Personal Injury Attorneys
A personal injury attorney will investigate the accident and establish liability for the at-fault party and handle all negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf. They will ensure that you don't lose out, fighting for the highest settlement or verdict that is possible.
Your lawyer will go over the evidence and may also hire an expert. They will record the scene, interview witnesses, and formulate theories on how the accident occurred.
accident injury law firms
Whether you are injured in a car accident, slip and fall, or have suffered from a different type of harmful incident the personal injury lawyer will determine the cause of your injuries and determine liability. They will collect evidence, such as witness statements and accident reports, police reports, medical records and more. They will also collect visual evidence, such as photographs or surveillance camera footage.
They will collaborate with expert witnesses to give an analysis and opinion on a variety of topics. An expert witness may be required to examine the circumstances of your injury and determine whether it was the result of a defendant's misconduct. Other experts may be called to testify regarding your medical requirements and the you'll require in the future. They will also help you determine what damages to claim for your losses and expenses, such as medical treatment as well as loss of earnings, property damage, suffering and pain.
Personal injury lawyers are able to engage with representatives of insurance companies. They know how to utilize evidence and convince an insurer to provide a fair settlement. They will keep track of the statute of limitations, ensuring that they do not let an insurance company extend the time limit on your case.
Our New York City personal injuries lawyers can initiate legal proceedings in the event of injury caused by police officers in a hazardous situation. They will hold the police department accountable and hold the person accountable for violating your civil right. New York law allows residents to bring suit for violations of their civil rights, like excessive force or unlawful restraints by an officer of the police. They can also pursue an action for misconduct by a police officer when an officer uses excessive force to detain an individual or kills the innocent.
Preparation for Trial
In personal injury cases, the plaintiff has to prove that they are entitled to compensation for their injuries and that another party's actions were negligent. A New York City personal attorney with expertise in this area will help you through the entire process beginning with the initial investigation through to the filing of a suit and the preparation for trial.
During the discovery and inspection phase lawyers from both sides will share information about their respective claims. The legal team of the defendant may, for example, request your medical records, any other relevant documents, or your employment history. Your lawyer will advise you on what requests are legal and which are to be avoided.
The lawyers of the defendant may request you to undergo an examination by a physician of their preference. This examination can include questions regarding your physical limitations as well as the effects of your injuries on your quality of life, and your potential earnings in the future. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help prepare you for the examination and ensure that it is conducted in a fair manner.
A reputable NYC personal injury lawyer can also prepare an official document, known as a Bill of Particulars, which is legal document that spells out more fully your injuries, the impact of these injuries on your life quality and the amount you are entitled to. The document is usually required prior to the commencement of the trial.
While you and your personal injury attorney hope that the case will be settled before you ever set the foot in a courtroom the best attorneys are always prepared for trial. This includes gathering witnesses, gathering any evidence necessary to prove the case, and being prepared to testify for you in cross- or direct examination.
Expert Witnesses
Expert witnesses are professionals who can provide an independent perspective on a technical aspect of the case. Their professional opinion and experience can help jurors better comprehend what transpired when an accident or injury occurred. The law requires that experts have the appropriate knowledge or experience. This can be accomplished by an education that is formal, a degree from a university or through observation and experience over a long period of time.
Medical expert witnesses are able to provide information and insight that can assist the jury and judge better understand the issues surrounding the case. They can be asked to give testimony regarding the standard of care, medical errors and the long-term consequences of a medical condition.
Experts in accounting and finance can examine the financial records of an suspect, including assets, liabilities and equity, cash flow and net income. They can also help with depositions, legal evidence, settlement negotiations, and interrogations.
In cases of defective building products or structures manufacturing and engineering experts are often called in. Experts can explain to a victim how a defective building design or product was made.
A personal injury attorney will help you find the most qualified expert witnesses to support your case. The vetting process is essential since an expert witness must be fair and objective. The expert should examine all available facts and not omit any relevant facts to develop an impression that favors the plaintiff or the defendant. This could lead to untrue or biased information which could be used against your claim.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
If a person makes a claim for personal injury they are seeking compensation for their losses. These losses include medical expenses as well as lost income, damage to property and other expenses that result from an accident. Some claims also cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Insurance companies often have difficulty finding a fair value for these kinds of non-tangible injuries. A skilled injury lawyer can negotiate to ensure that adjusters take these harms into consideration when preparing settlement offers.
It is essential to write a well-organized demand letter with supporting documents before the negotiation process begins. It is also important to have your NYC personal injury attorney present during the discussion with the at-fault party and their lawyer or insurance company. These parties are often seeking ways to pay you as little as possible. They may attempt to use medical issues from the past that are not connected to the accident or other strategies, to reduce your settlement offer.
A skilled injury attorney can quickly determine what your case is really worth, and avoid low settlements. They can also help you get compensation for intangible damages, such as pain and discomfort and loss of enjoyment in your life, emotional stress, and much more. A NYC personal injury lawyer can also review any documents sent to you by the insurance company to ensure they don't contain hidden clauses which could undermine your case.
A NYC personal injury lawyer can to help you obtain compensation, even if your fault in the accident was only a part of the blame. New York law follows a pure comparative negligence model which allows you to claim compensation from the other parties at fault according to the percentage of the responsibility they share for your injuries.
Prosecution in Court
There are times when a lawsuit could be necessary. While the majority of personal injury cases settle without ever going to court, there are situations when a lawsuit might be necessary. A New York personal injuries attorney has the knowledge and expertise to navigate the litigation process in order to obtain a fair settlement.
Following the initial investigation, both attorneys will prepare for a settlement negotiation. A mediator can be employed to facilitate this process, which is a meeting between the opposing parties and an impartial third party who attempts to facilitate reconciliation. Lawyers may also be required to collect evidence, like police reports or incident reports, and even interview witnesses. If the case involves particular product, they may require it to be stored or submit it to nondestructive tests to ensure that evidence is not lost.
Insurance companies are looking to cut costs on large policy payouts and they will employ any strategy needed to do this, including delaying the case. A New York personal injury lawyer knows the tactics that are frequently used and can help you avoid falling victim to them.
Personal injury damages are intended to compensate you for your losses following an accident, however they can be difficult to calculate. Economic damages, like lost income and medical bills are easy to quantify, while non-economic damages like pain and suffering need the help of a doctor who can substantiate the impact of your injuries on your life.
If the insurance company refuses to settle a fair amount, your attorney will file with the court a complaint and set a trial date. Most personal injury lawyers are on a contingent basis, meaning they only get paid when they win compensation for you.