Sustaining a personal injury due to someone else’s fault or negligence can have devastating consequences on your life. You might suddenly find yourself unable to perform everyday duties or work, either temporarily or permanently, and that could lead to job and income loss. You may also have to cope with the high costs of hospital stays, medical procedures, medicines, and physical therapies.
On top of that, you would have to live with physical pain, mental anguish, and temporary or permanent disabilities. Then there would be various legal issues related to the accident, and you would have to pay legal costs and attorney fees. In such a situation, rather than try to manage on your own, it might be a good idea to hire a personal injury attorney to represent you.
You can pay them a flat fee, an hourly rate, a retainer, or a contingency fee. With the latter, you do not have to pay the attorney unless they win the case for you.
The Role of a Personal Injury Attorney in a Legal Case
The first thing you need to do after getting into an accident is to get yourself to safety and seek medical help. And the second thing you should do is contact a reputable and experienced personal injury attorney. Here is how they can help you:
The attorney will collect evidence
A personal injury attorney is responsible for looking out for their client’s interests in accident-related legal cases. As you may not be in the mental or physical state to collect evidence after the accident, the attorney will do so on your behalf. They will either go to the accident site themselves or send an investigator to take photographs and videos of the accident scene, the people involved in the accident, the area around the accident site, and the vehicle and vehicle license plate if it was a vehicle accident.
They will interview witnesses, secure the police report of the accident, and get any available security camera footage. They will also photograph and video your injuries and ask your doctor to provide a copy of your medical treatment records. All this evidence will be necessary for making an accident claim with the insurance company.
The attorney will explain your legal rights
You need to know the state laws regarding accident claims and how these apply to your situation. That will help to clear up a lot of confusion and help you to avoid unnecessary hassles. The attorney will let you know which compensatory damages you can claim from the at-fault party and if you are entitled to any punitive damages from them. They will also let you know if the legal situation is favorable for you.
The attorney will evaluate damages
They will evaluate the damages you incurred due to the accident. These can include medical costs for physical injuries, vehicle repair costs, and lost earnings due to physical incapacity or job loss. They may make claims on your behalf for the accident, product liability, medical malpractice, workplace injury, wrongful death, and more.
The attorney will negotiate with the insurance company
Trying to negotiate with the insurance company may not work as they will do their best to settle the matter with a low offer. They are in the business of giving out as little money as possible. So, whether you have been in a vehicle-related accident, a slip and fall accident, or need to make a wrongful death claim, it is best to have proper legal representation. With an experienced personal injury attorney to look out for your interests, you will have a better chance of receiving the full compensation you are entitled to by law.
The attorney will represent you in court
If the insurance company refuses to recognize your claim and does not agree to make an out-of-court settlement, it will be necessary to take the matter to trial. The personal injury attorney will file a lawsuit for you, prepare legal documents, represent you in court, argue your case before the judge and jury, and prove the losses you sustained. They will also advise you on how to present yourself in court, and offer counseling to help you cope better during the trial.
