People who are injured by negligent motorists, defective consumer products, or hazardous property conditions may be able to bring a personal injury claim and recover damages. The injured person, or the family of a deceased person, may be able to recover reimbursement for property damage, medical bills, and lost income caused by the incident. Financial compensation for lost qualify of life, pain, and other non-financial consequences resulting from the injury may also be recoverable.

However, many people hesitate to seek compensation through an injury claim or lawsuit because they do not understand the personal injury process or how it works. Myths and misunderstandings about personal injury law also contribute to the confusion.

Myth: The Defendant Will Have to Pay Out of Pocket

Many people assume that personal injury damages will come out of the defendant’s pocket. This makes them hesitant to bring a claim if the at-fault party was a friend, family member, or neighbor. While it is possible that a defendant will have to pay out of pocket, the vast majority of personal injury damages are paid by the at-fault party’s insurer. Usually, an auto insurance company or homeowner’s company is responsible for paying personal injury claim payouts.

Most people visit grocery stores and other retail stores at least a couple of times a week. Many rely on stores to buy food, clothes, home goods, and more. The last thing most shoppers expect is to leave a retail store in an ambulance.

If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a retail store or other commercial business, you may wonder what your legal options are. In some cases, injured customers may be able to sue a retail store for damages. The injured person may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.

Liability for Injuries in a Store or Other Business

The owners and managers of commercial properties have a legal obligation to ensure that their property is relatively safe for customers. Businesses cannot prevent every conceivable injury from occurring, however, businesses do need to take reasonable steps to prevent injuries. This includes keeping the store clean and free of dangerous hazards. If a business’s negligence leads a customer to be injured, the business may be liable for monetary damages.

Many parents rely on school buses to transport their children to and from school. While the vast majority of school bus trips are completed without incident, car crashes involving school buses can and do happen. Just recently, a school bus driver allegedly caused a crash while students were on board the bus. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt in the accident. The bus driver is now facing charges for drunk driving.

Bus Collision in Deer Park

The crash, which occurred on February 17, 2022, was caused by many different factors. Authorities say that the 61-year-old bus driver was driving north on Ela Road when he made a left turn onto Cuba Road and failed to yield to oncoming traffic. The slick, snow-covered roads made it difficult for other drivers to stop in time, and another vehicle plowed into the bus.

Police officers arrived at the scene of the accident and began investigating the circumstances of the crash. At this point, officers detected signs that the bus driver was intoxicated. Chemical blood alcohol content tests revealed that the bus driver’s BAC was over twice the legal limit. The driver now faces felony charges for aggravated driving under the influence (DUI).

When someone is seriously hurt in an accident, they may be unable to work at all while they are recovering from the injury. Some injured people are never able to work again. Those who can return to work may need to change careers or take a lower-paying position. Fortunately, many accident victims are entitled to compensation for lost earning capacity.

Reduced Income Earning Potential Caused by a Serious Injury

Being involved in a car crash, fire, work accident, or another injurious incident may force someone to miss work for several weeks or months while they recover. However, if an injury causes permanent disability or loss of function, the injured person may never again be able to work in his or her chosen profession. For example, a construction worker that loses the ability to walk in a horrific car accident may be forced to take a desk job when he returns to work making less money than he did before the accident.

Damages in a personal injury case often include lost wages from missed work. However, some injured claimants are also entitled to compensation for lost earning capacity or lost earning potential.

When you rent a house or apartment, you are expected to pay rent and fulfill any other responsibilities outlined in your lease. In turn, your landlord is expected to maintain the property and keep it in a safe condition. Unfortunately, as many renters can attest to, landlords and property owners do not always fulfill their end of the bargain. If you or a loved one were injured due to an unsafe condition in your rental property, you may be able to sue for damages. You could be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages from missed work, pain and suffering, and more.

Injury-Causing Accidents Caused by Landlord Negligence

Property owners, property managers, and landlords have certain legal obligations. One such obligation is to keep their properties in reasonably safe condition. This includes ensuring that any necessary maintenance is completed and warning tenants if an unsafe condition does exist.

Rental property injuries may involve: