Browse by category
Legal
Core civil-claim concepts, court procedure, fault, representation, deadlines, and settlement.
30 terms
Insurance
Policy language, claim handling, coverage, adjusters, valuation, and insurer processes.
25 terms
Medical
Injury, treatment, recovery, function, prognosis, and medical documentation concepts.
18 terms
Evidence
Records, witnesses, photographs, vehicle data, preservation, and proof of what happened.
10 terms
Compensation
Financial and non-financial losses, valuation concepts, future needs, and settlement forms.
17 terms
How to use this knowledge base
Start with the exact term appearing in an insurance letter, medical note, police report, retainer, or settlement document. Read the plain-English definition, then check why it matters, common misunderstandings, and related concepts. Definitions are jurisdiction-neutral; controlling rules can vary.
Browse A–Z
A
AffidavitA written statement of facts that is sworn or affirmed to be true and may be used as evidence in a legal proceeding.AppealA request for a higher court to review a lower court decision for an alleged legal or procedural error.ArbitrationA dispute-resolution process in which a neutral arbitrator hears evidence and issues a decision, which may be binding or non-binding.Assumption of RiskA defence alleging that a person knowingly accepted a particular risk associated with an activity.Attorney-Client PrivilegeA rule that generally protects confidential communications between a client and lawyer made for the purpose of obtaining legal advice.Actual Cash ValueAn insurer’s estimate of property value immediately before a loss, often based on market value, condition, age, and comparable property.AdjusterA person who investigates, evaluates, negotiates, or administers an insurance claim for an insurer or policyholder.Activities of Daily LivingRoutine personal and household activities—such as bathing, dressing, cooking, driving, and childcare—used to describe functional impact.Accident ReconstructionA technical analysis using physical evidence, measurements, vehicle data, photographs, and scientific principles to evaluate how a collision occurred.
B
Burden of ProofThe obligation to prove a disputed fact or claim to the level required by law.Bad FaithUnreasonable or dishonest claim handling that may create additional legal remedies under applicable insurance law.Bodily Injury Liability CoverageAuto insurance coverage that may pay amounts an insured legally owes for injuries caused to other people.
C
CausationThe required connection between another party’s conduct and the injury or loss being claimed.Class ActionA lawsuit in which one or more representatives pursue common claims on behalf of a larger group.Comparative NegligenceA fault rule that can reduce compensation according to the injured person’s share of responsibility.ComplaintThe document that begins a civil lawsuit by stating the claimant’s allegations and requested relief.Conflict of InterestA situation in which a lawyer’s duties or personal interests may materially interfere with independent representation of a client.Consent JudgmentA court judgment entered based on terms agreed to by the parties.Contingency FeeA fee arrangement in which a lawyer’s fee depends on obtaining a recovery and is calculated under the written agreement and local rules.Contributory NegligenceA fault doctrine that may limit or, in some jurisdictions, bar recovery when the injured person contributed to the loss.ClaimA request for payment, benefits, defence, or another response under an insurance policy.Claim NumberA unique identifier assigned by an insurer to track a reported loss or benefit request.Collision CoverageOptional first-party coverage that may pay for damage to the insured vehicle caused by collision, subject to policy terms and deductible.Comprehensive CoverageCoverage for specified non-collision vehicle losses such as theft, fire, vandalism, falling objects, or weather, subject to policy wording.Coverage LimitThe maximum amount an insurer may pay for a covered loss, person, accident, or policy period.Chronic PainPain that persists beyond expected healing time or continues for a prolonged period and may affect physical, emotional, and daily functioning.ConcussionA mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head or body that disrupts brain function.CT ScanComputed tomography imaging that uses X-rays and computer processing to create detailed cross-sectional images.Chain of CustodyThe documented history showing who collected, handled, stored, transferred, or tested an item of evidence.
D
DamagesMoney awarded or paid to compensate for legally recognized losses, and in limited cases to punish especially wrongful conduct.DefendantThe person, company, or other entity against whom a civil claim or lawsuit is brought.Demand LetterA written presentation of the claim, evidence, losses, and requested resolution sent before or during negotiations.DepositionSworn out-of-court testimony given in response to questions and recorded for use in litigation.DiscoveryThe formal process for exchanging relevant information, documents, and testimony in a lawsuit.Duty of CareA legal obligation to act with the level of care reasonably required in the circumstances.Declarations PageThe policy summary showing named insureds, vehicles, coverage types, limits, deductibles, and policy dates.DeductibleThe portion of a covered loss the policyholder must generally absorb before insurance payment applies.Diminished ValueThe alleged reduction in a repaired vehicle’s market value because it has a collision history.DisabilityA physical, cognitive, psychological, or sensory impairment that restricts important activities or work, defined differently across legal and benefit systems.Dashcam FootageVideo recorded by an in-vehicle camera that may show the events before, during, or after a collision.
E
Expert WitnessA qualified person permitted to give opinion evidence on specialized issues beyond ordinary knowledge.ExclusionA policy provision that removes specified people, property, causes, or situations from coverage.Event Data RecorderA vehicle device that may record specified technical information connected with a crash event.Economic DamagesCompensation for measurable financial losses such as medical costs, income loss, care expenses, and damaged property.
