You probably would not expect to hear this from an attorney, but truthfully, not every personal injury claim requires an attorney. The details and circumstances of the case typically determine whether or not you need to involve a personal injury attorney. If you are uncertain, most personal injury attorneys offer a free initial consultation to discuss the details of your claim. A personal injury attorney can help walk you through the necessary steps of a lawsuit or settlement agreement.
What does a personal injury attorney do?
A personal injury attorney is an attorney who provides legal representation to those who claim to have been injured either physically or psychologically as a result of negligence or wrongdoing of another person, company, government agency, or other entity.
In other words, if you have reason to believe that your physical or emotional injury was caused by another party, such as your employer, doctor, landlord, etc. who didn’t take the necessary steps to prevent the accident, you may want to consult with a personal injury attorney who can represent you and educate you on all that is involved in your personal injury claim.
In most personal injury claims the plaintiff is looking to receive compensation for losses, these losses may include:
- Loss of earnings from inability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Emotional distress
- Legal costs
- Attorney fees
Another important role of a personal injury attorney is to protect their clients from being victimized by insurances companies and the legal system.
What types of personal injury cases do personal injury attorneys handle?
Most personal injury attorneys are capable of handling a wide variety of personal injury cases; however, it is not uncommon for some to specialize in a particular area more than others. Typically, any case or claim that involves an injury to the body or mind belongs under the umbrella of personal injury law. While cases are certainly diverse, some of the more common types of cases include:
- Animal bites
- Auto accidents
- Aviation accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Boating accidents
- Brain injuries
- Burn injuries
- Construction accidents
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
- Motorcycle accidents
- Nursing home abuse
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Spinal cord injuries
- Wrongful death
- Work related injury
Dealing with insurance companies is another area where you may benefit from the representation of a personal injury attorney. Insurance companies may attempt to put pressure on you to accept a quick settlement and in the moment you may feel confused or uncertain and make agreements that you should not have accepted. This is where a personal injury attorney should be utilized. A personal injury attorney can help protect you from being victimized by insurance companies looking to make a quick deal and take advantage of your vulnerable position.
When to hire a personal injury attorney
If your damages are minor it may not be necessary to hire a personal injury attorney as the legal costs may outweigh the potential compensation. However, if you have sustained serious injuries, especially injuries that may have long-term repercussions, and you believe you deserve compensation you should strongly consider hiring a personal injury attorney.