Personal injuries can occur at home, at work, or in your community. These injuries can affect people of all ages, impacting their ability to perform routine tasks, such as attending school or working. The causes of personal injuries include workplace negligence, car accidents, or tripping on debris on a sidewalk.
Suffering from a personal injury is a painful and frightening experience. It’s normal to be in shock after an accident, and many people have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health challenges after an accident. The physical and mental health issues stemming from your accident are two reasons you should consult an experienced personal injury lawyer. You may be wondering how to know which personal injury attorney in New York City you can trust. Let’s look at how to find a trustworthy attorney, what personal injury attorneys do, and how they can help you after an accident.
How can you identify a reputable personal injury law firm?
When you’re reviewing New York City personal injury law firms, there are specific factors you should consider. First, does the law firm offer a free consultation? It’s standard practice for personal injury firms to offer free consultations, enabling potential clients to discuss their cases and ensure they find a lawyer they want to hire.
Search for a law firm with relevant experience. Lawyers specialize in different fields of law, and personal injury lawyers have practical experience representing clients injured in accidents. They draw on their knowledge of legal precedents to strengthen your case. Investigate cases they’ve handled in the past to ensure the firm you hire has a track record of winning cases for their clients.
Your personal injury attorney should have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and a license to practice law. Ideally, you’ll also hire an attorney with years of experience representing accident victims. Personal injury lawyers also handle medical malpractice cases and wrongful death suits stemming from accidents.
What do personal injury attorneys do?
Personal injury lawyers investigate your case. They gather evidence, such as police reports and medical documentation. Your attorney may also talk to witnesses, review security camera footage, and scrutinize other potential evidence to build your case. They ensure your personal injury claim’s filed before the statute of limitations expires.
Your lawyer may negotiate with the insurance companies involved in the case. In some cases, your attorney may negotiate a settlement. It’s also possible you’ll go to court, where your attorney will introduce evidence and question witnesses while seeking a ruling in your favor.
How can a personal injury lawyer help you?
Your lawyer handles the legal issues stemming from your accident, enabling you to focus on your recovery. Coping with injuries from an accident is already stressful, and trying to navigate the legal system yourself will compound that stress.
Your lawyer’s objective is to secure compensation for your medical bills, which can include compensation for mental health treatment stemming from your accident. Your lawyer may also pursue punitive damages if negligence or recklessness contributed to your accident. You may be eligible for monetary damages to compensate for the cost of personal expenses if you suffered a serious injury and have been unable to work. You may also qualify for compensation for property damage stemming from the accident.
Your attorney can also help you navigate claims with social security and workers’ compensation. They can help you apply for short-term or long-term disability benefits and advise you of financial assistance you may qualify to receive.
Your lawyer will also take time to prepare you for the steps involved in settling your claim, ensuring you’re aware of your legal options and prepared for pretrial conferences and trial proceedings.
Finding skilled attorneys you can trust with your personal injury claim involves identifying law firms that handle personal injury lawsuits. Firms with qualified lawyers with years of experience can help you navigate an accident lawsuit. Use your free consultation to find an attorney you’ll enjoy an excellent attorney-client relationship with, ensuring they understand your case and know how to secure fair compensation for your injuries.
