After suffering an injury caused by another person’s negligent actions, you may need a personal injury lawyer. But if you’ve never worked with one, you’re likely unsure of what to expect.
Hiring a personal injury attorney is one of the most important things you can do after an accident. They will be someone you count on to work with your insurance company and get a fair settlement. As such, you should know some more about what they will do for you and how to find the right one to represent you.
What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?
Personal injury lawyers work in civil litigation to represent people after accidents such as car crashes, medical malpractice, slip and falls, and other accidents caused by someone else’s negligence. Their main goal is to get fair settlements and serve justice on behalf of the injured.
They have a number of duties, though they can be instrumental in the following areas:
Collecting Evidence
When you hire a personal injury lawyer, they will get right to work collecting evidence to build your case. This evidence will be used to prove that the other party was negligent and their negligence caused your injury.
Dealing with Insurance
Negotiating with an insurance company can be a huge headache, especially if your injuries are severe. You should be focused on healing, not making call after call to get your payout. A personal injury attorney will communicate on your behalf and handle these discussions.
Legal Representation
The biggest duty of a personal injury attorney is to represent you at trial if a fair settlement can’t be negotiated. Your attorney will present the evidence and argue your case in front of a jury. Complex personal injury cases will have the best outcomes when you hire an experienced personal injury attorney.
How to Pick the Right Personal Injury Lawyer
Before you hire a personal injury attorney, you should take a few steps to make sure you choose the right one. Here are some tips on how to choose from the many qualified and available lawyers in your area:
Choose Based on Practice Area
When you search for a personal injury lawyer, you will want one that has experience handling your type of case. If you were injured in a car accident, it would be foolish to choose a lawyer that has only worked with slip and fall accidents.
Have a Consultation
Once you have found attorneys with the experience you need to handle your case, you’ll want to meet with them. This is why most provide free consultations, allowing you to see if they’re a good fit. You can discuss your case and the potential outcome and inquire more about their experience.
It isn’t enough to simply have the right credentials or experience. Always go with the attorney that makes you feel comfortable. Having confidence in this person is a must, as you will be trusting them to represent you.
Be Honest About Your Case
In your consultation, you will have the chance to confidentially discuss your case. You will need to be completely transparent about the facts. Hiding anything may needlessly complicate matters. It could also impact the outcome of your case. Lawyers are obligated to uphold your privacy without judging you, so let them know everything, and they will have a better chance of winning your case.
If you have been injured, sit down for a confidential consultation with personal injury lawyers in St. Petersburg, FL to discuss the potential outcomes of your case.