If You Need a Rockford Personal Injury Attorney, Contact Crosby & Crosby Law for Expert Legal Assistance
The main responsibility of personal injury lawyers is to provide legal representation to individuals who have been injured in an accident. This is an area of the legal profession known as tort law, and it includes both negligent and intentional acts that lead to the injury of another person. The personal injury attorney’s ultimate objective is to secure financial compensation for the injuries their client has suffered.
The Types of Compensation for Personal Injury
If you have been injured in an accident you may well be entitled to receive compensation for the damages you’ve suffered. The compensation could cover such things as:
- Loss of income
- Loss of your earning capacity
- Medical expenses
- Loss of the benefits of a family relationship (known as a loss of consortium)
- Loss of companionship
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
The Types of Personal Injury Cases
Quite often, personal injury cases involve an accident of some kind.
A personal injury case could be the result of any of the following, including:
- Vehicle accident, either a car or truck
- Mass transportation accident
- Aviation accident
- Boating accident
- Bike or motorcycle accident
- Pedestrian accident
In addition to these, the following also fall within the scope of personal injury cases, including:
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home neglect and abuse
- Construction accidents and workers’ compensation
- Wrongful death
The Responsibilities of a Personal Injury Lawyer
It should be obvious that no two cases are exactly alike and given that fact, the activities of a personal injury lawyer will certainly vary from case to case. However, some of the things a personal injury lawyer might do to secure the compensation to which you, as the plaintiff, are entitled will in all likelihood include the following.
- Gathering evidence: A personal injury lawyer will compile evidence related to the plaintiff’s claim. This work could include finding witnesses and securing their statements regarding the incident. Additional evidence may include things such as medical reports, records, bills, employment records, and accident reports. This evidence can help determine who was responsible for the accident, as well as the compensation to which the plaintiff is entitled.
- Conducting discovery: This is another part of gathering evidence related to the case in question. Discovery may involve sending interrogatives to the defendant asking for information, and it can also involve deposing witnesses and experts.
- Sending demand letters: After thoroughly investigating a case, the personal injury lawyer may send a letter to the defendant’s insurance company stating the facts of the case and demanding payment for the damages caused by the defendant.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: In addition to demanding compensation for the damages caused by the defendant, the law office of the personal injury lawyer may also handle all communications between the plaintiff and the defendant’s insurance company. One objective is to prevent the injured party from doing anything to compromise their claim for damages.
- Preparing pleadings: If the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer to settle the case, the personal injury lawyer may submit a complaint to the defendant. This complaint states the amount of damages the plaintiff is seeking, and the defendant usually has 30 days from the date of receiving the complaint to respond to it.
- Representing their client at trial: If an out-of-court settlement cannot be reached, the personal injury lawyer will provide representation in court. As they are familiar with all court procedures, they can make sure that their client’s case is fully explained and fairly adjudicated.
Settling a Case
It is always preferred, both from the client’s perspective and from the attorney’s perspective, to reach a fair settlement with an insurance company. If your case involves an injury to your body, the settlement will be primarily based on the severity of your injury, the length of your treatment and the impact the injury will have on your life. Clients with minimal injuries should expect their cases to resolve for a relatively low amount of money, even if there is extensive property damage. Similarly, if your injuries are more difficult to measure, clients should keep their expectations in check. A psychological injury is much more difficult to quantify in terms of money than a physical injury – not to mention, it is much more difficult to prove a psychological injury.
If you are unfortunate enough to have suffered a physical injury in an accident through no fault of your own, you will likely be entitled to compensation. While no amount of money can repair the physical damage some clients suffer, settling your case for a sum that can help you deal with the injury you’ve suffered may allow you to move on with your life. Taking a case to trial can be a long and difficult road. If a settlement is reasonable, expect your attorney to recommend it.
Personal Injury Lawyers in Rockford, Illinois
From this brief summation, you can see that if you have been injured in an accident in Illinois you may be faced with a host of questions and issues, including the payment of medical bills and recovery of lost wages, to name only two.
To make your way through these issues and receive the compensation to which you are justly entitled, you need expert legal representation, and that is exactly what you get when you contact the firm of Crosby & Crosby Law for assistance.
Personal injury law is one of our specialized practice areas, and our firm has helped thousands of our clients secure the compensation to which they are entitled. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Crosby & Crosby are dedicated to protecting your legal rights and providing the compassionate care and support your case deserves.
If you have been injured in an accident, we urge you not to delay. Contact the personal injury law firm of Crosby & Crosby today to schedule your initial free consultation, and give us the opportunity to provide our expert legal advice regarding your injury claim.
