A personal injury attorney generally helps people who have been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. An experienced personal injury lawyer in fort smith ar helps victims of injury fight for justice and file claims with insurance companies.
Before hiring a personal injury attorney, there are some things that you need to know. The first thing that you need to be aware of is that not all personal injury lawyers are the same. For instance, there are those that are more focused on getting you the most money possible, and there are those that are more interested in making sure your insurance company takes care of you.
Meanwhile, here are some ways a personal injury lawyer can help you.
Table of Contents
Pre-existing Conditions
The most basic definition of a pre-existing condition is an illness or injury that was diagnosed before you filed your claim. However, in the context of personal injury, the term can mean more than that.
In a personal injury claim, a pre-existing medical condition can significantly affect the outcome of the case. For example, an injured victim might have a mental health issue or some repetitive stress injury at work.
Pre-existing conditions can be tricky to establish, but an experienced personal injury attorney should be able to navigate the minefield. The best way to handle this issue is to obtain a doctor’s opinion. The doctor will be able to testify to how the accident has affected the victim’s physical or mental state.
Insurance companies often try to deny a claim by pointing to a pre-existing medical condition as a reason for the denial. They are also likely to ask for your medical records. These records will be critical to your claim and should be shared with your lawyer.
Help you Navigate The Legal System
Some many laws and regulations pertain to personal injury cases. An attorney can make sure you understand your rights and can assist you in filling out forms correctly. They may also contact the defendant’s insurance company to gather information.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
When you have been injured in an accident, you need to have a good attorney on your side to negotiate with the insurance company. If you do not have a lawyer, you may find that you are paid less than you deserve.
Insurance companies are notorious for denying legitimate claims. In addition, they have a vested interest in keeping their profits up. They train their adjusters to settle claims quickly and for as little as possible.
An attorney will know when to hold out. This way, they can negotiate a larger settlement than you would otherwise receive.
Gathering Evidence
Your personal injury attorney will typically start work by gathering as much evidence as they need to support your claims. This can involve contacting the police to get the incident report, visiting the scene of the injury, interviewing key witnesses, etc. They can also ask for a record of CCTV videos in the area to get live footage of what actually happened.
With the right evidence, establishing liability is usually easier.
Initiate Discovery Process
The discovery process typically involves interrogating the defendant to get certain information about the accident. The process can also include deposing witnesses, parties, and experts.
Calculating The Value Of Your Injury Claim
The value of your personal injury claim can vary based on a number of factors. It’s important to have an attorney on your side to help you decide how much to receive.
The type of injury and the resulting damages are the main factors in determining the value of your personal injury claim. Some of the major damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
In addition, your personal injury claim may also cover emotional distress, pain and suffering, and humiliation. To ensure you are not leaving anything out, it is best to contact a personal injury lawyer.
An experienced personal injury attorney can calculate the value of your case for you.
Represent at Trial
Although a rare occurrence, some personal injury cases do end up in trial. When this happens, your personal injury attorney can defend you. Most experienced personal injury attorneys are trained to handle trials so they can prepare you for the entire process.
They Provide Support Even after the Proceedings
It is one thing to reach an agreement with an insurance company; it is another thing to get them to pay up. Some insurance companies will not pay up until a follow-up is done. And some may not even pay up, especially if they know there is no lawyer behind them. To this end, your personal injury attorney will typically be the one to make arrangements for the money to be paid to them. This makes things easy for you.
These are some of the ways a personal injury lawyer can help you.
