If you have been injured in an incident or accident that wasn’t your fault, you may have been advised to get yourself a personal injury attorney. This can be confusing, especially if the circumstances have only just occurred and you are still recovering. Here is a guide to help you understand the role of a personal injury attorney.
When Can You Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
You can hire a personal injury attorney if someone else’s wrongful actions have caused you to get hurt. This can relate to a physical injury, but it also includes emotional distress and pain and suffering.
Where Can You Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
Personal injury attorneys can be hired all over the USA and you should look for one who understands the law in the state the accident or incident occurred. Washington DC personal injury attorneys may have different criteria or experience to those in New York and it may not be feasible for them to travel across states. It is best to hire a local attorney if you need to go to court too, as this will cut the cost of your fees since your attorney won’t need to travel.
What Will an Attorney Do for You?
A personal injury attorney will look at the facts of the case to establish whether another party acted recklessly, maliciously, or negligently when your injury was caused. If they did, then you have a case. They will then look at what costs might have been occurred by you because of this. For example, you may have to pay medical bills or take time off work. It may even be the case that your whole way of life has altered significantly following this and you may have incurred costs from adapting your home or car to suit your new needs. A personal injury attorney will help you to look at the overall picture and file a claim to pay for your costs. They will also take into consideration the cost of your suffering and emotional well-being to establish a suitable claim figure.
Dealing with the Paperwork
Personal injury attorneys are experienced at dealing with the paperwork you will need to complete to get your case heard in court. This can be a minefield for you if you are inexperienced and if you are still recovering from your injuries, you may not want to take this on. This is why so many people prefer to leave this part to their attorney rather than having to deal with it themselves.
Attending Court
Attending court can be a daunting experience and it can be reassuring to know you have someone fighting your corner who can speak to the judge on your behalf and get the best possible outcome for you. Attorneys can be worth their weight in gold when it comes to attending court.
These are the things that a personal injury attorney can do to help you with your case. Now that you understand the role better, you can see why you might need one.