How Injury Lawyers Can Fight for Justice and Get Your Life Back

June 29, 2024/Michael Appel

Accidents and injuries happen every day. They can range from minor scrapes and bruises to catastrophic events involving severe and/or life threatening injuries. If you have been injured due to the fault of another person or company, then injury lawyers might be the help you’ve been searching for. But navigating the world of legal representation, especially after an unexpected event, can be stressful. Understanding your options and what factors to consider can seem complicated.

In this blog, you’ll learn how to find the right attorney for your specific situation. We’ll break down what types of cases they handle and what to expect from working with an injury lawyer.

Understanding Injury Law

Injury law, or tort law, is a legal area that encompasses a wide range of cases involving civil wrongs or injuries caused by the negligent, reckless or intentional acts of others. These “wrongs” are situations where someone is injured directly due to a harmful act done to them either willfully, recklessly or by failing to exercise reasonable care. Basically, injury law is all about seeking to right a wrong and providing a remedy to those who’ve been hurt by someone else’s actions or failure to act.

Common Types of Injury Cases

Injury law encompasses a variety of cases. Some of the common types include:

Car Accidents: Car accident claims constitute a significant portion of injury law, from fender benders to major collisions. Often, these involve pursuing compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company for medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Truck Accidents: Because of the size and weight of commercial trucks, truck accidents can cause more devastating injuries. These cases often involve complexities of federal regulations and multiple parties, such as the truck driver, the trucking company, the trailer company, and/or even the manufacturer(s).
Motorcycle/Scooter Accidents: MotorcyclistsMotor Scooters are incredibly vulnerable on the road. Sadly, their injuries tend to be severe.
Pedestrian Accidents: This includes those walking or running when struck by vehicles. Injury lawyers who focus on these cases work to prove negligence on the driver’s part, especially in situations of crosswalk violations, speeding, or distracted driving.
Slip and Falls/Trip and Falls (Premise Liability): Falls can occur anywhere due to dangerous property conditions like wet floors, uneven surfaces, or icy sidewalks. Holding property owners accountable for injuries they suffer due to the property owner’s negligence in keeping up their premises is vital to lawyers taking these types of cases.
Product Liability: Cases in this category arise when defective products cause consumer injuries. It could involve everything from faulty car parts to dangerous medications with inadequate warnings. Attorneys handling this area of law seek to prove design flaws, manufacturing defects, or failure to warn users of risks. Injury lawyers specializing in product liability can pursue manufacturers and those entities in the stream of commerce like distributors, retailers, and refurbishers to ensure their clients receive adequate compensation for their injuries. Defective products, according to Lawfirm.com, can include a wide variety of consumer goods.
Medical Malpractice: Cases center around instances where a doctor, hospital, or healthcare professional’s negligence results in patient injury. Attorneys working on these complex cases must establish the accepted standard of care and prove a deviation from that standard led to harm. When an injured party has questions about what medical professionals are expected to do when treating their medical concerns, they should consult with an injury lawyer.
Wrongful Death: When someone dies due to negligence or wrongful conduct, an injury lawyer can represent the surviving family in a wrongful death lawsuit. This means they are seeking damages to compensate the surviving family for things like funeral expenses, loss of income, and loss of companionship.
Workplace Accidents: Accidents happen on the job and workers’ compensation law handles most of those types of cases when an employee is injured in the course and scope of their employment. Sometimes, a third-party causes injury to an employee while in the course and scope of their employment. In this instance, a negligence claim may be pursued in addition to the worker’s compensation claim if someone other than the worker’s employer is to blame. If you’ve suffered an injury, you should contact a lawyer who specializes and has experience with these hybrid types of cases involving both worker’s compensation and third party negligence elements

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You

So how can an injury lawyer actually help after an accident? These are situations where you’re likely still healing from an injury and dealing with all kinds of consequences from something you didn’t ask for. You might be unsure of your rights, stressed about mounting bills, and find dealing with insurance companies challenging.

