What Types of Cases Do Personal Injury Attorneys Handle?

Did you know that over 400,000 personal injury claims are filed in the United States every year? That’s more than 1,000 cases every single day. These cases cover a wide range of accidents and injuries, from car crashes to workplace incidents, and they often have one thing in common — people need help getting fair compensation.

If you’ve ever wondered, “What kind of cases do personal injury lawyers handle?”, the answer might surprise you. Personal injury attorneys do much more than just car accident cases. They work on many types of claims, all with the goal of helping injured people get the justice and financial support they deserve.

In this guide, we’ll break down the most common types of cases personal injury attorneys handle, explain how they work, and share why having the right lawyer can make all the difference.

What is a Personal Injury Attorney?

A personal injury attorney is a lawyer who helps people who have been hurt due to someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or intentional actions. Their job is to investigate the case, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies or represent you in court.

The main goal of personal injury lawyers is to get clients the money they need for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

1. Motor Vehicle Accident Cases

When most people think about personal injury claims, car accidents come to mind — and for good reason. Car accidents are one of the most common reasons people hire personal injury attorneys in the U.S.

Types of motor vehicle accident cases include:

• Car accidents.
  
  
• Motorcycle accidents.
  
  
• Truck accidents.
  
  
• Rideshare accidents (Uber, Lyft).
  
  
• Pedestrian accidents.
  
  
• Bicycle accidents.
  
  

In these cases, a personal injury lawyer investigates who was at fault, works with accident reconstruction experts if needed, and negotiates with insurance companies. The aim is to ensure you don’t get pressured into accepting less than you deserve.

2. Slip and Fall Cases

Slip and fall injuries are another major area for personal injury attorneys. Property owners have a legal duty to keep their spaces safe. If they fail to fix hazards like wet floors, broken steps, or poor lighting, they can be held responsible.

Common causes include:

• Slippery surfaces without warning signs.
  
  
• Uneven sidewalks.
  
  
• Loose carpets.
  
  
• Poorly maintained staircases.
  
  

These cases often fall under premises liability law, which holds property owners accountable for injuries on their property.

3. Workplace Injuries

If you’re injured at work, you might think workers’ compensation is your only option. But sometimes, a personal injury attorney can help you recover more — especially if a third party (not your employer) caused the injury.

Examples include:

• Faulty equipment accidents caused by a manufacturer.
  
  
• Delivery drivers are injured in traffic accidents.
  
  
• Construction site accidents involving subcontractors.
  
  

An experienced personal injury attorney will know whether your case should go through workers’ comp, a personal injury lawsuit, or both.

4. Medical Malpractice

Medical professionals are trusted to provide safe and effective care. But when mistakes happen, the results can be devastating.

Medical malpractice cases include:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis.
  
  
• Surgical errors.
  
  
• Medication mistakes.
  
  
• Birth injuries.
  
  
• Failure to provide proper treatment.
  
  

These cases can be complex and require expert testimony from medical professionals. That’s why having a skilled personal injury lawyer is essential.

5. Product Liability Cases

When you buy a product, you expect it to be safe to use. Unfortunately, defective products cause thousands of injuries every year in the U.S.

Personal injury attorneys handle cases involving:

• Defective car parts.
  
  
• Dangerous toys.
  
  
• Faulty electronics.
  
  
• Unsafe medical devices.
  
  
• Contaminated food.
  
  

Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can all be held responsible for putting unsafe products on the market.

6. Wrongful Death Cases

Losing a loved one is devastating, especially when it happens because of someone else’s negligence. Wrongful death cases allow families to seek justice and financial support for their loss.

These cases can stem from:

• Car accidents.
  
  
• Medical malpractice.
  
  
• Workplace accidents.
  
  
• Defective products.
  
  

Compensation may cover funeral costs, lost income, emotional distress, and loss of companionship.

7. Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

Dog bites can cause serious physical and emotional harm, especially to children. Most states hold dog owners legally responsible if their pet attacks someone, whether on public property or in certain cases on private property.

A personal injury lawyer can help victims recover damages for medical bills, therapy, and scarring.

8. Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Families trust nursing homes to care for their loved ones. Sadly, neglect and abuse happen more often than most people realize.

Cases may involve:

• Physical abuse.
  
  
• Emotional abuse.
  
  
• Neglect of basic needs (food, hygiene, medical care).
  
  
• Financial exploitation.
  
  

A personal injury attorney can take legal action to protect the victim and hold the facility accountable.

9. Construction Accidents

Construction sites are dangerous, and accidents can lead to severe injuries. While workers’ compensation often applies, personal injury claims may also be possible against third parties.

Common construction accident cases involve:

• Falling from heights.
  
  
• Electrocutions.
  
  
• Crane or machinery accidents.
  
  
• Falling objects.
  
  

Personal injury lawyers help injured workers and bystanders understand all their legal options.

Why Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney Matters

If you’ve been injured, you might be facing medical bills, lost income, and pain that changes your daily life. Insurance companies often try to settle for the lowest amount possible. That’s where an experienced personal injury attorney comes in.

They can:

• Investigate your case thoroughly.
  
  
• Gather and present strong evidence.
  
  
• Negotiate for maximum compensation.
  
  
• Represent you in court if needed.
  
  

Key Takeaways: What Kind of Cases Do Personal Injury Lawyers Handle?

To sum it up, personal injury attorneys handle a wide variety of cases, including:

• Motor vehicle accidents.
  
  
• Slip and fall cases.
  
  
• Workplace injuries.
  
  
• Medical malpractice.
  
  
• Product liability.
  
  
• Wrongful death.
  
  
• Dog bites.
  
  
• Nursing home abuse.
  
  
• Construction accidents.
  
  

No matter the case type, the goal is always the same: helping injured people get justice and fair compensation.

Conclusion

If you’ve been hurt because of someone else’s actions — whether in a car crash, on the job, or in a public place — don’t wait to get legal advice.

Contact RIE Law today and let our experienced personal injury attorneys fight for the justice you deserve.



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