Personal Injury Terms You Need to Know

Apr 15, 2022 - Personal Injury by Cross & Smith

When you or a loved one becomes involved in a lawsuit to recover damages for injuries received in an accident, you will start hearing terms that are not often used outside of the legal community. Below, our Tuscaloosa personal injury attorney from our firm explains the meaning of some of the most common terms used in personal injury law. 

Personal Injury

Personal injury is the area of the law dedicated to holding people or entities that negligently injure another responsible for their actions. It is a civil cause of action, and examples include motorcycle accidents and car accidents. 

Statute of Limitations

After an accident occurs, there is a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit to recover compensation. This time limit is called the statute of limitations. In Alabama, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case is two years. When the clock starts running is a question best addressed by a Tuscaloosa personal injury attorney.

Wrongful Death

When someone dies due to the negligent acts of another, their loved ones may be able to bring a cause of action for wrongful death against the responsible party. This allows them to recover compensation for the loss of their family member.

Liability

In simple terms, to hold someone liable is to make them legally responsible for their actions. When filing a personal injury lawsuit against a person, it is necessary to prove that they are responsible for the harm that was caused. In other words, that they are liable.  

Damages

When a person sues in a personal injury action, they are asking for money as compensation for the injuries they have suffered. This compensation is referred to as damages. There are three different types of damages that can be awarded in a personal injury lawsuit: economic, noneconomic, and punitive.

Negligence

There is a legally recognized standard of care that is owed from one party to another. When one person breaches that standard, they may be considered to be negligent in their conduct. The existence of the standard of care, as well as whether or not it has been breached, is a matter that can be addressed by a Tuscaloosa personal injury attorney.

Discovery

During trial, it is normal to hear a lot of talk about discovery. Discovery is actually a legal process used by all parties to ask questions of each other as well as for copies of documents the other parties may have. 

Voir Dire

In French, voire dire means “to speak the truth.” During the voir dire phase of a trial, attorneys for all parties will have the opportunity to ask questions of potential jurors. This helps them to decide who they do and who they do not want on the jury. 

A Tuscaloosa Personal Injury Attorney On Your Side

If the negligence of another has caused you to be injured in an accident, contact a Tuscaloosa personal injury attorney at Cross & Smith, LLC, to find out how we can help you recover the compensation you deserve. We may be reached by calling 877-791-0618 or via our contact page.