An injury lawyer is a professional who works on personal injury claims. Whether you have been injured in an accident, suffered a medical mistake, or experienced discrimination on the job, an injury lawyer can help you. Injury lawyers can explain your rights and options under the law, as well as guide you through the process of pursuing justice.
A successful personal injury claim requires thorough research. An attorney will review the applicable statutes, case law, and legal precedents to establish a valid rationale for suing the person or entity responsible for your injuries. This analysis can be more time-consuming for complex cases involving rare circumstances or unique legal theories.
During an initial consultation, your injury lawyer will listen to your version of events and then ask questions to clarify and follow up on the details. They will also review any documents or physical evidence you have related to your accident. If necessary, they will hire investigators to collect evidence and obtain witness statements.
Once they have a clear understanding of the facts and how your injury occurred, they will calculate how much your losses are worth. This includes both economic damages such as medical bills and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. If you are bringing a wrongful death claim, they will also consider the loss of companionship, guidance, love, and affection that a family member has suffered due to the actions of another person or entity.
After they understand your losses, they will prepare a complaint or lawsuit to file with the court. This will include pleadings that detail the facts of your claim and relief you are seeking. In some situations, a settlement is reached before your case reaches trial.
When negotiating with the insurance company for your claim, an injury lawyer can make sure you are being compensated fairly. This can include comparing the amount of monetary awards received in similar cases to help determine the value of your case. If they believe that you are being underpaid, they can negotiate with the insurer to get you a higher settlement.
It’s important to have a local injury attorney representing you as your case may involve issues specific to the community where you live. A local attorney will be familiar with the courts, local law enforcement, and prosecutors, and have relationships that can benefit your case. They will also have a better understanding of the businesses, roads, and other factors that could be relevant to your case.
An injury lawyer can assist you with a variety of types of cases, including motor vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases. Each of these areas has its own set of laws, requirements, and procedures that must be followed. Additionally, each has short time periods (“statutes of limitations”) in which you must take legal action to pursue compensation. A skilled personal injury attorney can help you navigate the complexities of each type of case.