Personal injuries may occur because of a car accident, dog bite, assault and many other scenarios. One of the first decisions an injured victim must make is whether to hire a lawyer.
What is a personal injury lawyer? These lawyers represent injured victims, fighting for their rights, and working to ensure a fair outcome is achieved.
What Is the Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer?
A personal injury lawyer is one of the essential professionals an injured victim can seek outside of medical care. (1) Understanding the role the lawyer plays in helping injured victims is critical. A personal injury attorney becomes an advocate for their injured clients.
When a lawyer is hired, they first start working on investigating the claim and gathering evidence. They will negotiate with the insurance company or responsible person. If needed, the lawyer will file paperwork and pursue litigation in court. If the case result in an unfavorable outcome, the lawyer will work to appeal.
Personal injury lawyers also work to ensure their clients receive the medical care they need. When someone is injured because of negligence or intent, medical records are essential. Having medical record backing will be advantageous for proving the measurable damages.
How Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Help Their Clients?
Most people find it arduous to pursue compensation after a personal injury has occurred. The negotiations process can be tedious and time-consuming. A personal injury attorney immediately begins fighting for their client’s rights. If an insurance company is involved, this means negotiating with the adjuster.
Attorneys work to hold the insurance company accountable. Without a lawyer, an injured person will often find the insurance company working to pay out as little as possible or even denying the claim. Insurance adjusters remain true to their company. They work to protect their bottom line and ensure their company pays out as little as possible.
When an attorney gets involved, insurance adjusters suddenly begin to change. They are more willing to work out a fair settlement because they know the chances of being taken to court are much higher. After all, a lawyer is handling the case of the injured party.
What Are the Duties of a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Personal injury lawyers handle all aspects of their clients’ cases. They will work to ensure the fairest outcome is achieved, but this comes after many other steps that must be carried out first.
The following are some of the essential duties carried out by personal injury attorneys.
- They will provide you with information on the rights you hold as an injured victim.
- An attorney will explain the process of seeking compensation and all the steps involved.
- They will assess your damages and determine the proper compensation to request.
- Personal injury lawyers offer sound advice and guidance in making important decisions.
- They will pursue the insurance company and responsible party and hold them accountable.
- The attorney will work through multiple legal channels that may include negotiation and arbitration.
- Attorneys represent injured clients in court.
- An attorney will also work to ensure the awarded compensation is collected.
Although injured victims have the right to pursue their case without legal help, it is unwise to make this decision. There is a lot at stake when it comes to seeking compensation in a personal injury scenario. Being able to rely entirely on the services of a lawyer makes the process much easier to go through for injured victims.
When Should You Get Help from a Personal Injury Attorney?
Some cases are so minor there is no need to hire an attorney, while others are much more serious or complex and require assistance. Knowing when hiring an attorney is warranted will help individuals to make the right choices
If any of the following apply to your situation, it would be wise to immediately hire a lawyer.
- If the injury claim has been denied, it would be helpful for the injured victim to discuss their case with a lawyer. The lawyer will be able to offer sound advice that will prove useful in allowing the victim to learn about their options for legal recourse.
- Is there more than one party involved in your case? Multiple defendants or victims lead to cases that are more difficult to pursue.
- If an individual receives a settlement offer from the insurance company, they must have it reviewed by a lawyer before acceptance. You need to know if the amount being offered is fair.
- If severe injuries have occurred, you must have them evaluated. Severe injuries sometimes cause a person to become disabled for life. Extra precautions must be taken for those who may face a lifetime of medical care needs.
- Does it seem as if the insurance company is giving you the runaround? If an insurance company is using bad faith tactics, you must hold them accountable by seeking help from an attorney. Insurance companies must follow the law and be fair in their settlement assessments.
If any of the above occurs, you need to find out how an attorney can help. Attorneys work to protect the rights of their clients and use strategies that will result in the fairest outcome possible. Hiring an attorney from the very beginning can help injured victims avoid a lot of stress.
