In 2020, the US was home to over 1.32 million active attorneys. California and New York lawyers accounted for a quarter of that population.
Each of those lawyers, in turn, specializes in at least one field of law. There are more than 20 fields of law in the United States, with personal injury being one of the most practiced.
So, what exactly does a personal injury lawyer do? What kind of cases do these legal professionals even handle? According to the Oakland personal injury lawyer, they do work on a lot of practice areas from car accidents to dog bites.
We’ll get to the bottom of all these questions below, so be sure to keep reading.
Personal Injury Law 101
Also referred to as tort law, personal injury law is a type of civil law. By law, an injured person can file a lawsuit to obtain compensation for their injuries. Courts refer to these injured complainants as plaintiffs.
Under the law, a personal injury is any injury that causes physical, emotional, or mental harm. These injuries must have occurred due to another person’s carelessness or negligence.
Types of Cases Personal Injury Attorneys Handle
Car accidents are some of the most common types of cases handled by personal injury lawyers. Do note that in 2019 alone, motor vehicle crashes injured an estimated 4.4 million people.
Personal injury lawyers also handle premises liability, such as slip and fall accidents. They also provide legal assistance to clients injured due to defective products. Others specialize in medical malpractice and negligence.
Some personal injury lawyers also handle cases involving worker injuries and illnesses. Such incidents are common in the private sector, with 2.8 million cases having occurred in 2019.
What a Personal Injury Plaintiff’s Attorney Does
Personal injury attorneys gather information relevant to their client’s cases. They obtain photographs, medical records, police reports, witness statements, and surveillance footage. They then review all these to establish the fault of the other party.
With enough evidence-backed data, the lawyers can then file a complaint. This legal document names the defendant and lists their client’s arguments. It lists facts about the accident and what their client demands from the defendant.
From there, lawyers will go through every step with their client, from discovery to trial. They will acquire other documents needed to bolster their client’s case.
Free Legal Consultations Are Available
Most personal injury attorneys offer free initial consultations to potential clients. It’s during this time wherein lawyers evaluate the case and its merits. They look at factors like fault, the extent of injury, and the damages the injured party may be able to recover.
They will then discuss these details with you, and then you can decide if you want to hire them or not. These consultations are non-obligatory, so don’t feel any pressure to hire them on the spot. It’s a smart idea to speak to at least three attorneys before you decide who to hire.
You Can Hire a Lawyer on a Contingency Fee Basis
If you decide to hire a solo practitioner or a law firm, consider getting into a no-win, no-pay contract with them. Also known as a contingency fee arrangement, it allows you to pay them only if they win your case. If they’re unsuccessful, you only have to pay the costs not related to their fees.
Those non-lawyer expenses include fees for obtaining medical records and police reports. Court filing fees, transcripts, and expert witness fees are other common costs. you can hire Oakland personal injury lawyer
Focus On Your Recovery by Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Keep in mind that injuries result in an average of 11 lost workdays per person. However, the pain and suffering caused by these injuries can last way longer. Having to deal with the complex process of filing a claim can also impair a person’s recovery.
That’s enough reason to hire a personal injury lawyer if you get injured due to another person’s fault. This way, you can focus on your journey to recovery.
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