An injury lawyer is a legal professional who helps victims of accidents and injuries get compensation for their losses. This compensation might cover past and future medical expenses, lost income or wages, loss of household services a victim can no longer perform e.g. cleaning, lawn mowing, and funeral costs for loved ones who have died as a result of another person’s negligence or wrongdoing.
When you hire an injury lawyer, they will review the facts of your case and determine all parties who might be liable for compensating you. This might include the other driver in your car accident, employers of workers injured on the job, manufacturers of defective products, and others. The lawyer may engage private investigators or expert witnesses to gather and analyze evidence.
If the lawyer believes that you have a viable claim they will file a lawsuit. They will prepare pleadings that briefly outline the basis of your claim and the relief you seek. They will also respond to the other party’s discovery requests, which might involve documents, physical evidence, and deposition testimony.
After the pleading stage, the lawyers will present their arguments to the judge at trial. The judge will resolve motions by both sides and then the jury will decide whether you are entitled to damages. In many cases, the other party will settle before trial.
The lawyers will collect and interpret your medical records, including narrative medical reports that describe your injuries, treatment, initial diagnosis, prognosis, disability information, and more. They will also help you obtain copies of your medical bills. They will work with your physicians to interpret these records and ensure that you are receiving the best possible medical care.
Your lawyer will provide the insurance company with the relevant facts and legal arguments that should push them to increase your settlement amount. They will also review your medical history and any documentation you have that supports your claims for damages. For example, if you suffered a traumatic brain injury TBI in an accident caused by someone else’s negligent actions, your lawyer might submit an opinion letter from one of your physicians that explains how the TBI is related to the accident.
Often, your lawyers will negotiate with the insurance company to reach an acceptable settlement. They might also be ready to go to trial if necessary.
When you’re choosing an injury attorney, it’s important to find a lawyer who has experience handling cases similar to yours. You should ask the attorney about their background and how they have successfully helped clients recover compensation. It’s also important to ask about the attorney’s fees. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid when they win your case. However, you should always get a written fee agreement before hiring an attorney. This will protect you from hidden costs and unexpected expenses. This is especially true if you hire an attorney on a retainer. However, the amount you’ll pay is typically significantly less than what you would have to pay if you hired an attorney on an hourly basis.
