When the average person pictures a lawyer, they often picture someone in a suit standing in a courtroom speaking to a judge or jury. And while the courtroom defense is an important part of the litigation process, thinking of just this part is a bit like only reading the last few chapters of a long story. The duties of a lawyer of any kind, including a personal injury lawyer, are varied and complex.

What is a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Simply put, personal injury lawyers help people that have been injured receive compensation for their injuries, usually from a party that is at fault for the situation, like a negligent driver or owner of an unsafe property. They put their years of extensive legal training to work for their clients so that they can focus on healing instead of on worries regarding the accident.

While not a complete list, personal injury lawyers:

  • Write and complete complex legal documents for their clients
  • Perform discovery to help support the case
  • Create a buffer between their clients and insurance adjusters, collections agencies, and more
  • Defend their clients in court
  • Advise their clients of their rights and of adequate settlement amounts

What is Discovery?

Performing discovery is a crucial part of evidence gathering for any case, especially cases where fault must be determined. Some aspects of discovery, like photographing injuries and the accident scene, are performed by the victim. But if the victim is severely injured or if more evidence is needed, a highly trained attorney is an excellent ally for collecting evidence.

While you focus on recovery, your lawyer may:

  • Hire expert witnesses or consultants for your case
  • Track down witnesses that were present at the scene of the accident.
  • Collect photos and videos from other sources as evidence
  • Acquire official police reports or employer reports related to claims
  • Visit and document the accident site themselves

Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me Deal With My Insurance Company Following an Accident?

Yes, they can. A personal injury lawyer can act as a liaison between you and your insurance company or between you and the negligent party’s insurance company. If you retain the services of a personal injury lawyer, they will manage and fine-tune your official statement to best protect your interests when negotiating with insurance companies. They will work hard to ensure that the other party in an accident doesn’t completely control the narrative of what happened so that they are held as responsible as they should be in the eyes of the law.

The support of a lawyer can be particularly important when an insurance company is attempting to deny your claim. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible for assistance with this.