While most people have a general idea of what a personal injury lawyer does, some are surprised to learn the true extent of expertise. This type of lawyer focuses on injuries, whether psychological or physical, that resulted because of another person, company, or government agency doing something wrong or being neglectful.
Based on the field of law in which this attorney practices, there is a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge specific to tort law, which covers things like economic or non-economic damages and civil wrongs to an individual’s rights, property, or even reputation.
Knowledge and Experience
A personal injury lawyer has in-depth knowledge and experience and is licensed to practice in virtually any area. However, most often this legal professional deals with cases that fall under tort law. Some of these include defective products, accidents (including automobile accidents), injuries sustained while on the job, slips and falls, medical mistakes, and so on.
Typically, cases handled by a personal injury lawyer will be settled without going to trial, but this professional has the qualifications to serve as a trial lawyer when needed. Due to the broad range of cases handled, a personal injury lawyer has a lot of responsibilities. Some of the specific duties associated with a case include the following:
Identify and assess a client’s case
Research every facet of the case in order to build a strong case
Speak with law enforcement officials, doctors, and other professionals to gather information and necessary documentation
Draft legal documents
Provide representation for a jury trial when a settlement is not reached
Just as with any attorney, someone who practices tort law must follow extremely strict standards pertaining to legal ethics. Because of the types of cases dealt with, an attorney should have a good relationship with the client. In other words, there needs to be some degree of empathy, loyalty, and confidentiality.
If you have experienced an injury, a personal injury lawyer will be able to assist in getting both justice and financial compensation. For this area of law, there are many complex legal rules, so having a qualified attorney working on your behalf is essential for winning the case.