Getting hurt in an accident can be confusing. Friends and family members may give you different advice on what to do, or the at-fault party’s insurance company might call you. In reality, the best thing you can do to protect your rights is hire a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer to represent you. A car accident attorney will gather information from the accident, give you legal advice and support, negotiate with insurance companies and help you pursue compensation for your losses.
In car accidents, a victim can suffer a variety of injuries, from lacerations and bruises to broken bones and traumatic brain injuries. Some of these injuries can be life-altering and require weeks, months, or even years of medical treatment and rehabilitative services. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can explain what kinds of damages you may be entitled to receive, including compensation for medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will carefully review your medical records and determine the extent of your injuries. They will also visit the scene of your accident, take photographs if necessary, speak with witnesses, and get copies of your police report and any other relevant documents. They will leave no stone unturned when it comes to proving liability for your crash.
When a negligent person or company causes an accident, they should pay for the damages that victims are legally entitled to. However, it can be difficult to prove that the at-fault party was responsible for the accident and owes you compensation. A skilled personal injury lawyer will know how to investigate the accident, obtain evidence and documentation, and find expert witnesses who can testify about your claim.
The first step in a successful personal injury claim is to show that the defendant owed you a duty of care, or an obligation to act in a way that wouldn’t endanger others. For example, a driver must obey traffic laws and not text and drive while behind the wheel. A lawyer can use police reports, witness testimony, and medical records to show that the defendant acted negligently.
If your injuries have diminished your ability to work, you can be compensated for this as well. Your accident lawyer can calculate your projected future income and current earnings to come up with a figure that will cover your financial needs. They can also include the cost of retraining, loss of earning potential and benefits, and other related costs.
In some cases, a judge may award punitive damages Accident injury lawyer in addition to compensatory damages. These are meant to punish the responsible party for their actions and deter them from committing similar offenses in the future. However, these are rare and not a common part of personal injury claims. An experienced Long Island injury lawyer knows how to identify if the defendant’s conduct is worthy of such an award. They will make sure that this is taken into consideration when calculating your final settlement amount.