What Is a Personal Injury Lawyer?
When you’re injured in an accident, figuring out what to do next can be overwhelming. A personal injury attorney is a licensed professional who provides legal representation to people who have been physically, emotionally, or financially harmed due to someone else’s negligence. Seeking the advice of a personal injury lawyer can help protect your rights, but it’s critical to understand their roles and responsibilities.
Responsibilities of a Personal Injury Lawyer
The best personal injury lawyers wear many hats and take on various responsibilities to help clients recover fair compensation for their injuries. The major responsibilities of a personal injury attorney include:
Client advocacy and legal representation – The main role of a personal injury attorney is to serve as an advocate for their clients. They represent an injured party’s interests during settlement negotiations with insurance companies and in court if a case goes to trial. From the initial consultation to the resolution of the case, they offer guidance, support, and legal advice throughout the entire process.
Case evaluations – Assessing the viability of a personal injury case is one of the first things an attorney must do. Personal injury lawyers offer free consultations and work on contingency, so even if you don’t proceed with your case, you really have nothing to lose by having an attorney assess your situation.
Investigations – A personal injury attorney and their legal team thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and injury. This involves gathering evidence, speaking to witnesses, and obtaining medical records and other documentation. An investigation may also include hiring accident reconstructionists and other experts to determine how an injury occurred, the impact it’s had on a victim’s life, and the potential value of the claim.
Legal research – Personal injury attorneys keep up with the most current, relevant civil laws and regulations. They often do research to find statutes and precedents that can support and strengthen their client’s case.
Negotiations – One of the most important jobs that personal injury lawyers do is handle negotiations with insurance companies and other parties involved in the case. This includes calculating the value of the claim, presenting evidence, and advocating for their clients’ interests to reach a fair settlement agreement. The best personal injury lawyers are well-versed in the tactics insurers use to deny or minimize payouts, and fight for your rights and interests.
Litigation – If a reasonable settlement isn’t a possibility, a personal injury attorney should be prepared to take your case to court. They handle all court filings, prepare for trial, represent their clients in the courtroom, present evidence, and offer compelling arguments to achieve favorable outcomes.
Types of Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury lawyers handle a wide range of cases that involve negligence or wrongdoing. Some common types of personal injury claims include:
- Motor vehicle accidents, including crashes involving tractor trailers, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, and drunk or distracted drivers
- Dram shop liability
- Premises liability, including slip and fall accidents, dog bites, and other
- Construction site injuries
- Cases involving catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death claims
- Intentional liability, which usually involves assault or other types of physical and emotional harm
Some common types of damages an injured party may be entitled to receive include the cost of medical bills, wage loss, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other damages.
Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’re wondering when to hire a personal injury lawyer, the short answer is to find an experienced attorney right away. Personal injury lawsuits and claims are complex. Personal injury lawyers use their experience and knowledge to build solid cases and help clients recover maximum compensation. They also have access to resources that you might not find on your own, including medical experts, investigators, and other qualified professionals.
Personal injury lawyers are skilled negotiators who fight for your rights and work tirelessly to obtain the full and fair amount of compensation you may be entitled to receive. Because they work on contingency, you won’t pay any up-front costs or owe attorneys’ fees unless they recover compensation for you.
Personal injury lawyers are equipped to handle all aspects of the legal process efficiently, which can lead to a faster resolution and a better chance of making a fair recovery. With an attorney by your side, you can focus on healing while they handle your personal injury claim, which reduces stress and gives you peace of mind.
