Personal Injury Information and Attorney Help

I've seen it many times before. Someone gets hurts, sues the injuring party, and tries to represent himself, causing a world of problems. While representing yourself isn't against the law or impossible to do, it isn't highly advisable. There are many things that can go wrong in a courtroom.

Out of all the people who I've seen attempting to pursue their own personal injury cases, most are met with unforeseen difficulty. They go up against seasoned experts from insurance companies and large law firms whose entire job is to win at all costs. These insurance company representatives sweet talk them, cajole them, and try to compensate them for far less than the actual value of their cases, throwing in large words and legalese that confuses and disrupts the case.

Again, while it's not a bad thing to want to represent yourself in a personal injury case, it's not exactly wise. If you don't have a law degree or specialize in personal injury law, then you won't know which cases to use in your arguments, how to convince a judge of your case's validity, or how to present yourself in the best light. In fact, representing yourself in the courtroom is like trying to fix your own car. If you don't know how, you could end up doing a lot of damage.

With a personal injury attorney on your side, you can more easily fight in court for your right to compensation. Your attorney will handle all of the paperwork, the legal arguments, the research and discovery information, and the presentation to the judge. All you'll have to do is be honest with your attorney, dress professionally, and win your case.

First thing's first: do you have a personal injury case? While this might seem like an obvious question, it's one that bares asking, especially if you aren't sure that your injury falls under the court's idea of a personal injury case. I recommend an article entitled Personal Injury Explained if you aren't sure whether or not you have a case. Once you know you have a case, then you should start looking for an attorney.

So how do you choose an attorney wisely? Well, here are some good tips for you.

Contact - While many law firms approach client contact differently, it is extremely important to find an attorney that doesn't just pass you off to the office staff on a regular basis. You need to have communication with your attorney regularly, because your attorney should review all decisions in person. Make sure your attorney will discuss all matters of importance with you directly, as that is your right.

Payment - If you choose wisely, you'll find a personal injury lawyer that accepts your case on a contingency fee basis. In other words, if your attorney cannot win the case on your behalf, he doesn't get paid. If he does win the case, then he will be entitled to a percentage of the recovery, usually 33% of the gross recoveries if the case is settled prior to filing a lawsuit and 40% of the gross recoveries if a lawsuit must be filed to reach a settlement. If you can find an attorney that takes less, go for it!

Passion - If your attorney doesn't seem to be interested in your case, then dump him. This doesn't mean that he has to do cartwheels when you talk with him, but you must feel like he's making you a priority. If you don't trust him and feel like he's going to work his hardest for you, then there is no point keeping him around. While it doesn't happen often, there are loser attorneys out there and you need to be watchful not to hire them.

If you find an attorney that want to represent you, charges a fair wage, makes time for personal communication, and truly believes he can win your case, then hold onto him. Good attorneys can be hard to find, and great attorneys are needles in haystacks. But sometimes you get lucky and the perfect attorney presents himself. Hire him, win your case, and feel better soon.

Below is a quick list of questions I've been asked over the years about personal injury cases. While this isn't a comprehensive list, it should help you to get a better idea of how a personal injury case will go. So read on and educate yourself well.

What constitutes a personal injury?
Well, personal injuries are exactly that: injuries that happen to you personally. For a personal injury case to take place, you must have sustained your personal injury at the hands of another person or corporation. Examples of personal injury are:
* Auto Accidents
* Motorcycle Accidents
* Pedestrian Accidents
* Bicycle Accidents
* Dog Bites
* Slips & Falls
* Medical Malpractice
* Burn Injuries
* Sexual Harassment
* Wrongful Death
* Food Poisoning
* and Product Liability

How long will my case take?
That depends. Each case is different, just like each injury is different. For minor injuries that require a shorter recovery time and are covered by personal insurance, the case usually lasts 3-6 months. Of course, that is subject to change so it isn't an exact estimate. For more severe injuries, the case time varies. If there is little insurance coverage, the case time will still be short. However, if there is an insurance dispute or a major injury that requires prolonged treatment, then the case can last a lot longer, sometimes upwards of a year.

So what should you keep in mind when deciding how long your case will take:
1. Extent of injuries received
2. Length of recovery time
3. Payment amount from insurance company
4. and whether the opposing party admits fault

Without an admission of fault, the case will last much longer, as you will have to fight for your rights to recompense and justice.

How much will this cost?
This is a question to ask your lawyer, and the sooner the better. My recommendation is to ask this question during your first meeting with your lawyer, so you will know exactly what will be charged and when. For more questions to ask your lawyer, please read this article.

Will my case go to trial?
Probably not. To be honest, 99% of all personal injury cases filed with the court system are resolved before trial. No one really want to go to trial. They are expensive, time consuming, and very unpredictable. If you can avoid one, then you should.

What about seeing a doctor?
This is a personal injury case, so you should definitely see a doctor and document your visits. With some types of injuries, you may not experience any pain or discomfort for a day or two following the accident. But it is best to rule out a more serious injury by seeking medical attention as soon as you begin to feel pain or discomfort.

Also keep in mind that most attorneys have doctors they want you to see, doctors who have established themselves in legal circles as experts in their field. While you should never wait to see a doctor because you want to see your attorney first, receiving immediate medical attention and then getting a second opinion from your attorney's doctor can work well.

And if you are worried about paying for your medical bills, try finding a doctor that will work on a lien basis. This means they'll wait to bill you until after the settlement and, if you win the case, the at-fault party will pay your medical bills. Be careful though. Insurance companies will not pay for medical reports or record reviews, treatment that was not related to the accident, medical expenses which are unreasonably high, or for unnecessary medical exams.

How much is my case worth?
If you're asking that, then maybe you shouldn't be suing after all. The monetary value of a case is subject to medical bills, attorney costs, trial costs, and emotional damages. So, prior to reviewing all of the evidence in a personal injury case, it is nearly impossible to accurately predict the true value of your case.

If you are simply seeking to get a bunch of money from the at-fault party, then you are suing for the wrong motives. This is not a money making scheme; this is the compensation you deserve for an injury sustained. However, if you are suing to cover the expenses you've incurred after being subjected to the injury, then you are suing for the right reasons. The idea is to recover enough money to pay for your bills and your life for the period of time that you were affected by the injury. Don't get greedy; judges can smell that a mile away.