About Personal Injury Lawyers
Personal injury lawyers handle lawsuits on behalf of people who were injured because of another party's negligence or carelessness. The negligent party may be another person or a company, such as the injured person's employer or a store where the injured person was shopping when the injury occurred. Personal injury law covers automobile and other accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death and similar claims.
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Function
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A personal injury lawyer helps clients obtain compensation for the damage caused by an accident that was not the client's fault. Compensation may cover medical expenses, lost wages, the replacement of the client's property that was damaged in the accident, and other losses. To obtain this compensation, a personal injury lawyer negotiates with insurance companies and any responsible parties on the client's behalf. The personal injury lawyer ensures that the client is not forced to give up any rights during the settlement. If the case cannot be settled, the personal injury lawyer represents the client during trial, presenting her case to the court.
Cost
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Many personal injury lawyers work on what is known as a "contingency fee." If the lawyer wins a settlement or a verdict for the client, she is paid a certain percentage of the settlement or verdict amount. Amounts vary by state, but are usually between 30 and 40 percent of the total amount awarded to the client. If the lawyer cannot win a settlement or loses at trial, she receives no fee. However, whether the lawyer wins or loses, the client must still pay for costs such as court fees, postage and photocopying costs.
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Types
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The field of personal injury law is broad. It covers medical malpractice, accidents, workers' compensation cases, and more. Many personal injury attorneys specialize in one or two personal injury fields. If you need a personal injury lawyer, it pays to search for one who specializes in your type of case. This is especially true in cases of medical malpractice and workers' compensation, which have very specific rules and can be very complex trials.
Sources
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Finding a personal injury lawyer may take some research. Start by asking trusted friends, family members, or local attorneys which lawyers they recommend. Many personal injury lawyers will offer a free consultation to prospective clients, which gives you an opportunity to meet with the lawyer and talk about your case before you decide whether or not to hire the lawyer. Your state or local bar association may also be able to refer you to a lawyer. Finally, television and print ads may direct you to some personal injury lawyers. In any case, be sure to meet with a lawyer at least once before you decide whether or not to hire him.
Misconceptions
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Because they handle a wide range of injury-related cases, personal injury lawyers have earned the nickname "ambulance chasers." They have been painted as unscrupulous or as talking injured people into filing so-called frivolous lawsuits. In fact, most personal injury lawyers are hardworking professionals who care about their clients and about helping their clients put their lives back together after a tragedy. In addition, lawyer ethics rules in all fifty U.S. states place strict controls on "ambulance chasing" behaviors and prohibit filing suits the lawyer knows to be frivolous.
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References
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