What To Expect When Using A Lawyer For Your Personal Injury

If you were injured due to an incident that wasn't your fault, you're likely ready to use the help of a personal injury lawyer to seek compensation. Here is what you can expect when going through the process while using a lawyer. 

Consultation

The whole process starts with a consultation. However, you may not be aware that the consultation is about both you and the lawyer agreeing that you are both a good fit for each other. Many injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning that you do not pay the lawyer for their services unless they win your case. This means that the lawyer must be willing to take on your case if you want to work on that sort of payment agreement.

Meanwhile, you want to know that the lawyer is a good fit for your type of injury case. If it was an auto accident, you may want a lawyer that specializes in these types of cases with a proven track record. The same goes for dog bites, slip and falls, and other areas of expertise. 

Contract Signing

If you both agree to work with each other, you'll sign a contract to officially enter a partnership for your injury lawsuit. This contract will outline the lawyer's responsibilities, how they will be paid, and what percentage of your compensation they will receive. Make sure that you are aware of what costs you will be responsible for, since you will likely still need to pay any court related costs for filing documents, and out of pocket expenses that your lawyer incurs.

Discovery

Your lawyer will do the bulk of their work in the discovery process. This is when they gather as much information as possible to strengthen your case. You'll give a deposition to record your recollection of how the injury happened, the lawyer will talk to witnesses and the defendant if possible, and even have expert witnesses assess the degree of your injury. This information will be used to determine how much compensation needs to be requested, and prove that the other person was at fault.

Negotiation

The next step is to negotiate directly with the defendant's insurance provider and avoid going to court if possible. Negotiating gives you more control over the outcome of your case since you can accept an offer to negotiate for more money. A lawyer will only take your case to court if the insurance provider cannot come to an agreement on how much compensation to offer you for your injury. 

To learn more about working with a personal injury lawyer, reach out to a law company near you.