In 2021, the personal injury cases in the United States raked in an estimated $41 billion. This includes roughly 39.5 million personal injury cases that required some form of medical treatment.
What type of personal injury cases occur most often in Virginia?
A lot of accidents result in personal injuries and, sadly, they happen more often than most people are aware of. So, how do you know if your case is one of them? Well, consulting with an experienced Virginia personal injury attorney can help you understand whether or not you have a valid case, and if so, the most effective way to collect the financial compensation you are entitled to when another person’s negligence causes your injuries.
At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our Virginia personal injury lawyers can review your case and determine if it falls under the purview of personal injury. From there, we can outline the best way to present a claim for damages and ensure you get the recovery you need. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
What is a Personal Injury Case?
Also referred to as tort law, personal injury law was created to protect you in the event that you or your property are harmed due to someone else’s negligence. If a personal injury case is successful, the party responsible for the harm is required to compensate the party who sustained the damages. The most common types of personal injury cases in Virginia are:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading type of personal injury claim. They include car, truck, pedestrian, and motorcycle accidents. They also include rideshare accidents involving services like Lyft or Uber. A report published by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles indicates that traffic fatalities rose from 841 in 2020 to 967 in 2021, a 15% increase.
Medical Malpractice
The second most common type of personal injury case is medical malpractice. Medical malpractice cases present themselves when a healthcare professional injures a patient. The leading sources of medical malpractice claims are inferior or inadequate medical care, including incorrect medications, incorrect drug dosages, misdiagnoses, failure to diagnose, and surgical errors.
Accidents in the Workplace
From 2018 to 2020, an average of 4.9 fatalities per 100,000 workers took place in Virginia. Although most companies make a genuine effort to create a safe working environment and take appropriate precautions for their workers, on-the-job accidents and injuries can and do happen.
The most common reason for this is company negligence. If you are injured at your place of employment, working with a personal injury attorney can alleviate your stress and help expedite the claims process.
Wrongful Death
The most serious personal injury cases involve wrongful death. Wrongful deaths occur when one person is killed due to the negligence of another. For instance, if a pedestrian is struck and killed by a driver under the influence, then the driver is liable and can be made to compensate the deceased’s surviving family members for certain damages.
Approximately 6% of all annual fatalities in the United States are wrongful deaths, making it the fourth most common type of personal injury claim.
Premises Liability
Also known as slip-and-fall accidents, these tend to occur more frequently among senior citizens, with the largest victim class being 85 and older.
Do You Have a Virginia Personal Injury Case?
If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else, the law entitles you to fair financial compensation. Knowing whether or not your accident qualifies as a personal injury case is helpful when you are searching for legal representation. Working with a qualified lawyer who specializes in personal injury cases comes with numerous advantages because of their extensive experience.
If you have questions regarding a potential personal injury case, please contact the Virginia Beach personal injury law firm of Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp at (833) 997-1774 for a free case evaluation.
Related Content
- A Brief Guide to Personal Injury Law in Virginia
- What Is the Average Settlement for a Personal Injury Case?
- Virginia General District Court and Personal Injury Claims
- Medical Evidence Guide