Whether it’s a car accident, slip and fall or construction accident, if you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligent or reckless actions, you may be considering hiring a personal injury lawyer to help you file an injury claim. It can be overwhelming to try to figure out how to pay for medical expenses and make-up for lost income – all while trying to heal and recover. After an accident or illness, a personal injury lawyer can guide you through the legal process of seeking monetary compensation for your losses due to the injuries.
A personal injury lawyer’s goal is to make sure that their client receives fair and ample compensation for all of their losses related to an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. In personal injury cases, compensation is a monetary award that could cover medical expenses, lost income, and emotional or intangible injuries. Your personal injury lawyer will work to ensure you receive compensation that doesn’t leave you holding the bag to pay for the cost of your injuries.
5 Important Functions and Benefits of a Personal Injury Lawyer:
- Collect Evidence
- Organize Medical Documentation
- Define a Settlement Demand Amount
- Negotiate with Insurance Companies
- File Legal Proceedings
#1: Collect Evidence
Evidence is an important element of any personal injury case. The more solid the evidence, the easier and quicker it could be to negotiate or settle your claim. Evidence in a personal injury case can include witness statements, police reports, electronic evidence, and victim testimony. In cases of serious injury, your personal injury lawyer may recommend bringing on expert witnesses or accident reconstructionists who can add even more credibility to your claim and bolster your case. A personal injury lawyer will review the evidence at hand at the onset of the case and may also further build the case by creating or collecting more evidence as the legal process unfolds.
#2: Organize Medical Documentation
Medical documentation is a key element of a personal injury claim. Medical records serve as evidence of your injuries and your prognosis for recovery. However, the process of obtaining medical records and ensuring that they are completely applicable to the claim can be time consuming without an attorney. Personal injury lawyers work with healthcare providers upon determination of when maximum medical improvement is reached. Your personal injury attorney will not only organize the documentation but also communicate with medical professionals when needed to ensure your injuries are fully documented.
#3: Define a Settlement Demand Amount
Personal injury lawyers have experience dealing with a variety of accident types, injuries and nuances of each circumstance. They understand the different types of compensation available in an injury claim and know how to value your claim for the maximum compensation amount. In cases of serious or catastrophic injury, your attorney may bring in experts to calculate the loss of an income and projected income over a long period of time.
#4: Negotiate with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies play a huge role in a personal injury case. Insurance companies may offer an initial lowball settlement and pressure you to agree quickly. A personal injury lawyer has the knowledge and skills to go back and forth and negotiate with insurance companies to maximize the settlement.
#5: Lawsuits and Trials
Once maximum medical improvement is reached, a personal injury lawyer will begin negotiations with a demand letter laying out your injuries, evidence and a compensation amount. In the event a settlement can’t be reached, by hiring a personal injury lawyer you are then ready to start the legal process and file a claim. While most claims settle out of court, experienced personal injury lawyers can also take your case to trial, to pursue maximum compensation.
Brandon J. Broderick, Personal Injury Lawyers that Turn Setbacks into Comebacks
We get it. An unexpected accident caused by someone else's negligence or reckless actions can have an impact on your health, well-being, and finances which can cause worry, fear, and anxiety -- for you and your family. Wouldn’t it be a relief to know you could count on a trusted friend and advisor to passionately champion for you? Someone who’s got your best interests in mind?
At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we believe in exceptional client care, empathy, and results. With our long track record of success, you can count on us to take the best strategy and work tirelessly for your quality of life. Our attorneys have decades of experience representing victims in personal injury claims. We’ve helped people just like you move forward after sustaining an injury that was caused by another’s negligence. Contact us today for a free consultation.