Injury lawyer specialize in personal injury law, which is the area of the legal system that enables people to recover in court for damages wrongfully caused to their bodies or reputations by another person or business. It is one of the broadest areas of law and includes cases involving negligence, wrongful death and property damage.
An experienced injury lawyer will help you make sure you receive all the damages to which you are legally entitled in your case. This can include compensation for medical bills, lost earnings and future expenses related to your injury. It can also cover mental distress and other non-economic losses. An injury lawyer can also ensure that you don’t miss important deadlines such as those set by the statute of limitations.
After your accident, your attorney will usually request a copy of all relevant insurance policies including PIP coverage, liability, medical payments and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage. They will also obtain the accident report and a list of all medical bills that you have incurred as a result of your injury. They will then review these reports to determine the full extent of your losses and develop a legal strategy to maximize your compensation.
A personal injury lawyer will prepare and file a lawsuit against the at fault party. The document filed is known as a complaint and it lays out the reasons why they believe the defendant (person or company) is liable for your injuries and what relief you are seeking. During this process, there is an exchange of information called “discovery” that can be lengthy and complex.