When you’ve suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, it is critical that you have the skill and expertise of a personal injury lawyer on your side. The right injury lawyer can help you navigate the complex legal procedures, confusing medical terms and mounds of paperwork that are often associated with these types of cases. An experienced injury lawyer will also be able to help you obtain the maximum compensation available for your losses.
When selecting an injury attorney to represent you, ask about their experience handling similar claims to yours. What type of verdicts or settlements have they obtained for their clients? How long have they been in practice and how many cases do they handle daily? Ask about their membership in legal organizations that specialize in representing the injured. These organizations sponsor legal publications, conduct continuing legal education programs and lobby for the rights of consumers.
During your initial consultation, bring with you all of the important documents related to your accident and injuries. This includes the accident report, medical bills and insurance policies.
Your injury lawyer will review all of the information you provide and will advise you of all of your legal options. This includes the possibility of pursuing a lawsuit against an at-fault party or settling with the insurance company for a reasonable sum.
In cases involving medical malpractice, your lawyer will review narrative medical reports from your treating physicians. These reports will describe your injuries, your treatment, your initial diagnosis and prognosis and will conclude whether you have any permanent impairments. In addition, your attorney will review your accumulated medical expenses and calculate the total value of your losses including pain and suffering.
The law defines negligence as the failure to use ordinary care or consideration. There are special situations, such as police officers and firefighters driving to or responding to emergency calls, who are required to act with “special care” due to their high-risk occupations. The law also recognizes that there are certain damages, such as punitive damages, which are intended to punish an individual for particularly egregious acts.
A skilled injury attorney will have a good sense of how much your case is worth and can quickly tell when an insurance company is trying to close your claim with a quick offer that leaves you far short of what you’re likely owed. They will know what to expect in your particular case based on previous jury awards and court settlements of comparable cases. An experienced injury attorney will also be familiar with the local courts and judges, which can be beneficial to your case. They will be able to build a rapport with them and gain a better understanding of the local community, businesses and other factors that may be important to your case.