Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney and Types of Cases
Having a skilled injury lawyer is the most important person you can have after being injured in an accident. The insurance companies aren’t looking out for you because they’re only interested in keeping their money.
Luckily, most personal injury attorneys offer a free initial consultation where you can discuss your case and feel comfortable enough to hire them. Even better, there are no out of pocket costs to you. Your attorney will only get paid when you do out of the insurance company’s settlement. This is called a “Contingency Agreement.”
Some important things to know about hiring an attorney include:
1. Case evaluation: During the consultation, the attorney will ask you questions about your case to evaluate its merits. They will also explain the legal process and what you can expect if you decide to pursue a case.
2. Agreement: If you decide to hire the attorney, you will sign a retainer agreement that outlines the terms of their representation. This may include the attorney’s fees and expenses, the scope of their representation, and the expected timeline for your case.
As for the different types of personal injury cases that a lawyer can get you compensated on, below are the most common cases:
1. Car accidents: This is one of the most common types of personal injury cases. If you were injured in a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to file a claim to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
2. Slip and fall accidents: If you were injured on someone else’s property due to a hazardous condition that the property owner failed to address, you may have a premises liability claim.
3. Product liability: If you were injured by a defective product, you may be able to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer or distributor.
4. Medical malpractice: If you were injured due to a healthcare provider’s negligence, you may have a medical malpractice claim.
5. Dog Bites: If you were bitten or attacked by someone else’s dog, you may be able to file a claim to recover compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In California, dog owners are generally held strictly liable for any injuries their dogs cause, regardless of whether the dog has a history of aggression or the owner knew about the dog’s violent tendencies. This means that you may be able to recover damages from the dog owner even if they were not negligent in controlling their dog.
These are just a few examples of the many types of personal injury cases. It’s important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to determine if you have a valuable claim against another person’s negligence and to understand your legal options.