How a Typical Personal Injury Case Works
December 26, 2019
What is a Personal Injury?
From a legal standpoint, all personal injury cases follow the same pattern – a person or entity had a duty to care for another person, that person failed and an innocent person got injured. Under these circumstances, the person or entity that failed to provide for the care of another will be held legally liable.
That explanation simplifies personal injury cases quite a bit.
Reality is often more complicated. Learn everything you need to know about how a typical personal injury case works below.
The Basis of a Personal Injury Claim
As the name indicates, a person must have been injured or suffered losses in order to pursue a personal injury claim against another party. In addition, the injured person must prove that the other party had some duty or responsibility to reasonably care for the injured person’s safety. This legal standard is called negligence, and it’s the basis of all personal injury lawsuits. Here’s what negligence means in a nutshell:
- One party had a duty to care for another person’s safety
- That party breached their duty of care
Negligence means that the other party did not take reasonable steps to ensure the injured person’s safety. For example, a business that fails to clean up water on the floor may be held liable for a slip and fall accident. Similarly, a motorist who is driving under the influence of alcohol will be held liable for a car accident.
On top of proving negligence, the injured person must prove to the court that the negligence caused their accident. Then, they must prove the accident caused injuries.
Are Lawyers Necessary for Personal Injury Claims?
Proving these different aspects of your personal injury claim could be straightforward or it could be complex depending on your situation. You may not think hiring a lawyer is necessary when you’re the one who was injured, but an attorney will prove invaluable to your case. If you aren’t able to convince the judge of your claims, then you may not have another opportunity to seek out compensation for your losses. On top of that, you’ll need to be sure about the exact amount you’re looking to receive from the responsible party.
Contact a Erie Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Personal Injury Case in Pennsylvania
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. represent clients injured in Eric, Meadville, North East, and throughout Pennsylvania. Call 814-273-2010 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2525 W 26th St, Erie, PA 16506, as well as offices in Meadville and North East.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.