Personal Injury Frequently Asked Questions
Inevitably, there are many questions that arise when tragedy strikes. There are more questions that raise themselves over time. An injury claim has many facets. Obviously there is the compensation aspects but it also involves medical care, transportation, potential criminal liability, the harmony of the family, the fears of what can happen if the "bread winner" loses his/her ability to earn money. Rather than try to answer every question that people ask, we have tried to address just some basic questions and answers that are always present. If you wish to have additional questions answered with no obligation whatsoever, please contact the lawyers and law firms on this page and throughout this site. They are here to answer your questions even if you do not hire them, acting as your Guide to the law.
Frequently Asked Questions about Personal Injury Law:
- Why should I call a Personal Injury Attorney?
- Does it make any sense for me to sue?
- Will a jury give me a lot of money?
- Are Lawyers really very expensive?
- What can I do if a relative was hurt?
- If my family member was killed, can I sue?
- How do I know that a Injury Attorney is experienced and licensed?
- What does negligence mean?
- How long do I have to file a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
- Does every case go to court?
How will a Personal Injury Attorney help me?
Personal injury lawyers provide legal services to residents who have suffered a physical, emotional, or financial injury. Personal injury attorneys represent clients when an injury results from negligence, recklessness, or willful wrongdoing. Additionally, an experienced personal injury lawyer will know how to navigate the legal system, how to get you the best possible settlement, and how to bring a lawsuit in court. Your personal injury attorney can provide support, arrange necessary doctor visits and preserve evidence, as well as find and prepare expert witnesses while preparing for a trial. Most importantly, you will need a personal injury attorney to advocate on your behalf. While no attorney can guarantee you results, the experienced personal injury attorneys on this page know how to get you the justice you deserve.
Is a lawsuit the right solution for me?
The law is usually quite complicated, often unclear, and sometimes even unsettled. Only an experienced Personal Injury Attorney knows all the steps necessary to recover damages for your type of injury in the area. It takes years of experience to understand the laws involved, but a qualified Personal Injury Attorney can usually quickly evaluate your case and chances of recovering. A , personal injury lawyer can also help you understand very difficult legal concepts. In General, 's law allows an injured party to recover from whoever hurt them. However, the specifics, exceptions, and rules to make this work fill books.
law is complicated and it requires an experienced personal injury lawyer to get a good result. There are specific statutes that govern:
Car Accident Claims;
Product Injury Claims;
Malpractice Claims;
Injured at Work Claims;
Boating Accident Claims;
Punitive Damage Claims; and so much more.
negligence law attorneys usually offer free initial consultations during which they will discuss your case with you and offer their opinions on what you might expect in your situation.
I have a lot of medical bills to pay. What will I get in court?
Because each case is different, there is no way to know exactly how much you can recover without discussing your case with qualified personal injury lawyer. Obviously there are many varying types of accidents and events causing varying injuries and losses. The extent and range of possible physical injuries and economic losses means a wide spectrum of recovery exists. Occasionally, punitive damages are allowed to help deter others from acting in extremely dangerous ways. Most of the extremely high numbers associated with lawsuits come from these cases.Because recovery is an extremely complicated issue consisting of many smaller sub-issues, an experienced attorney must completely review the unique facts of your case to maximize your recovery through a settlement or at trial. A , personal injury attorney will work hard to get you the justice and compensation you are entitled to under the law.
Can I afford a Personal Injury Attorney?
Yes, in most cases, anyone can afford a personal injury attorney. Personal injury lawyers often don't charge their clients anything unless they win and recover money for the client. This type of payment is called a contingency fee agreement and is very helpful to injury victims and their families, who often can't afford attorney's fees after an accident. A typical contingency fee compensates the attorney at 33% of any recovery they obtain for the client; however, in some cases, state statutes set caps on the contingency fee an attorney may charge in a particular type of case. The bottom line is that if you do not get paid, you won't owe your attorney anything. This not only minimizes out-of-pocket expenses, but it also assures that a quick and complete recovery is in your lawyer's best interest. Your personal injury attorney will discuss payment with you during your initial consultation. There is no charge for the initial consultation.
What rights do I have if my family member was hurt?
Of course the injury victim may bring a claim for damages against the party at fault, so long as they can prove legal fault, causation, and damages. However, family members and bystanders may also sometimes bring claims for damages in certain cases. For example, a claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress (NIED) or intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED) may be available where a close family member witnesses an injury being inflicted upon their loved one. Similarly, immediate relatives can recover in a wrongful death action if another party's negligent or reckless behavior caused their loved one to die. Similarly, a spouse may seek recovery for loss of consortium in personal injury or wrongful death cases. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to counsel you as to who may bring a lawsuit after a family member is injured.
Can I sue if my family member was killed?
Usually, the parents, spouse, child or estate of the person who was wrongfully killed is allowed to bring an action for wrongful death. If the case involves a child bringing a wrongful death claim for the death of his or her parents, the child may need an adult guardian to help bring the action. Speaking to a local wrongful death attorney can clarify this issue. Further, a wrongful death lawyer will be able to explain to you which family members can recover which types of damages.
How can I choose an experienced, qualified, Personal Injury Attorney?
Choosing the right attorney is what Dot Co law is here to help you do. While any attorney might be able to help you pursue a personal injury claim, the attorneys advertised on each of our pages specialize in a particular area of law. As a result, they will be more familiar with the procedures and complexities involved in your case.
In choosing a lawyer there are several factors for you to consider. First, you should consider whether you want an attorney that works at a large, mid-sized, or small firm. Next, you should have a consultation with a few attorneys to determine which you feel most comfortable with. After narrowing down your choices, you may wish to ask the attorneys for professional references who can tell you about the attorney's work. Finally, check the lawyer's Martindale Hubbell AV rating before reaching your decision. Choosing an attorney is an important decision, and Dot Co lawyer strives to include only the highest quality lawyers specializing in each area of the law to make your choice easy. The box on the top left of this page lists qualified attorneys in the area.
I am trying to figure out if I can sue and I keep reading about negligence. What is it?
Negligence is one of the most important concepts in personal injury law. Negligence serves as the basis for most personal injury lawsuits in the area and is basically the failure to meet a certain standard of care. law establishes certain duties or standards of care applicable to various different situations, and when a person acts carelessly and departs from the applicable standard of care, they are deemed negligent.
What is the time limit on filing Personal Injury claims?
Each state places a different time limit on personal injury lawsuits, usually ranging from 1 to 6 years. Some states have different rules for different types of injuries, such as medical malpractice. When a personal injury claim involves an injury that develops over period of time, such as an occupational injury, the rules can change, in part depending on the time the injury victim or worker knew or reasonably should have known of the injury.You should always contact a personal injury lawyer well in advance of any legal time bar so that you do not lose your right to sue. personal injury attorneys are familiar with statutes of limitations and can begin work on your case quickly to preserve your rights.