A skilled personal injury lawyer helps clients through the complexities of their accident claims. In doing so, they fulfill an innate desire to serve others.
Proving negligence is vital to securing fair compensation for victims of accidents. Attorneys build solid client cases using medical records, witness testimony, photo and video footage, and accident reconstructions.What to Expect in the Initial ConsultationDuring the initial appointment, a personal injury lawyer will walk the client through the legal process. This includes filing a claim, the settlement process, and what to expect if their case is tried in court. Additionally, they will discuss their responsibilities. This includes being truthful, always seeing a doctor, and providing the necessary documentation.Generally, the first session will consist of the client explaining what happened and how it has affected them. The attorney may ask questions to provoke additional details and help build a picture of what occurred. They will also evaluate whether the case has a chance of being successful.A skilled attorney will use this information to assemble a strong case on your behalf. This includes gathering evidence, determining liable parties, and presenting a convincing argument supported by law and precedent. This is why it’s best to seek legal assistance Birmingham AL, immediately after an accident. The longer you wait, the more difficult it is to prove liability.What to Expect in the Discovery PhaseThe discovery phase involves several information-gathering tools. These include interrogatories, requests to produce documents and physical evidence, and depositions. Your personal injury attorney will use these tools to gather relevant information that supports your case and legal claims.The process can feel invasive, but your lawyer only looks for the truth. This is why you must prepare for the discovery process, including organizing your medical records and accident reports. You should also be ready to answer questions in a deposition, a formal interview conducted under oath.Other discovery tools include requests for admissions, which ask parties to confirm or deny facts that are key in the lawsuit. These can simplify the issues brought up in court and save time by eliminating the need to prove every minor detail of a case. Objections and motions are also part of the discovery process. You can file an objection if you believe the other party is asking for irrelevant or privileged information.What to Expect in the Mediation PhaseMediation aims to attempt an out-of-court resolution of the issue between the parties to a case. This process can save time and money for everyone involved.After a short opening statement, the mediator will separate the plaintiff and defense into different rooms so they can talk candidly without interruption. They’ll ask our lawyer and you for information like photos of your injury, specific accounts of how it has impacted your life, and other evidence to help persuade the defense to pay you more.The mediator will move back and forth between the two rooms, exchanging information and attempting to reach a compromise. Your personal injury attorney will strategically plan how they present this information to keep offers climbing rather than peaking and plateauing. They will also know what to avoid saying in mediation that could be used against them at trial. All statements made in mediation are confidential.What to Expect in the Trial PhaseThe trial phase is where the actual court case will take place. During this time, a judge or jury will determine whether and to what degree the defendant is accountable for your injuries.This stage of the litigation may include document discovery and depositions. Depositions are sworn testimony that you will be asked to give under oath. During this process, the personal injury attorney will question you and request documentation from the other side. They will also request admissions and written requests for the other party to admit or deny something.This phase of the litigation can take months or even years to complete. Often, settlement discussions occur during this process. If a monetary award is awarded, it can take time to distribute this money because the plaintiff’s lawyer must pay any companies that have legal claims to some of the money first. This is done from a particular escrow account that your attorney holds.
