How can a personal injury lawyer help you?

A personal injury attorney provides legal advice and services to persons claiming to be injured physically or psychologically due to negligence of another individual, firm, government institution, or any other entity. Common personal injury claims include injuries caused by slip and fall accidents, defective items, traffic accidents, professional malpractice, and workplace injuries. A personal injury lawyer performs the following duties:

Investigating Claims

Generally, personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis whereby they only charge their client after a jury verdict or after securing a settlement. Since they usually finance the case, they are careful while examining the case’s merits and potential screening clients. A personal injury lawyer cannot undertake a case when they think the chances of winning are low.

Gathering Evidence

A personal injury attorney collects evidence to support the complainant’s claim. This may entail gathering any incident or police report. Furthermore, they may locate witnesses and collect their statements. Other sources of evidence include photos taken on the accident scene, property damage, camera footage, or any other evidence.

Negotiating with Insurance Firms

Some people usually have low negotiation skills. Fortunately, a personal injury attorney negotiates with the insurance firms on behalf of their clients. They may re-examine the policy and define the practical optimum compensation level based on the specific situation of the case. A personal injury lawyer may also handle the communication with the insurance firm hence, preventing the complainant from doing anything that may negatively affect the claim settlement. Be sure to follow the personal injury lawyer’s legal advice so that you can get the maximum compensation.

Sending Demand Letters

After carefully investigating the claim, a personal injury attorney may send a demand letter to the client’s insurer. Typically, the demand letter outlines the accident facts and demands compensation for the injuries caused by the defendant.

Preparing Pleadings

If the insurance firm fails to offer a fair settlement, the attorney may prepare a complaint against the perpetrator. The complaint outlines the legal arguments, stating why the defendant is liable for the incurred injuries.

Representing Clients at Trial

If the personal injury case proceeds to trial, the personal injury lawyer represents the victim in court. These lawyers are usually familiar with court procedures and customs. Therefore, follow any legal advice they may give you. Based on data from the Department of Justice of the United States, the most common personal injury cases include product liability (5%), medical malpractice (15%), and motor vehicle accidents (52%).

Hiring a personal injury lawyer is crucial when claiming compensation. It increases the likelihood of winning the case based on the magnitude of the case and the evidence gathered.