What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do?

Personal injury lawyers handle cases where the negligent acts of others have resulted in injuries or loss of life. There are many types of personal injury including:

• Car Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Bike Accidents
• Mass Transportation Accidents
• Boating Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Premises Liability
• Slip and Fall Accidents
• Animal Bites and Attacks
• Construction Accidents
• Nursing Home Abuse
• Medical Malpractice

Types of Personal Injury Compensation

When someone is injured due to the neglect of another party, they are often entitled to compensation for the damages they have suffered. The following types of compensation are often available to the victim:

• Medical Expense Coverage
• Loss of Income
• Loss of Earning Capacity
• Emotional Distress
• Loss of Consortium
• Loss of Companionship
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life
• Mental Anguish
• Pain & Suffering

How Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Help?

Claims Investigation

Personal injury lawyers typically work on a contingency fee, meaning they only collect when they have secured a settlement or verdict. As such, the attorney has a vested interest in meticulously working your case. An attorney will not routinely take on a case that they do not believe will result in a win.

Evidence Gathering

A personal injury attorney gathers evidence to support the plaintiff’s claims, including collecting the police or incident report, witnesses and statements, photographs of the damage, and any other evidence such as camera footage. Evidence may also include medical reports, medical records, medical bills, employment records, and property damage reports. This evidence will be used to demonstrate the extent of damages and prove liability.

Insurance Company Negotiations

Insurance companies have teams of lawyers working for them, and the average American doesn’t have experience negotiating with teams of lawyers. Personal injury lawyers negotiate with insurance companies every day, and they can review the policy details to understand the maximum compensation available for the victim. Additionally, keeping communications between the attorney and the insurance company prevents a victim from saying or doing something that could jeopardize their claim.  

Demand Letters

After a thorough review of the case and the insurance coverages, a personal injury attorney will often send a demand letter outlining the facts of the accident and demanding a certain amount of money for damages caused by the defendant.

Preparing Pleadings/Filing the Lawsuit

If the insurance company does not respond to the demand letter or refuses to offer a fair settlement, the personal injury attorney may prepare and file the lawsuit and legal arguments for why the defendant is responsible for the accident and the amount the plaintiff is seeking in damages. 

Discovery

If the case proceeds, the personal injury attorney will begin the discovery phase. In this phase of the process, the attorney will seek information from the defendant, including depositions of witnesses and experts.

Representing Clients at Trial

Most cases are settled out of court, but if the case proceeds to court the lawyer will represent you in court hearings. Courts have very specific customs and procedures that your attorney will be able to handle for you and ensure that each step is carefully followed.

Contacting a Personal Injury Attorney

A personal injury lawyer can help you through each step of the legal process for filing your personal injury claim. If you have been injured in a car accident and wonder whether you should accept a settlement offer from an insurance company, contact Saladino & Schaaf today or call us at 270-444-0406 (Paducah, KY) or 270-753-1529 (Murray, KY) to schedule a free consultation with our team. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. However, you must act quickly. There are time limits on legal actions.