Injuring yourself is a position that no one wants to be in. Between the pain and inconvenience of a physical injury and the added expenses involved in care and rehabilitation, such a situation can become frustrating quickly. So naturally, these feelings of stress and mental exhaustion are only compounded when the injury is not your fault. Whether it be a car accident, a slip and fall accident, or a workplace accident, having to deal with the fallout of someone else’s negligence can be overwhelming. It can seem rather unfair to be the one to physically and emotionally carry the burden of another person’s actions.
Let’s briefly explore the profession and its role below.
What is a personal injury lawyer?
The field of law is incredibly complex and vast. Therefore, lawyers are asked to specialize in a particular stream, enabling them to hone their skills and knowledge in a particular area of the law. This allows them to tackle cases with better understanding and confidence, as they’re not forced to spread their effort across several branches of the law.
Personal injury lawyers, in particular, focus on advocating for the rights of personal injury victims while ensuring they receive maximum compensation. Personal injury victims are those who have been harmed as a result of someone else’s negligence and careless actions.
What is the role of a personal injury lawyer?
The main purpose of a personal injury lawyer is to fight for financial compensation on behalf of their client. Personal injury victims often experience an increase in medical bills and financial hardship following their accident. Many are forced to take time off work, thus decreasing their ability to earn income. Therefore, personal injury victims continue to be punished as a result of someone else’s failures.
By meeting with opposing counsel, which either represents the guilty party directly or their insurance company, personal injury lawyers advocate for the maximum financial compensation. With years of experience, these lawyers understand what a fair and reasonable settlement amount looks like.
What does a personal injury lawyer do?
Investigation and Initial Demand
After accepting your case, your lawyer will compile as much information as they can about your case. This can take time, as finding the proof that there was negligence involved can be tricky. However, by creating a thorough and detailed record of the incident, your lawyer will have a better chance of representing your case. Some documents and details that your lawyer may gather include:
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Eyewitness testimony
- Surveillance footage
- Photographs
- Official government reports
Once this information has been gathered, your lawyer will make a demand for a settlement offer.
Settlement Process
Your lawyer will then work to get you the best settlement offer possible. This, too, can take some time, as the other party will naturally want to save money and try to avoid paying as much, if any, of the proposed settlement. The evidence that your lawyer has gathered will be essential in proving that you are deserving of a higher settlement.
Trial
If the guilty party refuses to settle, a court appearance may be necessary. While these are rare, a reputable and reliable personal injury lawyer will be with you every step of the way and ensure you get the compensation you deserve, regardless of how long it takes.
Fortunately, you are not alone in your journey to rehabilitation and justice. Reputable personal injury lawyers, such as those at Edward’s Injury Law, will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, thus enabling you to get back on your feet and move past such a traumatic experience. But what exactly is a personal injury lawyer, and what do they even do?
