what does a personal injury lawyer do

by Elijah Walter Published 3 years ago Updated 1 year ago 8 min read

In simple terms, personal injury lawyers are lawyers that help people who have been physically or psychologically injured as the result of the negligence or intentional act of another party. Personal injury lawyers are civil lawyers. They primarily handle negligence and intentional tort cases.Jan 10, 2019

Why is it important to have a personal injury lawyer?

A lawyer can help you level the playing field since the other side will likely have a lawyer on his or her side. He or she can draw on resources like expert witnesses and private investigators when necessary.

What is personal injury?

A personal injury may gather evidence to support the plaintiff’s claim. This may involve procuring any police or incident report. He or she may track down witnesses and get witness statements. He or she may take or instruct a photographer to take pictures of the accident report. He or she may also retain evidence for the case, such as property damage, camera footage or other evidence.

What damages are covered by personal injury lawsuits?

This includes medical expenses, loss of income, loss of earning capacity, emotional distress, loss of consortium, loss of companionship, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish and pain and suffering.

Do personal injury lawyers negotiate with insurance companies?

Most people do not negotiate as part of their typical lives. However, personal injury lawyers are used to negotiating with insurance companies. They can review the policy details and determine the maximum level of compensation that may be available based on the specific circumstances of the case. A personal injury lawyer may also handle all communications with the insurance company and prevent the injury victim from doing anything that may jeopardize his or her claim, such as giving a recorded statement.

What is a demand letter for an injury?

This demand letter states the facts of the accident and demands a certain amount of damages for the injury that the defendant caused.

What to do if insurance company refuses to settle?

Preparing Pleadings. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, the personal injury lawyer may prepare a complaint against the defendant. The complaint sets out the legal arguments regarding why the defendant is responsible for the accident. The complaint also states an amount of damages that the client is seeking.

What is discovery process?

Conducting Discovery. The plaintiff’s lawyer may initiate discovery processes. This includes sending interrogatories to the defendant to ask for certain information. It can also include deposing parties, witnesses and experts.