Confusion often arises when distinguishing between two intertwined areas of civil law: personal injury claims and property damage claims. While these legal realms frequently intersect, they can also exist as separate entities. Here, one of our adept personal injury and property damage attorneys elucidates these disparities and provides essential insights.
Personal Injury Claims
Personal injury claims are initiated when an individual sustains injuries due to an accident. Some of the most prevalent types of personal injury claims encompass:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Defective products
- Pedestrian accidents
Typically, these claims hinge on the legal premise of negligence, implicating carelessness as a primary factor. After an accident, the injured party can file a claim against the negligent party to seek compensation for their losses.
The array of losses within a personal injury claim encompasses medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Moreover, property damage can be encompassed within a personal injury claim. For instance, if a car accident victim’s vehicle sustains damage, they can pursue damages for it within their claim. Similarly, a slip and fall accident victim may include losses related to a damaged phone in their claim. Nevertheless, these do not constitute the exclusive instances of property damage claims in California.
Property Damage Claims
Although property damage can be integrated into personal injury claims, various types of standalone property damage claims exist. These types of claims extend coverage to homeowners and business proprietors in cases where their property undergoes damage. For instance, homeowner’s policies typically include fire damage coverage to safeguard homes from wildfire-related damage.
Nonetheless, some types of damage fall outside the purview of insurance coverage. Many homeowner’s insurance policies solely extend coverage for instances of the ‘sudden and accidental discharge of water or steam.’ Thus, if a pipe abruptly bursts, resulting in water damage, this is likely covered. Conversely, if a pipe leaks gradually over an extended period because the homeowner neglected to repair it, the resulting damage may not be covered due to the homeowner’s negligence.
Property damage insurance also offers protection to property owners in the event someone sustains an injury on their premises. This is known as liability insurance, and it is a realm where personal injury and property damage law intersect. In the case of an accident victim pursuing a personal injury claim, the property’s liability insurance would provide compensation to the injured individual.
Contact Our California Personal Injury and Property Damage Attorneys for Guidance
Personal injury and property damage claims differ in their nature, yet both necessitate negotiations with insurance companies, a notoriously challenging process. At Oaks Law Firm, our California-based personal injury and property damage attorneys boast the requisite expertise to engage with insurers on your behalf, ensuring that you secure the full and equitable coverage you are entitled to. Do not hesitate to reach out to us at 877.642.5704 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and acquire more detailed information.