Personal injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can happen anywhere: in a home, commercial property, public place or work environment. If you were injured due to another person’s negligence, then you may be able to recover accident-related expenses in an injury lawsuit.
Several factors can influence the outcome of a personal-injury case. These include:
- Whether negligence caused the injury
- The cost of health-care bills
- The amount of time the victim cannot return to work
- The severity of the injury
Proving negligence and calculating damages are critical aspects of personal-injury cases. These may require extensive evidence, witness testimonies, police reports and a doctor’s record. If you would like to speak with a personal-injury attorney in New York City who has more than 30 years of experience representing the injured, contact Jaroslawicz & Jaros PLLC at 212.227.2780 to schedule a free consultation. Personal Injury: Who Is at Fault? Your options and rights in a personal-injury case largely depend on who was legally liable for the incident. Different types of incidents handle liability in their own unique way. In automobile accidents, for example, plaintiffs can show liability if they can prove the other driver was under the influence of alcohol, driving recklessly or not paying attention to the road. In a work environment, whether you are an employee or a customer, liability can be proven by demonstrating a lack of concern about a safety hazard. This could include failing to fix known structural issues or not cleaning spills. Proving negligence is also important for people who suffer injuries on a residential property. The victim must show that the owner failed to keep an area safe enough for visitation and was aware that someone could be injured. Responding to an Incident Your top priority after any injury should be seeking medical attention. A physician can identify any injuries that you may not have noticed. Also, prompt medical care can stop injuries from worsening, and the doctor’s report may be a critical piece of evidence to prove your claim. For employees, it is important to file an accident report with your manager as soon as possible. If you are a customer or a visitor, then you should contact an attorney for guidance through the claims process. Many injury lawsuits stem from car accidents. In these cases, there are several steps that victims can take to increase the likelihood that their claim will be successful. For example, you should exchange contact and insurance information with all drivers involved. Also, be sure to gather the contact details of witnesses. Unless someone has been injured or killed, you may not need to file a report with the police. However, a police report could be a critical piece of evidence if symptoms of an injury appear a few hours or days after the accident. If you were injured due to another person’s negligence and would like to speak with an accident attorney, contact Jaroslawicz & Jaros LLP today at 212.227.2780.