Friday, April 20, 2007

Personal Injury Lawyer Helping You Get Compensation For Unnecessary Injuries

Personal Injury Lawyer - Helping You Get Compensation For Unnecessary Injuries (Ezine Ready)

Author: Susan Jan

Everyday, many people get injured from accidents or negligence, such as when the neighbor's untrained dog bites a toddler in the park. Or when someone you love suffers from scars or trauma from a physician's sheer negligence. You may feel helpless to deal with the situation and with the person who caused the injury. However, there is definitely a way to bring these people to justice.

In case of such an injury, seek the help of a personal injury lawyer. No matter what type of injury case, such as automobile accident, medical malpractice, drug litigation or defective products, a personal injury lawyer will work for you on a contingent basis, never demanding fees unless the case is won and compensation due.

When the person blamed for the injury is found to be responsible for the injury, the guilty party is expected to offer a compensation for the injury, or the insurance company can compensate on that person's behalf. While this is a normal expectation, it is rarely the case. Or sometimes the accused individual or the insurance company may attempt to hush you up and dissuade you from pressing charges by offering an amount less than what you could legally get. And this is where the role of the personal injury attorney becomes extremely important.

When the accused tries to shake off his responsibility in the case, this is when you should hire a personal injury lawyer to help you get financial compensation. There are also instances where the insurance companies try to under compensate for a particular event. This is also the area where the legal expertise of a personal injury attorney comes into play to help you get what is due to you.

Remember, there are various types of lawyers who are experts on dealing with specific types of personal injury cases, so be sure to seek the services of a lawyer with expertise in the field that you need help in. The different areas of laws are extremely compartmentalized and you should always contact a lawyer who has a proven expertise in the field you are having problems in.

Finding a suitable personal injury lawyer is an important question. It is a good idea to get referrals from your friends and acquaintances; asking doctors involved in medical malpractice cases are also good options. Another good way of finding a competent attorney is to refer to the internet lawyer directory.

Article Source:
articlecube.com and resources-free.com

Personal Injury Cases in Virginia

Personal Injury Cases in Virginia by James Livesay

Victims of automobile accidents in Virginia often face a difficult dilemma: should they settle with the insurance company, or hire an attorney instead? Insurance companies will attempt to settle personal injury claims before the victims consult with attorneys, believing they can settle claims for less with victims who are not represented by personal injury lawyers. It is critical that any automobile accident victim speak with an attorney right away, before waiving any rights. Following are answers to some frequently asked questions about Virginia personal injury and automobile accident cases:

Do I Have a Case? Virginia is a contributory negligence jurisdiction. This means that if you are at fault at all, even where the other party (the defendant) is much more at fault, your claim will be barred totally. It is extremely helpful to have the police arrive at the scene and charge the defendant. You may be required to assist the prosecution in the defendant's traffic court case. Since the defendant being found guilty would help you establish the defendant's fault in your personal injury case, it's in your best interests to assist the prosecution.

How Much Is My Case Worth? It is often difficult to put a dollar figure on the worth of your personal injury claim. A variety of factors will determine the value of your claim, such as lost wages, severity of vehicle damage, type of injuries, medical expenses, and duration of treatment. While not able to predict a specific dollar amount of recovery in your personal injury case, good personal injury attorneys can give you a general idea of what your claim may be worth.

How Long Do I Have To Bring a Case in Virginia? It is important to contact an attorney immediately after your automobile accident if possible. The personal injury statute of limitations in Virginia is two years from the date of the accident, unless you are a minor (if you are a minor, you will have two years after your 18th birthday to settle your personal injury claim). However, you should certainly not wait until the end of your 2-year statute of limitations period to hire a Virginia personal injury lawyer. The sooner you retain an attorney, the better, because it is much easier and more effective for your personal injury attorney to interview witnesses and gather evidence (photographs, medical records, etc.) soon after your automobile accident, rather than later.

What Should I Know About the Insurance Company? Soon after your personal injury, an adjuster will likely call you, on behalf of the defendant's insurance company. The adjuster may pressure you to settle quickly, perhaps advising you that you don't need an attorney. Keep in mind: the adjuster works for the insurance company, and is directed to settle your claim for as little as possible. Therefore, you should always consult an attorney prior to settling.

