Civil litigation is a broad area of the law. Personal injury claims are considered tort cases, which enable people to recover compensation when someone’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing results in injury, wrongful death, or property damage. The personal injury attorneys at Thomas, Conrad & Conrad handle many different types of tort claims and help clients understand how the law may be applied in their case.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
One of the most common types of personal injury claims are those involving motor vehicle accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that in 2019 alone, approximately 2.7 million people were injured and 36,096 people died in motor vehicle-related accidents. Many of these claims involve:
- Car accidents
- Tractor-trailer crashes
- Motorcycle collisions
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Rideshare collisions
- Drunk driving crashes
- Dram shop claims
- Hit and run accidents
It’s important to keep in mind that just because you’re involved in an accident, it doesn’t mean that someone else is responsible for your injuries or damages. In any personal injury claim, you must prove that the at-fault party was negligent. An accident lawyer can evaluate your case, advise you of whether you have a viable claim, and build a case to prove negligence.
Premises Liability Claims
Business and property owners have a duty of care to keep their premises safe. A premises liability claim may arise when someone is hurt by a dangerous or defective condition on someone else’s property. Premises liability claims include:
- Slip, trip, and fall accidents
- Snow and ice accidents
- Injuries sustained from falling items, debris, tools, or merchandise
- Drowning and swimming injuries
- Dog bites
- Fires and explosions
- Defective or malfunctioning elevators or escalators
- Construction site accidents
- Amusement park accidents
- Supermarket injuries
- Negligent security
Whether an injury happens at a private residence, business, or on public property, if someone else’s negligence caused the injury, a victim may be entitled to recover damages.
Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one is never easy. When someone is killed due to negligence or intentional malice, the emotional and financial repercussions can be even more devastating. When this happens, the personal representative of a victim’s estate may be entitled to bring a wrongful death claim on behalf of the estate’s beneficiaries. If an executor or personal representative doesn’t file a wrongful death claim within six months of the date of death, a beneficiary may pursue one.
Damages in a wrongful death claim are intended to compensate immediate family members for losses related to a loved one’s death. These damages may include a victim’s accident-related medical expenses prior to death, funeral and burial expenses, future lost income, and loss of companionship, guidance, love, and consortium. Depending on the circumstances, surviving family members may be entitled to other types of damages as well.
Other Personal Injury Claims
There are other types of claims in which an injured victim or a deceased person’s family may be able to recover the cost of medical bills, wage loss, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages. These include injury or death caused by medical malpractice, defective products, intentional harm, and some workplace accidents. Although defamation is also considered a tort claim, slander and libel can be very tough to prove.
How A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Regardless of the type of personal injury claim you’re considering, it’s always advisable to speak with an attorney before proceeding. The majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court, but if your case requires going to trial, you want to have a seasoned attorney on your side. Insurance companies often attempt to minimize victims’ injuries and damages or deny claims altogether. A good personal injury attorney will thoroughly evaluate your case and advise you of your options. If you have a viable claim and decide to go forward, they can build a solid case and fight to help make things right for you and your family. Most personal injury law firms offer free consultations and work on contingency, which means that you won’t incur any up-front costs and they don’t get paid unless or until you do.
Contact A Personal Injury Lawyer To Learn More
At Thomas, Conrad & Conrad, we care about our clients and provide the responsive, aggressive legal representation you deserve. Our personal injury lawyers have 30 years of experience serving clients in Northampton, Lehigh, Berks, and Monroe Counties and throughout eastern Pennsylvania. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact us online or call our Bath office at 610-867-2900. We have three additional locations in Allentown, Bath and Topton, Pennsylvania.