered a personal injury in a car accident or slip and fall incident, contact Monteleon Law Group to seek compensation. Located in White Plains, NY, they have a record of many successful negotiations and litigations. They also offer services in other practice areas, including divorce, DUI defense, estate planning, and real estate. Visit their website to learn more about their services or call (914) 840-2529 to arrange a consultation.