According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2020 unintentional injuries accounted for 200,955 deaths in the United States. This ranks accidents as the fourth leading cause of death after heart disease, cancer and COVID-19.
This high prevalence of personal injuries sustained by people can occur in a number of commonplace situations such as motor vehicle accidents, dog bites, medical errors and slips or falls in the workplace.
If you have been injured through the negligence of another party you may be entitled to compensation for the harm you suffered. Knowing where to begin when bringing a personal injury claim can be a daunting prospect and one where you could benefit from the help of an expert.
This article will outline some of the benefits of hiring the services of a personal injury lawyer when establishing your claim.
Assessing Your Claim
An experienced personal injury lawyer will review the merits of your claim to establish whether you have sufficient grounds for seeking compensation, saving you the time and expense of pursuing a baseless claim.
Many law firms, such as AKD Law offer free case evaluations where they will help you to understand your legal rights, assess your chances of receiving damages for your injuries and explain the personal injury claim process in more detail. When hiring a lawyer, it is also advisable to choose one that will work on a conditional fee, or a ‘no win, no fee’ basis which means you will only pay legal fees if you win your case and receive compensation.
Negotiating On Your Behalf
Once a personal injury claim has been initiated, the defendant’s insurer will usually take over the case. Insurance companies are experts in handling such cases and can apply pressure in persuading you to accept their offer for little or no compensation due to their greater bargaining power. Handling negotiations on your own can be challenging and can also cost you the fair compensation you are entitled to.
Your personal injury lawyer will handle all negotiations with the defendant’s legal team or insurance company on your behalf, ensuring you receive the best outcome possible for the injuries you sustained. Some of the damages your lawyer may negotiate include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost earnings
- Property damage
Gathering Evidence and Witnesses
To prove the other party was at fault will require gathering sufficient evidence from credible witnesses and, potentially, expert testimony. Without the right evidence, you could forfeit your entitlement to the compensation you are owed.
Your lawyer can gather experts who can testify on your behalf. These could be accident reconstruction experts to help establish the cause of motor vehicle collision or medical doctors confirming that your injuries were caused as a direct result of your accident. The complexity of some personal injury claims such as medical malpractice may require evidence from multiple medical experts to prove the defendant was liable.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will provide you with access to professionals and experts in their field who can support various elements of your claim, thereby strengthening your case and your chances of success.
By seeking legal advice from a qualified personal injury lawyer you can significantly improve your chances of winning your claim and receiving the compensation you deserve.
