Coeur d’Alene Personal Injury Lawyer
Accidents happen, and sometimes there’s nothing that can be done about it. It was nobody’s fault you fell and scraped your knee on the way to the supermarket. However, there are also times when you are directly injured because of another’s negligent or reckless behavior. Your mind may flick to common examples in the culture, such as having boiling coffee spilled on your leg or being hit by a moving vehicle while using a crosswalk. Feelings of embarrassment may arise when navigating the aftermath of being injured at the hands of another. Still, there’s no need to feel guilt or embarrassment regarding your recovery. We call this phenomenon “Tort Reform” and insurance companies have spent millions of dollars on Tort Reform efforts trying to make you feel bad or feel guilty about pursuing your injury claims.
If you are dealing with an injury that was a direct result of a business, property owner, or other individual’s negligence, it is vital you reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Coeur d’Alene has a statute of limitations of two years after the initial incident for filing a claim. The quicker your knowledgeable Coeur d’Alene personal injury lawyer from Feller & Wendt can start building your case, the higher your chance of getting the damages you deserve.
What Injuries Does a Personal Injury Lawyer in Coeur d’Alene Help With?
Any injury suffered because of another’s reckless behavior is likely to warrant the need for a personal injury lawyer. Many of the following accidents result in severe injuries leading to a vicious cycle of medical bills, lost wages, and a settlement too small to cover anything. A personal injury lawyer is equipped to handle many different types of injuries, not limited to but including the following:
Slip-And-Fall
When you enter a business or restaurant or step foot on another’s property, there is an assumed standard of care they must provide. This means the floor must be clear of all debris, slippery puddles, and large cracks. Accidents happen, and if there is a puddle of Coke on the floor at your local restaurant, it is imperative and expected they remedy the situation as soon as they possibly can. In the meantime, they are legally required to post a warning sign and advise their clients and guests to avoid the area for their safety.
Failure to adhere to this duty of care can result in a serious slip-and-fall accident. Injuries sustained due to a slip-and-fall can range from small bumps and bruises to broken bones, broken ribs, and even traumatic brain injuries.
Car Accidents
You likely witness negligent driving every day on the road. You can exercise caution as best as you can, but sometimes there is nothing you can do about an impending motor vehicle crash. The most common causes of car crashes include:
- Intoxicated driving
- Texting while driving
- Inclement weather
- Speeding
- Failure to yield
Car crashes are unique in that it can occasionally take days for your injuries to present themselves. For example, one of the most common results of a car crash is whiplash, which affects your neck and spine. The adrenaline of the accident can subside the side effects and leave you feeling uncomfortable and in pain days later. After you have been injured, always receive a medical check-up, even if you don’t believe you are injured.
Product Liability
Product liability occurs when a design flaw or manufacturing defect exists in a product you are using. Product liability most commonly can result in burns. The company or manufacturer can be liable for improper labeling, insufficient instructions, or inadequate safety warnings.
Medical Malpractice
Any negligent act on behalf of your medical provider is referred to as medical malpractice. Medical malpractice covers a large portion of personal injury cases, including:
- Birth injuries
- Prescription errors
- Misdiagnosis
- Anesthesia error
- Surgical error
Our doctors are held to the same standard of care as anyone else. They are expected to make reasonable and educated decisions based on their education and your best interest. There may be times when they make a choice that results in an injury. However, if it is not a direct result of their negligence, it is not considered medical malpractice. If you are unsure whether or not your injury falls under that category, a personal injury lawyer can help review your case and investigate the circumstances surrounding your claim.
How Can a Coeur d’Alene Personal Injury Attorney Help Your Case?
You can file a claim without a personal injury lawyer, but it is highly inadvisable. You will likely be offered a settlement that does not adequately cover the full extent of your injuries. Navigating the best legal course of action can be confusing, especially while recovering from a severe injury. A dedicated personal injury lawyer will be your side throughout the entire process and be able to assist you with the following:
Gather Evidence
You will use evidence to build your case up and show that your injury was directly caused by another party’s behavior. If possible, gathering evidence immediately after the incident is advisable. Examples can include:
- Eyewitness testimony
- Photo or video footage from your phone
- Medical records
- Police report
A Coeur d’Alene personal injury lawyer is there to help gather evidence when you are too injured or too overwhelmed to do so. They can also collect more time-sensitive and harder-to-find evidence, such as traffic camera footage, security footage, and field expert testimony.
Establish Liability
The evidence gathered will be used to establish liability. Though it may seem simple, determining another party was responsible for your pain and suffering is not an easy process. You must prove you suffered an injury, that the injury resulted from another’s negligence, and that the injury has resulted in lost wages, medical bills, and an overall loss of quality of life.
Idaho is a modified comparative negligence state, meaning liability and negligence are determined on a percentage scale system. You can receive damages if you are determined to be under 50% at fault for your accident.
Consult With Our Knowledgeable Coeur d’Alene Personal Injury Lawyers Today
Feller & Wendt has devoted many years to helping the Coeur d’Alene community get the justice they deserve for their injuries. Our team of prestigious personal injury attorneys has a 95% success rate and is here to help you get your life back on track. We believe in a people-first model and give our clients our personal phone numbers to reach out whenever we are needed.
Don’t go through this process alone. To speak with a personal injury lawyer today for free and discuss your best legal course of action, use the contact form here or give our Idaho office a call at (208)-391-5945.
