What Is the Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Hollywood often depicts lawyers as smooth talkers who are more concerned about putting on a show in court than taking care of their clients. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth, especially when it comes to personal injury attorneys.
Civil litigators who practice tort law, which is what personal injury falls under, are committed to helping their clients recover damages resulting from injuries caused by someone else’s carelessness. Their ultimate goal is to make their clients feel “whole” again.
While a successful claim won’t undo the trauma the victim has experienced, the resulting funds can go a long way to restoring their quality of life. In Florida, personal injury claimants can seek compensation for reduced earning capacity, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, replacement services, medical expenses, and legal fees.
What Can I Expect from My Personal Injury Attorney?
Personal injury attorneys are often referred to as trial lawyers, which leads many to believe that these professionals will represent them in court. While they’re certainly equipped to go to trial, most claims are actually settled. That doesn’t mean, however, that you won’t get your money’s worth if you seek counsel but your case doesn’t end up in court.
A lawyer will assist with your case in a number of ways. To begin, they will assess your claim and the circumstances surrounding the accident in which you were hurt.
If it appears you have grounds for action, your legal team will proceed with a comprehensive investigation. They will interview eyewitnesses, compile any available video footage of the incident, and consult accident reconstruction experts. Along the way, they’ll attempt to gather compelling evidence that highlights the role the at-fault parties played.
Your attorney will also track economic damages, estimate a reasonable figure for non-economic damages, and commence negotiations with the insurance adjuster. In fact, once you enlist representation, you won’t have to correspond with the opposing party at all.
If your claim happens to be one of the few that can’t be settled—perhaps the carrier disputes liability or refuses to offer a fair payout—your lawyer will help you file a formal lawsuit. They will then guide your case through every stage of the proceedings in pursuit of the most favorable outcome possible.
Personal injury attorneys must follow a strict code of ethics. While the specific guidelines differ from state to state, lawyers are always expected to exercise due diligence when evaluating legal issues. They owe their clients professionalism and confidentiality and must protect their best interests in all circumstances.
Speak with a Tampa Personal Injury Attorney
If you want to file a personal injury claim in Florida, turn to Capaz Law Firm, P.A. for strategic guidance at every turn. Attorney Dereck Capaz is determined to help every client pursue the maximum payout possible, which has landed him in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. To schedule a free case review with a personal injury lawyer in Tampa, call 813-551-3907 or complete our Online Contact Form.