Before we discuss the benefits of a personal injury lawyer Los Angeles CA, let us first try to understand what a personal injury attorney is and what they do. Personal injury lawyers are those professionals who provide legal advice in the unfortunate event of injury due to accidents. They help in pursuing compensation claims and other benefits for the victims.
What are the types of personal injury cases?
The negligent act of others often leads to personal injury cases. This may include:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
Personal injury lawyers also handle cases of other transportation accidents such as:
- Aviation accidents
- Boating accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bike accidents
- Mass transportation accidents
Furthermore, the cases they handle may also include:
- Negligent security
- Slip and fall accidents
- Construction accidents
- Injury due to medical malpractices
- Animal bites and attacks
- Nursing home abuse
- Injury due to negligence
What are the types of compensation?
Individuals suffering damages due to personal injury may be entitled to the following compensation:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of camaraderie
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Income loss
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earning capacity
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
What do personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles do?
Depending on the type of case, the specialization of the lawyer and the process of the case determine the action of the personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles. Following are some of the actions that personal injury lawyers may perform:
Investigation of the claims
Unlike other lawyers, personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means the lawyer will charge some percentage of the total amount you get after the settlement or the trial. Since the layer finances the case, they screen potential clients carefully and properly evaluate the merit of the case. If the attorney feels that the chances of winning the case are bleak then they would not take the case.
Gathers evidence
To support the claim of the petitioner, the personal injury lawyer collects evidence. The process of procuring the proof involves:
- Collecting incident report
- Police report
- Witness statement
- Camera footage
- Property damage evidence
- Taking pictures of the accident report
All these shreds of evidence help establish who is responsible for the accident and the amount of damage caused to the plaintiff. Other evidence may include medical bills, employment documents, medical reports, medical records, property damage reports, and employment reports.
Negotiation with insurance agencies
The majority of people refrain from negotiation. But a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles CA is an expert when it comes to negotiating with insurance agencies. They can help you in reviewing the details of the policy. They will also help in determining the maximum amount of claim you can raise as per the circumstances of the case. In addition, they will also save you from additional stress by handling the communications with the insurance agency.
Send Demand Letters
After proper evaluation and investigation, the personal injury lawyer has the right to send a demand letter to the insurance agency. The letter will include the facts of the accident and notify them of the damages caused by the defendant. Further, the lawyer will demand a certain amount of compensation from the victim.
Preparation of pleadings
There are instances where the insurance agency might disagree and refuse a fair settlement. In such a condition, the personal injury lawyer might raise a complaint against the defendant. The complaint will state all the legal arguments and evidence to prove why the defendant is responsible for the accident. The complaint will also include the claim amount of the client for the damage. To respond to the pleading, the defendant will be given 30 days to reply to the complaint.
Client Representation at the Trial
If a trial takes place, then on behalf of the client the personal injury lawyer will represent in the court. Having a personal injury lawyer will be beneficial as they are well aware of the procedures and customs of the court. They will ensure that the steps are followed carefully.
Why hiring a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles, California is important?
You can settle your case without the assistance of a lawyer. It is possible but who knows, maybe you are doing a disservice to yourself. First of all, you may not be aware of what you are entitled to by law. Secondly, it might be quite challenging to steer clear your way to claim the benefits. However, if you have a personal injury lawyer then they will handle all these issues on your behalf. Besides the legal benefits, having someone who can efficiently handle and negotiate in your stead will add to your emotional advantage.
Should you go to court or settle out of court?
You are the only one who can decide whether to go to court or agree with the settlement. However, before you take your decision, consult your lawyer to determine if it is a fair settlement or not. If the settlement seems unfair then you can move to court for a fair trial. However, once the trial takes place, it is difficult to predict who will win the trial.
