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This article is by Nima Haddadi, a leading Los Angeles DUI and Personal Injury Attorney. When someone has been injured in an accident, hiring a personal injury lawyer usually isn’t the first thing on their mind. For many people, this would seem like one more stress factor to have to deal with. Under normal circumstances, in such a situation, a person will be more concerned with seeking immediate medical treatment; subsequently, they will want to focus on their recovery. Friends and loved ones are also most likely to be primarily concerned with their welfare and their well-being.

Unfortunately, the situation is rarely that simple. Whether an injury is from a car accident, a work-related incident, or even falling down a flight of stairs in a commercial building, the paperwork begins to accumulate immediately. There are forms to be filled out for the hospital, local law enforcement agencies, and any involved insurance companies. It’s unlikely that anybody is going to want to worry about finding a personal injury attorney at such a time, but that is exactly when one is needed. There are many different reasons why this is the case; here are a few of the highlights.

Injury Claim Assessment

A personal injury lawyer can assess an injured person’s circumstances, and tell whether or not they are likely to be eligible to receive damages. This step is critical in determining whether or not legal action ought to be taken. This initial consultation is often free, and should be taken advantage of as soon as is reasonably possible. Bills and expenses related to medical treatment and recovery will begin to pile up almost immediately; it is important to avert a situation wherein the victim of an accident, which is due to another party’s negligence, ends up swamped by medical debt for something that wasn’t their fault.

Simplification of the Injury Claim Process

Many people are surprised to find out that involving a personal injury lawyer can actually simplify the process involved in filing a claim, but that is exactly what the attorney’s services are intended to do. A personal injury attorney will know when and where to file the appropriate paperwork related to a victim’s claim. They will know how to expedite the process, through their own extensive experience in dealing with insurance companies and other lawyers. A personal injury lawyer may also be able to reach a settlement out of court, which averts a lengthy and stressful trial. Such an eventuality allows the victim’s recovery to continue uninterrupted, but is statistically unlikely to occur without the services of an experienced attorney.

Hiring a Lawyer Makes Sound Financial Sense

This is another factor which is rarely considered by the accident victim, but the hiring of a personal injury lawyer is a wise move financially. Most attorneys in this field of law will work on the basis of a contingency fee; they only receive payment if the victim receives damages. To that end, many personal injury lawyers are successful ninety-seven percent of the time or more. This is achieved through the use of a skilled investigative team, as well as a sound understanding of personal injury law. There are many viable factors which contribute to damages owed, including pain and suffering, loss of wages, loss of spousal companionship and more. Through the hiring of a personal injury attorney, the victim of an accident is more likely to receive compensation that is suitable to the challenges and expenses which have been unfairly placed upon their shoulders.

Courtroom Experience is Important

A courtroom is an imposing setting, and many victims already feel as though they are being unfairly judged. People react to this in different ways, such as through anger, anxiety, or a simple desire to “get it over with” as quickly as possible. These are not objective decisions; actions taken in haste, such as an agreement for a settlement which is smaller than that to which the victim was potentially entitled, may lead to future consequences which will hinder and impede the victim’s recovery.

A Personal Injury Lawyer is On the Victim’s Side

Finally, despite the presence of loving family and dedicated friends, the victim of an accident due to another party’s negligence often feels isolated and alone in their circumstances. A personal injury attorney offers compassionate and understanding support, provided by a caring team of professionals who have some experience with what the victim is going through. This moral support can be an unexpected source of strength and resolution, which will help the victim maintain their resolve to see legal proceedings through to the most constructive and favorable end.

Injury recovery is never easy, nor is it a pleasant experience, but it doesn’t have to be a permanently devastating one. Through the hiring of a personal injury attorney, it can be achieved more quickly, with less difficulty, and with greater personal and financial support available to the victim.

In the legal world, the term “personal injury” describes almost any kind of damage to a person’s physical body as well as their emotional and mental well-being. In most cases, the victim of an accident or altercation files a injury claim to secure compensation for medical expenses and earnings that were lost due to damage they sustained. Personal injury claims do not include loss of personal property, like a home, car or other possessions.

Who Should File a Claim for Personal Injury?

Slipping on ice in a store’s parking lot, being maliciously harassed by another person or suffering nerve damage in a car accident are all scenarios involving personal injury that could be eligible for a claim. While modern homes, cars and workplaces are designed and regulated to preserve the safety of the occupants, there are still many ways that you can become seriously hurt at no fault of your own.

The keys to succeeding in any personal injury lawsuit are to prove that the defendant was liable for the incident and that the incident caused financial harm to you. In order to establish liability, the plaintiff must prove that the other party either did not fulfill their responsibilities or were a knowing participant in the incident that caused the injury. This is when a professional attorney with strong courtroom presence is a great asset for making the best case possible.

