What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do? 10 Key Responsibilities

When you’re hurt because of someone else’s carelessness, it can turn your life upside down. You’re dealing with pain, medical bills, and maybe even missing work. It’s a lot to handle on your own. That’s where we come in.

As personal injury attorneys, our job is to help you through this tough time and fight for what you deserve. Let’s break down what we do:

1. Evaluate Personal Injury Cases

When you first come to us, we will sit down and talk about what happened. We will ask you questions about the accident, your injuries, and how it has affected your daily life, with the goal of evaluating whether you have a case.

We’ll look at things like:

• How the accident happened
• Who might be responsible
• What kind of injuries you have
• How these injuries impact your life and work

After we have all the details, we will let you know if we think you have a strong case. If you do, we’ll explain your rights and what you can expect going forward. Our goal is to give you a clear picture of your options so you can make the best decision for yourself and your family.

2. Investigate and Gather Evidence

If we take on your case, our next step is to get all the facts. We need to build a strong case, and that means collecting every piece of evidence we can.

We’ll get copies of the police report and your medical records. These documents give us the official account of what happened and details about your injuries.

We also talk to anyone who saw what happened. Witness statements can be really important in proving your case. If your accident was complicated, we might bring in experts who can recreate the scene and explain exactly how it happened.

We’ll also gather proof of how badly you were hurt. This includes things like:

• Medical reports
• Photos of your injuries
• Statements from your doctor about your recovery

All of this evidence helps us show exactly what you’ve been through and why you deserve compensation.

3. File Personal Injury Claims and Lawsuits

Once we have all the evidence, we start the legal process.

We will file all the necessary documents to start your case. This includes:

• The initial complaint that explains what happened and who we believe is responsible
• Any required forms for the court
• Notices to the other party that we are taking legal action

We make sure everything is filed correctly and on time. Missing a deadline could hurt your case, so we stay on top of all the legal requirements.

4. Negotiate with Insurance Companies

Dealing with insurance companies can be a headache. They have teams of people whose job is to pay out as little as possible. But we know their tactics, and we are not afraid to stand up to them.

We handle all the negotiations with the insurance company. This means:

• Presenting them with evidence of why their client is at fault
• Showing proof of your injuries and how they have affected your life
• Arguing against low settlement offers

Our goal is to get you fair compensation. We’re not looking for a quick payout – we want what is right for you.

5. Calculate Damages and Seek Compensation

Calculating how much your case is worth takes some work. It is not just about adding up your medical bills. We look at the big picture.

We consider things like:

• Your current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages if you’ve had to miss work
• Any long-term effects on your ability to work
• Pain and suffering you’ve experienced
• How the injury has affected your daily life

We use our experience with similar cases to come up with a fair amount. Our aim is to get you enough to cover your expenses now and take care of any future needs related to your injury.

6. Represent Clients in Court

Most cases settle out of court, but sometimes, we need to go to trial to get you what you deserve. If that happens, we have you covered.

In court, we:

• Present your case to the judge and jury
• Question witnesses
• Challenge the other side’s arguments
• Make opening and closing statements

We know the courtroom inside and out, and we use that knowledge to fight for you.

7. Handle Various Types of Personal Injury Cases

We deal with all sorts of injury cases. Some common ones include:

• Car and truck accidents
• Slips and falls
• Medical mistakes
• Injuries from defective products
• Workplace accidents
• Cases where someone died because of someone else’s negligence

Each type of case has its own quirks, but we know how to handle them all.

8. Provide Legal Advice and Support

Throughout your case, we are here to answer your questions and keep you in the loop. We know legal stuff can be confusing, so we break it down in a way that is easy to understand.

We will explain:

• What’s happening with your case
• What your options are at each step
• What we think is the best move for you

We are also here to listen. Dealing with an injury is tough, and sometimes, you just need someone to talk to who understands what you’re going through.

9. Manage Case Timelines and Documentation

There is a lot to keep track of in a legal case. We stay on top of all the details, so you don’t have to worry about it.

We keep an eye on important deadlines, organize all your paperwork, and make sure everything is filled out correctly. This attention to detail can make a big difference in your case.

10. Work on a Contingency Fee Basis

We believe everyone should be able to get legal help, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we work on a “no win, no fee” basis.

This means:

• You don’t pay us upfront
• We only get paid if we win your case
• Our fee comes out of the money we win for you

This way, you can focus on getting better without worrying about legal bills.

Why Having a Personal Injury Attorney Matters

Handling a personal injury claim on your own can be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to recover from your injuries. Here’s why having a personal injury attorney can make a difference:

• We understand the ins and outs of New York personal injury law and can build a strong case on your behalf.
• We have access to a network of medical experts and investigators who can provide crucial testimony and evidence.
• We can provide objective advocacy during an emotionally challenging time, helping you make clear-headed decisions about your case.
• We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case. This aligns our interests with yours and ensures we’re motivated to secure the best possible outcome for you.

Dealing with a personal injury can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Held, Held & Held, we’re here to shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on healing. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys is ready to fight for your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.

If you’ve been hurt because of someone else’s carelessness, you don’t have to face it alone. At Held, Held & Held, we’re ready to help. We’ll fight for your rights and work to get you the compensation you deserve.

Give us a call or send us a message. We’ll sit down with you, hear your story, and let you know how we can help. Let’s work together to get you back on your feet.