Personal injury lawyers specialize in representing individuals who have been harmed due to the negligent or reckless actions of another. They help victims get compensation for their past and future losses, including medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and other non-economic damages. They also work to hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence.
If you are in an accident or suffer an injury, it is crucial that your attorney is aware of all aspects of your injuries, treatments, and costs so they can accurately assess your claim. A good Personal injury lawyer will be familiar with local, state, and federal laws that relate to your case. They will also have a thorough understanding of legal precedents in your area. This information will be used to establish a valid rationale for pursuing a claim against the responsible parties.
Your attorney will review all the available evidence in your case, including police reports, medical bills, insurance policies, and other documentation. They will also interview you about the circumstances surrounding your accident and the impact that your injuries have had on your life. In addition, they will work with medical experts to evaluate your injury and project your future impairments, limitations, and treatment needs. This includes a functional capacity assessment and the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), which helps to quantify your injury severity.
In many cases, a serious injury can have lasting effects on your quality of life and may require substantial future medical treatment. As such, your personal injury lawyer will calculate your future medical needs and expenses to be sure that any settlement will adequately cover them. This will often involve working with economists to perform the necessary calculations.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will also conduct a detailed liability analysis to ensure that all parties responsible for your injuries are held accountable. This will include reviewing applicable statutes, case law, and common law. In addition, they will examine any physical, scientific, or technical evidence in your case that may prove a party is liable for your injuries.
If your attorney believes that there are other parties who should be held liable, they will send written discovery requests to them. These may include interrogatories, which are written questions that must be answered under oath, and depositions, which are recorded statements. They will also obtain all available physical, electronic, and documentary evidence from the other parties. If they are able to secure the product that caused your injury, they will have it stored or submitted for non-destructive testing. If they cannot, they will negotiate with the manufacturer or their insurance carrier to have it tested at their expense.