4 Ways Personal Injury Lawyers Help Victims

When a person is injured in any kind of accident, there will often be some immediate questioning of whether an attorney is really needed or not. In some cases, victims believe that fault is clear-cut and that obtaining compensation should be easy.

The truth, however, is that lawyers provide a valuable insurance policy in most personal injury cases because people with legal representation routinely take home more money than individuals who handle their cases on their own. Here are four simple reasons you should always consider hiring a personal injury attorney when you have been involved in any kind of accident caused by another party’s negligence.

Determining Whether Victims Have a Claim

Proving a personal injury claim is going to involve proving in court that another party was negligent and that negligence caused your injuries. Certain kinds of claims are less complicated than others, as automobile accidents are much more straightforward than medical malpractice, which can be especially complicated.

When you speak to a lawyer about your case, one of the first things they will do in response is to conduct their own independent investigation into the accident. Many kinds of claims may also require the use of experts in a given field to lend credence to a victim’s claims.

Assessing Damages

Many people think their cases are worth a lot of money, but you will risk your lawsuit not being taken seriously if you handle a claim on your own and ask for too much. Damages are typically divided into economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are much easier to calculate because they are the actual bills resulting from an injury, and things like medical bills and property damage can easily be proven. Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering or emotional distress do not have an intrinsically tangible value, so they are far more subjective and need to be carefully requested.

A lawyer is going to know how to accurately measure all of your damages, making sure that you are not just compensated for medical bills you have already paid but future ones as well. The attorney will also be able to interview a victim about how their life has changed to accurately convey why non-economic damages should be awarded, and there may even possibly be cause for punitive damages in a very limited number of cases.

Filing a Complete Claim With Supporting Documentation

Another big reason to hire a lawyer is so you can be confident that your case is actually complete when it is filed. An attorney is going to know how to put all of the facts together in a claim so that all of the evidence needed is presented and you are fully prepared to take your case to court.

The lawyer is also going to know all of the supporting documentation required to help your claim succeed, whether it is police reports, photos of the scene, witness statements, opinions of expert witnesses, or medical records. An attorney is going to be able to compile all of this information in a way that is most effective in getting you compensation.

Negotiating a Settlement

While many people envision their cases going to trial, the truth is that very few personal injury cases actually make it that far. Instead, insurance companies or the negligent parties often agree to settle cases before trial because trials can be very expensive, and they also carry the risk of a victim being awarded greater damages.

People should never try to negotiate settlements on their own because they often end up leaving a lot of money on the table. A lawyer is going to know exactly what your case is worth and will fight to achieve an outcome that matches what was expected.

Call Us Today to Speak with a New Orleans Personal Injury Lawyer

Egenberg Trial Lawyers has handled scores of personal injury cases in Lousiana, Texas, and other locations on the Gulf Coast. We will be happy to discuss all of your options with you as soon as you call (504) 229-2853 or contact us online to take advantage of a free consultation.