WHAT IS PERSONAL INJURY?

A personal injury case is any legal case involving an injured person. No matter how you ended up being injured, whether it was in a car accident, you slipped and fell, or were assaulted, you may have a case. You may be entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages and loss of potential future earnings as a result of your injuries. 

The severity of the injury or accident at the moment is not always indicative of long-term damage that may be caused. After an accident, you could suffer from PTSD for some time, even if you aren’t physically injured. You could also suffer from some injuries that may take some time to present themselves. 

WHAT CAN A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER DO FOR YOU?

A personal injury attorney is there to guide you through the legal process and help you resolve I in your favor. The case could end up going to trial or end up getting settled out of court, but whatever the case, your personal injury attorney will be helping you get the best result. So, what can you expect from your personal injury attorney?

Investigation and initial demand- To be able to properly help you with your case, the first thing that the attorney will do is get as much information as possible about your case. This means all relevant details related to the nature and extent of your injuries and a determination of fault for the accident, including:

  • Medical bills
  • Medical treatment history
  • Police reports
  • Surveillance footage
  • Witness statements
  • Photographs, and 
  • Official government reports

The attorney may also ask some really detailed and, potentially, invasive questions.  Your attorney can handle the case efficiently and appropriately when they know everything that may be relevant to the case. 

After the investigation material is gathered, then the attorney is likely to make a demand to the insurer of the liable party, typically whoever is deemed at-fault for the accident. This demand that is being made of the liable party is the compensation that you are asking for in light of the injuries you suffered. 

Explaining the legal process-The attorney that you choose to represent you should be able to offer insight on how your case can, or will, proceed to reach a favorable outcome. The attorney should walk you through the legal process and the behind-the-scenes happenings, such as filing legal briefs or requests for replies, so you can understand how the attorney is working on your behalf. At this point, the attorney may also start challenging your story. This serves the purpose of finding weaknesses in your case that you can work to strengthen, and it prepares you for the stance the other party is likely to take. 

Regular Communication- Communication between yourself and your personal injury attorney should be regular and is extremely beneficial for both clients and their attorneys. The attorney is likely to ask you about any changes in your treatment plan or health, such as additional medical bills. They would ask about any improvements or setbacks in your recovery. You have the responsibility of keeping your attorney updated about the case if necessary. For example, if the defendant or someone in connection with them tries to contact or approach you, you should inform your attorney. The attorney, in turn, will communicate with you regarding the status of the case. They will inform you of anything that they may need from you or inform you of settlement offers made by opposing counsel.