Have you recently been injured in an accident and are unsure whether or not you should hire a personal injury lawyer to handle your case? It’s understandable that making this decision could be difficult, but with so much at stake, it is crucial that you have someone on your side.
Here are some things to consider when mulling over this crucial decision.
Please don’t hesitate to contact our experienced California personal injury lawyers by calling (408) 848-2208 or filling out our online form today. We offer free consultations.
The Umbrella of Personal Injury
Personal injury is a broad term and includes numerous accidents and incidents.
Does your accident qualify?
If you suffered harm or loss from a physical or psychological injury caused by someone else, you might have a personal injury claim.
Some of the most common types of personal injury claims include the following:
- Medical malpractice,
- Vehicle accidents (car, motorcycle, and truck collisions),
- Dog bites and attacks,
- Pedestrian accidents,
- Wrongful death, and
- Burn injuries.
These are just a few examples, as personal injury also encompasses cases such as product liability, premises liability, and assault and battery. Speaking with a personal injury attorney can help clarify the requirements for this type of claim.
In personal injury cases, the injured party may file a lawsuit against the responsible party in order to recover damages. California Civil Code states that anyone harmed by the unlawful act or omission of someone else can recover monetary compensation from that person. The Code also says that each person is responsible for injuries that they cause by failing to exercise “ordinary care or skill in the management of his or her property or person.”
Laws are complex and sometimes difficult to understand without extensive knowledge and experience. The laws say that, essentially, everyone is responsible for injuries that their willful or negligent behaviors cause. So the question becomes how to prove the other person’s action or inaction caused your injuries.
That’s where a personal injury lawyer comes in.
How an Injury Lawyer Helps Your Case
It’s not unheard of for a plaintiff to represent themselves, which is known as being pro se. However, pro se plaintiffs are still less common than represented ones. That’s because filing a lawsuit and arguing your case at trial are challenging undertakings. Most people would rather leave it to the professionals.
The truth is that the legal system is difficult to navigate on your own. There are time frames, rules, and requirements that must be followed, and legal strategies are necessary for a successful case. For example, the statute of limitations on most personal injury cases is two years. If that deadline lapses, you may not be able to recover any damages at all.
Aside from the practical benefits of hiring and working with an experienced personal injury attorney, there are also tremendous emotional advantages.
When you are recovering from life-changing injuries and a traumatic accident, you need to focus your energy on healing. The stress and time involved in representing yourself during an insurance claim or lawsuit will impede your recovery and exacerbate your injuries. A personal injury lawyer can handle the preparation and negotiation so you can concentrate on your well-being.
As part of your lawsuit or personal injury claim, you must also place a monetary value on your injuries. This is usually not as easy as it sounds.
There are some easily identifiable expenses to include in your calculations, such as:
- Medical expenses caused by the accident
- Lost wages from missed work due to your injuries
- Property damage
However, there are many compensatory damages that are not so easily quantified. These can include lost earning capacity, long-term care, future medical bills, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. An attorney will know which damages are appropriate and the best way to calculate them.
Choosing the Right Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Needs
Finding the perfect lawyer for you when faced with a vast sea of options can quickly get overwhelming. However, your search becomes more manageable if you know what to look for.
Some people may click with an attorney or legal team right away and know they’re the best choice for their personal injury case. For those who prefer a more pragmatic approach, there are a few key factors to look for when researching California personal injury attorneys.
Experience
This one may seem a little obvious, but experience matters. The type of experience also makes a difference. It’s a good idea to evaluate a firm’s overall legal experience but also see if they have worked on any cases involving your specific type of case. For example, people injured in a car accident may not want to choose an attorney who has only worked on medical malpractice cases.
The personal injury attorneys at Gonzalez & Jones Law Firm have combined experience of nearly 50 years. You can trust that they will put the decades they’ve spent working with thousands of clients to good use in serving you.
Success Rate
Experience is important, but it isn’t the complete picture. You don’t want an inexperienced attorney, but you also don’t want one that rarely accomplishes successful outcomes for their clients. No one wins every time, so keep your expectations realistic and don’t expect perfection. However, it is certainly reasonable to take an attorney’s success rate into account.
References and Referrals
What do the attorney’s past clients say about them and their services? This will tell you not only how skillfully that lawyer worked on previous cases but will also give you insight into their personality. Are they responsive, compassionate, and diligent? Or do they have a reputation for being hard to reach and unprepared?
When considering this factor, don’t forget about the opinions of other lawyers because they know when a fellow attorney is good at what they do. Who would legal professionals in the area recommend or go to themselves if they needed a personal injury lawyer? That’s a solid stamp of approval.
Consultation
Take advantage of the initial consultations that lawyers offer, as this is the perfect opportunity for you to assess their knowledge and qualifications. Don’t be afraid to ask questions because the right attorney won’t mind answering them. A personal injury case is full of challenges, so you will want someone who cares about you and your recovery. The consultation lets the attorney gain an understanding of your case, but there is also no better time for you to gather your impressions of them.
Working Relationship
A healthy attorney-client relationship is vital for many reasons. Being able to get along with your personal injury lawyer will make the case run much more smoothly. Communication will be easier, and meetings will be more enjoyable. A good working relationship means you trust your attorney is listening to you and truly cares about your best interests. It also means they are available to answer questions and provide regular updates. Having this type of healthy, productive relationship also makes it easier for you to prioritize your health.
Shop Around
Meeting with multiple personal injury attorneys will give you a better understanding of what you want and don’t want from your legal advocate. Do you want a small practice where you can get to know each team member? Or do you prefer a large firm with dozens of employees? Is an older, established lawyer the best fit, or someone who is young and energetic? You won’t know what you prefer until you meet a few different options.
Contact Our Experienced California Personal Injury Lawyers
Gonzalez & Jones, APC offers free case reviews so we can both determine if we’re the right fit for each other. We would love to meet you and discuss your case.
To book a free case review, call us at (408) 848-2208, or submit our online form.