There are around 60,000 personal injury law firms in the US, in a market worth an estimated $53 billion. Florida is the personal injury capital of the US – there are 1,237% more personal injury lawsuits filed there compared to other states. Around 58,000 people die each year from unintentional injuries. Auto accidents are the most common, closely followed by medical malpractice and product liability cases. Data from the NHTSA reveals that 40,990 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2023, a decrease of 3.6% on 2022.
Given how common unintentional accidents are, it stands to reason that sooner or later you’ll need to hire a personal injury lawyer. Here’s how they can help you win your claim.
Assess the Strength of Your Case
The first thing a personal injury lawyer will do is thoroughly review the facts of your case and determine if you have a valid claim for compensation under the law. They will examine aspects like how the injury occurred, who was at fault, the extent of your damages, and whether there are any liable third parties. Their legal expertise allows them to provide an honest assessment of your chances of success, which is why it’s worth finding a lawyer with plenty of experience fighting personal injury lawsuits.
Determine the Value of Your Claim
Calculating the full value of an injury claim can be complex. There are both economic and non-economic damages to factor in, from medical bills and lost income to pain and suffering. An attorney knows how to properly tally all present and future costs stemming from your injury. They can then determine a reasonable settlement amount to seek from the at-fault party’s insurer or pursue through litigation. The average settlement for a minor car accident is around $18k, whereas the average payout for a medical malpractice claim between 2020 and 2023 was $378k.
Handle Negotiations
Injury lawyers are experienced negotiators. They know which arguments to make and documents to provide to get insurers to make appropriate settlement offers. An attorney can often negotiate a far higher settlement through their knowledge of injury law and negotiation tactics. Their sole focus is obtaining maximum compensation for you.
File Lawsuit Paperwork
If it becomes necessary to take your claim to court, your lawyer will handle all the litigation paperwork and filings. This includes drafting the complaint setting out your allegations, gathering evidence, conducting pre-trial discovery, and filing motions as needed to advance your case. Legal expertise is required to properly build and litigate an injury case.
Represent You in Court
Should your claim go to trial, your attorney will be by your side fighting for compensation in court. They know how to effectively present evidence before a judge or jury in a way that maximizes your chances of a favorable verdict. An experienced trial lawyer can make all the difference in getting awards for damages.
Help With Liens
Other parties, like health insurance companies, may try to place liens seeking reimbursement from your injury settlement. Your lawyer will negotiate with lienholders on your behalf to reduce the amounts claimed. They can also argue to the court why certain liens should not be allowed. Their assistance can end up putting more compensation in your pocket.
With an attorney’s help, you can pursue the maximum recovery amount and get the justice you deserve.