If you are injured in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to receive compensation for your injuries, lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer is the best way to maximize your recovery.
Investigate the accident thoroughly
A thorough investigation of the accident is crucial for building a strong injury claim. Your personal injury attorney will gather all available evidence to prove liability. It is visiting the accident scene, taking photos and measurements, interviewing witnesses, obtaining police reports, consulting with experts, reviewing medical records, and more. The more evidence that is gathered, the clearer it will be who is at fault and the full extent of the damages that were caused.
Determine all potentially liable parties
There may be multiple parties that share liability for an accident. For example, in a car accident, there could be negligence on the part of both drivers involved in product liability with the vehicle manufacturers if a defect caused or contributed to the crash. Cleveland Personal Injury Attorney will look at every possible angle to identify all parties named in the lawsuit. All potential sources of compensation are pursued.
Calculate the full compensation owed
The compensation starts with fully calculating all of the different types of damages the victim is entitled to receive. It includes costs for medical treatment, lost income, loss of future earning capacity if there is permanent disability, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, property damage, and more. Experts will be hired by the lawyer to assess the full extent of damages and assign dollar amounts. A full and fair compensation can be demanded with the help of this document. Settling a personal injury claim involves reaching an agreement between the injured party and the responsible party or their insurance company.
Evidence for punitive damages
If the liable party’s actions showed a reckless disregard for safety or intentionally caused harm, there are grounds to seek punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish and deter egregious wrongdoing. By offering clear evidence of gross negligence or intent, a personal injury lawyer secures a much higher value of damages for their client.
Negotiate with insurance companies
Insurance companies will initially offer settlement amounts much lower than the case is worth. A personal injury lawyer is an expert negotiator who responds to lowball offers, points out deficiencies, and provides documentation to compel higher settlement offers. The lawyer will start negotiation high it will take back-and-forth dialogue to reach an acceptable amount.
Take the case to trial if needed
If a fair settlement is negotiated, then the personal injury lawyer will take the case to trial. This puts additional pressure on the defence to raise settlement offers since the lawyer is ready and argue for maximum compensation in front of a jury. While there are risks with going to trial, it often results in far greater compensation and favorable judgments even above what juries may award. The credible threat of trial is leverage the lawyer uses to get more money.
