When you get hurt in an accident of any kind, our Washington D.C. injury attorneys can help you build a compelling case and sue for damages. One of the key parts of any case like this is proving negligence. If we cannot show that someone was negligent and that this negligence led to your injuries, it’s going to be difficult to secure compensation.
Why is Negligence Important in a Personal Injury Case?
Negligence is a failure to behave responsibly and prevent foreseeable harm to a possible victim. It’s important to prove that a defendant in a personal injury case was negligent because it shows that they should have known that their behavior could cause harm. A driver who speeds should know that they could get into an accident with another driver. A pet owner who leaves their dog out unleashed in their yard should realize that this is a potential hazard for passersby.
How Can I Show a Connection Between Negligence and My Injuries?
The key is to show that the defendant’s negligence is directly connected to your injuries and that you are owed compensation as a result. There are a few important concepts that will come into play:
Duty: The defendant owed some kind of legal duty to you to keep you safe with their actions. For example, a store owner should see a wet spot on the floor and have someone clean it up. Failing that, they should put down a sign to warn customers of a potential hazard because they have invited customers onto their property and their duty is to keep them safe.
Breach: The defendant has breached their duty. To go with the example above, a store owner who sees a puddle on the ground and does nothing is negligent. They are knowingly putting people at risk of slipping and falling.
Causation: The action or inaction of the defendant leads to harm. The store owner does not address a puddle in the aisle and you slip and fall as a result.
Damages: The injuries suffered by the defendant have resulted in damages. They should be compensated for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more because the defendant’s negligence caused their injuries.
How Long Do I Have to Sue Over Someone Else’s Negligence?
If you believe that you have a compelling personal injury case, you should act quickly. Washington, D.C. gives you three years to act. Sue after that statute of limitations expires and your case is just going to be thrown out. Maryland has the same limitation while Virginia gives accident victims two years to sue instead of three.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
You don’t have to try and fight for compensation on your own. Instead, contact Trombly & Singer, PLLC to schedule your free case consultation. We can tell you more about your legal options and what our attorneys can do to help you build your case.
