If you or someone you love were injured because of the negligent actions of another person or entity, you could be entitled to compensation via a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit. A personal injury lawyer can prove the cause of your injuries and identify the at-fault party and their insurance company. A lawyer can also collect evidence, locate and interview lay and expert witnesses, and build a strong case file for you.
Among the many things a personal injury lawyer can do is help you understand your rights and the at-fault party’s responsibilities. They can compile evidence and steer your case toward a financial settlement. This can help you get the compensation you are entitled to recover while avoiding a lengthy trial. Your lawyer can also give you and your family peace of mind in knowing that your case is being handled effectively.
Seeking damages after an accident is a time-consuming process. On your own, it can also be intimidating and frustrating. Holding a person or entity who injured you financially responsible for your actions is a complex legal matter.
A personal injury lawyer represents clients injured in the following types of accidents:
A Boca Raton personal injury lawyer will explain the elements of negligence your state requires. Typically, those elements include duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. The lawyer who represents you will also collect evidence that substantiates these elements and allows you to pursue the at-fault party for financial compensation.
Financial recovery after an accidental injury can be more complex than you think. On your own, it can be hard to understand all the damages you are entitled to recover. While each case will have a unique monetary value, you can generally request compensation for:
If your family lost a loved one due to negligence, you could also recover a range of wrongful death damages. Your lawyer will explain these damages, who can benefit from them, and who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in your state.
Your state will have a statute of limitations on personal injury cases. It will determine how long you have to file your lawsuit. The statute of limitations is an important part of your case—as important as building a strong case—and failing to comply with it can mean:
The age of the injured party, the outcome of the accident, and many actions the at-fault party takes can change the time you have to file your lawsuit. Your lawyer will explain the filing deadline in your case and any factors that might change the filing deadline.
When you are represented by a lawyer, they will build a strong evidence file on your behalf. They will collect evidence for you so you can focus on recovering your health. It will contain:
Your lawyer may also take a written statement from you that describes the toll the accident has taken on you physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially.
The majority of personal injury cases are settled without going to court. This usually happens when the accumulated evidence identifies the at-fault party and indicates their negligence.
Your attorney will build the strongest possible case file for you and fight hard to steer your case toward a settlement. Your lawyer will assess your damages and send a demand letter on your behalf once they are fully understood and documented. Accepting an offer sooner—especially a speedy offer—could lead to an insufficient settlement and leave you with uncovered expenses and losses.
If an agreeable settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer will take the at-fault party to court and keep fighting for the compensation you need and deserve. Going to trial can involve court filings, depositions, and discovery. It is an involved process with a judge or jury making the final decision on its outcome.
Your lawyer will prepare you for each step of the procedures and prepare evidence and exhibits for the trial. Most personal injury lawyers will accept your case on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will pay nothing upfront or out of your own pocket. Many will agree to cover all the costs of your case and receive a portion of your financial award in place of hourly attorney’s fees.
