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- Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?
- How Do Personal Injury Lawyers Decide to Take a Case?
- What a Plaintiff Should Bring to a Personal Injury Lawyer Consultation?
- Contact a Lawyer Who Can Help
Car accidents range between allowing both parties to walk away unscathed and ending in tragedy. Personal injury lawyers handle cases that fall somewhere in between. In these cases, an accident greatly impacts one’s quality of life, taking a toll on physical, mental and financial health. Personal injury lawyers help those involved in accidents get back on their feet.
If you or a loved one are in this situation, you may wonder what qualifies as a personal injury case and what doesn’t. How do you know if a personal injury lawyer will be able to help?
Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?
At Tolbert Beadle, we know that the time and energy associated with personal injury cases can be high — especially for those who’ve been involved in the incident. There are a few considerations that personal injury lawyers make when deciding to pursue a case:
- Who is at fault? If it can be easily determined that the injured person was not at fault in the accident, a lawyer is more likely to take the case.
- Was anyone seriously injured? A minor injury from a car accident can set you back, but it’s unlikely to result in a large settlement. Personal injury lawyers exclusively focus on cases of injuries that impact your quality of life.
- Have you been to other firms? If another firm rejects your case, or if it appears you are shopping around for the best settlement, chances are higher that you will be rejected. Do your research before calling a law firm for a consultation.
- Is there a conflict of interest? A lawyer should reject a case if there’s any chance of a real or perceived conflict of interest, such as knowing the person who caused the accident that resulted in your injuries.
Understanding What Makes a Winning Personal Injury Case
For most people, going to court to fight for justice can be an intimidating process. How do you know if you have a personal injury case you can win? Going to a trusted personal injury law firm is a good start, but here are some factors that will make your case stronger and more likely to win.
- Providing solid evidence. You need to prove that the other party’s negligence caused your injury, at least in part. Whether it’s fully on their side or shared negligence, you can make a case to receive compensation.
- Being honest. This may seem simple, but some plaintiffs overlook this important part of the process. If you’re found to be dishonest, even through minor embellishments, you may find that you no longer have a case.
- Starting the process early. This means getting your injuries looked at, diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. It also means speaking with a lawyer as soon as you know you’ve been seriously injured as the result of an accident and will need help getting back on your feet.
- Trusting the process. Just as important as finding a personal injury lawyer who can help you get your life back is trusting that lawyer to do their job. Allow your lawyer to make decisions regarding your case, such as which evidence to share and how to present it. You hired this person because they’re a law expert, and they’re representing you because they feel they can win your case.
What a Plaintiff Should Bring to a Personal Injury Lawyer Consultation
When making a case, you need sufficient evidence. Memory can be unreliable, especially when you’re dealing with the stress of an accident, an injury, lost wages and finding an attorney.
Before your personal injury lawyer makes a case for you, you need to make a case for yourself. Gather as much evidence as possible before your personal injury lawyer consultation. There are a few items that will make your story credible and back you up.
- Organized, detailed notes. Make lists, and outline your story in a way that makes it easier for you to tell. Keep in mind that your lawyer will need to be able to tell your story in a compelling way to win your case.
- Photos from the accident scene and of any injuries. A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when it comes to proving that your version of events is true.
- Medical records. Any documentation you have that proves that you were injured as a result of the accident will be valuable in making your case.
- Police reports. Reports from police or any other law enforcement provide an unbiased perspective of what happened, making them an essential resource.
- Insurance information. If you filed a claim with a health or auto insurance company, your personal injury lawyer absolutely needs to know that. This is the case whether it’s your insurer or the at-fault party’s insurer.
Contact Tolbert Beadle for Help
At the end of the day, you want to find a personal injury lawyer who will work relentlessly to get you the settlement you deserve.
If you need an experienced personal injury lawyer, get in touch with the experts at Tolbert Beadle today to schedule a free consultation. You can fill out our contact form, call us toll-free at 1-800-887-4030, or start a chat with us in the lower right corner of this page.
