If you were hurt in an accident for which you weren’t to blame, you have every right to seek justice through legal compensation. In order to do that, you’ll need to bring a claim against the liable party and prove how they were directly responsible for your damages.

The first step toward achieving this goal is finding a reputable personal injury law firm to take your case. Once you’ve hired a lawyer, their first task will be to investigate the accident. Many different scenarios fall under the umbrella of personal injury law, and understanding where yours fits will ensure your attorney collects the right kind of evidence and builds the strongest case. 

If you’re looking to get a head start before your first consultation, continue reading. The guide below covers some of the most common types of personal injury cases and will prepare you for some of the proceedings ahead. 

Medical Malpractice

Whenever you sustain injuries due to the negligence of a medical professional, it can potentially be considered a medical malpractice case. Your attorney can bring the suit against a broad range of potential liable parties, from the attending physician to a drug manufacturing company or even an entire hospital. 

Some common examples of medical malpractice accidents include a doctor failing to diagnose a condition that another professional reasonably would have, as well as misdiagnosing a condition or illness. Other examples include instruments being left inside the body during surgery, doctors prescribing the wrong medications, nurses causing injuries to their patients, and pharmacies providing the wrong prescription dosages. 

Car Accidents

In the United States alone, there are more than six million car accidents per year. As such, it’s no surprise this is one of the most common types of cases personal injury firms deal with. Liable parties for this kind of case can vary, from other drivers to truckers and even commercial property owners or government bodies. Common causes of car accidents include unsafe road conditions, speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, distracted driving, running a red light or stop sign, and falling asleep at the wheel. 

Slip-and-Fall Accidents

Whenever you are a legal visitor to another person’s property, they assume the responsibility of ensuring their grounds are safe for you to be on. If they don’t adhere to this standard of care and you then slip and fall, they could be liable for your injuries.

This type of accident most commonly occurs in commercial settings, such as private pools, restaurants, or stores. The most common scenario occurs when the floor is wet or slippery from a spilled drink or from cleaning. However, you can also file a claim if you slip and fall due to uneven pavement, broken or rickety stairs, or icy concrete. 

You can also file a slip-and-fall case against the owner of a residential property. This might occur if they have not kept up with basic property maintenance, such as salting their pathways when it snows or setting up a perimeter around their pool. 

Listen to Your Attorney

Once you understand what kind of accident you’ve been involved in, you’ll be able to work with your attorney to better craft a legal strategy. For example, if you were involved in a car accident, your attorney might ask for the other driver’s cell phone records to see if distracted driving played a result in the events that took place.

If you aren’t sure what kind of case you’re dealing with, don’t worry: With the help of your lawyer, you’ll figure it out in no time.