Personal Injury Terms You Ought to Know

If ever you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of needing a Personal Injury lawyer, there are a few terms that you should get familiar with. Most of these are used throughout your case and can be used by both sides. Which is why it is crucial that you brush up on your legal lexicon. No need to worry, however, as most people that have been in your shoes of needing a personal injury lawyer have never dealt with this sort of situation before and as a result have never heard of any of these terms.

The list that will help you understand what you are getting into and how to communicate effectively with your lawyer.

• Affidavit: A written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, for use as evidence in court.
• Answer: Defendants file a formal answer to the complaint, which serves to notify the plaintiff and the court of the defendant’s position regarding the allegations.
• Complaint: First document filed with a court by a person or entity claiming legal rights against another. States the factual as well as the legal basis for a claim.
• Contingency Fee: A sum of money that a lawyer receives as a fee only if the case is won.
• Damages: What a plaintiff is seeking to recover in a lawsuit. There are two categories: economic, such as medical expenses, wage loss, replacement services, and auto repair bills. The other is non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
• Defendant: The party allegedly liable for the plaintiff’s injuries.
• Deposition: Involves a witness being asked questions about the case. To find out what the witness knows and to preserve that witness’ testimony. To learn all facts before going to trial.
• Discovery: Pre-trial procedure in a lawsuit in which each party can obtain evidence from the other party or parties by means of discovery devices such as request for answers to interrogatories, request for production of documents, request for admissions and depositions.
• Negligence: A failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances.
• Litigation: The act of bringing a case to court to settle a dispute. The actual legal process where parties argue their case against each other in our court system.
• Plaintiff: The party or group of parties bringing the lawsuit.
• PIP: Stands for personal insurance protection. An extension of car insurance that covers medical expenses and lost wages. Often referred to as “no-fault” coverage.
• Power of Attorney: The authority to act for another person in specified or all legal or financial matters.
• Prayer for Relief: A portion of the complaint in which the plaintiff describes the remedies that the plaintiff seeks from the court.
• Statute of Limitations: a statute prescribing a period of limitation for the bringing of certain kinds of legal action. In other words, the time allowed to pass between the arising of a legal claim and the filing of a suit.
• Tort: A civil wrong that unfairly causes someone else to suffer loss or harm resulting in legal liability for the person who commits the tortious act, called a tortfeasor.

The list provided is but a small sample of some of the terms used in personal injury law. Yet by knowing the above-mentioned terms you can at least feel more comfortable when speaking with an attorney and have the confidence to proceed with your case.

CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:

We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:

• Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
• Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
• Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
• Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
• Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
• Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
• Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.

ABOUT HERRMAN & HERRMAN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS