When in a car accident, ask to see documentation from parties involved.

Don't just take the opposite party's word for it…..have them show you their driver's license and insurance information, and write down all the information yourself. The worst case scenario would be to finally get home after such an event and realize that you were given fake information. Protect yourself.

What is defamation and does this type of action fall under personal injury law?

Defamation is sometimes termed “defamation of character,” and occurs when someone issues either a spoken or written word designed to negatively impact a person's reputation in the community. If a person or some form of media says or writes something negative about you that is meant to lower your reputation, chances are high that defamation has occurred.

Establishing the truth is probably the single most effective defense that can be offered in such a case. If the remark is hurtful or embarrassing but still truthful, then there isn't much recourse available. Unless the remark, whether spoken or written is absolutely false, then there's not much hope in filing a cause of action against the person or entity that has issued the defamation against you.

If you feel you have been the victim of defamation, whether libel or slander (written or spoken) then you should consult with a personal injury attorney who specializes in defamation causes.

When an accident occurs with a significant amount of damage, call the police and ask for assistance.

Sometimes when minor fender benders occur, the involvement of the police is not necessary. However, in cases where there is a significant amount of damage either to your vehicle or to yourself, then you might want to involve the police. That way, then and there, the accident report gets taken care of with both parties present.

What is negligence and how is that determined?

Negligence is when someone fails to act in the manner of an “ordinary reasonable person. For example, an ordinary and reasonable person would be expected to travel at the posted rate of speed on an Interstate.

However, if there are intervening weather conditions that make it impossible to drive the posted limit, what is the reasonable standard of care that one should take when weather factors might be a factor in driving. Sometimes this critical element in a cause of action has to be determined by a jury if no reasonable settlement can be reached between the parties.

It is important to know what your rights are according to personal injury law. The complexities of personal injury law can be fully explained by a consultation with a reputable personal injury lawyer.

Can I negotiate a personal injury settlement on my own?

An individual that does not practice law of course, can negotiate personal injury settlements, however, because one should protect their rights fully, it is highly advisable that a competent and professional personal injury lawyer should at least review any proposed settlement.

Because of the complexities and varying circumstances, including future medical costs, pain and suffering awards, assuring and including all who share liability in the cause of action, it is again, critical that an individual consult law firm that specializes and employs personal injury lawyers.

Many times a fee for such consultation can be negotiated and not paid until compensation by the offending party is made in any personal injury settlement or jury award.

How are damages determined in a personal injury action?

Once a determination is made that there is in fact a duty and a breach on the part of the offending party was made, in addition to the fact that this breach is what caused the injury, and then damages are calculated.

Items that may be included in such calculation include:

* Medical expenses, both current and future;
* Any therapy for rehabilitation deemed medically necessary;
* Salary or wages lost as a result of the breach;
* Pain and suffering arising out of the injury;
* Any punitive damages which would in effect punish the offending party for having made the breach of duty.

Once again, it is strongly advisable to seek counsel of a reputable and specializing personal injury lawyer so that all calculations be taken into affect before any personal injury settlement is entered into.

How do I find a good personal injury lawyer?

Your local bar association will be a good source of finding a qualified and reputable attorney specializing in personal injury law.

There are also websites that can aid in obtaining a personal injury lawyer to assist with deciding whether the injury you have suffered meets the criteria of a tort. These services are typically fast, free and confidential, designed to assist with finding the right attorney.

Once your case is presented and analyzed by the company, attorneys are matched to your case by their expertise and then you are able to select and consult with an attorney of your choice.

The most important thing in considering whether or not you have a personal injury cause of action is to make sure your rights are not violated and that all circumstances are considered.

I suffered a fall and injury while at the store. Is there anything I should do with regard to a personal injury suit to protect myself?

Whether you feel that you have may have sustained injury, however minor, you should see your primary care doctor or other medical professional as soon as possible. Your injuries may be more serious or sever than you realize. You may want to consult with a personal injury attorney as well, to determine what if any claim you may have against the store owner.

One thing your attorney will most likely advise you is that because conditions may change, i.e., a spill cleaned up from the area in which you slipped, it will be important for any future personal injury action, to preserve the evidence of the condition with either a photograph or videotape.

Most states have a statute of limitations in which you are able to recover damages and you must give notice to property owners within a certain amount of time to put them on notice.

If your injuries turn out to be more severe than you originally thought and you miss the statute of limitations, you may be prevented from recovering any medical expenses or losses that you suffer. It is important that you consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon after the injury as possible to preserve your right to recover.

Does a claim for a defective product fall under the personal injury law?

The term “defective product” refers to any product that causes some injury or damage to a person because of some problem with the product. Usually the liability falls upon the manufacturer of the product.

There are many examples of “defective products” and can include product liability from a vehicle being sold with inoperable brakes or a mislabeled product that causes injury which are somewhat obvious examples, to the not-so-obvious defective product issues such as exposure to the harmful side effects of second-hand smoke.

If you are unsure as to whether you have suffered injury or harm as a result of a defective product, you should consult a personal injury attorney that has handled this type of claim and is familiar with personal injury liability laws in your area.

What is a waiver of liability and how effective are they with regard to personal injury claims?

Waiver of liability releases have become quite popular nowadays especially with respect to activities which invoke an inherent and dangerous risk, such as sporting events amusement parks. Ski slopes, skating rinks, bungee jumping booths, etc have become infamous for having participants sign these waivers.

Courts have been known to find that these types of activities involve a known risk and therefore the participants in the sport are said to have voluntarily waived their right to recover, even without the liability waver.

This assumption of risk can even apply to those attending events such as baseball games or hockey games and being injured by a stray ball or stray puck. This type of personal injury claim has usually come down on the side of the park owner or event sponsor.

What are my rights with regard to personal injury law?

Personal injury laws vary from state to state but essentially arise from a breach of duty, or what is referred to in the legal world as a “tort.”

A tort has four elements, which include the existence of a legal duty owed by one person to another, one person has breached duty; the breach of this duty was the cause of the injury suffered by the first person and there are damages that have occurred by the person suffering the injury.

Typically, all of these elements must be present to have a claim against the offending person. If you have been hurt or injured in some way and you feel that there might be a cause of action, it is best to consult a qualified and reputable personal injury attorney to examine your rights and any potential compensation you may be due as a result of someone else's negligence.

If you think you might have a personal injury case, consult with a lawyer.

There is a statute of limitations on most personal injury cases. If you believe you have a case, consult with a lawyer before the statute of limitations runs out.