If you have been injured, or a loved one has been killed due to someone else’s negligence, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side. A New York City personal injury attorney will help you determine if you have a valid claim and help you obtain the compensation you deserve to recover from your injuries or loss.
The Lawsuit Process
Once you hire a personal injury lawyer, they begin an investigation and discovery process to determine who is at fault and what happened that caused your injuries. This involves talking to eyewitnesses, obtaining medical records, conducting interviews, collecting photos and other evidence, reviewing police reports and more, continue reading for more details.
The personal injury lawyer then uses their expertise to build a case and negotiate a settlement or pursue a lawsuit. When you and your attorney decide to go to trial, the case is then scheduled for a court hearing where a judge or jury will hear evidence and determine your damages.
Your damages are the amount of money you will receive to compensate you for your injuries and losses. These may include your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and loss of earning capacity.
You will also be entitled to any punitive damages that the defendant’s conduct caused to you and your family. These are awards designed to punish a defendant for their wrongful behavior and can be as high as several million dollars. To get the best personal injury lawyers, click here: https://www.calhounmeredith.com/houston/personal-injury-lawyer/.
During the settlement phase, your attorney works with the insurance company to reach a mutually beneficial agreement for the amount you are entitled to in damages. This may involve a verbal agreement or an exchange of letters, but in many cases, your attorney will meet with the insurance adjustor and the defendant’s lawyers to discuss the terms of a settlement.
Once the settlement is reached, the attorney can write you a check for the full value of your claim. This is called an “award.” The attorney will then take their agreed-upon fee, usually a percentage of your award.
In addition to the legal fees, your attorney will pay for many case expenses such as expert witness fees, court reporter fees, medical records, charges for physician reports and filing fees. These case expenses are all necessary for your personal injury lawyer to properly investigate, prepare and file your claim.
Your injury lawyer will also provide you with advice about how to handle your insurance claims and any other matters that arise as a result of the accident. Your lawyer will ensure that you are not taken advantage of by the insurance company and that your rights are protected throughout the settlement or lawsuit process.
Personal injury cases typically have a statute of limitations, which is the time frame within which you must file your claim or lawsuit. This period can be as short as six months or as long as three years. It is important to file your claim as quickly as possible, because if you delay, the defendant’s insurance company may try to settle your case for less than it is worth or attempt to deny you your claim altogether. For more details about this topic, click here: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_injury_lawyer.