Useful Advice for Personal Injury Cases and Selecting a Personal Injury Attorney

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Posted: 11th November 2020 by
Lawyer Monthly
Last updated 11th November 2020
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If someone else was responsible for your injury or if you became ill, then you might still qualify for compensation. However, it's advisable to get an attorney who can represent you.

An attorney will provide you with expert representation and will gather the right evidence. It's also important to file your claim right away. Many cases must be filed within three years prior of your injury or illness. The sooner you file, the better.

How Much Can You Receive?

Every case is different. This is why there's no fixed sum. Your attorney can give you an idea of how much your case is worth.

Finding A Lawyer

Some attorneys have an accreditation or other qualifications. These show that they are actually an expert and qualified to practice law in a specific area. You can use the internet to find an attorney in your area, which will make finding and choosing a personal injury lawyer much easier.

What You Need To Bring

If you have anything you think is evidence about your illness or accident, then bring it. This can include things such as video evidence. Your lawyer will be able to tell you what you should bring, which may include medical evidence.

Fees

Different attorneys charge different fees. You can find out how much an attorney charges by visiting their website or you can call them directly. Sometimes the initial consultation is free, or it may be a one-off payment.

Some attorneys won't charge you anything unless they win. Sometimes they will make fixed-cost payments. The good news is you might qualify for help with paying your legal fees.

How Long Will Your Case Take

Various factors come into play, such as whether or not the other side is cooperating and the facts surrounding your case. Whether your case goes to court and if an agreement is made out of court are other factors. Generally speaking, cases involving short-term injuries can be resolved within weeks, while more serious injuries can take years to settle.

If you are now permanently disabled due to your illness or accident, then it can tale more than four years for everything to be resolved.

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Medical Evidence

Do you have a medical certificate or other medical evidence? If so, then show them to your attorney. They will let you know whether that's good enough or if you should gather more medical evidence.

How to Choose a Personal Injury Attorney

  1. Place a high priority on experience. When it comes to evaluating and pursuing a personal injury claim, there really is no substitute for an attorney's experience. Select a lawyer who has handled many such cases and understands exactly what is required to succeed. Ask questions about prior clients' cases, outcomes achieved, and whether a particular attorney is willing to proceed all the way to trial if necessary.
  2. It makes good sense to seek legal counsel whose practice has been heavily concentrated in the area of personal injury claims. These are the professionals who are likely best equipped to assess questions of negligence, causation, and damages, and these are the elements most crucial to an injury case. Given that the vast majority of such claims are settled well in advance of trial, you should learn more from a practitioner who is skilled in the art of negotiating with insurance carriers and other attorneys.
  3. Reputation is also something that matters when choosing a personal injury lawyer. Though reputation is often an indicator of an attorney's skills, it can also be a real asset to defendants in terms of the credibility it lends in the eyes of the court, opposing counsel, and perhaps even jurors.
  4. Look for a lawyer who approaches each case with a healthy sense of objectivity. You want to also make sure that your attorney is not the sort to accept just any settlement in order to quickly free up time to accept additional clients.
  5. Finally, make sure you find a lawyer with a personality that blends well with your own. You need to have an advocate with whom you feel comfortable asking honest questions, someone who is responsive to your needs, and someone you trust to handle an important matter in your life.

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