How Are Personal Injury Lawsuits Resolved?

Personal injury claims are always considered civil cases, so they take place through the appropriate court system and civil arbitration. While some cases make it all the way through the court process as a formal lawsuit, many of them are resolved before that point. Deciding whether to press your lawsuit or pursue an alternate resolution is a complex choice, so consult closely with your attorney to understand all of the implications involved.

An informal settlement, also known as “settling” your case, is an agreement between all parties involved in the legal dispute. The agreement is a negotiated offer that addresses that usually finds a compromise that satisfies both the plaintiff and defendant. Alternatively, the plaintiff and defendant can agree to seek arbitration or mediation from another party.

How do I Prepare to Make a Personal Injury Case?

It’s always a good idea to contact an attorney as soon as possible after you sustain any kind of bodily or mental harm. Every state in the US enforces a statute of limitations on this kind of claim, so you have between 1 and 10 years to file depending on local law. Most state’s allow victims to file injury claims for 2 or 3 years after the date of the incident.

Even fender benders and other seemingly minor accidents can have lasting repercussions on your health, so it’s important to prepare yourself for a claim even if you don’t currently intend to pursue it. Collect testimony and documents that may serve to support your claim, including correspondence between the parties involved, relevant financial records and medical evaluations. It’s easier to make a strong case if you have plenty of material evidence to back up your claims, especially if it is years after the incident occurred.

Working With Professional Personal Injury Attorneys

The Lamber Goodnow law firm specializes in personal injury cases, so you can rely on our seasoned attorneys to help you navigate every aspect of the legal process. Although we can’t guarantee the results of your case with absolute certainty, we have an excellent record of winning compensation for most of our clients through formal court proceedings and settlements.

Contact us to learn more about how personal injury lawsuits work and how we can help you move forward with your claim. Our attorneys can offer insight and guidance throughout the complex legal process to give you the support you need to make a great case. Our dedicated legal experts are ready to help you recover from financial loss so you can move on with your life.

This article was by Richard Mercurio, a personal injury attorney at Farar & Lewis LLP of Los Angeles.

This article is from Joseph Seraph – a premier Los Angeles personal injury lawyer. You can visit his website at https://www.personalinjurylawyerslosangeles.com. On any given day in the United States, over 300,000 drive while intoxicated, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 3,200 people in the country are arrested on a daily basis for DWI, or DUI.

If you end up facing a charge for DWI, you are hardly alone. Even if this is your first time charged with DWI, you cannot treat the case lightly. You need to get a capable, experienced DWI lawyer. There are a number of key reasons why you must retain a qualified DWI lawyer to represent you in your case.

DWI Penalties are Progressive

You may find yourself debating spending money on a DWI lawyer if this is the first time you have been charged with intoxicated driving. Stop debating.

DWI penalties are progressive. By that it is meant that if you should be unfortunate enough to get a second DWI charge at a future date, the penalties associated with that subsequent case can be significant. Those penalties are built upon what happens with your current, first-time DWI case.

First-Time DWI Penalties are Not Minimal

Although they are not as severe as in subsequent DWI cases, the penalties associated with a first-time DWI case are not minimal. The penalties do vary from one state to another. However, likely penalties in a first-time DWI case can include at least some jail time and a fine.

In addition to possible jail time and a fine, you also face the prospect of attending an alcohol education or even treatment program, depending on the circumstances of your case. You may be required to place an interlock device on your car that monitors your blood alcohol level before you are permitted to start your vehicle.

There are administrative penalties as well, associated with a first-time DWI charge. These include suspension of your driver’s license for a specified period of time.

The reality is that if a court ever has any flexibility when it comes to a DWI case, it is when a person is charged with the crime for the first time. The prosecuting attorney may be willing to negotiate a more favorable plea agreement. The judge may be willing to accept such an agreement.

Negotiating a favorable settlement depends upon having the representation by a skilled, experienced DWI attorney. Negotiating a favorable plea is not something the vast majority of people with no legal background can do on their own. A favorable plea not only benefits you in the case of a first-time charge, but protects you in the future if you face a subsequent DWI case.

Subsequent DWI Charges

The penalties upon a second, third or subsequent DWI conviction are severe. Jail sentences can be long. Fines can be large. A conviction can completely upend your life.

A primary objective in a subsequent DWI case is minimizing the penalties, if at all possible. An experienced DWI attorney, who understands the law and the system, is in the best possible position to protect your rights and interests when charged with a second, third or subsequent DWI.

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