Around 175,000 people in the US sustain unintentional injuries each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The third most frequent cause of death, behind heart disease and cancer, is an injury.
Sadly, thousands of injuries occur every day, and some of them may give rise to personal injury lawsuits. The most typical injury types and the percentage of typically successful cases are described in these personal injury statistics.
In 2005, there were 26,950 real estate, contract, and tort cases involving personal injury (PERSONSKADE), according to the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics.
In 92 percent of tort trials, the plaintiff stated that the type of harm was personal injury.
Less than 5% of cases involving personal injuries go to trial. That means that 95% of cases are resolved without a trial.
When a settlement is reached within a time frame of 9 to 18 months, claims are typically considered settled. However, court cases can drag on for much longer.
Common Causes of Personal Injury
Vehicle collisions
Car crashes do not always result in fatalities, though. Personal injury lawsuits may be filed in both types of accident cases.
In 2020, there will be 38,680 fatal car accidents, predicts the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This was an increase of 7,2% from the 36,096 figure from the prior year.
The number of fatalities among motorcyclists increased by 9%, while those among bicyclists and car passengers both saw increases of 5%.
The number of urban interstates increased by 15%, urban collector roads by 12%, and rural collector roads by 11%.
According to the NHTSA, speeding contributed to 11% more fatalities in 2020 than in 2019.
According to police reports, there were 9% more fatalities in alcohol-related collisions.
Unsafe drivers, traffic violations that went unpunished, collisions, subpar cars, and a lack of post-crash medical attention were all contributing factors. Negligence that can result in car accidents includes:
- Tailgating.
- Speeding in hazardous weather or on poorly lit roads.
- Failing to signal a turn.
- Texting while driving.
- Blowing through stop signs and red lights.
- Even operating a vehicle while exhausted.
Slip and Fall types of Accidents
Slips and falls accidents are one of the main causes of unintentional deaths. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), falls at home and work caused 39,443 fatalities in 2019.
The NSC estimates that 244,000 American workers experienced slip and fall accidents at work alone, resulting in days away from work, with an average absence of eight days.
Several factors, such as the following, contributed to personal injuries:
It is challenging for a person's feet to grip slippery floors.
Stomping on objects like nails, trash, or electrical cords with one's feet.
Poor lighting
Levels that vary, similar to stairs.
In 2019, many injuries and 5,333 fatalities were linked to workplace-related incidents. Sprains, strains, and tears alone resulted in 295,180 injuries, while back injuries led to 136,190 injuries.
Additional possible injuries include head trauma, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and other medical conditions. Injuries from accidents occur more frequently in the construction industry: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 1,008 fatalities in the construction industry in 2018, including 320 falls to a lower level.
Medical malpractice
A 2018 survey of American doctors painted a depressing picture of the population. Medical errors may lead to legal cases of medical malpractice.
According to the survey, 78% of doctors said they burn out occasionally, frequently, or always, and 80% said they are overworked or at capacity. The majority of respondents—46%—said they planned to change careers.
According to Johns Hopkins patient safety experts, a 2016 survey revealed that 10% of all U.S. deaths—or more than 250,000 deaths annually—are due to medical errors.
Only 4.8 per cent of doctors in the United States are the subjects of malpractice lawsuits, and only 1.7 per cent of doctors are the targets of 27.5 per cent of those lawsuits, according to these doctors who make an excessive number of claims.
The most frequently cited causes of medical malpractice cases include the following medical procedures or practices:
- Diagnostic mistakes
- Surgery.
- poorly monitored
Treatment of medical conditions that harm patients or result in their illness or death.
Ninety-three per cent of medical malpractice cases are settled before trial. In the remaining 7% of cases, a jury renders a verdict.
The likelihood of the plaintiffs receiving compensation through settlements is significantly higher than during medical malpractice trials: According to the New England Journal of Medicine, the plaintiffs were successful in just 21% of trial verdicts while receiving 61 per cent of settlements in medical malpractice cases.
Information about dog bites
Each year, 800,000 people whose dogs bite visit a doctor as a result. Most dog bite victims, or about 50%, are children between the ages of 5 and 9. Two additional high-risk populations are postal workers and senior citizens.
In total, 4.7 million dog bites happen every year in the U.S.
Each year, 14,025 Americans with severe dog bite injuries are admitted to hospitals. In the U.S., dog bites account for up to 5% of visits to emergency rooms.
Pit bulls are responsible for most fatal attacks in the United States, though this may partly be due to people misrepresenting breeds. Between 2005 and 2017, pit bulls were involved in nearly two-thirds (65.6%) of fatal attacks, followed by rottweilers (10.4%) and German shepherds (4.6%).
Between 1993 and 2008, the overall number of hospital stays increased by 86%. Between 1993 and 2008, rural areas experienced three times as many hospital stays related to dog bites as urban areas.
In 2020, homeowners settled $854 million in liability claims for dog bites and other canine-related injuries.
The average cost of a hospital stay brought on by a dog bite is $18,200, which is 50% more expensive than a hospital stay brought on by an injury.
Each state has its regulations about dog bites and liability. Others place restrictions on the owner's liability, such as when the dog is on the loose, is known to have aggressive tendencies, wasn't provoked, etc. Some legal systems follow the strict liability principle. Unless the animal has previously shown a propensity to bite, other states have a "one-bite rule" that exempts the owner from liability. However, if the victim was trespassing, the owner may be protected in some states.
The victim could not receive compensation if they were a contributing factor in the incident because the District of Columbia applies a contributory negligence standard.
