What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do, and Why Is It Beneficial to Hire One?

What Do Personal Injury Lawyers Do?

Personal injury lawyers specialize in resolving personal injury lawsuits involving physical or psychological damage caused by another person or entity.

Personal injury often involves medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, slip-and-fall accidents, injury from defective products, and even dog bites.

Personal injury lawsuits are often complex and overwhelming for the victims. Seeking competent representation from a qualified personal injury lawyer can help them receive fair compensation for their losses. 

Personal injury attorneys fully grasp state laws. They specialize in cases involving serious injuries, understand complex settlement agreements, and can help maximize a settlement award.

A study has revealed that injury victims with legal representation received more than 3.5 times more settlements than individuals who attempted to settle on their own without legal advice.

This demonstrates that engaging a qualified professional’s services is essential when considering taking legal action against another party due to personal injury. 

In this article, we will discuss the role of personal injury lawyers and the benefits of hiring one. 

Protect Your Right to Compensation

If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses. A personal injury lawyer can assist with determining what damages should be sought and how best to pursue them. 

These damages typically include medical expenses related to injuries sustained in the incident and lost wages due to missed time at work.

You may also be eligible for pain and suffering resulting from the injuries you have experienced or will experience in the future due to your accident.

Case Investigation and Discovery

Personal injury lawyers are responsible for investigating and gathering evidence regarding a case.

During the investigation, lawyers interview witnesses, review documents, gather evidence and collect medical records. They also review police reports and statements from both parties involved in the accident.

The information gathered during the investigation is used for developing a comprehensive case plan, which will help prove fault and secure compensation for the injured party.

Personal injury lawyers also engage in the discovery process. Discovery often involves uncovering additional information from opposing counsel or any third party connected to the case through the following:

File a Lawsuit If a Settlement Isn’t Reached

Personal injury lawyers can serve as trial lawyers responsible for filing a lawsuit when both parties can’t reach a settlement. Filing a lawsuit enables them to present their arguments and evidence to an impartial judge or jury when an agreement cannot be reached outside of court.

It can also force defendants to take the dispute seriously and engage in settlement negotiations that are more favorable for plaintiffs.

An experienced personal injury lawyer who understands how to build a case plan and prosecute a claim effectively is crucial for getting satisfactory results in these cases.

Discussions with Insurance Companies

Personal injury lawyers serve as the middleman between the injured party and their insurance company. They will negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you receive a fair settlement.

The lawyer can also help you understand any paperwork sent by their insurer, such as denials or offers of settlements that are lower than expected.

For instance, if you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, a personal injury lawyer handles the negotiation between the at-fault party and accident victims. They will look into both drivers’ insurance companies to determine (1) who is at fault and (2) how much compensation should be given out.

You can focus on healing while your injury attorney ensures you receive adequate compensation for your medical bills and other accident-related expenses.

Request Bills, Records, and Documentation

Personal injury lawyers are responsible for requesting bills, records, and documentation related to the case to build a solid legal argument.

Personal injury cases can often involve complex medical treatment and healthcare issues—such as long-term care for physical injuries. An accurate record of conditions over time helps lawyers determine fair compensation or settlements that reflect the costs associated with an accident or incident.

Lawyers typically request the following records:

These sets of evidence support your case and show proof of the physical, emotional, and financial damages incurred due to the incident.

These records can also uncover potential liability challenges, which could adversely affect settlements or verdicts.

Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Having a personal injury lawyer by your side can be beneficial in many ways. Not only do they handle the legal aspects of your case, but they also provide emotional support and guidance throughout the entire process.

From gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, an experienced personal injury attorney will ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Objectivity and Legal Knowledge

When dealing with personal injury cases, injury victims tend to go through extreme emotional distress due to the potentially devastating impact of the accident on their life.

Having an impartial legal representative assess the facts and circumstances helps ensure that all relevant information is considered when determining how to proceed.

Personal injury lawyers have the experience and knowledge to evaluate cases objectively. They can provide legal advice and explain the implications of specific actions and strategies.

Negotiation Abilities

Personal injury lawyers can provide valuable insight into complex negotiations with insurance companies to get the most favorable outcome for their clients. They understand the nuances of personal injury law and how to argue cases in favor of their clients, which helps ensure that injured individuals receive the compensation they are owed.

Personal injury lawyers have access to resources, helping them understand your legal rights and build a strong case for you. They also have contacts within the insurance industry who can provide insights on insurance claims or help them leverage better settlement offers. 

Prevention of Mistakes

A skilled attorney will be adept at researching potential legal arguments and ensuring that all necessary paperwork is filed correctly and on time.

They provide crucial advice on the statute of limitations and timelines for filing lawsuits or initiating dispute resolution procedures such as arbitration or mediation. These processes often have strict deadlines, and failure to meet them could lead to legal complications down the line.

Your lawyer can answer any questions, explain the legal process to you in plain language, and advise on how best to proceed with your case.

Personal injury lawyers are also experts in the intricacies of tort law and product liability laws, which are both relevant when filing an injury-related lawsuit. By having someone knowledgeable on your side, you can ensure that no mistakes are made while pursuing a personal injury claim.

Expedite Your Claim

An accident attorney will have a keen understanding of the law concerning personal injury cases, and they know how to navigate the bureaucracy involved in filing claims. Not only that, but they are knowledgeable of the tactics used by insurance companies in an attempt to devalue or deny claims.

Having a personal injury law firm on your side helps ensure that deadlines are met and that you receive fair compensation for your damages.

Personal injury attorneys also have detailed knowledge of tort law. They can identify potential claims and defenses early in the process, helping you expedite your case’s resolution and minimizing any surprises along the way. 

Work with the Skilled Personal Injury Attorneys at Frantz Law Group

A personal injury lawyer helps individuals injured due to the negligence or intentional misconduct of another person or entity—such as employers, medical professionals, manufacturers, or other third parties.

Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you obtain compensation for your losses and damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

At Frantz Law Group, our skilled team of personal injury lawyers has decades of combined experience helping clients like you pursue compensation for their injuries. Our attorneys are well-versed in all facets of the law and understand how to navigate the complexities of negotiating with insurance companies.

We will work with you to ensure that all available options are explored so that you get the best results possible.

With a free consultation, we will review the details of your case and provide a straightforward assessment of what you can expect from the legal process ahead.

Contact us for a free case evaluation today.