A personal injury case is a case in which the plaintiff is claiming that he or she suffered physical injury because the defendant was negligent.
Some common examples include:
- A car accident caused by a distracted driver
- A slip and fall injury that occurred because someone failed to maintain property in safe condition
- An injury caused by another person’s pet, such as a dog bite
A personal injury case may also include claims for property. For example, in a car accident case, the injured person’s vehicle may also have been damaged or destroyed. However, a case involving only property damage is not a personal injury case.
Other Cases Personal Injury Attorneys Handle
Many personal injury lawyers handle additional case types closely related to personal injury. The most common among these are:
- Wrongful death cases
- Workers compensation cases, and
- Medical malpractice cases
Each of these case types involves helping people who have been injured or who have lost a family member to secure fair compensation. Attorney Kevin Broderick handles all of these types of cases on behalf of people who have been injured or have lost loved ones in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help?
Of course knowing what type of cases a personal injury lawyer handles is only the first step toward understanding what a personal injury lawyer does and how working with one could benefit you.
The Free Consultation
The first thing a personal injury lawyer will do is listen to your story and look at any evidence you might have. Then, the attorney will be able to advise you as to what your next steps might be and give you a general idea of what you might expect if you pursue the claim.
Most personal injury lawyers offer a free, no obligation consultation. That means you can find out what a personal injury lawyer thinks about your case and get some general information about personal injury law and procedures with absolutely no risk.
Contingency Fee Contracts
If the lawyer is interested in taking your case and you are comfortable with him, you may hire the attorney at the end of your free consultation or afterward. If you choose to hire the attorney, you will typically be offered a contingency fee agreement.
In a contingency fee agreement, the attorney is paid a percentage of any verdict or settlement in the case. If your attorney does not settle the case on your behalf or win you a verdict, then the attorney doesn’t get paid. This arrangement helps people who have been injured get legal help even though they might not be able to afford to pay an attorney.
The contingency arrangement also ensures that the attorney’s interests are aligned with yours. The attorney only gets paid when you are compensated for your injures. And, the larger the settlement or verdict your attorney secures for you, the more he gets paid. A successful personal injury case is a win-win for you and your attorney.
Representation in Personal Injury Cases
Once you retain a personal injury attorney, that attorney will take over management of most aspects of the case on your behalf. For example, if you get phone calls from the other party’s insurance company, you will simply refer those calls to your lawyer. Having your attorney as a buffer between you and the other party, the insurance company, and others can significantly reduce stress in the aftermath of an injury.
Hiring a lawyer as early in the process as possible can help you avoid serious mistakes, as well. Your lawyer will be responsible for:
- Keeping track of court dates and deadlines
- Gathering evidence on your behalf and making sure evidence is admissible
- Ensuring that all procedural requirements are met
- Negotiating with opposing counsel on your behalf
- Preparing witnesses
- Identifying and working with experts
- If necessary, trying your case before a jury
If you have been injured or have lost a loved one and would like to learn more about how a personal injury attorney can help, schedule a free consultation with attorney Kevin Broderick right now. Just call 978-459-3085 or fill out our quick contact form.