Most legal terms seem deliberately designed to confuse and frustrate the layperson. Some of the jargon we call legalese is actually founded in the dead language of Latin, making it difficult for the average person to understand. Fortunately, a few legal phrases and terms are actually quite obvious. Take for example the term “personal injury.”
As its name suggests, personal injury refers to a situation where a person is emotionally or physically injured due to the negligence of another. When it is clear that the other party was at fault, the injured individual has the legal right to file a lawsuit against them in civil court. If they are successful, the judge or jury will award damages.
Common Examples
With nearly as many automobiles as people in the US, it is no surprise that there are millions of reported car accidents each year. In about one-quarter of these collisions, someone is injured. If the driver that is found to be at fault was also deemed negligent, he or she may be sued for damages. As a result, automobile accidents are easily the most common reason people contact a personal injury attorney.
It is also possible to file suits because of slip and fall incidents, professional malpractice, product liability, workers’ compensation, and many other instances where negligence or wrongdoing can be established by a preponderance of the evidence.
Why File?
When you are injured in an accident, the burden of that injury must be borne by you. That includes medical bills, lost wages from work, and physical or emotional pain. But if you were not at fault and the other party is to blame, why should you be forced to pay for it? It seems only right and just that the other party should, at the very least, cover your financial losses. A personal injury attorney can handle the grueling negotiations for you to ensure that you are fairly compensated.
Possible Damages
In most cases, it is fairly easy to calculate exactly what you lost as the result of an accident -you simply add the wages you lost from work and your medical expenses. But compensation for pain and suffering can be much more complicated number to reach. This is just one of the many reasons why you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney if you have been hurt in an accident that was not your fault.
How They Can Help
Most valid personal injury cases are settled before they go to trial. To do so, the lead attorney must often negotiate with insurance companies, who are notoriously tough customers. While it is possible for individuals to do this on their own, we strongly advise against it. Insurance agents are, after all, highly skilled at handling these negotiations, and their only objective is to pay you less than you are owed. The best way to show them you are serious is to hire a personal injury attorney to speak on your behalf.
More often than not, an experienced personal injury attorney will help you settle your case for more than you could have on your own.
When looking for an expert personal injury attorney, Mobile, AL residents visit Bell Law Firm, P.C. Learn more about our services at http://www.belllawfirm.net.