7 Most Common Types of Personal Injury Cases
The last thing anybody expects is that they will sustain an injury caused by the careless or negligent actions of others. However, we know that injuries occur, and they can lead to significant setbacks for victims. However, what are some of the most common ways that individuals sustain injuries caused by others?
Contact the New Mexico personal injury attorneys at Liles & White for a free case evaluation.
Seven of the most common types of personal injury cases that arise in New Mexico:
1. Vehicle accidents
Data available from the New Mexico Department of Transportation reveals that there were more than 48,000 total traffic crashes reported on the roadways across the state during the latest reporting here. This is a significant number of crashes, and these incidents resulted in more than 20,000 injuries and 425 fatalities. Vehicle crashes occur in a wide variety of ways, often due to the careless or negligent actions of other drivers. This can include driving too fast for conditions, operating while impaired by alcohol or drugs, distracted driving, and more.
2. Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
The New Mexico DOT reveals that there were 638 pedestrians involved in collisions with vehicles during the latest year of data available. Out of these incidents, we know that the majority of the pedestrians struck by a vehicle sustained an injury. Unfortunately, 83 people lost their lives.
Additionally, there were 370 bicycle accidents across the state reported to the DOT during that same year. Out of these incidents, there were 291 injury crashes.
3. Slip and fall accidents
Slip and fall accidents can occur on any type of property, but these incidents are much more likely to happen if a property owner or operator allows hazardous conditions to arise. Slip and fall accidents can occur at private residences, private businesses, or on government-controlled property. Some of the most common causes of these incidents include spills of food or drink that are not promptly cleaned up, obstacles in the pedestrian pathways, broken pavement, wobbly stairs, torn or bunched-up carpeting, etc.
4. Defective products
Defective products do make it into our homes. Unfortunately, when a defective product is used or consumed, this can lead to serious injuries or illnesses. Products can become defective in a variety of ways, including poor product designs, errors during the manufacturing process, as well as problems with the product’s label. Companies and manufacturers should be held responsible if their negligent actions contributed to the product defect.
5. Workplace accidents
Data available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that there were approximately 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries or illnesses during the latest reporting year across the country. New Mexico Workplace accidents can occur in a wide variety of ways, but injury victims should always be able to recover compensation for their losses. The workers’ compensation system in New Mexico is robust, and any person injured while they are carrying out job-related duties should be able to secure compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and even disability benefits.
6. Dog bite incidents
Over the years, studies have shown that there are approximately 4.5 million dog bites that occur each year across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that around 800,000 people have to seek medical care as a result of dog bites each year. Unfortunately, dog bites can inflict severe injuries on victims, including massive soft tissue damage, major lacerations or puncture wounds, broken or amputated fingers, infections, major blood loss, scarring and disfigurement, and more.
7. Medical mistakes
Researchers from Johns Hopkins have indicated that medical mistakes by the third leading cause of death in the country. Medical errors can lead to significant pain and suffering and even death for victims. Some of the main causes of medical errors include misdiagnosis, a failure to diagnose, surgical mistakes, prescription medication errors, infections, patient falls, and more are considered medical malpractice.
Contact Liles & White to help you get the compensation you deserve for your personal injury case.