Have you or someone close to you ever been hurt because of someone else's mistake, maybe in a car accident, at work, or on someone’s property? If so, you're not alone. With millions of people filing a personal injury case each year, it helps to know which situations lead to the most claims, and why they matter.
As a trusted Burbank Personal Injury Attorney, we often hear this question: “What kind of case do you see the most?” In this post, we’ll walk you through the most common types of personal injury cases, starting with the one that stands out above the rest.
Understanding Personal Injury Claims
Not every injury is a personal injury case. To qualify, the harm must be caused by someone else’s actions or failure to act. These cases can happen almost anywhere, on the road, at work, or in public places.
Negligence is a key part of most personal injury claims. It means someone didn’t act with reasonable care, and that carelessness led to your injury. Whether it’s a distracted driver or a store that didn’t clean up a spill, proving negligence is what makes the difference.
Having a lawyer early on helps you understand your rights and what your claim may be worth. Legal injury cases can get complicated fast, and insurance companies don’t always offer fair deals.
With over 20 years of experience handling claims for personal injury, our team has helped people through all kinds of situations, big and small.
#1 Most Common: Car and Vehicle Accident Claims
If you’ve been in a car crash, you're not alone. Vehicle accidents are the most common reason people file personal injury claims. They make up more than half of all personal injury cases in the United States.
There are many reasons car accidents happen, but most involve simple mistakes that lead to serious results. Drivers can get distracted by phones, go too fast, or drive under the influence. These choices put others at risk.
Different types of crashes lead to different outcomes. It could be a minor fender bender, a serious motorcycle wreck, or a collision with a truck or rideshare vehicle. Each comes with its own challenges.
The most common injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Back or spinal damage
- Head trauma or concussions
- Broken bones
- Cuts and bruises
- Internal injuries
Car accidents don’t just hurt your body, they can affect your job, bills, and stress level. Knowing your legal options after a crash can help you get the support and compensation personal injury cases are meant to provide.
Slip and Fall Accidents: A Frequent Premises Liability Case
Slip and fall cases are another common type of personal injury accident. These happen when unsafe conditions cause someone to fall and get hurt. Think wet floors, broken stairs, or walkways that aren’t repaired.
Property owners are responsible for keeping places safe. If they knew about a hazard and didn’t fix it, they may be held legally responsible. This applies to homes, stores, and even sidewalks in front of businesses.
Falls often happen in busy areas where people don’t expect danger. That includes grocery stores, apartment buildings, and public walkways. These accidents can lead to serious injuries, especially for older adults.
When someone gets hurt in a slip and fall, they may face medical bills, lost time at work, and ongoing pain. Filing a claim can help them get the care and compensation they need to recover.
Medical Malpractice Claims
When doctors or hospitals make serious mistakes, it can lead to more harm instead of healing. This is called medical malpractice. It includes things like surgical errors, misdiagnosis, or problems during childbirth.
Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare workers have a duty of care. If they break that duty and someone gets hurt, they may be held responsible through a personal injury case.
Malpractice claims are less common than car crashes, but they can lead to some of the highest payouts. Studies show the average settlement can be over $200,000, depending on how serious the harm is.
These cases often involve more than just physical pain. People may face long recoveries, lost income, and emotional distress that affects everyday life.
Workplace Injuries Beyond Workers’ Compensation
Most work injuries are handled through workers' comp. But if someone else’s mistake caused the injury, there could be a separate injury claim. This is called a third-party claim.
These happen when outside contractors, faulty equipment, or unsafe job sites lead to personal injuries. It’s common in jobs like construction, warehousing, or manufacturing.
According to OSHA, injury rates are still high in those fields, especially where safety rules are not followed. These accidents can lead to brain injuries, back problems, or broken bones.
A third-party claim may help you recover more than just basic medical expenses. It can also cover pain, suffering, and other costs that workers’ comp does not.
Product Liability: When a Defective Product Causes Harm
Some injuries happen because a product didn’t work the way it should. These can range from cars with faulty parts to dangerous toys or unsafe medicine.
There are different ways a product can be defective. It might be badly designed, made with poor materials, or sold without proper warnings.
When this happens, the company that made or sold the product may be responsible. That includes manufacturers, sellers, or anyone along the supply chain.
If a product causes serious injuries like burns, brain injuries, or long-term health problems, a personal injury case may help recover the cost of medical care and emotional distress.
Other Common Personal Injury Claims
Not every personal injury case fits into one of the main categories. But many people still face serious harm in ways that deserve legal attention. These types of personal injuries can bring both physical and emotional stress.
Dog Bites / Animal Attacks
Animal owners must control their pets in public and on private property. When they don’t, bites or attacks can cause serious injury, especially to children. A personal injuries claim can help cover the cost of medical care and emotional distress.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
These are some of the most dangerous types of personal injury cases. When someone walking or biking gets hit in traffic accidents, the injuries are often severe. Claims may involve both economic damages, like hospital bills, and non-economic damages, like pain and trauma.
Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
When someone you care about isn’t being treated properly in a care facility, that can lead to a personal injury case. Poor care, unsafe conditions, or staff abuse are serious violations of duty of care. These cases can involve special damages for medical treatment and emotional pain.
Wrongful Death
Losing someone due to someone else’s actions is tragic. A wrongful death claim helps families recover costs and hold the responsible party accountable. It may also include claims for loss of consortium and long-term emotional impact.
What to Do if You Think You Have a Personal Injury Case
Taking the right steps early can help protect your health and your legal case. You don’t need to do everything at once, but some actions are more important than others.
Start with this:
- Get medical attention so your injuries are treated and recorded.
- Keep records of everything, bills, reports, and any time you miss work.
- Take photos and talk to witnesses if you can. Their stories may help your claim.
It’s also smart to talk to a lawyer before accepting any offers from insurance. Once you sign, you may lose the chance to ask for full compensation for your injury type.
Get Legal Help From an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
Some people try to handle personal injuries claims alone, but that often leads to missed steps and lower payouts. A lawyer can guide you through every stage, from proving fault to making sure you’re asking for the right types of damages.
Our team helps with all kinds of injury claims, including those with general damages, special damages, and comparative fault issues. We know how to explain the law in plain language and help you feel confident in your choices.
The Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti offers a FREE consultation to discuss your options. Call us at (626) 793-8607 to speak with trusted personal injury lawyers who understand what you’re going through.
