If you are injured in an accident because of someone else's act or failure to act, you could have a personal injury claim. You could be entitled to compensation from the defendant or their insurance company for your losses.
That’s why hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer is critical. You need the best attorney you can find to fight for your rights aggressively. Learn everything you need to know about personal injury lawyers. Contact the Francis Firm for a complimentary case review.
What Is A Personal Injury Lawyer?
A personal injury lawyer offers legal representation to people hurt in accidents. Personal injury lawyers focus on tort law and include intentional acts and negligence. Personal injury attorneys most often work on accident cases, including:
- Auto
- Truck
- Bicycle
- Pedestrian
- Boating
- Motorcycle
- Mass transportation
- Aviation
- Slip and fall
- Animal bites and attacks
- Nursing home abuse
- Construction
- Wrongful death
- Medical malpractice
What Is The Role Of A Personal Injury Lawyer In A Case?
A personal injury attorney’s job duties depend on the type of case. Some of the most common tasks attorneys focus on in a personal injury claim are:
Ensuring you get the Medical Care you Need
A personal injury attorney can help you obtain expert medical care, regardless of the severity of your injuries, with no upfront out of pocket cost to you. If you are injured in an accident, finding quality and affordable care is more difficult than you think. A majority of family physicians and medical providers are unwilling to treat accident victims because they do not wish to become involved in a litigation matter. Good personal injury attorneys have relationships with medical providers of all specialties that can provide you with the expert medical care you need.
Investigation
Your personal injury attorney will conduct a meticulous investigation of the accident. These attorneys usually work on a contingency basis, meaning they’re only paid after obtaining a settlement or jury verdict. After that, the attorney’s firm finances the case.
That means they must take great care in selecting their clients. In the end, the attorney will not take a case without a strong chance of payout.
Collecting Evidence
Let’s say you hurt your back and neck when an SUV driver slammed into your car at a stop light. The personal injury attorney must collect evidence to support a personal injury claim. This work may include:
- Obtaining and analyzing the police report
- Talking to eyewitnesses
- Hire a photographer to take photos of your injuries and property damages
- Bring in an accident reconstruction expert to prove negligence
- Collect your medical records that prove the personal injury
The evidence may show the other driver was negligent and caused your injuries. Evidence used to establish liability may include work documents, employment reports, medical records, auto insurance reports, and medical bills.
What Is The Best Way To Select A Personal Injury Law Firm?
Experts say there are several things to do to find the best personal injury law firm to protect your rights:
Look For A Highly Experienced Trial Lawyer
You want an experienced personal injury lawyer to handle your case. Look for an attorney who only does personal injury and accident cases. This kind of lawyer knows the ins and outs of personal injury law in the state. They also possess a group of experts in medicine, accident reconstruction, and other fields to get you all the money you deserve.
The attorney also has experience with accidents. If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, look for a lawyer who has scored major settlements for injured bikers. These accidents often involve nasty, life-changing injuries. You want a legal advocate who can squeeze every nickel from the insurance company.
Check Their Success Rate
You need a lot of money to recover when you're seriously injured. So, you want a lawyer who has a strong track record of success. This means someone who has negotiated high-dollar settlements with insurance companies. They also must have litigated many personal injury cases to a favorable verdict. Ask the lawyer what their success rates are.
Need To Work On Contingency
Attorneys charge more than $400 per hour in many cases. If you are injured, and out of work, you probably cannot handle thousands of dollars of upfront legal fees. Fortunately, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means they will not get paid for their work until the case settles or ends in a favorable verdict.
Most personal injury attorneys charge 25% to 40% at the end of the case. So, hunt for a lawyer with a similar fee. The attorney will take the fee from your settlement. They also usually take out their legal fees from your winnings. That helps you, so you don’t need to pay to hire experts during the case.
Good Communication Skills
When you are hurt in an accident, the case could take months. The journey to a settlement or verdict can be a rollercoaster. Having an attorney who communicates well and gets along with you will mean a lot.
Look for someone who listens to your questions and explains legal concepts in ways that make sense. You should feel the lawyer is looking out for your best interests. If you think they are impatient, hurried, and just want the money, find another lawyer.
Why Is Having A Personal Injury Lawyer Important?
Some of the most important reasons to have a personal injury attorney are:
You Get Expert Advice When You Need It
When you’re hurt in a car accident and suffering injuries, you will not be in the best frame of mind. You may feel shock, anger, sadness, fear, and more. Even the calmest person can be thrown for a loop after a car accident.
A skilled personal injury lawyer can be a huge asset after an accident. After getting medical attention and calling law enforcement, it’s wise to call your lawyer next. Your attorney may offer advice such as:
- What to do next. Your attorney can help you with what to do and not do when you’re not at your best.
- Advise on how you talk to others. An attorney can tell you how to speak to law enforcement, your boss, insurance companies, and more.
- Offer tips that help your case. Your lawyer may tell you to take pictures of the cars before they are moved.
You Might Find Out About More Injuries Later
Many people think they’re ok after an accident. True, you may feel fine after being rear-ended. But many crash victims don’t realize that some injuries may not become evident for a few days.
Skilled lawyers know even severe injuries may not be apparent right after a crash. However, your attorney will know the injuries to watch for, especially internal bleeding, brain injuries, back injuries, and knee damage.
Were You In An Accident? Contact One Of Our Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you were in an accident in Dallas or Fort Worth and another party was negligent, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact the Francis Firm personal injury attorneys today for a complimentary case review.