If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence, hiring a personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation for your damages. A personal injury lawyer can:
Investigate your accident and gather evidence.
Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Represent you in court if necessary.
The personal injury process typically involves the following steps:
Consultation: You meet with a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case. The lawyer will assess your case and advise you on your legal options.
Investigation: The lawyer will investigate your accident and gather evidence to support your claim. This may include interviewing witnesses, reviewing police reports, and obtaining medical records.
Negotiation: The lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. The goal of negotiation is to reach a settlement that is fair and reasonable.
Trial: If the insurance company is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, the lawyer may file a lawsuit on your behalf. The case will then go to trial, where a jury will decide who is liable for your injuries and how much compensation you should receive.
Each state has its own personal injury laws. These laws vary in terms of things like the statute of limitations, the amount of compensation that can be recovered, and the rules governing medical malpractice. It is important to consult with an attorney licensed in the state that your accident / injury occurred, since they will have local knowledge.
Personal injury law in the United States dates back to the 1800's. The first personal injury lawsuits were filed by workers who were injured on the job. Over time, personal injury law has expanded to cover a wide range of injuries, including car accidents, slip and falls, product liability and medical malpractice.
There have been a number of personal injury cases that have made national headlines. Some of these cases include:
The McDonald's hot coffee case (1994): A woman sued McDonald's after she spilled hot coffee on herself. The jury awarded her $2.9 million in damages.
The Ford Pinto case (1978): A woman sued Ford Motor Company after her Pinto exploded in a rear-end collision. The jury awarded her $125 million in damages.
The Exxon Valdez oil spill (1989): Thousands of people sued Exxon after the Exxon Valdez oil tanker spilled millions of gallons of oil into Prince William Sound. The jury awarded $5 billion in damages.
To protect their profits. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and they are always looking for ways to save money. Denying or undervaluing claims is one way to do this.
To discourage people from filing claims. If insurance companies know that they can get away with denying or undervaluing claims, they are more likely to do so. This can discourage people from filing claims, which saves the insurance company money.
To take advantage of victims who are not familiar with the claims process. Many injury victims are not familiar with the claims process and do not know what their rights are. Insurance companies may take advantage of this by offering a low settlement amount or denying the claim altogether.
Denying that the policyholder was at fault for the accident.
Claiming that the victim's injuries were not as severe as they claim.
Offering a low settlement amount that is not enough to cover the victim's losses.
Delaying the claims process in the hope that the victim will give up.