Before filing a personal injury lawsuit, most plaintiffs have questions. If this is your first time dealing with a lawsuit, it makes sense to ask questions about how to make a claim. Here are some of the most common questions asked.
Should I Bring Documents to My First Consultation?
At your first meeting, you do want to have relevant documents. An easy checklist includes:
- Police reports
- Witness information
- Medical reports
- Medical bills
- Insurance information
- Evidence of an accident
If you have information that you think will strengthen your case, then bring it to the first consultation. In your first consultation, the lawyer will determine if you have a case. The more evidence that you have, the more likely he or she is to pick up your case.
What Is Negligence?
When you file a personal injury lawsuit, the word “negligence” is going to come up a lot. Negligence uses the standard of how a reasonable person would act in the same circumstances. A person is negligent when he or she does not act reasonably and it leads to the injury of another person. For instance, if a person drives under the influence of alcohol and hits another car, he or she acted negligently because a reasonable person would know that the action could hurt someone else.
Is There a Basis for Personal Injury Other than Negligence?
While negligence is normally the crucial element in personal injury cases, it is not the only basis. When it comes to businesses or manufacturers, some of them may have strict liability. For instance, if you are injured by a defective product, then you do not have to prove negligence or ill-intent.
How Can I Pay for a Personal Injury Lawyer?
When you need to file a personal injury lawsuit, you are already losing money. You have medical bills, you may have lost wages, and more. To pay for a lawyer might sound impossible. When people think about hiring a lawyer, they often think about criminal lawyers. Criminal lawyers charge by the hour. Personal injury lawyers, however, work for a contingency fee. Lawyers receive payment when you receive your settlement. This is normally around 30 percent of the settlement.
When you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit, the best thing that you can do for yourself is to consult with an attorney, like a personal injury attorney from David & Philpot, P.L. He or she can answer your questions about the validity of your case.
