Personal Injury Lawsuits 101

February 20, 2020

When you’ve been injured by someone else, it only makes sense that they should pay for the losses you suffer. Despite that, there’s a lot of challenges you’ll have to face in order to collect the rightful compensation that you’re owed.

In order to get started, you’ll likely need to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. Learn everything you need to know about personal injury lawsuits and how an experienced attorney can help you with your claim below.

What is a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury claim is a type of civil lawsuit that alleges one party acted negligently, which resulted in specific damages. According to the law, anyone who owed someone else a duty of care and breached that duty will be legally liable for losses associated with your resulting injuries. In shorter terms, that means the person who caused an accident will need to pay for the losses you suffered.

Depending on your circumstances, your personal injury claim may never make it to court. If you present your argument and evidence to the responsible party, then they’ll often agree to pay you a settlement amount without ever having to step foot inside the courtroom.

The Basic Elements of a Personal Injury Lawsuit

So, what type of evidence do you need to present to the liable party to prove your personal injury claim? If you’re hoping to have a strong case, then you’ll need to prove these four basic elements:

• The other party had a duty to provide for your reasonable care
• That party failed to uphold their duty of care
• This breach of duty resulted in an injury
• The injury led to specific damages

You’ll want to provide evidence that backs up each of these facts. Evidence may come in the form of eyewitness testimony, video surveillance, photographs, medical bills or a statement from your employer.

How Do I Get Started on my Claim?

Do you think your case has all of the four basic elements of a personal injury lawsuit? If so, then it’s time to get started on your claim. First, you’ll want to compile as much evidence as you can that backs up your arguments. Then, it’s advised you reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney to start the negotiation process.

Contact a Pittsburgh 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 Goodrich & Geist, P.C., represent clients injured in Pittsburgh and Western PA counties. Call 412-837-8426 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 3634 California Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.

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.