A Guide To Personal Injury Terminology

In Georgia, accidents happen every day. So, it’s essential to understand personal injury terminology.  Our personal injury terminology guide will help you simplify what you need to know. 

Terms like negligence, damages, and tort can sound like they belong in a courtroom drama. However, understanding personal injury terminology is helpful when you or a loved one has been involved in a personal injury accident.

We are here to help you navigate the perplexing world of personal injury terminology. Furthermore, to help you decipher the language of the law, knowing the language of the law will empower you with the knowledge you need to secure the compensation you deserve.

Below is a brief personal injury terminology guide to help you understand some basic terms.

Negligence: The Core Concept

At its core, it means someone acted carelessly or failed to take proper precautions, leading to an accident or injury. Further, in personal injury cases, you’ll often hear phrases like negligence on the defendant’s part. This is the legal way of saying that the person or entity being sued was in the wrong.

Damages: What’s at Stake

You may be entitled to compensation for your damages when you’re injured due to someone else’s negligence. Damages can be economic (like medical bills, lost wages, and property damage) or non-economic (such as pain and suffering). 

Tort: It’s Not a Dessert

A tort is simply a wrongful act or an infringement on someone else’s rights. In personal injury law, torts come in different forms: intentional torts (deliberate harm), negligence (unintentional damage, and strict liability (like holding manufacturers responsible for defective products). When you sue someone for causing you harm, you’re accusing them of committing a tort.

Statute of Limitations: Time Matters

Every legal case has a time limit within which it must be filed. In personal injury cases, this is known as the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, your case may be dismissed, no matter how strong it is. Different states have different time limits.

Liability: Who’s Responsible

Liability is a fancy word for responsibility. In personal injury cases, the goal is determining who’s legally responsible for your injuries. The person or entity that’s found liable is the one on the hook for paying damages.

Settlement: Avoiding the Courtroom Drama

In many personal injury cases, the parties involved may agree to a settlement instead of going to court. Moreover, a settlement is a compromise where the defendant agrees to pay the injured party a certain amount in exchange for dropping the lawsuit. Hence, it’s often a quicker and less expensive way to resolve disputes.

There you have it, a quick rundown of common personal injury terminology. 

Stay informed, stay safe, and remember that knowledge is power when protecting your rights!