Accidents and injuries happen: In fact, each year there are more than 31 million injuries in the United States that require some form of medical attention. However, not all people know when to seek legal advice for injury, even if they have been badly hurt.
Although personal injury cases comprise around 60% of all trials each year, only about 4% of these lawsuits ever end up in a courtroom. The vast majority (around 95-96%) are settled out of court. Those numbers may sound frightening to those who are wondering when to seek legal advice for injury, but this process could eliminate a lengthy trial when seeking a settlement.
If you are wondering when to seek legal advice for injury or other hardship that you’ve sustained, here are a few of the most common situations that may require a lawyer:
Car accident
Automobile accidents are some of the biggest killers nationwide, leading to around 40,000 deaths stemming from 5.5 million accidents each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Many of these accidents leave drivers, passengers, and even pedestrians severely injured, sometimes with a long road of recovery ahead. If you have been in an auto accident, it is generally wise to consult an attorney after you have filed a police report and talked to your auto insurance company.
Medical malpractice
Of all medical malpractice claims, around 97% of them are the result of a patient’s injury. Medical malpractice can occur when a doctor causes irreversible harm to a patient, and some treatments can even result in a patient’s death. If you or a loved one have experienced any sort of malpractice at the hands of a medical professional, you could seek legal consultation from an attorney.
Defective product
Defective consumer products can cause all kinds of issues, from minor injuries to permanent handicaps. A product liability lawyer can help assess whether or not a person could seek a settlement from a manufacturer. No matter what type of product caused your injury, it is best to get the advice of a lawyer if you have been seriously injured.
Police misconduct
Law enforcement officers must abide by certain rules in order to protect civilians; however, they sometimes are not held accountable for their actions if they injure someone. Police misconduct can extend from intimidation tactics and false accusations to harassment and police brutality. If you have been injured due to an encounter with law enforcement, you should be able to consult a lawyer.
There are other causes for personal injury lawsuits. For example, dog bites cause over 800,000 injuries each year that require medical attention, and amusement park accidents cause around 7,000 injuries annually. All injuries are different, however, so it’s best to receive individualized advice from an attorney. No matter what type of injury you have sustained, however, it is important to remember as many details as you can and to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Have more questions? You can leave a comment below. More on this.