A personal injury lawyer is a lawyer who legally represents a person who has been or claims to have been physically or psychologically injured as result of wrongdoing or negligence by another person, a group of people, a company, a government agency or any other entity. He or she is knowledgeable and experienced in the branch of law known as tort law, which deals with civil wrongs and damages caused to a person’s property, reputation or rights. This law covers work-related injuries, motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, medical mistakes and injuries caused due to defective products. More often than not, where appropriate, a personal injury lawyer works towards an out of court settlement rather than going for a trial. This minimizes the expenses, mental distress and disruptions to daily life and work that the latter may cause. But if push comes to shove, he or she will go to trial. It is not mandatory to hire a personal injury lawyer, but hiring one can help ensure that you will receive compensation in a just and fair manner.

When you are involved in an auto accident resulting in injuries to you and/or the people travelling with you in your vehicle, or the other drivers and/or the people travelling in their vehicle, then you may either be liable for damages or eligible for compensation under certain circumstances. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, then having a basic idea about tort law can help you avoid costly mistakes. Here is a glossary of important personal injury terms (in alphabetical order):

You can never rule out an auto accident no matter how careful you are. You don’t have to be drunk or negligent to be in one; another careless driver can ram your car from behind, collide head-on with you or hit you from the side. Whether you are involved in a minor collision with no injuries involved or a major crash that results in severe injuries or even fatalities, you should know what do to after the accident – whether you are at fault or not. This makes the experience a little less harrowing and helps you avoid a costly lawsuit.