Injury accidents can and do occur anywhere and at any time, frequently leaving victims with serious physical, emotional, and financial problems. The aftermath of an automotive collision, a slip-and-fall accident, or a workplace injury can leave you reeling, as the average person deals with a combination of required medical treatments, an inconvenient and sometimes lengthy recovery period, and financial strain.
Getting through such a tough period is bad enough without having to also figure out convoluted legal matters on top of everything else. Fortunately, accident injury attorneys are able to fight that battle for you and help ensure you come out on the other side with both your legal and financial interests represented.
The Role of an Accident Injury Attorney
A legal professional who specializes in representing individuals injured due to another’s negligence is called a personal injury attorney. These attorneys work in the realm of personal injury law and are very skilled and highly adept.
Handling cases with tender care, they help clients obtain lawful and just recompenses that oftentimes amount to large sums. The main duties they are responsible for include:
- Evaluation of the accident – Determining the merits of an accident to establish if a legitimate claim exists
- Evidence collection – Obtaining police, medical, and other reports to document what happened and who is responsible
- Insurance negotiation – Trying to achieve a pre-litigation settlement with the responsible party’s insurance company
- Litigation – Taking the case to court with the same personnel if the pre-litigation settlement is not achievable
- General legal advice and counsel – Guiding the clients through the legal maze
Types of Accidents Covered
Attorneys who handle personal injury cases deal with a variety of accidents and injuries, including:
Car Accidents
Car accidents are among the most prevalent factors leading to the filing of personal injury claims. They can, and often do, cause a wide range of serious harm; from broken bones to wrenched necks (whiplash), to life-altering head/brain trauma to any number of spine injuries.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Property owners have a legal responsibility to ensure that their premises are safe and well-maintained. When a person has an accident, even an apparently minor one, that person may have grounds for legal action.
Conditions that lead to slip and fall accidents can often be traced back to poor property maintenance. The types of hazardous conditions that can lead to a successful negligence claim include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Inadequate lighting
- Slippery surfaces
- Uneven walkways
- Loose or broken steps
- And many other poor property maintenance conditions
Workplace Injuries
Workers who are hurt on the job may have a right to workers’ compensation benefits. But some employers or insurance companies might try to argue that the injured worker is not entitled to those benefits, or at least not as many benefits as the worker is actually entitled to.
Medical Malpractice
When a healthcare provider’s negligence results in injury or harm to a patient, the patient can file a medical malpractice lawsuit. These lawsuits are complex and delicate. They require not just skilled attorneys but also strong ones, working on behalf of the victim and their families.
The accident injury attorney must demonstrate – beyond a reasonable doubt – the provider’s liability.
Product Liability
Hazardous or faulty products can do real damage to the unsuspecting consumer. Car parts that don’t work, food that isn’t safe, and medical devices that are defective can and do cause injuries to those who are unfortunate enough to fall into their paths.
Wrongful Death
When a death occurs due to an accident, the surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit against those at fault. Such claims seek to recover the financial losses suffered by the family, including the costs of the funeral; the amount a loved one would have earned had he or she not been killed; and various kinds of damages for the suffering that those left behind endure.
Don’t Let Your Case Get Cold by Delaying Your Search for an Accident Injury Attorney
Attorneys who specialize in accident injury work are necessary champions for people who get hurt because of someone else’s careless. They provide necessary services that range from expert legal representation to simple but critical negotiations with insurance companies.
Consulting with a personal injury attorney can be a game-changer for the average person who is dealing with a serious injury and the potential financial fallout from that injury.
Dev Rajawat