Let’s break it down: Injury lawyers can make all the difference by:

Legal Expertise and Guidance: This is one of their core services. An injury lawyer provides you with specialized knowledge of injury law, guiding you on legal rights, options, and potential courses of action.
Case Evaluation: A lawyer will evaluate the facts of your case, investigate the accident or injury, and determine the viability of a claim. It’s best to let them investigate. You’ll receive more accurate guidance about whether someone is at fault and if filing a legal claim or even a lawsuit makes sense. Plus, this frees up your time to recover from your injury rather than investigating the case and dealing with all the politics and stress involved.
Gathering Evidence: You want an accurate picture of what happened and prove negligence. That involves collecting evidence – police reports, surveillance, medical records, witness statements, photographs, videos, and expert opinions – to build a solid foundation for your case. These injury lawyers know how and can guide you to track down everything you need.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies: Many injured people feel nervous about speaking to insurance companies or have trouble dealing with insurance adjusters who might push for a quick and possibly inadequate settlement. But your lawyer can take the reins. Let an injury lawyer deal with the insurance company while you focus on your health. They will negotiate to make sure you receive fair compensation. They’ll push for a settlement that truly reflects medical costs, lost wages, property damage, pain, and suffering as well as other damages you may be entitled to.
Filing a Lawsuit: An injury lawyer who works to obtain an out-of-court settlement might end up recommending filing a lawsuit to ensure their client’s rights are fully protected. Injury lawyers are skilled at drafting pleadings, motions, and other court documents and conducting discovery (the process of gathering information and evidence) before a case goes to trial.
Representing You in Court: While most cases are settled before trial, your lawyer will be there for you to take the matter to court when necessary. Injury lawyers skilled in litigation present your case to a jury, call witnesses, introduce evidence, cross-examine, argue your claim effectively, and work to obtain the justice and compensation you deserve.

Finding the Right Injury Lawyer

Okay, so I know what you’re thinking—“Where do I find a lawyer? How do I know they’ll actually do a good job?” The right attorney can make a big difference in navigating injury cases.

You want an injury lawyer with both expertise and a strong track record. So, consider this when finding one for you:

Experience and Specialization: You want to look for someone with extensive experience in injury law and specific areas of practice related to your situation, such as car accidents, premise accidents, medical malpractice, or product liability. An experienced car accident lawyer will likely have handled numerous cases similar to yours. They are familiar with common defense strategies that insurance companies employ and have a better chance of getting you the best result.
Reputation and Track Record: Reviews from past clients can provide valuable insights. Online platforms like Google and Better Business Bureau offer ratings and reviews. Look for attorneys who consistently receive positive feedback about their legal knowledge, communication, and effectiveness.
Contingency Fee Arrangement: A lawyer’s compensation will directly impact your finances. So, most personal injury lawyers use a contingency fee structure. They only get paid a percentage of your settlement or court award if they successfully resolve your case. But if your injury lawyer does not get you a settlement or verdict, then you don’t owe them attorney fees. With Attorney Michael Appel, the initial consultation is free, and he always says, “Remember, if we do not recover, you do not owe us anything.”
Communication and Personal Connection: Open and candid communication between lawyer and client is so essential in this situation. So you’ll want a lawyer who listens to your concerns and gives feedback. Plus, you want to understand their strategies. Also, it can be incredibly helpful to feel your lawyer is personally invested in getting the outcome you deserve. Attorney Michael Appel does take your case personally because he himself has been in your shoes and understands the trials and tribulations of being injured due to someone else’s negligence.
Local Expertise: Having a local attorney knowledgeable about your area’s laws, courts, and procedures can make all the difference in your case. Their insight into local judges, court staff, and insurance adjusters can offer advantages that someone outside the local area doesn’t have.
Professional Affiliations: Lawyers from associations such as the American Association for Justice (AAJ) show commitment to staying current on best practices and legal developments in the field. It’s a good indicator of their dedication. You also might check out an attorney’s website as they list things like a lawyer’s awards, writings, case results, or memberships on professional websites. Even without these types of memberships/affiliations does not mean in any way, shape or form that your lawyer is any less capable.

Key Questions to Ask During a Consultation

Your injury lawyer will ask you many questions during an initial consultation to assess your case, but you want to make sure it feels like a two-way street.

Asking good questions will allow you to get information, understand what working with a lawyer looks like, and feel good about whether you’re making the right decision for you and your family.

Ask them:

How long have you been practicing injury law, and what’s your specific experience handling cases similar to mine?
What’s your track record of success in these types of cases? (You can also ask for case studies or testimonials to better illustrate their work and understand their potential successes.)
Can you give me examples of legal strategies commonly used to achieve good outcomes for this type of claim?
How do your contingency fees work, and what is your percentage? (What expenses will I be responsible for regardless of case outcome, such as court filing fees, expert witness costs, or administrative costs?)
How will you communicate with me throughout the process, and how often can I expect updates on my case? (Can I call, text, or email directly if I have questions?)
How long does it generally take to settle an injury case, or, if needed, how long until it goes to trial?
Do you have any professional affiliations or memberships in any legal organizations?

When Should You Hire an Injury Lawyer?

You’ve learned what injury lawyers do and the factors for choosing one, but should you hire one? Should you wait to see what happens first? If the case is complex and you feel overwhelmed, legal expertise offers advantages from the start.

Let’s consider these scenarios where I believe injury lawyers are especially useful:

Serious Injuries: When injuries result in significant medical bills, require ongoing care, lead to long-term disabilities, or impair your ability to earn income, I think it’s critical to consider a lawyer. Cases like these involve more significant damages and complicated negotiations with insurance companies who want to avoid larger settlements.
Disputed Liability: You’ll need help building a solid case. If the accident’s cause is contested and responsibility is unclear, injury lawyers will gather evidence and hire investigators and experts if necessary.
Uncooperative Insurance Companies: When dealing with insurance companies that act evasive, minimize your claim’s worth, delay the settlement, extend a lowball offer, or flat-out deny your claim without good reason, you’ll feel a tremendous amount of stress on top of everything else you’re facing. A skilled injury lawyer will step in to take the load off of you, handling negotiations or filing suit on your behalf, when needed.
Wrongful Death Cases: Injury lawyers specializing in wrongful death will guide surviving family members through filing a claim, seeking financial recovery, handling the complexities of proving liability for someone’s death, and assisting in estate issues.

Do You Really Need a Lawyer?

That is a valid question. After an injury, victims have a choice – handle the situation on their own or work with an attorney. Both approaches are possible. Here are the arguments to consider if you’re weighing the cost of an attorney against handling your claim alone.

Reasons to Handle a Claim On Your Own:

When the accident is minor, and it’s easy to determine liability, someone might prefer to resolve the case independently. You might want to weigh this approach if:

Minor Injuries and Clear Liability: When your injuries are relatively minor (for example, just some soreness that improves within days, a small bruise that resolves quickly), only requiring minimal medical treatment and fault for the accident is indisputable, you might feel confident handling the situation independently. Still, it is better to consult an injury lawyer and they may even adjust their contingency fee accordingly when less time is necessary to advance your case to a resolution.
Clear and Straightforward Damages: You’ll need evidence of your losses to provide to the insurance company. So if your expenses relate only to property damage, like a vehicle needing a new fender after someone tapped your bumper and liability is undisputed, or if the cost of treating your injuries is low, some people submit a claim on their own. Still, it is better to consult an injury lawyer and they may even adjust their contingency fee accordingly when less time is necessary to advance your case to a resolution.
Strong Negotiation Skills and Legal Knowledge: Not all of us can confidently speak to an insurance company or understand injury laws that might pertain to a claim. However, those with experience in settling insurance claims in the past, confidence in navigating the claims process, the ability to communicate clearly and concisely with an insurance adjuster, and a willingness to learn the basic principles of injury law applicable to their jurisdiction might consider doing so. Still, it is better to consult an injury lawyer and they may even adjust their contingency fee accordingly when less time is necessary to advance your case to a resolution.
Willingness to Invest Time: There’s a ton of paperwork involved when you settle an accident case, so gathering necessary documents, compiling medical records, researching, filing claims forms accurately, negotiating effectively with an adjuster, understanding your options and potential outcomes, and carefully documenting all communication is essential. Still, it is better to consult an injury lawyer and they may even adjust their contingency fee accordingly when less time is necessary to advance your case to a resolution.
Cost-Saving Measures: One of the reasons people try handling a case on their own is that if they are successful, they keep all of the compensation. Injury lawyers are often paid about a third of what an injured party receives if the lawyer wins a case. This might appeal to people wanting to cut costs when the potential outcome of the case isn’t huge. Still, it is better to consult an injury lawyer and they may even adjust their contingency fee accordingly when less time is necessary to advance your case to a resolution.

Reasons to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

People searching for “injury lawyers” already know what injury lawyers do for people who’ve suffered harm due to someone’s carelessness. And that’s this: a qualified injury lawyer has the legal experience and negotiation skills that give people who’ve been injured advantages over going it alone.

