What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do?

When you're overwhelmed with decisions regarding your claim, an attorney can help break down the barriers to getting you money for your troubles. There are two types of payments you might seek. Compensatory damages, where you're reimbursed for the costs associated with an injury, and punitive damages, where the person responsible for your injury is punished for causing you harm. Now, stop and think about what you were forced to pay for as a result of your injury. Hospital stays, medical bills, and treatments, an increase in living expenses you couldn't cover, or expenses related to doctor's appointments. Wouldn't you want to make sure the responsible party upholds their financial obligation?

Part of an attorney's job is helping to alleviate some of the pain and suffering associated with your injury. When you ask what your attorney does, expect empathy and compassion and a willingness to get justice on your behalf. Take, for example, spine or knee injuries, which can be so severe that the physical challenges might be persistent. The worst injuries might impact your ability to maintain relationships and stick to long-term professional goals, a painful process that results in an increase in the amount of money and time you have to spend. Knowing the dilemma you face, your focus should first and foremost be on understanding a personal injury attorney's role in ending your suffering.

Do I Even Have a Valid Claim?

Circumstances outside of your control might make your claim invalid or not worth pursuing. In some states, like Maryland, the statute of limitations is limited for filing a personal injury claim is three years. If the injury you sustained resulted in financial loss. If it presents no financial gain, an attorney might not be able to help, because nothing awaits you at the end. Any personal injury attorney worth their paygrade will go above and beyond to represent you. So long as there is reason to believe another party is responsible for your injury. When talking to your attorney for the first time, remember, there are plenty of facts surrounding a case. What happened when and who did what and how. In addition, a valid claim will still present with plenty of answers that need further analysis. But some statistics look at personal injury by itself. After all, according to Injured Call Today, the third-highest cause of death in America is accidental injuries.

When starting with a personal injury attorney, resist the temptation to walk away in frustration. On one hand, you might worry that you're actually at fault. Or, maybe you're concerned no one will take you seriously. Or, people won't take your side. While these presumptions are common, an attorney will provide you with counseling during the consultation phase to get you moving in the right direction. You won't have to worry about making the decision on your own. Whether you believe your case is valid, let an attorney hear what you have to say. Sometimes, there's a good chance you'll be surprised.

What Supporting Documentation Should I Provide for My Claim?

Building your case comes down to having the right documents to support your claim. Without an incident report or photos of the scene, an attorney could have trouble proving that your injury was the fault of another party. Witness statements add strength to your claim. But while witness statements can also be unreliable, an attorney will also want to consider relying on expert testimony to build a better case on your behalf. In addition, both law enforcement reports and insurance information can provide extra background information regarding your claim. The more documents you bring, the higher the likelihood you can prove your side of the story.

Once you've asked this question, your attorney will likely respond by seeing how observant you were before, during, and after you suffered the injury. Whether you were lucky enough to capture every document and detail or you're missing some information needed to support you, your attorney can only fill in so many details without your help. The correct documents not only establish credibility, but they also make it impossible for the defendant to lie or wiggle their way free from responsibility. Trust that after asking this question, your attorney will also tell you what documents to gather. If you're having trouble finding them, don't hesitate to reach out for tips.

How Will a Personal Injury Attorney Conduct an Investigation?

Think of a personal injury attorney's investigation as a process meant to determine what really happened. While your side of the story alone is important, your attorney will want to visit the scene of the accident. Re-interview witnesses and get an inside glimpse of the environment in which the injury occurred. The purpose of using investigative methods is to add even more strength to your case in addition to supporting documentation. A deeper investigation not only reveals other clues, insights, and details, an attorney will also be fortunate enough to gain a clearer view of the incident having seen more detail up close. As an added bonus, you might even want to ask your attorney if you can aid them in this process. An act as simple as shutting your eyes and reliving the moment can work wonders for an attorney trying to capture the most relevant details surrounding your injury.

How Long Will My Claim Take to be Resolved?

Rather than provide a specific answer, a personal injury attorney may discuss a set of criteria that might influence the time for your claim to be resolved. If you're still seeking treatment, for example, there might not be enough information to determine either the physical or emotional impact of the injury. Likewise, have you thought of the challenges surrounding the inability to serve a defendant with paperwork? The fact is, once your claim is in the system, your attorney will tell you that any number of complications and legal challenges can arise. Your attorney will be skilled at navigating these challenges, but understand that some degree of patience is required. The important thing to do is stay in communication with your attorney. Regular updates will allow you to respond promptly to questions your attorney might have. Your personal injury attorney will advise you that it's better to help them stay as engaged with your case as possible.

How Will I Be Expected to Pay for a Personal Injury Attorney?

Your attorney will understand if there are barriers to paying for services. After all, you already have a personal injury that has, or will cost you so much. When asking an attorney for information on personal injury regarding payment, check for perks that stand out. You'll generally want an attorney who offers free consultations, as you'll need to determine if your claim is valid. But since attorneys will also charge you an hourly fee, you might want to look for those who charge a contingency fee. Here, your attorney only collects if you actually win the case. Either way, make sure you have a full set of options available to you when you first consult with your attorney. Even small gestures like offers to set up a payment plan can have a significant impact on your ability to pay. The important thing is to not get discouraged by how much services cost. Instead, focus the conversation on solutions and winning. Choosing the best attorney might just mean paying extra.

There are plenty of opportunities for you to talk to a personal injury attorney. From the initial consultation phase to the day your claim is resolved, knowing what a personal injury attorney does will help you find the best lawyer to represent your case. As long as your attention is focused on justice, an attorney can help. Just make sure you know all the right questions to ask before you get started. That way, both attorney and client are on the same page from the start.