What Are the Most Common Personal Injuries?

Millions of people suffer moderate, serious, or life-threatening injuries every year. In many of these cases, another party is directly at fault for causing the incident. For example, a drunk driver who runs a red light is, quite obviously, responsible for the injuries received by a pedestrian struck by that drunk driver while crossing the crosswalk. Victims of personal injuries have the ability to work with attorneys and file lawsuits against those responsible.

If you live in California, the Glendale personal injury lawyers at Ourfalian & Ourfalian can help. Below are the most common types of personal injuries.

Traffic Collisions

When most people think of how serious injuries occur, they think of car wrecks. And for good reason. Each year there are around 4.5 million medically consulted traffic injuries (an injury bad enough that the victim seeks professional medical treatment), according to the National Safety Council. The most common injuries in traffic collisions include concussions, fractured bones, facial injuries, soft tissue injuries, whiplash, and traumatic brain injuries, which are significantly worse than concussions. Not all of these 4.5 million injuries are car crashes. Traffic collisions encompass all of the following types of incidents:

• Car collisions
• Truck collisions
• Bus collisions
• Motorcycle collisions
• Pedestrian collisions
• Bicyclist collisions
• Scooter, skateboard, hoverboard, etc. collisions

Regardless of what type of road user you were (driver, occupant, cyclist, or pedestrian) at the time of the crash, you have a right to seek full compensation for your damages from the at-fault party.

Dangerous and Defective Consumer Products

The manufacturers who sell products to consumers have a responsibility to ensure that their products are safe for their intended uses, that they are marketed for their intended purpose, and that they are property safety instructions, warnings labels, and instruction manuals for the user. Injuries caused by dangerous or defective products are generally the fault of the manufacturer, though other parties, such as the retailer, can be held accountable depending on the scenario.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Falls are the leading cause of injury in the United States, and the most common reason for people to seek medical care in an emergency room. Among older adults, falls alone comprise over 90% of emergency room visits, according to the CDC. All properties must be maintained and designed for the safety of all invitees, regardless of their age. A slip, trip, and fall is most often caused by:

• Spills and leaks
• Lack of hand railing on stairs
• Poor lighting
• Debris in the middle of a walking area
• Cracked, ripped, or otherwise damaged flooring
• Uneven surfaces that are improperly marked

Other Premises Liability Incidents

Accidents can happen in businesses, the workplace, residential homes and apartments, government buildings, and all other types of structures and properties. The property owner or business owner had a duty of care to all invitees, and any injury that arises out of the owner’s negligence can be grounds for a personal injury claim.

• Swimming Pool Accidents—Injury or death can occur from drowning, slip and falls, and even electrocution caused by faulty wiring. Some of the most common swimming pool accidents are caused by lack of a gate (which is required by law), lack of supervision, or negligent maintenance.
• Dog Bites and Dog Attacks—If a dog bites a house guest, the owner can be held liable. Similarly, if a dog gets loose or bites someone even while on a leash, the owner will likely be held liable, and the victim can file a claim with the dog owner’s home insurance company.
• Negligent Security—Bars and nightclubs have a responsibility to provide certain safety measures for invitees, and can be held financially responsible if a patron gets mugged or assaulted.
• Lack of Maintenance—A lot can go wrong in a house or building if it is improperly maintained. If a roof collapses, elevator falls, or an outlet has faulty wiring, serious injury is likely to occur, and the victim can hold the property owner accountable in many of these scenarios.

Medical Malpractice

Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States, according to recent studies. As many as a quarter-million deaths occur every year due to medical mistakes made in hospitals, urgent care clinics, and doctor’s offices, according to a Johns Hopkins study. Other researchers have found that number to be even higher, at 440,000 deaths annually. Most of these errors go unnoticed by the victim’s family members, who have a right to seek compensation for the loss of their loved one.

While medical errors lead to potentially hundreds of thousands of deaths, there are inevitably many more instances in which the victim survives, but is seriously injured. Victims of medical malpractice can sue for their medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more. Additionally, claims can also be filed against pharmaceutical companies if the victim was injured due to a defective or dangerous drug or medical device.

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Nursing home abuse can take many forms. Failing to address bed sores or failure to assist a resident in and out of bed are two common types of neglect, while physical or verbal harassment, teasing, or threats, which constitute abuse, are also used by nursing home staff for various reasons. Nursing home abuse and neglect can be difficult to spot, particularly if your elderly loved one has dementia and cannot clearly describe what is going on. Signs of abuse or neglect can include:

• Sudden loss of appetite
• Changes in mood
• Sudden weight loss or weight gain
• Unexplained bruises or cuts
• Bedsores
• Unexplained falls or other serious injuries
• Depression

Your loved one deserves better than this. You can hold the nursing home or assisted living facility accountable by working with an attorney to seek damages on behalf of your loved one.

Call Our Glendale Personal Injury Attorney Today

Victims of personal injury incidents can seek compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages and lost earning ability, pain and suffering, property damage, and more. To get started on your claim today, we urge you to reach out to an experienced Glendale personal injury attorney who has the experience and diligence to properly handle your case. Call Ourfalian & Ourfalian today at (818) 550-7777 to schedule a free consultation.