Here’s a look at some benefits of hiring one:

Expertise: A knowledgeable lawyer’s deep understanding of injury law, insurance practices, and legal strategies means you have an advantage when you decide to call for a consultation before taking any legal action on your own. Lawyers have the knowledge and resources to research and reference laws, cases, and procedures in your state. And that’s all you care about.
Experience: Injury lawyers handle a large volume of similar cases, allowing them to see what does and does not work when getting fair outcomes. Having someone guide you who knows what approaches are effective is a key reason why 85% of insurance company settlements for accidents were to people who had hired an attorney. Personal injury lawyers can make sure cases have the best chances at securing favorable settlements for injured victims.
Objective Perspective: Having a professional tackle your case keeps emotions from impacting your ability to accurately assess liability, determine potential damages, communicate effectively with insurance companies, or make intelligent decisions. An experienced lawyer has seen all types of cases and settlement offers. Having this perspective from an outsider makes a huge difference.
Maximizing Compensation: Hiring an injury lawyer improves the potential of recovering a more significant sum as opposed to handling the claim yourself. Statistics reveal victims who hire a lawyer receive 3.5 times the compensation than those who don’t. Your chances of maximizing your recovery improve drastically by getting legal representation.
Peace of Mind: It can be incredibly overwhelming and stressful to handle this type of case, so working with an injury lawyer provides a significant sense of relief, especially during a tough time. Your attorney can offer support, answer your questions, take care of deadlines and communications, advocate on your behalf, negotiate a favorable settlement, and ultimately try to resolve the legal process as efficiently as possible so you can get back to what’s important. Let your lawyer worry about getting you the compensation, and get yourself some much-needed peace of mind.

The Financial Impact

People want to know whether legal representation will drain their finances. There are costs associated with hiring a lawyer. However, there’s a whole other perspective.

Hiring an attorney might even provide financial protection and benefits:

Contingency Fee Agreements: This system makes injury lawyers more financially accessible. As mentioned above, many injury lawyers use a contingency fee arrangement – you don’t pay upfront for legal services. They only get a percentage of your settlement or trial verdict. Typically, their percentage ranges between 33 1/3% to 40% of the recovery, depending on various factors and your specific agreement.
Maximized Recovery Potential: The legal expertise of an attorney generally translates to getting more for clients than handling a case alone. This difference in financial recovery frequently outweighs attorney’s fees.
Negotiation Skills: Skillful negotiators get better outcomes. When dealing with tough insurance companies, an experienced lawyer knows how to counter their tactics. An injury lawyer who understands personal injury law ensures that negotiations accurately account for immediate and long-term expenses like future medical care, potential lost wages, and non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.
Understanding Medical and Rehabilitative Costs: Calculating all relevant damages to be sure nothing’s missed involves expertise and thorough documentation. A skilled injury lawyer considers all medical expenses like emergency care, ongoing therapies, medications, assistive devices, potential future surgeries, or even lifelong care requirements that an injured party may have down the road.

FAQs about injury lawyers

What is another name for a personal injury lawyer?

Some use terms like “accident lawyer”, “trial lawyer” or “plaintiff’s lawyer” to refer to a lawyer who works in the area of law focusing on helping clients injured as a result of someone else’s actions or omissions.

How to find a really good lawyer?

For injury lawyers in your area, asking friends, colleagues, or family for referrals is a great first step. But also look at online reviews and legal directories. They offer search tools allowing you to sort lawyers based on your location or area of law.

What does PA stand for in law?

The letters “PA” often seen in legal firm names stands for “Professional Association” which means multiple professionals, such as attorneys or lawyers, have incorporated to practice law under this entity. Other firm names use “PLC.”, such as the firm Attorney Michael Appel, PLC., and this stands for “Professional Limited Liability Company,” a designation chosen for various legal and tax purposes by the attorneys practicing law within that entity.

Conclusion

Dealing with an injury because of someone’s actions is no joke. You shouldn’t have to face it alone. Hiring injury lawyers isn’t always essential, especially if things are pretty straightforward. However, cases are often more complex than you realize at first. When injuries are serious, or when fault is in dispute, it’s definitely worth at least talking to an attorney during a free consultation. A good lawyer fights for your rights and strives to help get your life back on track.