F
FaultResponsibility for causing or contributing to an accident or loss under the applicable law and evidence.First-Party ClaimA claim made by an insured person under their own insurance policy.Future Care CostsThe projected reasonable cost of medical treatment, rehabilitation, assistance, equipment, or services expected after settlement or judgment.Future Earning CapacityThe value of a reduced ability to earn income in the future because of accident-related limitations.
G
Good FaithHonest and fair conduct in carrying out legal or contractual obligations.Gap InsuranceCoverage designed to address some difference between a vehicle’s insured value and the balance owed on financing or a lease after a total loss.General DamagesA term often used for non-pecuniary losses such as pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment, though definitions vary by jurisdiction.
H
I
Independent Medical ExaminationAn examination arranged by an insurer or litigation party to obtain an independent medical opinion, subject to applicable rules.Insurance PolicyThe contract describing covered risks, duties, limits, exclusions, conditions, and the insurer’s obligations.ImpairmentA loss or abnormality of body structure or function that may be temporary or permanent.Independent Medical OpinionAn assessment by a clinician who is not the treating provider, requested to evaluate diagnosis, causation, prognosis, restrictions, or treatment needs.Incident ReportA written record created by police, a property owner, employer, business, or other organization after an accident or reported event.
J
L
LiabilityLegal responsibility for injury, damage, or another loss.Limitation PeriodThe legally prescribed time within which a claim or lawsuit must generally be started.LitigationThe process of resolving a dispute through a court or formal legal proceeding.Liability CoverageInsurance that may defend and indemnify an insured against covered claims alleging legal responsibility to others.Loss of ConsortiumA claim, where recognized, for the effect an injury has on a spouse’s companionship, affection, support, or relationship.Lost IncomeWages, salary, self-employment earnings, benefits, or other compensation not received because of accident-related absence or reduced work.
M
MediationA confidential negotiation process assisted by a neutral mediator who does not usually impose a decision.Medical Payments CoverageOptional auto coverage in some jurisdictions that may pay specified medical expenses without regard to fault, subject to limits and terms.Maximum Medical ImprovementA medical opinion that a condition has stabilized and is unlikely to improve substantially with further treatment, although care may continue.MRIMagnetic resonance imaging that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of soft tissues and other structures.Medical RecordsClinical documentation of symptoms, examinations, diagnoses, treatment, referrals, testing, restrictions, and progress.Mitigation of DamagesThe obligation to take reasonable steps to limit avoidable loss after an injury or accident.
N
NegligenceFailure to use the level of reasonable care required in the circumstances, resulting in legally recognized harm.No-Fault BenefitsBenefits available under a system that provides specified payments through a person’s own insurer without first proving another driver’s fault.Non-Economic DamagesCompensation for losses that do not have a direct invoice, such as pain, suffering, inconvenience, or reduced quality of life.
O
P
Policy LimitsThe maximum insurance available under a policy for a particular coverage, person, occurrence, or period.PremiumThe amount charged for insurance coverage.Permanent ImpairmentA lasting reduction in physical, cognitive, psychological, or sensory function after reasonable recovery and treatment.PhysiotherapyTreatment using exercise, movement, education, and physical techniques to improve function, strength, mobility, and symptom management.Post-Concussion SyndromeA term used when concussion-related symptoms continue beyond the expected early recovery period.PrognosisA clinician’s informed opinion about the likely course, duration, recovery, and future effects of a condition.Photographic EvidenceStill images used to document vehicles, injuries, hazards, road conditions, property, weather, or changes over time.Police ReportA report prepared by law enforcement that may record parties, vehicles, observations, statements, diagrams, citations, and other crash information.Preservation LetterA written notice requesting that potentially relevant documents, video, electronic data, or physical evidence not be destroyed or altered.Pain and SufferingA common description for physical discomfort, emotional effects, inconvenience, and loss of enjoyment caused by injury.Present ValueThe current lump-sum value of money or losses expected to occur in the future, calculated using financial assumptions.Property DamagePhysical damage to a vehicle, personal property, building, or other tangible item.Punitive DamagesDamages intended primarily to punish and deter especially wrongful conduct, available only in limited circumstances.
R
Recorded StatementAn audio or video interview about a claim, often requested by an insurer and preserved as part of the claim file.Rental Reimbursement CoverageOptional coverage that may pay some temporary transportation costs while a covered vehicle is being repaired or replaced.Reservation of RightsA notice that an insurer is investigating or providing a defence while preserving the right to dispute coverage later.Range of MotionThe measurable extent to which a joint or body part can move in different directions.RehabilitationCoordinated treatment and support intended to restore function, independence, participation, or work capacity after injury.
S
Soft-Tissue InjuryInjury to muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, or other non-bony tissues.Surveillance EvidencePhotographs, video, observation notes, or digital monitoring used to evaluate a person’s activities, condition, or statements.Special DamagesA term often used for specifically quantifiable financial losses, though terminology and treatment differ by jurisdiction.Structured SettlementAn arrangement in which some or all settlement proceeds are paid in scheduled future payments rather than one immediate lump sum.
T
W
Source and review framework
The knowledge base uses established terminology reflected in court systems, lawyer-regulation materials, insurance-regulator glossaries, road-safety resources, and public-health guidance. It is educational and does not replace local legal or medical advice.