Personal injuries occur nationwide, including in San Antonio, Texas. These injuries can result from slips and falls, auto accidents, or defective consumer products. They also result from events that may not be your fault. Unfortunately, these injuries can be physical and emotional. Pain often lingers in the aftermath.
It can be difficult to recover compensation for your injuries on your own. Personal injury law is nuanced and complex. Fortunately, an experienced personal injury lawyer can make the process easier.
But before hiring a lawyer, many people naturally wonder, “What does a personal injury lawyer do?” Personal injury lawyers are strategists, negotiators, counselors, and advocates for their clients.
Here is an explanation of the various roles of a San Antonio personal injury lawyer:
Helps Clients With Initial Consultations
Every personal injury case begins with a consultation. In your initial consultation, a lawyer will listen as you tell your story about the accident. The lawyer will likely ask questions about the facts and circumstances of your injury. They may also ask about the damages you have experienced.
This information is important for determining whether you have a valid claim. Experienced lawyers can evaluate the likelihood of establishing the legal elements to prove your case. You must decide whether to hire the lawyer at the end of the initial consultation.
Compiles and Reviews Key Evidence
The foundation of a compelling legal case is irrefutable evidence. Personal injury cases are no exception. The success of each case is dependent on the facts and circumstances leading up to your injury.
After hiring a lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will focus on gathering relevant evidence. The fact-gathering phase is intensive, exhaustive, and ongoing. Your lawyer will spend time examining medical records and reviewing police and accident reports. They will also view accident photographs, interview witnesses, and establish a theory for the case.
Sometimes your lawyer will also consult subject-matter experts. These include doctors, traffic reconstruction analysts, and economists. These professionals can help your lawyer interpret the evidence. More importantly, they can also help support your case to a judge or jury.
Drives Negotiations to Settlement
Personal injury victims often flash forward to their day in court. Many believe that courtrooms are where most cases are resolved. In reality, only a few personal injury cases find a resolution in the courtroom. A Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) study estimated just 4 percent of personal injury cases go to trial.
This means that the majority of cases settle. Lawyers are important in negotiating on your behalf in the settlement process. Your lawyer will draft a demand letter to the other party or their insurance company. They will describe the accident, your injuries, and their liability theory. They will also respond to counteroffers.
If a counteroffer is unsatisfactory, they will then negotiate for a more equitable sum. They may even conduct further investigations to uncover new evidence to support your case. If the parties cannot agree to settle, your lawyer will prepare you for litigation.
The back-and-forth negotiation process is time-consuming. It is not uncommon for the negotiations to take several months or years. During this time, your lawyer will be advocating on your behalf to maximize any settlement.
Experienced injury lawyers have success in leading strategic negotiations. The goal of any negotiation is to secure a settlement that fairly compensates you for your damages. This often includes medical expenses, lost income, and emotional distress.
Provides Courtroom Representation
Not all personal injury cases can be negotiated to settlement. If negotiations do not yield a satisfactory settlement, your lawyer can file a lawsuit.
A skilled lawyer will be crucial for representing you through all aspects of litigation. This includes discovery, depositions, and pre-trial motions. If your case does not settle during these phases, your lawyer will argue your case to a judge or jury. Using evidence and case law, they will develop a compelling case on your behalf.
Vigilantly Protects Client Rights
Personal injury lawyers exist to serve you. Every lawyer aims to protect their client’s rights. They have an ethical obligation to do so.
Experienced personal injury lawyers protect your rights by helping you understand the nuances of your case. They will also help you understand the complexities of personal injury law, advise you of ways to maximize your recovery, and help you avoid taking actions that may be detrimental to your case.
At each stage, they will zealously represent you against the party that caused your injuries.
Lawyers understand the emotional turmoil associated with personal injuries. The physical and emotional toll can last for weeks, months, or years. Sometimes it is even permanent.
Many personal injury lawyers offer legal advice and emotional support. Seasoned lawyers have perspectives that can provide solace to help clients as they process trauma. This can be valuable on the journey to charting a path forward.
Collaborates with Experts
Personal injury cases often require help from medical professionals to understand injuries or accident reconstruction experts to determine the cause of an accident.
Sometimes personal injury lawyers will even consult economists or vocational experts to determine the value of lost wages or diminished future earnings. This can occur when permanent injuries or disabilities result from an accident.
San Antonio personal injury attorneys maintain professional relationships with these experts. Such relationships are critical for the success of your case. If your case goes to trial, their testimony will help strengthen it and support your version of events and damages to a judge or jury.
Consult an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in San Antonio, TX
Personal injury lawyers wear many hats. They are strategists, negotiators, counselors, and advocates for their personal injury clients.
Navigating the aftermath of an accident can be daunting. But with the help of a personal injury lawyer, those injured in San Antonio can find an ally to guide, defend, and advocate on their behalf on the way to recovery.
Most importantly, personal injury lawyers fight for financial compensation to make you whole again.
If you have been injured, contact George Salinas Injury Lawyers. The firm has over 110 years of combined experience representing victims of personal injuries, including car accidents, catastrophic injuries, and workplace accidents, to get them the compensation they deserve.
