You’ve been injured in an accident. Someone else was negligent, and now your navigating injuries you never thought you’d suffer. You can call Shelby, NC personal injury lawyers, but do you really need one? It’s a confusing time in your life, and whether to call an attorney is one of the most important questions you have on your mind. Perhaps knowing how an attorney can help you deal with your personal injury will help you make an informed decision.
What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do?
A personal injury attorney is your legal representative when you’ve been injured by someone’s negligence. Your attorney provides you advice when you have questions. They help you file a lawsuit if you decide you want to move forward with seeking compensation for your injuries. Your attorney is here to help you navigate the laws you’re unfamiliar with following an accident.
What Kind of Compensation Am I Entitled To?
You can seek damages for your injuries. Damage is the word used to describe the problems you face as a direct result of your injuries. Examples of the kind of damages you can seek include the following.
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages or diminished earning potential
- Medical expenses
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium, companionship, or enjoyment of life
Evidence and Investigations
Once you decide to hire a personal injury attorney to work with you, you can expect an investigation to occur. Your attorney goes through all the police reports, the evidence acquired, and they conduct their own investigation into your accident. Your attorney will speak to witnesses, examine photos, and seek additional evidence if it’s to be found. Your attorney wants to win your case, and they know the best way to do this is to find all the evidence pointing to the at-fault party’s guilt.
Attorney Fees
Most personal injury attorneys finance your case through the entire process. You do not pay them anything until you win the case, which is why most attorneys won’t take your case until they’ve discussed it with you and weighed their options. You then agree on a price, which could be a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of your winnings.
Many personal injury cases are settled prior to any court hearings. The at-fault party or their insurance company might decide they’d rather offer you a settlement than go to court and face ongoing court fees or bad publicity. If this happens, your attorney can help you negotiate your settlement to get what you want.
Your attorney can help you through one of the most difficult times in your life. Your goal is to heal and recover, and your attorney’s job is to make that possible by handling the legal aspects of your case. You’re not required to file a lawsuit, but you should consult an attorney to discuss your options.
