How Does Personal Injury Law Work in Philadelphia?
Personal injury law is specifically designed to protect people when they or their property get injured or otherwise damaged because of another individual or entity’s intentional or negligent, or reckless actions. If your wondering how does personal injury law work, read on about your rights as an individual when you are injured.
In a successful personal injury claim, the liable party that caused the harm or injury will compensate the party that suffered the damages. A lot of people do not really start thinking of personal injury and how it can benefit them until they sustain injuries in an accident through no fault of their own.
However, once it’s clear that they would need to file a personal injury claim and should seek legal advice from a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer, that’s where all kinds of questions come in. We’ve come up with essential personal injury information potential claimants should know to help them understand their claims better.
What Exactly is Personal Injury Law in Philadelphia?
The main purpose of personal injury law is to enable injured victims to pursue proper compensation for all the physical and emotional losses or damages that another individual caused. Whether the person’s injuries resulted from an intentional act, negligence, or in scenarios where the defendant had strict liability, personal injury claims are founded on these basic components:
- Liability – Who is responsible for causing the victim’s injuries and related damages?
- Damages – What specific expenses did the injured victim incur, and how did the injuries negatively affect their mental health and overall quality of life.
How Is a Personal Injury Case Resolved in Philadelphia?
The vast majority of personal injury claims are resolved via settlements with the at-fault party’s insurance provider. In most cases, the injured victim will file a claim and then try to negotiate a fair settlement with the liable party’s insurer. Both parties, including the claimant’s lawyer and the other party’s lawyers and insurance claims adjusters, will negotiate all the disputed legal issues until they can agree on a fair compensation amount. Once everyone is in agreement, the injured victim relinquishes their right to pursue further legal action, such as suing the at-fault party, and the case is officially settled.
On the other hand, if the liable party isn’t playing fair and is offering a low settlement amount, the injured victim can seek fair compensation via filing a personal injury lawsuit. The injured party will need to present sufficient evidence of the liable party’s liability and negligence as well as the victim’s injuries and accident-connected damages. The jury or judge will then determine how much compensation the at-fault party should pay the victim.
What Accidents Does Personal Injury Law Cover in Philadelphia?
How does personal injury law work in Philadelphia? Personal injury covers a wide variety of everyday situations, including:
- Different accidents – This can include all kinds of motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, rideshare accidents, truck accidents, etc., that could lead to serious injuries or even death.
- Defective products – Individuals who have been injured by defective products, including malfunctioning car parts, defective vehicles, harmful medication, etc., can pursue compensation from the product manufacturer, distributor, designer, or reseller.
- Medical malpractice – Medical professionals that harm their patients could be sued for medical malpractice so that injured patients can seek compensation for their damages.
- Intentional acts – Assault and battery victims could pursue compensation through a personal injury claim against the liable party.
- Wrongful death – Surviving family members of a person who was killed because of another person’s negligent, abusive, intentional, and/or reckless acts could seek justice and damages from the liable party.
How Much is a Personal Injury Claim Worth in Philadelphia?
Broadly speaking, the value of a personal injury claim will be based on the expenses you have incurred, which can include medical bills, property damage, lost earnings, and potential future expenses, depending on your prognosis. Examples of future expenses can include money for additional or ongoing medical treatment and loss of earning capacity in case you become unable to go back to work or continue with the same job you had before you got injured in the accident.
Additionally, the worth of your claim will reflect all the non-compensatory losses you have suffered, including emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of life enjoyment, and/or loss of companionship. Non-compensatory damages will be determined using several factors, including the effects of the injury on the person’s overall life and mental health.
Seek Legal Guidance from a Competent Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Are you wondering, How does personal injury law work in Philadelphia? If you or a family were in an accident that caused serious injuries, please reach out to the Mattiacci Law, LLC, law firm to learn how we can help out. Our Philadelphia personal injury attorney can answer all your questions about your case and determine the best way to secure the compensation you deserve for your losses. Arrange a free case evaluation with our Philadelphia personal injury lawyer today by calling 215-709-7915 or getting in touch with us online.