Any case that involves injury, whether physical or psychological, may be classified as a personal injury case. Personal injuries can include: an animal bite, bicycle or boating accidents, defective products, motor vehicle crashes, nursing home abuse, wrongful death, and more. If you or your loved one has been injured it is important to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
A personal injury attorney can help you settle your personal injury case and defend your rights. Enlisting the help of an attorney will help you navigate your case with experience and give you peace of mind as you focus on recovery. As you work through this stressful time in your life you’ll be required to work with several persons to settle your case including insurance companies, employers, and other attorneys. Your personal injury attorney will handle the entire process for you to defend your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve.
What to Expect
When you work with a personal injury attorney there are many things you’ll need to provide. Your attorney will also request relevant information as they build a defense for your case. Remember to be transparent, open, and honest with your attorney. It is important to share as many details of your personal injury case as possible. Here are a few items your attorney may request:
- Witness statements
- Evidence such as photographs and official documents.
- Legal proceedings
- Insurance claims
- Compensation offers
- Any related negotiations
Discovery
The process of gather evidence and documentation related to your personal injury case can be long and mind-boggling. Recording and gathering statements from witnesses, requesting related reports from employers or insurance companies, and scheduling mediation, is part of many discovery processes.
Settlements
Your personal injury case can be handled as a formal or informal lawsuit. A formal lawsuit is handled through your local court system. An informal case occurs outside of court and the disputes are typically resolved between the parties.
Formal Lawsuit – You, as a victim of a personal injury case are the “plaintiff” and your attorney will file a civil complaint against a person or entity responsible for your injury. This claim is also called as a lawsuit.
Informal Settlement – This is a settlement agreed upon when both parties involved in the dispute agree to the terms as negotiated after the discovery process.
You as a Plaintiff, have a limited window of opportunity in which you have to file your claim. This is also known as “statute of limitations.” The time varies depending on your case and that is why is so important that you connect with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Get Started
Prior to hiring a personal injury attorney it is important to speak to your attorney about their fee structure and to ask as many questions as you have. Most personal injury attorneys will take their fee from your settlement amount, however, if a settlement is not reached you may or may not have to pay your attorney. It is important to get clarity on the fee structure to protect you and your family.
If you are injured in an accident of any kind, consult a personal injury lawyer soon. Accident attorneys at our firm begin promptly protecting your legal rights and seek the monetary compensation for your injuries you deserve.
