A personal injury attorney can help you with an accident claim for damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A good injury lawyer will guide you through the process of evaluating the value of your case and negotiating with insurance companies. You should consider contacting an injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Your attorney can also advise you of the laws and procedures that may apply to your case and how they might impact your chances for a successful outcome.
One of the first things your injury lawyer will do is investigate the facts of your case to determine what caused your injuries. They will interview witnesses, gather medical records and other documentation, and obtain any other evidence that might support your claims such as photographs of the scene of the accident.
If your lawyer decides that you have a strong case, they will file the pleadings to initiate the lawsuit. The pleadings will briefly describe your legal arguments, the factual basis for those arguments, and what relief you seek from the defendant(s). Once the pleadings are filed, a phase of the lawsuit called “discovery” begins. During discovery, each party exchanges information such as depositions, requests for documents, and interrogatories.
Your injury lawyer will evaluate the evidence submitted during the discovery phase and develop a strategy for trial. This may include identifying and collecting additional evidence to strengthen your claims or preparing you to testify at trial. If the defendant(s) admit fault, your injury lawyer will negotiate a settlement on your behalf. If the defendant(s) refuse to cooperate, your injury lawyer will prepare for trial.
After a successful trial or an agreed upon settlement, your injury lawyer will finalize the terms of the agreement and sign necessary documents such as release forms. In some cases, your lawyer may need to file post-trial motions to recover the full amount of your award.
If you have been injured in an accident, the best way to maximize your recovery is to hire a qualified and experienced injury lawyer as soon as possible. When you meet with potential injury attorneys, bring questions that will help you evaluate their experience and qualifications to make an informed decision. For example, you should ask about how many injury cases they have handled, what their approach is to negotiating with insurance companies, and what their fee schedule is. If you have a limited budget, you should also ask about options to pay their fee on a contingency basis. This means that they only get paid if they recover compensation for you. If you do not win, they do not get paid. This can be a great option for people who cannot afford to hire a personal injury lawyer on an hourly basis. You should also ask about their reputation in the community and whether they are members of any legal organizations that specialize in representing injury victims. If they are not, you should consider finding another lawyer.