Unveiling the Myth: What Personal Injury Lawyers Do
Whether in a car accident or injured by a defective product, the first step to getting fair compensation is hiring an experienced New York personal injury lawyer. They will take over communication with insurance companies, leveling the playing field by negotiating effective settlements.
They’ll review documentation like medical bills and records, income loss reports, and more to build a comprehensive picture of your damages.
Liability Analysis
The busy streets of New York can be a dangerous place. A car accident can turn your life upside down in a heartbeat.
You may need to visit the emergency room or your doctor for a medical evaluation after a car accident. This will help document your injuries and provide evidence that you suffered harm due to another party’s negligence.
Personal injury attorneys can also use other types of evidence, such as witness testimony and photographic or video evidence. They will review medical and employment records and other documentation supporting your claim for damages.
The legal process can be complicated, and a skilled attorney can significantly increase your chances of obtaining fair compensation. The law firm you choose should have experience handling similar cases. You can look for this information by browsing case studies on the law firm’s website or calling the office directly to ask. Moreover, the firm should offer a free consultation before taking on your case. Read this helpful article to learn more about personal lawyers.
Defendant Interviews
The initial client interview allows the defense lawyer to learn a defendant’s story in their own words. The defense attorney should encourage the defendant to provide an uninterrupted narrative of the relevant events while remaining sensitive that they may be nervous about telling their story in front of a stranger. The initial interview also allows the defense lawyer to discuss legal procedures with the defendant.
An experienced New York personal injury attorney will know how to gather the most relevant information from you during an interview. They will evaluate your claim and set expectations for resolving the case, including fees and timelines.
Many defendants are apprehensive about agreeing to an interview with law enforcement personnel who could put them in jail. A criminal defense attorney can help ease their fears by clearly explaining the benefits of a defendant’s cooperation. This can include a potential plea bargain or immunity. In addition, a defendant may be able to recover more money if they cooperate with law enforcement than if they are found guilty at trial.
Gathering Evidence
The first step in any personal injury case is gathering evidence. Your lawyer may need to photograph the accident scene, take witness statements, and review medical records. It is essential to gather this evidence quickly, depending on the circumstances, because it can disappear as time passes. Also, New York has a short statute of limitations that can limit your time to file your claim.
This evidence will help establish liability, if applicable, in your case. This may include analyzing statutes, precedent, and common law to determine if the defendant acted wrongfully. It can also include a detailed review of medical records to demonstrate how your injuries have affected your life and quality of life.
Your lawyer will also prepare interrogatories and request depositions. They can use these to ask questions of the opposing party under oath. This is helpful when negotiating your compensation, as insurance companies will treat you more seriously when they have to defend their policies and pay your damages.
Negotiating Settlements
Personal injury attorneys often negotiate with insurance companies to settle their client’s claims. These negotiations are complex and time-consuming. They may include discussions about the value of a claim, the likelihood of a finding of liability, and other transaction costs such as court fees, depositions, expert witness testimony, and trial preparation.
Your lawyer will review your medical records and other documentation of past and future expenses to establish the amount you need to cover your losses. This may include lost income, transportation costs to doctor’s appointments and other treatment locations, increased living expenses, pain management bills, physical therapy or rehabilitation bills, prescription drug costs, and property damage or replacement costs.
Your attorney will file a lawsuit against the negligent party if a settlement cannot be reached. At that point, you will have the chance to present your case to a jury of your peers. Juries overwhelmingly return fair verdicts for injured plaintiffs. When a jury finds your favor, you will receive fair financial compensation for your loss.