What Type of Cases Do Personal Injury Lawyers Handle?
There are many types of cases that can be handled by personal injury attorneys. Knowing the cases these attorneys represent will help victims to understand if they should seek legal help.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
One of the most common types of cases personal injury lawyers handle is motor vehicle accidents. In 2018 alone, 36,560 people died in the United States as a direct result of car accidents. (2) When someone is involved in a serious accident, they need a lawyer working on their side. Getting help from a lawyer can ease the burden of seeking fair compensation.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death occurs as a result of negligence and intent to harm. When someone is responsible for a victim’s death, they need to be held accountable. Many wrongful death claims occur because of car accidents, assault or medical malpractice. Wrongful death cases can be brought to court, even if criminal charges are not pursued or fail to convict.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is another reason many people seek help from a personal injury attorney. When doctors, nurses, or other medical professionals are negligent in the care they provide patients; they need to be held accountable. When someone is hurt because of medical malpractice, it is wise for them to learn about their legal options by meeting with an attorney.
Premises Liability
Property owners must keep their properties safe for invited visitors. When someone is injured because of property owner neglect, compensation for measurable damages can be sought. Property owners can be held liable if they knowingly cause a danger to visitors. Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common types of premises liability.
Product Liability
When companies release products, they must test them and ensure they are safe. If a product causes an injury or death, many people along the supply chain can end up being held accountable. Dangerous or defective products lead to many lawsuits each year. If you have been injured because of a product, it is your right to get legal help and start the process of pursuing fair compensation.
Dog Bites
Dog owners must take action to ensure their dogs do not cause any harm to others. When a dog bites a person, the owner can be held liable. Each state has its dog bite laws, with some states having a one-bite rule and others being strict liability. Your lawyer will help you navigate the landmines of dog bite injury claims, so you will be able to receive a fair outcome.
Nursing Home Neglect
Seniors deserve dignity, respect, and consummate care. Unfortunately, nursing home neglect and abuse do occur. If you have loved ones in nursing homes, check on them frequently. Pay attention to any signs of behavior changes. If someone has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, seeking legal help right away is crucial.
Workplace Accidents
While some workplaces are more dangerous than others, every workplace has the potential for leading to injuries. Construction work is one of the most hazardous occupations. If a workplace accident occurs, serious injuries can result. Often negligence is one of the reasons for workplace accidents. Faulty equipment and negligence from management can both lead to severe injuries that prevent workers from being able to continue their work.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Make Each Year?
Because personal injury lawyers do not require any upfront fees, they only collect money when they win a case. Depending on the case and its specifics, a personal injury lawyer will typically charge between 25 to 40% of the compensation award. The percentage will be revealed to the injured victim before they decide to hire the lawyer.
In Florida, personal injury lawyers make between $60,000 to over $100,000 a year, depending on the number of clients they represent. These lawyers are available 24/7 for injured clients who need immediate help.
Time Is of The Essence for Personal Injury Claims
Each state has a statute of limitations that must be followed. If you file a lawsuit outside of the statute of limitations, the case will be thrown out. In the state of Florida, there is a four-year statute of limitations.
As soon as an injury strikes, it would be wise for victims to schedule a consultation appointment with the lawyer. The sooner a lawyer is hired, the faster they can begin investigating the claim, gathering evidence, and seeking fair compensation.
Hadley Law Firm Works to Protect Your Rights
Personal injury lawyers work to protect the rights of their clients and ensure they receive a fair outcome. When someone has been injured in a personal injury scenario, it is their right to hire a lawyer to help them.
Getting help from a lawyer is the first step towards seeking fair compensation.
Scheduling a consultation appointment our experienced team at Hadley Law Firm will allow you to get started on the process as quickly as possible.
References
- American Bar Association
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_issues_for_consumers/injury_typical/ - Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics
