When you or a loved one has been wrongfully injured, there will be a ton of questions that need answers. Filing for an injury claim can be a complex endeavor. As much as it is possible to do it on your own, it is not always recommended given the intricacies involved in the process. Getting an attorney will also not be a straightforward process. You’ll first need to understand what a personal injury attorney can do for your injury claim.
The first interaction with the attorney will be very important for a couple of reasons. It is the perfect opportunity to get to know the attorney on a personal level and also determine their level of experience. In order to improve the chances of getting a favorable outcome, you’ll want to work with a law firm that is familiar with personal injury law. During the first meeting, there are some things you’ll need to discuss with the attorney:
Understanding The Ins And Out of Your Case
Before the attorney or law firm can go forward with the legal proceedings, they’ll need to have a thorough understanding of your case. You could also be having questions about the claim process and what to expect out of it. A good attorney will ensure that all the details surrounding your case are made clear in a language that you can easily understand.
Having an understanding of the Legal Process
It is the work of an experienced lawyer to provide insights on the path to be taken in order to arrive at the most favorable conclusion for the personal injury claim. A reputable attorney will walk you through the legal process step-by-step so that everything is clear from the onset. Requesting for replies, fact-checking legal documents, and filing legal briefs can all be time-consuming. As much as it is the work of the attorney to handle the bulk of work, it is also within your rights to know what is happening with your case at any given time.
What Role Do You Play in the Case?
Since you’ll be the one at the center of the case, it means you’ll play an imperative role in the determination of the outcome. During the initial consultation, it will be the responsibility of the attorney in explaining what is expected of you in order to get a successful claim. Some of the responsibilities that are expected of you include: always making time for the doctor’s appointments and being transparent about what transpired during the accident.
Establishing a Communication Process
Having a regular communication routine will not only be beneficial to the attorney but to you as well. Ideally, you’d want to work with an attorney that makes you a priority. It is easy to get in touch with them in case there is something about the case that needs to be clarified. A good attorney is one that takes the initiative of establishing regular communication with the client.
It doesn’t matter if the case is settled or goes to trial, the personal injury attorney will be working in your best interest. After all, he or she is going to be paid on a contingency fee basis. That means they’ll only get paid when you get the compensation that you truly deserve. Here are some of the things you can expect the attorney to do when you reach out to them for your personal injury case.
Initial Demand
One of the first things that an attorney will do is to gather as much information as possible about the case. The most important detail will have to be the nature and severity of the injuries. They’ll also try to establish the effect the injuries have had on your life and wellbeing. When determining who is at fault, the attorney will look at
- Police reports
- Medical treatment reports
- Surveillance records
- Witness statements
The attorney will also issue a demand letter to the at-fault insurance company. If there is a settlement because of the initial demand letter, it is the work of the attorney to review and establish if it is commensurate with the injuries and all the trouble you’ve had to go through as a result of the accident. It is rare for the initial offer to be the final one as most insurance companies will want to play hardball when it comes to compensation.
One thing that is worth noting is that a good attorney will not rush to settle. They’ll at least wait to have a full understanding of the case before deciding on the settlement offer once all factors have been taken into consideration.
The Litigation Process
A personal injury claim will be initiated by filing a complaint. This is a legal document that will have a list of supporting facts for the claim. Once the defendant has been issued with the complaint, they’ll have to come up with a response as stipulated by the law. The next step will be the “discovery” process in which both sides exchange information that is relevant to the case and could potentially serve as evidence should the case go to trial. Your attorney should take care of every aspect of litigation.
Working with an experienced attorney will ensure that you’re getting the best possible outcome for the case. That is why it is important that you’re researching their credentials. One of the main factors to keep in mind will be their experience with personal injury cases. You’d also want to hire an attorney that is empathetic of your situation. Such an attorney will not only be driven by money but ensuring you’re getting justice.
To conclude, personal injury cases can get complicated really fast even when the facts are apparent. The burden of proof is on the victim. Insurance companies will want to pay as little as possible. They have experienced attorneys to protect their interests. You’ll be at a disadvantage when filing for the claim on your own. To learn more about the legal process, you can check out https://midwestlaw.group/services/personal-injury-attorneys/
Midwest Trial Lawyer
Address: 9300 West 150th Terrace Overland Park KS 66221
Phone: (913) 380-4004