Personal injury law firms specialize in assisting people who have suffered an accident or injury due to another party’s negligence. The lawyers at these firms work hard to get their clients the compensation they deserve.
The first step in the legal process for an injured person is to locate a qualified New York City personal injury law firm. This is a complicated and confusing task, one that requires the expertise of an experienced lawyer.
In this regard, we recommend contacting a number of law firms and checking client reviews from reliable sources to help you determine the best candidate for your case.
Typically, a personal injury attorney will provide you with a free consultation to discuss your case. This will include an examination of the accident report, a review of your medical records, and a discussion of any potential injuries you may have.
Once your consultation is complete, your lawyer will take a comprehensive look at your claim and make recommendations for the next steps. This will generally involve filing a complaint with the court and seeking a monetary judgment.
After a lawsuit has been filed, your lawyer will begin preparing for trial. This includes requesting expert witnesses to provide testimony. This process will ensure that your case is presented in the most compelling manner possible.
Often, the personal injury attorney will hire professional investigators to document the scene of the accident, interview witnesses and develop theories of how the incident occurred. They will also contact outside experts like accident reconstruction specialists if they feel that this is necessary for the case to be successfully resolved.
They will also submit a packet of medical bills, reports and income loss documentation to the insurance carrier, if you have coverage. This will usually be accompanied by a liability analysis that helps to determine how much you are likely to recover.
When a lawyer feels that they have sufficient evidence to support your claim, they will then try to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. The settlement offers will vary depending on the specific circumstances of your case.
A reputable personal injury lawyer will be well versed in negotiating with insurance companies and will have an in-depth understanding of how to obtain a favorable settlement offer. If the case does not settle, your lawyer will then pursue a trial against the at-fault party.
The trial may last for several days or weeks. This is because a civil lawsuit is typically a very lengthy process that requires many different types of evidence.
Your lawyer will often hire a medical expert to prepare a narrative report that can be used at trial. This report should support your claims of damages for pain and suffering, past and future medical expenses, lost earnings and other losses.
You should also ask your personal injury lawyer if they have a list of medical professionals that they have used in the past to assist with their cases. These can be doctors, nurses or others who have provided their services on a lien basis.
