Searching for legal help is a complex process. Just like with other types of professionals, lawyers specialize in different types of cases. Personal injury is a category of the law that covers many different types of cases. It is also commonly called tort law. Some relate to physical injuries like car accidents while others relate to libel. This article looks at the different types of personal injury lawyers and explains the kinds of duties the lawyer performs with respect to the case.
Car Accidents
One of the most common lawyers people seek is one to help them with a car accident. Car accidents happen for different reasons including someone not paying attention to the road, experiencing a health problem while driving. The driver responsible for the accident is typically liable for paying the financial costs associated with the accident like property damage and medical care.
However, there are a handful of states that are “no fault.” As the name implies, no one party is held responsible for the accident. Instead, each side files a claim with their insurance company for expenses. Car accident lawyer Tampa help clients understand their rights in a no-fault state such as Florida
Slip and Fall
Slip and fall lawyers are another type of lawyer that people seek for personal injury cases. In these types of cases, a person has slipped and fallen on a property. Since property owners and renters are usually responsible making sure there are no hazards on the property. While not all cases do lead to property ones being liable for such accidents, nature and the case and the city and state where it happened matter in these accidents. Slip and fall attorney Tampa assist in these types of cases according to the laws of Florida and laws of the city of Tampa.
Dog Bites
Dog bites are another type of personal injury case attorneys handle as a separate category. In these types of cases, the attorney must not only look at the dog which bit someone but also at the dog’s owner. In many cases, the dog’s owner is liable for damages and personal injury even if the dog has never bitten anyone or been aggressive in the past. Just like other types of personal injury cases, the attorney will advise based on the laws of the state where the injury occurred.
Libel and Slander Otherwise Known as Defamation
Personal injury law is not necessarily about physical injury. Lawyers who specialize in libel and slander cases work on what are also referred to as defamation cases. The injury the lawyer is working to resolve is to a person’s reputation. In order to do that, the lawyer has to prove that the statements made about their client caused injury to them. It is common for cases like this to involve proving that an untrue statement about a person resulted in a loss of money for them as a result of the statement being made.
Medical Malpractice
Lawyers specializing in medical malpractice look at injuries caused by medical professionals as a result of providing substandard medical care. These types of cases are usually very detailed and complex so having an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer in this field is an advantage for the client.
Assault, Battery, and Similar Cases
Most personal injury cases involve a measure of carelessness or negligence. However, assault and battery cases are usually not just personal injury cases. Most of the time, they also involve criminal law because a person came be charged criminally for those acts. However, a personal injury attorney specializing in this area of law can also put together a civil case and sue for damages relating to the assault, battery, or other act on the victim’s behalf.
Things to Note About Personal Injury Cases
When a lawyer takes a personal injury case, he or she may recommend filing a formal lawsuit in court as it relates to the injury or they may recommend a settlement directly with the party involved and their lawyers. A settlement usually involves some kind of payment from the responsible party. There’s also mediation or arbitration. This is a solution between a lawsuit and a settlement where all parties sit down with an impartial third party to work out a solution for both parties.
There are also statutes of limitations to be aware of for every type of case. The term refers to the amount of time that a person has to file a case. The amount of time varies from case to case. Lawyers explain what the time limit is.
Finding an attorney is a challenge. But understanding the type of case you have and what a lawyer looks at in each case is the first step. If you live in Florida and need help with a slip and fall case find a great slip and fall attorney Tampa. The same is true if you need a car accident lawyer Tampa. Do your research first and then make appointments to meet with different attorneys to find the best one for your case.