Accidents happen all the time. When we’re small we get into scrapes. When we grow up, we still get into scrapes. Although everyone tries to exercise care, accidents just happen.
However, if you are the type who constantly get into accidents, you may not be as accident-prone as you or your family and friends think you are. Although you may be responsible for some of your accidents, many of your accidents might actually happen because of someone else, as the majority of accidents that happen in America occur as a result of someone else’s negligence.
Merriam-Webster defines negligence as a “failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances.” For example, if it’s considered reasonable for a janitor to put a “wet floor” sign out after mopping, but the janitor in your building doesn’t and you slip and fall, then the janitor in your building was negligent. Negligence, in many cases, allows you to hold the person responsible for your accident liable for your injuries.
However, how do you know when its not your fault, and what can you do about it?
The Three Typical Causes of Personal Injury
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Someone else’s negligence
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Equipment that falls below industry standards
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Events that are unexpected, unforeseen, and unpredictable
The Five Common Personal Injury Cases
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Road, highway, and traffic accidents
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Work-related accidents
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Industrial disease accidents
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Slip and fall accidents
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Fatal accidents
If you have been involved in an accident and suffered personal injury, be sure to get medical help immediately. Delay could cost you your life or limbs. Finally, it may be difficult to know who to blame for an accident, but remember– it may not be your fault. Knowing the who, what, where, when, and why of your accident is just the first step in filing a personal injury lawsuit, and there are many more steps you will need to take with your personal injury lawyer afterwards.
Jason McMinn of the McMinn Law Firm in Austin, Texas specializes in personal injury law, defending the victims of personal injury accidents with compassion and care.
