When you have been injured in any type of accident, you are dealing with many things at one time. Besides the medical care and treatment, you are probably facing financial issues from missed work time and accident-related expenses. During this time, you are expected to begin the legal process. This could prove challenging under any circumstances. This is where a Kansas City personal injury attorney can help.
Dealing with the claims process would prove difficult for anyone. Even if you have had an accident before, you are up against an insurance company that has extensive experience handling scores of claims every day. They have adjusters, actuaries, lawyers, and practically every other professional possible who all have one goal in mind; to protect the insurance company. They will never miss an opportunity to deny or underpay a claim.
Role and Responsibilities of a Personal Injury Attorney
A personal injury attorney plays a crucial role in representing individuals who have been injured due to the negligence or intentional acts of others. Their primary responsibility is to protect the rights of their clients and ensure they receive fair compensation for their losses. Personal injury attorneys handle a wide range of cases, including car accidents, slip-and-fall incidents, medical malpractice, and product liability. They provide clarity for clients and help them assess the strength of their case, ensuring that their rights are protected throughout the legal process.
Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Hiring a personal injury lawyer can have numerous benefits, including:
- Increased Compensation: Personal injury lawyers can help their clients receive higher compensation for their losses.
- Reduced Stress: Personal injury lawyers handle the legal process, reducing stress and anxiety for their clients.
- Expertise: Personal injury lawyers have extensive knowledge of personal injury law, ensuring that their clients receive the best possible representation.
- Objectivity: Personal injury lawyers provide an objective analysis of their clients’ cases, ensuring that they receive fair compensation for their losses.
They also handle the collection and distribution of personal injury settlements, ensuring you receive the full amount awarded. A personal injury lawyer can help you understand the value of your claim and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. They can also connect you with medical experts and other professionals who can support your case.
Types of Cases Handled by Personal Injury Lawyers
Personal injury lawyers handle a broad spectrum of cases, including:
- Car Accidents: Personal injury lawyers represent individuals who have been injured in car accidents, including those involving drunk driving, reckless driving, and distracted driving.
- Slip-and-Fall Incidents: Personal injury lawyers handle cases involving slip-and-fall incidents, including those that occur on public or private property.
- Medical Malpractice: Personal injury lawyers represent individuals who have been injured due to medical malpractice, including surgical errors, misdiagnosis, and medication errors.
- Product Liability: Personal injury lawyers handle cases involving defective products, including those that cause injuries or fatalities.
An Attorney Investigates Your Accident
Your attorney’s work starts in the days after an accident, as soon as you contact them and retain them. Many personal injury lawyers conduct investigations personally, while others may rely on independent investigators to gather crucial evidence. All personal injury claims will be decided based on the evidence. In every case, you would need to have enough to prove that someone else was legally responsible for your accident. However, assembling the proof on your own would be exceedingly hard, especially when you are dealing with the effects of physical injuries. A personal injury lawyer would investigate your accident and help you try to prove that someone else was at fault for your injuries.
Building a Strong Case
Building a strong case is crucial in personal injury law. Personal injury attorneys use various strategies to strengthen their clients’ cases, including:
- Gathering Evidence: Personal injury attorneys gather evidence, including witness statements, police reports, and medical records, to build a strong case.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Personal injury attorneys negotiate with insurance companies to reach a fair settlement for their clients.
- Filing Lawsuits: Personal injury attorneys file lawsuits on behalf of their clients when a fair settlement cannot be reached.
- Going to Trial: Personal injury attorneys represent their clients in court, presenting their case to a judge or jury.
They Explain Your Legal Options
Knowing who was to blame is just part of the story. Before you begin the legal process, you must understand your options. Usually, you could begin with filing an insurance claim, or move straight to a personal injury case. Your attorney, with an understanding of your case, could advise you of the best way to begin the legal process.
Fighting for You Against the Insurance Company
One of the most important things that an experienced personal injury lawyer does is fight for you. While “fight” seems like an overused word that every personal injury lawyer uses, it accurately describes the personal injury process. Insurance companies have set the process up so that it does not work in favor of the average claimant. Insurance companies make it intentionally difficult for you to get the financial compensation that you may legally deserve. Once you hire an attorney, the insurance company must work with that lawyer as opposed to trying to take advantage of you. Your lawyer will handle the paperwork and process to keep you from having to deal with it.
Helping You Understand the Value of Your Claim
A personal injury attorney also helps you by knowing the value of your claim. This includes compensation for lost wages due to missed work time. You can rest assured that the insurance company knows the exact value of your claim. This does not mean that they will offer it to you. Not knowing how much your claim is worth can cost you serious money if you settle for too little. Having someone in your corner who knows what you legally deserve will put you in a better negotiating position.
Finally, you may need general advice throughout the personal injury process. For example, you may have medical bills piling up that you cannot pay. You may also need help being connected with various experts and advisers who can help you. An attorney can be your general counselor and assist you with various problems that you may encounter while you are injured and going through the claims process. Contact Goza & Honnold by calling (913) 451-3433 today!
Goza & Honnold, a trusted personal injury law firm serving Missouri and Kansas, is known for our dedication to client advocacy and trial excellence. With a strong focus on auto accidents, medical negligence, and product liability cases, our experienced attorneys work diligently to secure fair outcomes while being fully prepared to take cases to trial when necessary. We work closely with our clients to build strong cases that reflect their unique experiences.