# Legal Herald: Personal Injury > How a personal injury claim works: proving negligence, what damages cover, how shared fault cuts an award, insurance, and why filing deadlines vary by state. Website: https://personal-injury.legalherald.com/ Part of: [Legal Herald](https://legalherald.com/llms.txt) Last Updated: 2026-11-06 ## Guide - [Personal Injury Claims: Negligence, Damages and Filing Deadlines](https://personal-injury.legalherald.com/) (reviewed by Laurence Banville, Esq.) ## FAQ ### How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit? It depends on the state and the type of claim. Most states allow two or three years for a general injury claim, but a few allow only one year and Maine allows six. Claims against a government agency often require a written notice within months. A lawyer licensed in your state can confirm the exact date. ### Can I still recover money if the accident was partly my fault? In most states, yes, but your award is reduced by your share of fault. Some states cut you off entirely once your share passes 50 percent, and four states plus the District of Columbia still apply an older rule that can bar recovery for any fault at all. ### How much is a personal injury case worth? There is no formula. Value depends on medical costs, lost income, how long the injury lasts, the available insurance, the strength of the liability evidence and the law in your state. Be wary of anyone who quotes a number before seeing your records. ### Do most personal injury cases go to trial? No. Most claims settle, either before a lawsuit is filed or during the lawsuit after both sides exchange evidence. Filing suit is often what moves an insurer to negotiate seriously, and a trial date can have the same effect. ### How do personal injury lawyers get paid? Most work on a contingency fee, meaning they take a percentage of the recovery and nothing if there is none. Case costs such as expert fees and records may be handled separately, so read the fee agreement carefully before signing. ## Latest releases _Press releases are sponsored content issued by the organizations named._ - [Schuster Law Announces Asbestos Exposure Legal Resource](https://legalherald.com/news/2026/10/27/schuster-law-announces-asbestos-exposure-legal-resource/): Schuster Law, Media, PA - [Schuster Jachetti LLP Issues Personal Injury Law Update](https://legalherald.com/news/2026/10/26/schuster-jachetti-llp-issues-personal-injury-law-update/): Schuster Jachetti LLP – Lewes, DE, Lewes, DE - [Schuster Jachetti, LLP Announces Personal Injury Information Update](https://legalherald.com/news/2026/10/23/schuster-jachetti-llp-announces-personal-injury-information-update/): Schuster Jachetti LLP – Smyrna, DE, Smyrna, DE - [Schuster Law Announces Family Law Information Update](https://legalherald.com/news/2026/10/22/schuster-law-announces-family-law-information-update/): Schuster Law, Media, PA - 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