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Injuries suffered in an accident could completely alter a person’s life. Even when an injury is not permanently debilitating, it could cause pain and inconvenience, prevent a person from working, and create significant financial hardship.
Most accidents would not happen but for someone’s negligence. If you were hurt and another party’s negligent act or omission led to your injuries, you may have a right to hold the at-fault party responsible for your losses.
You do not have to bear the impact of the accident alone. A Mesa personal injury lawyer could explain how to hold a party accountable for their carelessness and steer you though the process of securing reasonable compensation for your injuries. Get in touch with our team of dedicated legal professionals today to get started on your case.
Incidents That Could Give Rise to a Personal Injury Action
Accidents that cause injuries could happen in innumerable ways. Anyone injured in an accident should consult with a seasoned lawyer to discuss their legal options. Personal injury attorneys in Mesa handle cases arising from:
- Motor vehicle crashes
- Watercraft accidents
- Drownings and near drownings
- Slips or trips and falls
- Electrocutions
- Fires
- Medical negligence
- Elevator accidents
- Toxic exposure
- Dog bites and other domestic animal attacks
Virtually any mishap resulting from someone else’s carelessness or recklessness could form the basis of a personal injury lawsuit. In most cases, the injured person (plaintiff) must prove another party (defendant, who could be a person or a corporation) was negligent, and their negligence led to the accident that caused the plaintiff’s injury.
Negligence is failing to use reasonable caution when there is a duty to do so. Drivers have a duty to obey traffic laws and keep their vehicles under control; manufacturers must ensure their products are safe when used according to instructions; healthcare professionals have a duty to provide their patients with a reasonable standard of care. A diligent Mesa attorney could investigate the circumstances of a plaintiff’s injury, identify potentially negligent parties, and hold them responsible for paying adequate compensation.
Recoverable Damages in a Mesa Personal Injury Case
An individual who suffers injuries due to someone else’s negligence is entitled to compensation. The legal name for the compensation they receive is damages. Damages reimburse a plaintiff for all their injury-related losses, whether objective or subjective. In some rare cases, a plaintiff could even seek punitive or exemplary damages.
Economic damages are the plaintiff’s objective damages, meaning they have a fixed value. Economic damages include lost income, medical costs, and other expenses a plaintiff incurred due to their injury. Non-economic damages are the plaintiff’s subjective injury-related losses, such as pain, inconvenience, embarrassment, scarring, emotional anguish, or other impacts that do not have a fixed price.
If a defendant’s behavior was so irresponsible, reckless, or malicious that it shocks the conscience, a personal injury lawyer in Mesa might ask for punitive damages. Courts will only award punitive damages if the plaintiff presents proof the defendant acted with “evil mind,” meaning malicious intent or complete disregard for others. However, if a court awards punitive damages, the amount is often a multiple of the plaintiff’s compensatory damages.
Consult a Legal Professional Soon After an Accident
Plaintiffs have a narrow window of opportunity to file a lawsuit seeking damages for personal injury. A plaintiff who suffered injuries due to negligence or medical malpractice in Mesa must file a lawsuit within two years of their injury unless an exception applies.
The timeframes are tighter when a state or local government or agency is a potential defendant. Arizona Revised Statute §12-821.01 requires a plaintiff to submit a notice of claim within 180 days of the accident that led to the claim. If the government entity does not respond within 60 days, the plaintiff can file a lawsuit. However, they must file their suit no later than one year after the incident that caused the injury.
A proactive personal injury attorney in Mesa could preserve an injured person’s rights by ensuring all filings are timely. In addition, they could begin investigating and collecting evidence immediately, increasing the likelihood of building a strong case. Negotiating from a position of strength could help matters resolve more quickly and favorably for the plaintiff.
Schedule a Consultation with a Mesa Personal Injury Attorney
If you sustained an injury in an accident, recovering physically and mentally must be your primary focus. A Mesa personal injury lawyer could handle identifying responsible parties and negotiating with their insurers while you concentrate on getting better.
Make an appointment to speak with a local legal professional today. With their help, you could receive appropriate compensation for your injuries.
