ESPANOL
A personal injury lawyer handles cases involving injury to a person. They work to hold the negligent party accountable and seek fair compensation to help the victim move forward from their accident. A personal injury lawyer will take on every part of a case while their client focuses on their recovery.
Which Case Types Qualify as Personal Injury?
A personal injury lawyer may handle cases involving:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slip and falls
- Trip and falls
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
- Negligent security
- Workplace injuries
- Mass torts
If you suffer injury, lose a loved one, or suffer property damage, then a personal injury lawyer may help. They generally manage cases involving injury or death, rather than property damage alone.
What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?
A personal injury lawyer does what their client needs of them. Responsibilities can vary from client to client, but a personal injury lawyer will generally:
Gather Accounts, Facts, Evidence, and Documentation
Every client has a story. The personal injury lawyer must:
- Tell the client’s story through the client’s words, witness accounts, evidence, and the lawyer’s own words
- Document their client’s damages
- Secure and organize all evidence
- Present evidence and documentation during negotiations and other appropriate times
Personal injury lawyers may rely on third parties for assistance with building a strong case. Investigators and experts can play critical roles in injury cases. They may help gather evidence, provide testimony, and reconstruct an accident, to name a few examples.
Communicate with Insurance Companies and Attorneys
An injury lawyer is the go-between in each case. Insurance companies and defendants’ attorneys will contact your personal injury lawyer, not you. Lawyers may handle all case-related communications because:
- Insurance companies and defendants’ attorneys can violate a client’s rights
- A personal injury lawyer can recognize deceptive practices (perhaps more keenly than a client can)
- A client’s words may be sued against them—a lawyer allows the client not to speak with unfriendly parties
- These communications can be time-consuming and stressful
Identify the Client’s Losses
A lawyer must determine their client’s losses. By identifying and valuing those losses, the lawyer can then calculate fair compensation.
Prepare for and Complete Negotiations
Personal injury lawyers assist their clients with insurance claims. They will file your claim for you and negotiate for a fair settlement with claims adjusters.
If the adjuster refuses to agree to the settlement your lawyer proposes, your case may be taken to court. It is possible that the defendant will settle before being taken to court, though.
Complete a Trial
When a defendant will not settle outside of court, then a trial may ensue. A trial can be a long, costly process. Clients should ask their lawyer about a possible trial before hiring them. Some law firms are more comfortable going to trial than others.
Different Injury Cases Have Different Requirements
Specific case types have unique requirements. In a defective product case, for example, a lawyer may obtain and review the product. They may speak with experts in product manufacturing and safety for further insight.
In a car accident case, a lawyer may obtain traffic camera footage. They may hire an expert to reconstruct the collision. A lawyer should be adaptable to each case type that they handle. A personal injury lawyer is a stand-in for their client.
They use their legal experience and knowledge to seek sufficient compensation. They should do everything necessary to secure a fair outcome for their client.
How Do You Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer?
You must find the right injury lawyer for you. First, find a lawyer who handles your case type on a regular basis. They may be best prepared to make an effective case for you.
Other considerations when hiring a personal injury lawyer are:
The Consensus of Their Client Reviews
Client reviews can be all over the map, but you should review them nonetheless. You may get an idea of how clients generally feel about a firm.
The Strength of Their Results Record
If a law firm publishes their case results, review them. You may note:
- Whether they have won cases like yours
- How much compensation they’ve secured for clients like you
- Whether they’ve secured settlements, judgments, or both
Results matter in the personal injury field.
The Impression You Get During a Consultation
Most personal injury firms offer free consultations. You should take advantage of this offer. A consultation is a limited window into a law firm’s practices. Ask yourself:
- Did the firm’s representative answer my questions to a satisfactory degree?
- Did the team member have a respectful demeanor?
- Did you feel comfortable during the consultation?
- Did you gain confidence in the firm based on the consultation?
Check off each of these criteria before you hire a personal injury lawyer.
Call George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers to Hire a Dedicated Personal Injury Attorney
Our firm offers more than 40 years of experience.1 We will fight for the best possible outcome for you. Call George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers today at (888) 612-7001 for a FREE consultation with a team member.
We take cases on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay nothing up front and out of pocket. We don’t get paid unless you do, and our fees come out of your settlement or court award.*