The job of an injury lawyer is to advocate for clients who have suffered injuries as the result of another party’s negligence. Also known as personal injury attorneys, they seek recompense from the negligent parties to cover incurred expenses such as medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Moreover, injury lawyers provide an objective perspective to the case and help their clients make decisions based on legal merit rather than emotions.
The first step in filing a personal injury claim is to gather evidence to support your claims. For instance, you may need to submit medical bills, police reports, and other documents as proof of your damages. You should also take detailed notes about the incident that caused your injuries. This can be beneficial to your case because it will give your lawyer a complete picture of the accident and your injuries.
After gathering evidence, the next step is to analyze the information and determine if you have a valid case. If they do, your lawyer will prepare legal documents called pleadings. The pleadings will explain your legal arguments and the relief you are seeking. The other party will then file a response to your pleadings, and the process of exchanging discovery requests, depositions, and interrogatories begins.
In many cases, multiple parties may be liable for your injuries. An injury attorney will identify all the parties that could be responsible and pursue compensation from each one. For example, in a car accident, the driver and the owner of the vehicle are usually liable. In a medical malpractice case, the doctor and the hospital may be liable.
If you have a strong case, your injury lawyer will negotiate with the other party’s insurance company to obtain a fair settlement. However, it is important to know that nine out of ten times the initial offer from the insurance company will not cover all your losses. Your lawyer will therefore prepare to file a lawsuit against the defendant if no agreement is reached.
Once you have successfully proven liability and damages, your injury lawyer will prepare to present the case at trial. The trial will likely last several days. During this time, you and your attorney will have to present the evidence in a clear and compelling manner to a jury.
The end goal of most injury cases is to recover compensation to cover the incurred damages. This is typically achieved through a successful settlement or in-trial verdict. Damages can include medical expenses, property damage, loss of income, and emotional distress. In rare instances, you can also be compensated for punitive damages. In most cases, you will sign a release form when you receive your compensation. This releases you from any further legal action against the defendant. This is a common practice in most civil cases.