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Do I need to hire a personal injury lawyer in my area?

If an accident has caused you to experience a personal injury, you are likely wondering if you should hire a lawyer in your area. Each year, 30.8 million people visit the emergency room due to accidental injuries, and you could have a strong case that allows you to seek compensation. Some people have trouble deciding if they should hire a local lawyer or one from a different area.

Most lawyers specialize in the law in the areas they serve. If you hire a lawyer from a different location, that lawyer might need to take time to research the laws in your area, and they will bill you for this time. You can ask the lawyers you have in mind if they have ever handled cases in your town. This guide reveals the ways your personal injury lawyer can give you a hand.

Review Your Case

Most personal injury lawyers review your case during the consultation stage. During this stage, the lawyer will tell you the strength of your case and what you can expect if you move forward. You will discover how much your lawyer charges for these cases and how the lawyer will approach the legal battle.

You must decide if you and your prospective lawyer are a good fit before finalizing the deal. Don’t be afraid to ask questions during the consultation to learn about the lawyer and how much she cares about your outcome. Once you and the lawyer agree on the terms and how to begin, you will sign the paperwork and move your case forward.

Gather Evidence

Your personal injury lawyer will start gathering evidence at the beginning of your case. If you want to speed up the process, give your lawyer important information related to your case, such as the names of witnesses, the location of security cameras and other vital facts

Helping your lawyer build your case can improve your results, but you must remember to follow his advice if you don’t want to make a mistake that could harm your odds. Filing subpoenas is how your lawyer collects evidence to use at trial. She can collect video footage, police reports and witness statements. Your medical records and bills are also important pieces of evidence your lawyer will include.

Negotiate a Settlement

With your evidence on hand, your lawyer will speak with the other party about the case and try to resolve it without going to trial. A settlement is an agreement you and the other party reach and lets you avoid the time investment and uncertainty of a trial. If you opt for a trial, you won’t get your money until the case ends, but you won’t get anything if you lose. Reaching a settlement allows you to avoid both of those problems so that you can move on with your life. You must make sure the settlement is fair before accepting it, however.

Help You decide What Path to Take

Any experienced and honest personal injury lawyer will tell you that knowing how a trial will end is impossible. No matter how much evidence one side has, you can’t always predict how the jury will interpret the evidence. Your lawyer can compare your case to similar cases and decide the most likely outcome. You and your legal expert need to sit down and discuss the minimum settlement you should accept.

Go to Trial

You go to trial when you are not happy with the amount for which the other party offers to settle. Your lawyer will bring all of the evidence and argue your case in front of a judge or jury. The court will then give the other party the opportunity to tell his side of the story.

Your lawyer will interview witnesses and help the jury understand why you should receive compensation. After your lawyer and the other party’s lawyer give closing statements, the jury will review the facts and reach a verdict. If the jury decides in your favor, you win the case and collect compensation.

Final Thoughts

The personal injury lawyer you hire could make the difference between winning and losing your case. Although you can hire a lawyer from outside your area, that lawyer might need to research your local laws, costing you time and money. Getting a lawyer with experience fighting cases in your area can speed up the process and give you even better results.

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