Suppose you have been involved in a car accident and you were not at fault. The other driver was uninsured. You have suffered some serious injuries as a result of the accident. You are now faced with mounting medical bills and no way to pay them. Your family is struggling to make ends meet. You are not sure what to do or where to turn. Well, this is where a personal injury lawyer can help. These professionals work with clients to prove that another person or company was at fault for their injuries (or, in some cases, the victim’s death) and can therefore be held financially responsible. They are knowledgeable about laws regarding such matters and are able to assist clients with their claims and also represent them in court if necessary. Wondering what a personal injury lawyer does and why it is beneficial to hire a top personal injury lawyer from Phil Votaw & Associates? Read this guide for the answers to your questions and more.
What does a personal injury lawyer do?
1. Establish fault
The most important thing a personal injury lawyer does is to establish fault. This has to be done as swiftly as possible after an accident. Otherwise, the victim’s right to file a claim will expire. It is important to note that every state has different time periods for making a claim for personal injury(statute of limitations). It is therefore essential to hire a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline.
2. Proving loss and damages
The type of accident, the injuries, and the severity of the accident are all factors that will affect the amount of compensation that can be sought. Personal injury lawyers will ensure that their clients provide as much evidence as possible to prove their losses. This can include medical records, police reports, pictures, and witness statements.
3. Help with negotiation or litigation
If the other party is denying responsibility for the accident, a personal injury lawyer will help with negotiation or litigation. Negotiation is the process whereby the victim’s lawyer attempts to settle the claim without going to court. If the victim’s claim is accepted by the other party, the claim is settled, and the lawyer’s services come to an end. However, If the claim is rejected by the other party, the victim’s lawyer will proceed to litigation. Litigation is the process whereby the victim’s lawyer goes to court to fight the victim’s case and try to obtain a judgment in favor of the victim.
4. Help find trustworthy witnesses
If the victim’s claim is that a loved one was killed as a result of someone else’s negligence, a personal injury lawyer will help find witnesses who can support the claim. This is important because the victim may not be alive to testify and therefore be unable to prove their claim.
Why is it Beneficial to Hire One
1. An attorney will negotiate on your behalf
Imagine that you’ve been injured in an accident and are now facing a huge hospital bill. Your insurance company may offer to cover a portion of the costs, but the amount they’re willing to pay is nowhere near enough to cover your expenses. At this point, you could try to negotiate with the insurance company yourself, but it’s likely that you won’t be able to get them to pay more than they’re already offering. This is where a personal injury lawyer comes in. Your lawyer will have years of experience negotiating with insurance companies and will be able to get them to pay closer to what you’re actually owed. They’ll also be able to negotiate for other benefits, such as pain and suffering damages.
2. An attorney will handle the paperwork so you can focus on recovery
An experienced personal injury lawyer will take care of all of the paperwork for you, from filing a claim with the insurance company to getting you the medical treatment you need. They will also deal with the other parties involved in your case, including the insurance company and any lawyers they may have. This leaves you free to focus on your recovery and getting your life back on track.
3. You are more likely to win your case with an attorney
An experienced personal injury lawyer knows the ins and outs of the legal system and will be able to guide you through the process, ensuring that you have the best chance of coming out on top. They will also be able to build a case on your behalf, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses in order to strengthen your case and increase your chances of receiving a settlement.
4. An attorney will give you a professional opinion
One of the biggest benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer is that you’ll get a professional opinion. An attorney will have years of experience dealing with these types of cases and will have a good understanding of what your options are. They’ll also be able to tell you what you can expect moving forward and give you an idea of how likely you are to win your case.