Personal Injury Law

Check for injuries and call 911 if needed, move to safety, and report the accident. Exchange insurance and contact information, photograph the scene and damage, get witness details, seek medical attention even for minor symptoms, and be cautious about giving recorded statements before understanding your rights.

Each state sets a statute of limitations — commonly around 2 to 3 years from the injury, but it varies and can be shorter for claims against government entities. Missing the deadline usually bars your claim, so confirm your state's limit early.

You may recover economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment). In rare cases of egregious conduct, punitive damages may apply. The amount depends on liability, severity, and evidence.

Negligence means someone failed to use reasonable care and caused your injury. To win, you generally must show the other party owed you a duty, breached it, and that breach directly caused actual damages.

Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency, taking a percentage of your recovery (often around a third) only if they win or settle, so there's usually no upfront fee. Case costs and the exact percentage vary, so review the fee agreement carefully.