Personal Injury Lawyer – who, what and why?
A personal injury lawyer, sometimes referred to as a trial or plaintiff attorney, is a professional civil litigator capable of offering representation to plaintiffs who are filing cases from a psychological or physical injury. This injury will have resulted from the careless, inappropriate, or negligent behavior of another party.
The area of law that personal injury lawyers specialize in is referred to as ‘tort law’ which describes civil or private wrongs, including breach of contract, defamation, and more.
The goal of a personal injury law suit is to help a plaintiff receive compensation for their loss, which will often cover reasonable medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of earnings, emotional distress, legal costs, and sometimes attorney fees.
Types of Personal Injury Claims
In most circumstances, any legal case that involves an injury caused by another party to the plaintiff’s mind or body will constitute personal injury. However, some of the most common cases that personal injury lawyers handle include:
- Traffic / Auto accidents
- Cases of malpractice
- Defective product cases
- Nursing home abuse
- Wrongful death
- Slip and fall accidents
Personal injury lawyers will generally organize a case from the start, all the way through to an appeal, performing various important tasks such as investigating claims, researching case law, screening potential clients, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, drafting pleadings, formulating legal theories, preparing and advocating at trial, and counseling clients.
Because many areas of personal injury law can be quite complex, some lawyers will focus specifically on certain niches within the profession. For example, some personal injury lawyers are particularly adept in medical malpractice cases, whereas others effectively litigate auto accidents.
Why hire a lawyer at the outset?
Although legal representation may not be the first thing on a client’s mind following an injury, there are various advantages to hiring a lawyer immediately following an injury. First of all, insurance companies will begin asking questions to both you and the other party immediately, and you will need advice on how to properly handle this process. In some cases, a lawyer can answer questions on your behalf, taking some of the pressure away from you, and allowing you to focus on speeding up your recovery.
Lawyers are also essential for making sure that you do not accidentally say something to the police or insurance providers that may somehow harm your case.
Although the law does not necessarily require you to hire a lawyer to fight your personal injury case with you and help you regain compensation, it is always a marvelous idea to at least consult with a professional before you decide to try and handle these complex matters alone.
Even the smallest injury can easily turn into a more serious, or even chronic problem, which could leave you wishing you had made your case earlier. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases is only two years from the injury, and if you leave it longer than this to go to court, then you may find that your right to compensation is lost.
A Game Changer
Furthermore, a standout personal injury lawyer will help to guide you through a difficult time in your life, providing honest advice as to whether you really need legal help to deal with your problems. In some cases, an attorney may even recommend that you accept a settlement that has been offered to you. Whatever the circumstances, a golden lawyer in a personal injury case can be the difference between prolonged, unnecessary suffering, and achieving the justice you deserve.