If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by another party, you may have a legal claim for compensation. This includes money for your past and future medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you decide to pursue a case, your personal injury lawyer will help you investigate and gather evidence. They can also assist you in filing paperwork and presenting your case effectively in court.
Expertise
Personal injury lawyers have the expertise to help victims of traumatic injuries recover damages for their losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and permanent disability. This expertise comes from the years of education and experience that these attorneys have accumulated.
In addition to their legal knowledge, these attorneys have a keen interest in psychology, economics, medicine and occupational therapy. This allows them to identify all of the current losses that a client may incur due to their injury, as well as any future losses that will arise because of their injuries.
Another important aspect of a personal injury lawyer’s expertise is communication. This involves being able to explain the law in plain English and keeping their clients informed of their case status.
Liability analysis
Liability analysis is an important part of any personal injury attorney’s arsenal. This often involves extensive research into applicable statutes, case law, common law, and relevant legal precedents to help build a strong case.
It is also necessary to consider the liability ratio, a calculation of how much a company’s current liabilities are in comparison to its assets. This ratio can be calculated using balance sheet information and is considered to be a very good indicator of a company’s financial health.
Among the most significant liabilities is long-term debt, also known as bonds payable, which are loans that are expected to be paid off over time. This line item typically is a large portion of a company’s total liabilities and can make or break a business. It is also the most difficult to measure because it varies by industry and by size. A large company with lots of long-term liabilities might have a high ratio, while a small, fast-growing company might have a low one.
Negotiation
The negotiation process is a delicate dance between two parties who seek to reach an agreement. Negotiations are a natural part of many legal matters, and personal injury lawyers often use their knowledge of legal issues to negotiate settlements for their clients.
The first step in negotiating an injury claim is to accurately assess the damages. Personal injury lawyers can do this by gathering and analyzing evidence.
For example, if you have been injured in a car accident, a lawyer would review police reports and other official documents that detail the event of the crash. This information can help your attorney determine the at-fault party and the degree of fault.
When your personal injury attorney has the proper evidence to present to the insurance company, they can begin negotiating a settlement. The amount offered can vary widely, depending on the specific facts of your case and the state laws.
Trial
A trial is a court hearing where the facts of a case are examined by a judge or jury to decide if there is enough evidence for the plaintiff to recover damages. Most personal injury cases are resolved through settlement negotiations before a trial is necessary.
The trial process is divided into six parts – jury selection, opening statements, testimony and cross-examination, closing arguments, jury instruction, and deliberation.
In closing arguments, both sides summarize their respective cases and try to convince the jury that they have presented a strong case for their positions. They also ask the jurors to consider all of the evidence and reach a verdict.
The trial of a personal injury case typically takes a few months, but can take longer or shorter depending on the specifics of your case. It is often the last step in the claims process and should be considered the last resort if you have not been able to settle your case.
