The first step in a personal injury case is gathering information
A personal injury lawyer represents individuals who have suffered an accident resulting in injuries, damages, loss of income, or even death. Many people with an injury are not familiar with the legal process and a good Personal injury lawyer can guide them through the process. A quality attorney can also protect the client from being taken advantage of by insurance companies.
The first step in a personal injury case is gathering information and documentation. A good attorney will provide a questionnaire for their clients to fill out, which will ask questions regarding the details of the accident and the injuries sustained. It will also request copies of all medical records, insurance policies, and any other relevant documents.
Once all of this information is gathered, the attorney will review it. They will also interview the client and any witnesses. Depending on the nature of the accident, they may also hire outside experts to help them investigate how the accident occurred and to develop theories as to what caused the incident. These experts can include accident reconstruction professionals and other professionals who specialize in determining the cause of accidents.
One of the main focuses of a personal injury attorney is establishing a claim for financial compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost income, and loss of enjoyment of life. The attorney will gather all the medical bills and related evidence, prepare a document describing the financial losses, and analyze the liability to determine a value for the case. They will then submit all of this to the appropriate insurance carrier.
It is often difficult to determine the value of a personal injury claim, especially in cases involving severe or catastrophic injuries. In these cases, an attorney will sometimes hire economists to project values of future costs and losses. For example, if you suffered a spinal cord injury, you may need to purchase a wheelchair or specialized equipment, and your quality of life is likely to be substantially diminished, requiring long-term care from a physical therapist.
If you were injured due to a defective product, your injury lawyer will likely have the defective product stored or submitted for non-destructive testing. They will also prepare interrogatories, written questions, and depositions to ask the defendant and their insurance carriers under oath.
The other main duty of a personal injury lawyer is to negotiate with the responsible party’s or their insurance company’s representatives. These individuals will be looking out for their own interests, which is why it is important to have an experienced attorney in your corner to protect your rights and interests.
Lastly, your attorney will be responsible for collecting the funds once a settlement is reached. They will ensure that all the necessary paperwork is completed and that any other parties who have a lien on the proceeds are paid. Once everything is finalized, the attorney will then receive their hourly fee and/or contingency fee for their representation. It is critical to understand what your attorney’s fee will be upfront so you don’t get any surprises down the road.
