There are a few forms of terminology that may cause slight confusion in the world of personal injury claims, and one relates to the actual term "personal injury" itself. Specifically, some who are unfamiliar with personal injury cases assume that these can only be brought when at least one party is injured physically - but this is not always the case.
At the offices of William Rawlings & Associates, we've spent years assisting clients around Salt Lake City, Draper, Provo and nearby parts of Utah with all their personal injury claim needs, from car and truck accidents to dog bite injuries, bicycle accidents, wrongful death and more. Whether for car accidents or any other kind of personal injury case, here are some examples of non-injury areas where personal injury claims can still be filed.
One of the most common examples of a non-injury personal injury case is when an accident or other incident causes you to miss work and lose wages. In many cases, this will be due to physical injuries sustained during the incident - but not always.
For instance, say you're in a car accident and suffer no physical injuries, but your vehicle is totaled and you need several days off work while arranging a new one. You can still file a personal injury claim here due to the lost wages you experienced during this time.
Another area that falls under personal injury is property damage, which can occur in many different incidents. For instance, if you're a homeowner who suffers flooding due to a nearby construction project - and this flooding causes thousands of dollars in damages - the responsible party may be liable for these costs.
Another common example of property damage that typically falls under personal injury claims is vehicle damage from car accidents. Most personal injury claims resulting from vehicle damage are limited to the cost of repairs or replacement, but they can also cover other costs like rental cars or towing services.
In some cases, personal injury claims will cover not just the repairs for the vehicle, but also any personal items that were damaged in the accident. This could include things like electronics, clothing, or even recreational equipment.
Even if you suffer no physical injuries whatsoever during an accident, you may still be eligible for a personal injury claim due to emotional distress. This generally relates to extreme or severe accidents, such as a car or truck accident that causes significant trauma or fear for your life. In these cases, you may be awarded damages based on the severity of your emotional distress.
Now, this is one area where nuance and expertise are very important. It's often difficult to prove emotional distress in a court of law, so you'll need a skilled personal injury attorney to help gather evidence and build your case.
Another area that may fall under personal injury is damage to pets or other personal property during an incident. For instance, say you're in a car accident and your beloved dog suffers injuries as a result - even if you suffered no physical injuries yourself, you can still file a personal injury claim for the damages incurred by your pet.
Similarly, if someone else's negligence causes damage to your personal property, such as a valuable piece of jewelry or collectible item, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover the cost of repairs or replacement.
While these technically fit under our emotional distress section as well, we wanted to call them out specifically due to how common they are. Issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or sleep disturbances can result from a traumatic event like a car accident, even if no physical injuries were sustained.
If you experience ongoing mental health issues after an accident, it's important to seek help and consider filing a personal injury claim - not only for potential damages, but also to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions. So remember that personal injury claims are not limited to just physical injuries, and if you have suffered any form of harm or losses as a result of someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim.
Contact our experienced attorneys at William Rawlings & Associates today for help with your personal injury claim, and let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. We serve clients around SLC, Draper, Provo and other parts of Utah.