The first thing you need to do if you were injured in an accident that was not your fault is to contact a personal injury attorney. A lawyer specializing in personal injury law can help you fight for your rights, but what exactly does a personal injury attorney do, and do you really need one?
Hiring a lawyer may just be the smartest move you make. Here’s what you need to know about the job description of a personal injury lawyer.
Understanding the Role a Personal Injury Lawyer Plays
Personal injury attorneys assist those harmed physically or psychologically due to another person’s negligence.
They work primarily on civil matters involving carelessness and willful wrongdoing. In general, a “tort” is a legal term that refers to an action that harms or injures another person. You can hire a personal injury attorney to recover damages from the party at fault which caused your injury.
The wounded party often demands compensation for their injuries in the form of medical costs, pain and suffering, property losses, lost earnings, and other damages. In the section below, we’ll take a closer look at personal injury attorneys’ role in their cases.
1. A Personal Injury Lawyer Protects Your Rights
The truth is that car accident, slip, and fall accidents, construction accidents, and work-related cases can cause serious injury.
Because you’ll need time to focus on your recovery, you can depend on a personal injury lawyer to defend your legal rights. Your attorney will also protect you from anyone who might interfere with your psychological or physical rehabilitation.
After an accident, you often have insurance companies to deal with, medical bills that need to be paid, and other third parties that may need your attention.
While you can deal with these problems yourself, focusing on healing is important. Your personal injury attorney steps in on your behalf during the challenging period following an accident. They will act as your legal representative and have insurance companies, hospitals, and other parties deal with them rather than distract you.
2. Providing Legal Counsel
The truth is that accidents can be traumatic and often leave you with trauma. Because of this, you may be unable to figure out what to do.
You might be eligible for financial compensation for your losses and injuries if someone else hurt you. You can contact a personal injury attorney to determine whether you qualify and receive legal advice.
Moreover, your attorney will be prepared to file a lawsuit on your behalf if the insurance provider won’t settle for a fair amount.
Your account of the event serves as the guide your attorney uses to further your legal interests. When you describe your case, the lawyer will look for details that need more explanation and follow-up. They will inquire about the specifics of your injury, damages, suffering, rehabilitation, impairments, insurance coverage, and other essential details.
3. Investigating Your Case
You may not know this, but a personal injury lawyer will also pursue the truth and often hires investigators and expert witnesses to learn more about the accident.
This is an essential function when preparing for negotiation and litigation. A personal injury lawyer will investigate the matter and gather all the available information. While attorneys engage private investigators to complete the work, others undertake these investigations themselves.
Your legal representative may track surveillance footage, witnesses, photographs, and other evidence to support your personal injury claim. You will also be required to provide copies of your medical bills and records that will serve as critical proof of the compensation you are entitled to.
Moreover, your personal injury lawyer may request more evidence if you have a medical condition, such as an immune disorder, that could delay the healing of your wounds. This will support your claim for future damages.
4. Evaluating the Evidence
A personal injury lawyer can study and assess the evidence to establish fault. This is an integral part of the process, as it is the victim’s job to prove negligence in a personal injury case.
Your attorney will also draft formal interrogatories for the other side. They may also ask for witness statements to interrogate the other parties under oath. When evaluating the evidence, your personal injury attorney will ensure that there is sufficient proof to back up your claim.
Suppose you claim a certain amount for property damage. In that case, your lawyer will ensure that you have sufficient documentation that proves what the value of that item was.
5. Calculating Damages
When calculating damages on your own, it is easy to forget future expenses, such as medical rehabilitation costs, that you will likely incur later on as you recover from your injuries. Because personal injury lawyers have extensive experience with negligence cases, they can calculate damages more accurately.
Moreover, many victims do not realize that they are entitled to compensation for non-economic damages, such as mental anguish, pain, and suffering. Your attorney will consider your past and future losses to ensure that you get the maximum possible compensation for your injuries.
6. Dealing with Insurance Companies
Attorneys can assist by interacting with insurance providers. If you are hurt in a car accident, this is particularly useful.
The insurance companies representing you and the other parties involved in the collision will both want to speak with you and potentially record a statement of the incident. However, victims often say the wrong things, which could put them at a disadvantage.
On your own, managing an insurance claim can be challenging. After all, you want to be compensated with an amount that matches the losses you have incurred. Your personal injury lawyer will ensure that your rights are protected and that you are not coerced into accepting a low settlement.
Your legal representative will:
- Liaise with the insurer
- Provide advice on what you should and should not say when talking to an insurance provider
- Oversee the statements you provide
- Controlling the flow of information to prevent the insurance provider from disputing your claim
Filing a Lawsuit
In most cases, a settlement is reached. However, sometimes both parties need help to come to an agreement.
The filing of a lawsuit denotes a new stage in the quest for compensation. When a personal injury attorney has formalized their legal theories, understands the claims, and has some of the evidence required to obtain damages, they will file a lawsuit.
A judge will encourage both parties to settle the filing of a lawsuit. The court favors mediation and resolution discussions to resolve disputes earlier in the litigation process.
Before taking the case to court, the judge will try to get both parties to settle. If this doesn’t happen, a trial is initiated, and a court date is set.
Your personal injury lawyer will represent you in court and present the evidence gathered during the investigation to back up your claim and ensure you get the maximum compensation.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Today!
Suppose you have been seriously injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. In that case, you need a reliable personal injury attorney to help you pick up the pieces and recover the damages you suffered because of the incident.
You can rely on the personal injury lawyers at The Soliman Firm to fight your case. We have a proven track record and pride ourselves on offering the kind of service we would expect to receive when faced with a similar situation.
Our team will fight aggressively, gather the necessary evidence to back up your claim, and deal with difficult insurance providers to give you the time you need to recover.
Contact us today to book a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys!