In personal injury cases, proving damages is as important as proving liability. Damages include medical expenses, lost income, and other reimbursable costs that can be proven with various bills, receipts, or statements.

While looking for a lawyer, ask about their experiences with personal injury cases similar to yours. This will give you a clear idea of how they can help your case.

They Can Help You Calculate Damages

Personal injury lawyers can help you calculate your claim’s value. They will help you determine how much medical treatment, lost income, and future expenses you have incurred because of the accident. They will then prepare a demand letter for the insurance company to encourage them to negotiate a fair settlement.

It is important to have a lawyer because insurance companies are very skilled at getting injured victims to accept low settlements early on. They may also try to blame the victim or portray them as a liar. Personal injury attorneys know how to counter these tactics.

They will also help you calculate non-economic damages, compensation for emotional injuries that can’t be measured in dollars. For example, if you have been severely injured in an accident, you might be experiencing anxiety from the frequent calls from debt collectors and the fact that you’re in constant pain. Your attorney will help you put a dollar value on these intangible losses and calculate them into your claim.

They Can Help You File a Claim

Your injury lawyer will collect all the evidence in your case, including any medical records related to your injuries and your accident report. They’ll also work to recover damages from the responsible party. This may include compensation for your current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses like pain and suffering and loss of consortium.

Personal injury lawyers are highly trained in negotiation and will recognize when an insurance company is making an unfair settlement offer. They can help you decide when to accept a settlement or take the case to court.

Personal injury attorneys can use their network of professional investigators to document the scene of an accident and develop theories about how the incident occurred. They can also subpoena security camera footage or interview witnesses. They’ll also have an inventory of experts like accident reconstruction experts they can hire if necessary. If your injury concerns a defective product, they’ll have it stored or submitted for non-destructive testing.

They Can Help You Negotiate

Once your lawyer understands the full extent of your injury, they will total your monetary costs (special damages) and non-monetary costs (pain and suffering). A demand letter will send this information and supporting documentation to the liable party’s insurance company.

The insurance adjuster will likely poke holes in your demand. This is part of their job, as they need to protect the insured’s policy limits.

Your attorney will counter the insurance adjuster’s claims by pointing to medical records, documentation of out-of-pocket expenses and lost wages, and a detailed account of your injury-related pain and suffering. They can also file a formal lawsuit against the negligent party if settlement negotiations aren’t successful. Filing a lawsuit signals a new phase in the case as attorneys formalize legal theories and evidence and prepare for trial. They will work closely with their clients to ensure they are prepared for court proceedings.

They Can Help You File a Lawsuit

Personal injury lawyers help clients file lawsuits to recover monetary damages. They also work to determine whether more avenues exist for compensation. For example, if you get injured while shopping at a local supermarket and slip on a wet floor, it may be difficult for the grocery store to deny responsibility.

Your lawyer will prepare a formal complaint listing your legal arguments and the facts supporting them. The defendant will then respond to the complaint, and the discovery process will begin.

The liable party’s insurance company may make an initial settlement offer during this time. However, your attorney will only accept this settlement once you fully understand your injuries and the scope of your losses. They will also ensure that you receive consistent medical treatment so it is difficult for the defense to paint the picture that you are not hurt. They will secure any physical evidence, such as a defective product, and have it stored or submitted for non-destructive testing.