Learning the Basics: Personal Injury Law

Start here to get a sense of what personal injury means, and what the important elements of a case are.

Common Terms You'll Hear in a Personal Injury Case

If you're involved in a personal injury case, these legal terms are very likely going to be thrown around.

"Tort" Law and Lawyers

What is a tort? "Tort" is just an older and stranger word for "personal injury."

How to File a Personal Injury Claim

Get an overview of the basic steps to follow if you want to pursue a personal injury claim (or lawsuit) following an accident.

Common Kinds of Personal Injury Cases

A look at common kinds of personal injury cases, and what to expect.

Negligence, Fault, & Liability

Who is responsible to pay in a personal injury case? Who caused the accident? Here's what the law has to say.

Duty of Care

Almost every personal injury case is based on some breach of duty. Learn about this important legal concept.

Intentional Torts vs. Negligence

Different rules exist for injuries (called torts) committed on purpose or by accident.

Assumption of Risk

If you were injured during a risky activity that you voluntarily participated in, do you still have a personal injury case? What if you signed a waiver?

The Burden of Proof in a Personal Injury Case

What does "by a preponderance of the evidence" mean? Learn about the burden of proof requirement in a personal injury lawsuit.

Evidence You'll Need for a Personal Injury Claim

To win an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, you'll need evidence to support your liability and injury claims. Here are some tips to help.

Proving Your Personal Injury Case

Learn about the elements you'll need to prove in an injury case -- and the evidence that can help.

Making a Personal Injury Claim When You Can't 'Prove' Fault

If your goal is to settle your injury claim with an insurance company, you don't need to 'prove' fault to get compensation.

Documenting Your Injuries

After an accident, good documentation of your injuries goes a long way in supporting any resulting personal injury claims.

Releasing Your Medical Records

Medical records play a key role in any personal injury claim. In most cases, both sides will get access to all the plaintiff's relevant medical records.

Timeline of an Accident Claim & Personal Injury Case

A chronological overview of the accident claim and personal injury case process: From accident, through settlement and lawsuit.

How Long After an Accident Should You File an Injury Claim?

Make sure you file your injury claim or lawsuit in time - but don't settle before you've received enough medical treatment or healed well enough to understand the impact of your injuries.

Finding, Choosing, Hiring, and Paying a Personal Injury Lawyer

All about when to hire a lawyer, how to find one, how to pay, and how to manage your personal injury attorney.

Step One in Your Injury Claim: The Notification Letter

Giving notice of an accident and your injuries ensures the responsible party is aware of their potential liability should you file a personal injury claim.

Using Witnesses in Your Personal Injury Claim

Learn how to locate and best utilize witnesses in your injury claim.

Independent Medical Exams in Personal Injury Claims

In many personal injury claims, the defendant (usually an insurance company) will want and independent medical examination of the injured claimant.

Managing Costs & Expenses in a Personal Injury Case

Learn about the expenses of managing an accident or injury claim.

How Many Personal Injury Claims Wind Up in Court?

The great majority of personal injury claims won't make it to a court trial. Here's why.

Settle Your Injury Claim

Settlement is faster, easier, less expensive, and less risky for both sides.

Collecting Your Injury Settlement Money or Judgement

Once you've accepted a settlement offer or won your personal injury trial, it's time to collect your money. Here's what to expect.

Delay & Deny: How Insurance Companies Minimize Injury Claim Payments

Get informed on the tactics insurance companies use to delay, deny or minimize the amount of damages payable to the injured claimant.

Defenses Against Your Personal Injury Claim

If you're filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit, here are the defenses most likely to be employed by the insurance company or defense attorney.

Effect of Tort Reform on Personal Injury Cases

Tort reform is legislation that limits a plaintiff's ability to recover compensation in a personal injury lawsuit - and it's a controversial subject.

How Your Claim Becomes Fraud

If you're making a personal injury claim, be sure to include all relevant information on the accident, and avoid exaggerating your injuries, to avoid the legal consequences of fraud.

How to Deal With a Personal Injury Lien

If there is a lien against your personal injury case, your options for resolving it depend on the type of lien holder and the strength of your case.

Special Types of Personal Injury Cases

An overview of special rules in cases involving workplace injuries, claims against the government, and more.

Personal Injury Cases Involving Children

How does the law protect children who are injured in an accident? Who is liable when a minor causes an accident? Find out here.

Malicious Prosecution Claims

If a civil or criminal case is wrongfully prosecuted, the defendant in that case may be able to turn around and sue the plaintiff for malicious prosecution.

Lawsuits for Malicious Prosecution or Abuse of Process

If someone has wrongfully sued you or prosecuted you for a crime, you may be able to bring a claim of malicious prosecution or abuse of process.

Injury Lawsuits for STD Infection and Disclosure

Can you sue someone for knowingly infecting you with a sexually transmitted disease? Can you sue someone for disclosing that you have an STD? Both cases may be grounds for a lawsuit.

Civil Claims For Those Falsely Accused of a Crime

What legal options do you have after having been accused, prosecuted, then exonerated for a crime you did not commit?