What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do? The Role of Your Attorney

Even if you take precautions, you can still get hurt in different situations. What if you have a collision with a truck while driving to work? Car crashes are quite common nowadays, unfortunately.

Maybe you don’t have an accident while driving but at your workplace or the grocery store because someone fails to ensure safe conditions.

Have you ever wondered who provides legal representation to people who are injured or attacked by someone else? That’s what a personal injury lawyer does!

The role of personal injury lawyers is to guide victims through the legal process to hold at-fault parties accountable and recover fair compensation. Below is more information about what these professionals do.

Types of Personal Injury Cases an Attorney Can Assist You With

Personal injury lawyers can assist with a variety of legal cases, including but not limited to the following practice areas:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Commercial truck accidents
• Collisions involving two-wheelers, including bicycle and motorcycle accidents
• Construction accidents
• Incidents involving defective products
• Pedestrian accidents
• Premises liability cases
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Medical malpractice cases
• Workplace injuries
• Dog bites or attacks
• Intentional torts

Besides the practice areas mentioned above, a personal injury attorney may specialize in wrongful death. Surviving family members of victims who lost their lives due to someone else’s actions can file a claim to recover compensation for their loved one’s passing and related damages, such as funeral expenses and loss of consortium.

Personal injury lawyers can help grieving families seek justice by providing legal support in such cases.

What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do?

These attorneys specialize in personal injury law, which focuses on cases involving people who sustain injuries or losses due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing.

Personal injury lawyers guide victims through the legal process, helping them understand their rights and handle multiple tasks.

These are some of the specific tasks that a personal injury attorney typically undertakes:

Investigate the Personal Injury Case

A personal injury lawyer will always start by investigating your case and gathering as much information as possible to build a strong claim.

Personal injury attorneys will help you understand your rights and calculate damages to set the right value for your claim. This means lawyers will assess the extent of your injuries and estimate the financial losses you have incurred, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Identify the At-Fault Party

Do you know who is at fault for your accident? A personal injury lawyer will identify this party and determine their liability.

In personal injury cases, the at-fault party can be a person, a company, or even a government entity. Below are some examples:

• Personal negligence: It occurs when someone doesn’t act reasonably. Driving under the influence, speeding, and distracted driving are common causes of car accidents.
• Corporate negligence: Many people are injured due to defective products or unsafe work environments.
• Government negligence: Some accidents occur due to poorly maintained roads, inadequate public services, or dangerous public spaces. If you have a slip-and-fall accident on a poorly maintained sidewalk, the at-fault party might be the city or municipality responsible for maintaining it.

Collect Evidence

Evidence is key for a personal injury case. A lawyer will collect it to support your claim and prove the at-fault party’s negligence.

These are the pieces of evidence your personal injury lawyer may look for:

• Medical records: These documents will provide information about your injuries and the treatment you received.
• Police reports: These reports will provide a detailed account of the accident and the circumstances surrounding it.
• Witness statements: Statements from witnesses who saw the accident can provide firsthand information.
• Photographs: Photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damaged property can be used as evidence to support your claims.

Build a Solid Personal Injury Claim

With all the necessary documentation and resources, your personal injury lawyer will build your case, using the evidence collected to establish liability and calculate your damages.

Suppose you were injured in a car accident and missed work for three months. In this case, your lawyer will consult with experts, gather your medical records and accident reports, and help you manage your work-related documentation. Then, your attorney will organize and use this information to support your case.

Negotiate with Insurance Companies

Your personal injury lawyer will also negotiate with the other party’s insurance company to try to get you a fair settlement.

Insurance companies usually make lowball offers, which means they won’t likely want to pay the amount you deserve for your damages. However, a personal injury attorney will handle negotiations with insurers until both parties can reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

Represent You in Trial Court

Most personal injury cases are settled with the at-fault party’s insurance company. However, as mentioned, not all insurers are willing to offer a fair payout to victims. In this scenario, your claim can go to trial.

If you cannot reach an agreement over a fair settlement with the other party’s insurance company, and your case must be disputed in court, you should hire a personal injury lawyer.

A personal injury attorney will represent you during the trial, compellingly presenting evidence to show that the defendant is responsible for your damages and must compensate you accordingly.

The Importance of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have sustained physical or emotional injuries due to someone else’s actions or behaviors, you can try to recover compensation for such damages through a personal injury claim. However, you may need to hire a personal injury lawyer.

A professional personal injury attorney in Hollywood, FL, can help you determine the best course of action for your case, gather strong evidence to prove your claims and help you recover maximum compensation for your medical expenses, financial losses, and other damages.

To find an experienced attorney in Hollywood, contact a local personal injury law firm and request a free case evaluation. Don’t forget to ask if lawyers work on a contingency fee basis or set hourly rates and provide as much information about your situation as possible!