How well do you understand what your personal injury lawyer does? Yes, they represent you in court when you seek damages after an accident caused by another person’s negligence or willful harm, but is that all they’re supposed to do?
Hiring and retaining a personal injury lawyer can be expensive. As such, you’re entitled to the best legal representation they can provide. However, with such a vague job description, understanding the role of a personal injury attorney can be quite challenging.
To satisfy your curiosities and improve your chances of getting your money’s worth, here’s what a personal injury lawyer does and why you should consider hiring one if you’re involved in an accident caused by another person’s negligence or willful harm.
What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?
The specific role personal injury lawyers play in your case ultimately comes down to several factors, including the nature of the case, their legal expertise, and any attorney-client agreements.
That said, there are a few commonalities in the role of personal injury lawyers when handling various cases. Some of the most notable roles of personal injury lawyers include:
Gathering Evidence
Like other lawsuits, you must collect relevant, sufficient evidence to support your claim. Unfortunately, collecting the evidence might prove difficult, especially if you don’t know what to collect.
That’s where a personal injury lawyer comes in. Most lawyers have significant experience in their respective fields and, therefore, know what evidence to collect and how to collect it. For instance, after a car crash, your lawyer may go back to the scene to look for more supporting evidence, including surveillance footage of the crash, witness statements, and property damage assessments.
Investigating Claims
Before a personal injury lawyer takes your case, they must first verify its validity and your chances of winning it. This is especially common in contingency arrangements since they often finance the case, with the hope of recouping their expenses after negotiating a suitable settlement.
Negotiating a Settlement
After filing a personal injury claim and providing sufficient evidence to prove liability, most insurers will offer you a settlement before court or at later stages of the case. Unfortunately, this settlement is often less than what you’re entitled to. Furthermore, accepting the settlement limits your chances of appealing or seeking further compensation from the insurance company.
Fortunately, personal injury lawyers have a lot of experience negotiating settlements with insurance companies. They can evaluate your case, the policy, and the maximum compensation available based on your case. This way, they are better able to negotiate more suitable settlements.
Attorneys also handle all communications with the insurance company, limiting the chances of jeopardizing your case, as with unintentional admission of guilt. In most cases, this scenario invalidates your claim.
Sending Demand Letters
Dealing with insurance companies requires some level of experience and tactics. For instance, before going to court, you’re allowed to send a demand letter detailing the nature of damages caused and the preferred compensation amount.
However, writing a demand letter isn’t as straightforward as it may sound. For starters, you need a comprehensive understanding of the other party’s policy, the maximum amount of benefits you can receive in such cases, and knowledge of any mistake or loophole the insurance company can take to cheat you out of your deserved compensation.
Whenever they take a case, personal injury lawyers first investigate the claim. Once they determine you have a strong case, they can go ahead and craft a strong demand letter detailing the facts of the accident and the amount of damages the at-fault party caused.
Conducting Discovery
A personal injury case is handled like any other case. Both parties are given a chance to present evidence and question the other party on matters about the case. The plaintiff may request interrogatories, depositories, or request for additional documents supporting your claim.
While this may sound like a pretty straightforward ordeal, remember that you’re dealing with professionals. They may try to make you admit fault or contradict your initial statement. However, with a personal injury lawyer at your side, they’ll handle the entire discovery process and enlist any necessary expert witnesses to support your claim, improving your chances of getting your much-deserved compensation.
Representing You at Trial
There’s always a chance that your personal injury case never makes it to trial. In most cases, the insurance company, through your lawyer, offers appropriate compensation for any damages suffered. However, the plaintiff or the insurance company may want to contest your claim.
While you may choose to represent yourself, it’s not always advisable since legal proceedings involve technical jargon and legalities you may not be aware of. That’s why it’s always advisable to hire a personal injury attorney to represent you in personal injury cases.
Most experienced personal injury lawyers are familiar with cases related to yours, making them especially suitable for representing you in such proceedings. They have pertinent knowledge of your case and the necessary steps and evidence to increase your chances of a successful outcome.
Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
While it may be costly to hire a personal injury attorney, the expertise they provide makes them an invaluable resource to any personal injury case. Here are some of the most notable reasons you should retain a personal injury attorney:
- Expertise in personal injury law
- Access to relevant resources and expert witnesses
- Refined negotiation skills, guaranteeing more favorable settlements
- Trial experience and professional representation
- Objective guidance and advise
- Expedited claims process
- Support and peace of mind
A Personal Injury Lawyer Improves Your Chances of Winning Your Case
Personal injury lawyers are an integral part of any personal injury case where you’re seeking damages from an accident caused by another party, either due to negligence or willful harm. They provide the necessary expertise to improve the chances of success.
That said, hiring or retaining a personal injury lawyer does not guarantee a successful outcome. Although they are professionals and have a legal duty to act in your best interests, your possibility of getting the damages you rightfully deserve comes down to how much evidence you have to back up your claims.
Therefore, it is best to consult a specialized personal injury lawyer if you’re involved in an accident. That way, you’re better able to collect the evidence required to build a strong case.
