If you’ve suffered an accident that wasn’t your fault, the chances are that you may be eligible for compensation. If this sounds like something that is of interest, then understanding what a personal injury lawyer may be able to do for you could be the next step. That’s what we will be exploring in this article, so without further ado, let’s get to grips with what a personal accident attorney can do to help you and your situation.
What constitutes a personal injury?
In the most general terms, a personal injury is something that has happened to a person (or a group of people) that wasn’t their fault. They will typically happen outside of the home, i.e. in the workplace or while walking around in public. They range in severity from small, recoverable injuries, right through to life-changing accidents that can actually impact the way that someone is able to function. Regardless of what has happened to you however, a reliable Orange County personal injury attorney might be able to assist in a number of ways.
What can they do?
A lawyer that specializes in personal injuries will typically be able to help those that have suffered from accidents that weren’t their fault. Consider a damaged walkway causing a fall, a broken ladder being used to place products on shelves, or many things in between – these all constitute personal injuries and a dedicated lawyer will specialize in them.
One of the first things that an injury attorney will do, is to understand the vital parts of your case. To do this, they will likely schedule an appointment with you, which can take place in one of three ways:
- Online
- On the phone
- In-person
Whichever method is selected, you’ll have the chance to talk about the scenario that led to your injury and then the details that your potential lawyer will need to make a case and claim.
What happens next?
Once your lawyer has all of the information from your side, they will then set about creating an evaluation to see whether or not you have a good chance of winning compensation. At this stage, they could also help you to arrange therapy, medical treatment, and other vital activities to help you to get your life back on the straight and narrow.
If they decide that the case is worth pursuing, you’ll then need to sign some paperwork authorizing them to investigate your claims and put together a file. They will also contact the person or authority responsible for your injury to get their side of the story. This information will be vital to your lawyer, as it will allow them to develop a case against your opposition.
In many instances, these cases can be straightforward as those responsible will typically accept the blame and be willing to cover costs and compensation via their insurance. This won’t always be the case however, and when they oppose your claims, you will want to ensure that your lawyer is well-equipped and experienced enough to take the fight to them in court.
Does every case end up in court?
No, and we understand why this can be so intimidating to many individuals. The good news is that in many instances, a case can be settled outside of court. Your lawyer will be able to better advise on this, but generally speaking, if a company or authority knows that it is liable, it won’t want to also have to pay for court fees on top of compensation, medical expenses, and so on. This can be a major advantage for those that have suffered an injury, as many responsible parties will want to settle outside of court.
Is this a good thing?
Yes and no. No, because the party will usually offer a slightly lower amount than if they were to be taken to court. Yes, because you will still receive compensation and this could amount to many thousands of dollars. Additionally, once liability has been accepted, the entity responsible for your injury will already know that they will be paying money to you.
If your lawyer is very good, they may even be able to force them to cover the cost of any therapy that you require, as well as additional medical expenses, costs for your trauma and stress, and several other factors. That’s not to say that only a good lawyer can achieve this; in fact, you may not be eligible at all so the skill and experience of your attorney won’t even be factored into this decision.
What else can a good injury attorney do for you?
There are several other benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer, including their ability to access data to help with your case. From another perspective, they can also likely put you in touch with reputable medical specialists that can assist with your injury directly. If you have suffered from stress and trauma, your lawyer might be able to connect you with a good therapist or counselor - and as these expenses can often be claimed back from the entity being sued for compensation, you could find your entire treatment has been taken care of financially.
One of the biggest draws of a personal injury specialist is that, unlike many other types of attorneys that offer a broad range of services, those dedicated to injuries will usually only cater to clients in this specific field. That can be very reassuring for you, as not only will you be taking on the services of an industry expert; you could find yourself hiring one that boasts a very high rate of success for their clientele. Before making a decision, always get to know a little bit more about your potential lawyer, including their experience, their skills, and their success rate for cases. If in doubt, get to know a few of them and then consider making your decision. When it comes to your future and a potential for compensation, never settle.