Auto accidents and medical malpractice are only two examples of the many different types of personal injuries that occur in Los Angeles. While some of these cases result in minimal damage, many are much more serious and cause great harm to the parties involved. Here are five of the most common personal injuries that occur in Los Angeles.
- Auto Accident Injuries
Auto accident injuries are among the most common personal injury case types. According to preliminary data from LAPD and LADOT in 2021, a life was lost due to an auto accident every 30 hours on average. Traffic deaths have also increased 58% since 2015. And unfortunately, this concerning rise in traffic deaths in Los Angeles is not unique—as numbers are also rising across the United States. These accidents are typically the result of a variety a different causes, which include speeding, reckless driving, drunk driving, and more.
- Slip and Fall Accidents
This type of accident is an incredibly common personal injury, especially among those ages 65 and older. According to the CDC, 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments and over 800,000 patients are hospitalized annually due to fall injuries. Although there are many factors that can contribute to falls, many of these accidents are caused by the negligence of other people. Examples of this would include wet floors and broken railings—both of which are extremely dangerous and can result in a serious injuries.
- Medical Malpractice
Unfortunately, medical malpractice is far more common than anyone would like to believe. People do tend to make mistakes; however, when medical professionals make errors in the workplace, it can have serious consequences for those involved. Negligence on the part of a health care professional can lead to increased illness, injury, and even death. It is critical to understand what can be done in this type of situation, as you have the right to recover damages for any injuries.
- Workplace injuries
The most common workplace injuries are associated with:
- slips and falls
- getting caught in or struck by moving machinery
- repetitive stress on specific body parts from continuous pushing, lifting, and carrying
The causes of these injuries can range from improper safety protocols to lack of supervision. Workplace accidents can lead to minor injuries such as a cut or a bruise to more serious injuries such as fractures and amputations. In fact, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor shows that over 2.6 million workplace injuries and illnesses were reported in 2021 alone. Given the prevalence of accidents nationwide, it’s important to know what legal steps to take in case you or a loved are injured due to the negligence of another.
- Wrongful death
A wrongful death claim can arise when one person passes away because of the faults of another person or entity. This includes negligence-based accidents like vehicle collisions, medical malpractice, and intentional acts such as crimes. If a loved one has passed away due to someone else’s negligence, it's important to file a claim in the time window provided by the statute of limitations. If the case is not filed within this period, the family members will almost certainly lose their right to recover damages entirely.
If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of accident in Los Angeles, you may be overwhelmed. Not only do you have to deal with medical treatment and insurance companies, but you have the daunting task of hiring the best personal injury attorney for your case. If you are searching for the best personal injury lawyers Los Angeles has to offer, you should make sure that they have specialized experience in the area of your legal needs, so that you will have one less thing to worry about during your recovery.
