One or more parties can be held financially accountable if your child is injured in an accident. To figure out who to sue, it pays to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer. From here, you can work with an attorney to file a lawsuit against any at-fault parties and seek the most damages possible.
At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we offer legal help following accidents that result in child injuries. Reach out to a personal injury attorney from our law firm today. When you do, our attorney can review your personal injury case and help you determine the best course of action.
Types of Accidents that Can Result in Injuries to Children
There are many reasons why children suffer unintentional injuries. These include:
Car Accidents
Millions of car accidents take place in cities and towns across the United States every year. Common reasons why these accidents occur include:
- Distracted Driving: A motorist takes their eyes off the road, leading to an accident.
- Drunk Driving: An intoxicated driver cannot stay focused, resulting in an accident.
- Inclement Weather: A driver does not account for sleet, rain, or other harsh weather conditions, loses control of their vehicle, and causes an accident.
A child can get struck by a car and suffer an injury. In this scenario, the parent can pursue damages on their child’s behalf. To do so, the parent can hire a personal injury attorney.
Slip and Fall Accident
A child can slip and fall on someone else’s property. The accident can occur out of nowhere and leave the child with an injury. Yet, the property owner can be held responsible.
It is a property owner’s responsibility to take a reasonable amount of care of their home or business. If a child gets injured on this individual’s property, the property owner can be held liable. At this point, the child’s parent can work with a personal injury lawyer to seek damages.
If you meet with an attorney to discuss your child’s slip and fall accident and injury, be prepared to give this lawyer plenty of information. The lawyer will gather as much information as possible to determine if the property owner is at fault. If so, the lawyer can help you sue the property owner.
Dog Bite Accident
A dog owner may do everything they can to restrain their pet. Regardless, a dog can inadvertently bite a child. When this happens, your child can get injured and require immediate medical help.
If your child is involved in a dog bite accident, make sure they go to a hospital or doctor right away. Your son or daughter can then get the help they need to treat their dog bite injury. After your child receives appropriate medical care, you can pursue damages in a dog bite accident lawsuit.
Shelly Leeke Law Firm has many years of experience in dog bite accident cases. We have helped plaintiffs in personal injury cases secure thousands of dollars in damages. Our attorney can take a look at your dog bite accident case and pursue damages against the pet owner responsible for your child’s injury.
What It Takes to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After Your Child Is Injured in an Accident
You have a maximum of three years from the date your child suffers an injury in an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you wait more than three years, you lose the right to seek damages from any at-fault parties. Therefore, you are solely responsible for any costs associated with your child’s injury.
A personal injury attorney can review the facts surrounding your child’s accident and injury. In addition, the lawyer can help you identify the at-fault parties. The lawyer can then make sure your lawsuit is filed in accordance with South Carolina’s statute of limitations.
You can seek economic and non-economic damages in your personal injury lawsuit. Economic damages can be awarded for medical bills and other objective losses relating to your child’s accident and injury. You can receive non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and other subjective losses.
What to Expect After a Personal Injury Lawsuit for Your Child’s Accident
You are responsible for providing a burden of proof to show that any at-fault parties were negligent and caused your child’s accident and injury. This requires you to collect evidence and present it during a trial. A personal injury lawyer can help you determine which evidence may compel the court to rule in your favor.
There are several things you can use as evidence in a personal injury lawsuit, including:
- Copies of your child’s medical records
- Photos or videos from the accident scene
- An accident report
- Witness statements
Your lawyer can review evidence with you and help you figure out the best way to present it in court. If you and your attorney collect an abundance of evidence, it can put you in a great position to win or settle your case. In some instances, the evidence you gather may lead to a settlement.
How a Child Accident Personal Injury Lawsuit Can Get Resolved without a Trial
The defendant in your child accident personal injury case can propose a settlement at any time before your trial. If you receive a settlement offer, you have three options:
- Accept the proposal, which closes your case
- Decline the proposal, which means you move forward with your litigation
- Counter the proposal, which gives the defendant the opportunity to accept or reject an offer that aligns with your expectations
A personal injury lawyer can help you weigh the pros and cons of all options involving a settlement offer. You have the final say on whether to accept a settlement. If a settlement does not meet your expectations, you can decline it and keep working with your attorney to resolve your case.
Reach Out to a Child Accident Personal Injury Lawyer
Shelly Leeke Law Firm can connect you to a child accident personal injury attorney today. To learn more or request a free consultation, please get in touch with us.
