Personal injury lawyers are civil litigators who provide legal representation to clients with psychological or physical injury as a result of negligence by an entity or another person. They practice in an area known as tort law. This area of law covers the actions of individuals and entities that result in unfair loss, psychological distress, injuries, and death of another person.
Types of Personal Injury Cases
Insurance claims and tort law cases that allude to a plaintiff sustaining injuries to the body, mind, or both fall under personal injury. If you’re asking what do personal injury lawyers do, some examples are:
- Medical malpractice
- Bad faith insurance claims
- Motorcycle/bicycle accidents
- Defective products
- Boating accidents
- Animal bites
- Automotive accidents
- Burn injuries
- Brain injuries
- Nursing home abuse
- Slip and fall accidents
- Wrongful death
- Construction accidents
The Cost of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
The professional fees of a personal injury lawyer can depend on such factors as time, the complexity of the case, hiring of experts, clerical duties, and various other associated costs. Typically, personal injury lawyers offer clients a variety of payment options. The most common are contingency fees, where the lawyer receives a percentage of the plaintiff’s compensation. Others payment options include:
- Hourly rate
- Flat fees
- Retainers
The Legal Duties of a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’re asking what do personal injury lawyers do inside and outside of the courtroom, those duties may include:
- Providing legal advice: depending on the case, this may cover the statute of limitations, validating the merits of a case, reviewing insurance policies, and calculating damages. They may also give the client an in-depth explanation of their rights.
- Investigating claims: personal injury lawyers investigate the circumstances of cases. They interview witnesses, contact police, consult medical providers and other experts, and gather evidence to support the plaintiff’s claims.
- Filing claims: they use claims to alert insurance companies of their policyholder’s legal issues. These claims may include all relevant documents proving the severity of the plaintiff’s injuries.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: personal injury lawyers review insurance policies and damages to determine the appropriate compensation the plaintiff deserves.
- Representing clients in court: if the insurance company fails to agree on an equitable settlement amount, a personal injury lawyer can file a lawsuit and take the case to trial.
A Personal Injury Lawyer for You
When you’re at the point of asking what do personal injury lawyers do, you may already be in need of representation. A personal injury lawyer from Montero Law Center can help you to explore your legal options when you or a loved one sustain injuries due to the negligent actions of another person or entity. We are a personal injury and criminal defense law firm rooted in the old-fashioned values of faith, family, and hard work. Call now at (954) 767-6500 to discuss your case with a member of our team.