What is personal injury law and what types of cases does it cover?

Personal injury law — also called tort law — is the area of civil law that allows people who are harmed by the negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct of another to recover financial compensation. It covers a broad range of situations: motor vehicle accidents (car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle), slip-and-fall and other premises liability incidents, medical malpractice, product liability (injuries from defective products), workplace accidents, dog bites, wrongful death, and more. Personal injury cases are civil matters — separate from criminal proceedings — meaning that even if the at-fault party is not criminally prosecuted, you can still pursue a civil claim for compensation. The goal is to make you financially "whole" by compensating for your actual losses. Cases are almost always handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning attorney fees come only from a successful recovery.