Can I Collect Under Both My Medical Payment Coverage and From the Defendant's Insurance? Yes. Virginia law allows you to use your medical payment coverage to pay your medical bills and still pursue your personal injury claim against the defendant's insurance company.

What About Medical Payment Coverage Under My Own Automobile Insurance Policy? Medical payment coverage is additional coverage you maintain on your auto policy for your protection, designed to assist you in paying medical bills due to an accident, even if the accident was not your fault. Payment of medical bills under this coverage is available to not only you, but also to any passengers in your vehicle at the time of the accident. Your premiums should not be increased due to a medical payment claim if you are not at fault in the accident.

What If the Defendant Was Uninsured, or Underinsured? In these cases, you may still have an "underinsured or uninsured motorist claim," whereby you make a personal injury claim against your own policy. Once you reach resolution to your underinsured or uninsured motorist claim, your insurance company may decide to sue the defendant for repayment of the money it paid you on your personal injury claim. Your premiums should not increase as a result of this claim, if the automobile accident was not your fault.

What Will a Personal Injury Lawyer Do For Me? A good personal injury lawyer will (1) document your personal injury, by gathering evidence such as police reports, medical records, medical invoices, photographs, and witness statements, (2) negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company, and (3) if the insurance company refuses to enter into a fair settlement, present your case to a jury at trial.

What's the One Thing I Should Remember Regarding My Automobile Accident Case? Remember that every automobile accident victim should contact a personal injury lawyer. The insurance company will not take you seriously until you retain a attorney. Without a lawyer, you are not really prepared to take legal action against the insurance company, and are therefore not a threat to them. However, with experienced personal injury attorneys on your side, you can receive the compensation for your personal injury that you deserve.

Copyright (c) 2007 James Livesay

Livesay & Myers, PC- Virginia Personal Injury Attorneys- Auto accident attorneys and personal injury lawyers for Woodbridge, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, Virginia, VA and surrounding areas. http://www.lawyers-virginia.com

Article Source:
articlecube.com and resources-free.com

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Attorney for Personal Injury

Personal injury cases involve harm caused by another's actions. Negligence is the primary cause of actionable cases, suits that generally involve automobile accidents, gun accidents, liquor liability, premises liability, slips and falls, sports accidents and traumatic brain injuries. Other physical injuries range from broken limbs to neck injuries. Litigation is filed to compensate the victim for medical expenses. Other areas of compensation could include physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, disfigurement, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity. If an accident is fatal, a wrongful death suit could be filed. Punitive damages could be awarded if gross negligence is proved. All personal injury claims must be proved, so a legal team obtains information and documents that link injuries and damage to the accident.
Keywords

Related Keywords: Personal Injury, Personal Injury claim, Personal Injury lawsuit, Personal Injury law suit, Personal Injury law firm, Personal Injury lawyer, Personal Injury attorney, Personal Injury trial, Personal Injury verdict, Personal Injury news, Personal Injury information, Personal Injury lawyers, Personal Injury litigation, Personal Injury case

Do I need to contact a personal injury attorney?

After the car wreck, it felt like his shoulder was badly bruised — not something to worry about. But three weeks later, the pain was worse. The insurance company questioned whether it was an accident injury. By questioning witnesses early on, our law firm was able to document the injury and make a full recovery from the accident.

If you have suffered injury in a car accident:

* Have you been to the hospital or seen a doctor? Get medical attention immediately. You need to know the extent of your injuries. The sooner your injuries are examined and treated, the sooner you can get your life back to normal.
* Are you stressed out about the ramifications of the accident, or are you focusing on your recovery? Muscle tears, disk herniation, broken bones, and joint injuries may require rest, physical therapy, or surgery. Catastrophic injuries require far more care — including lifetime care. Your health should be your focus; your attorney should carry the stress of the legal questions for you.
* Are you confused about how to deal with the insurance companies? Insurance companies are not on your side. An insurance adjuster will look for any reason to downplay or minimize your injuries. Let your Austin auto accident lawyer do the talking and negotiating. We have the experience, patience, and determination to assure your fair treatment.
* Do you feel there is more to the story of your accident? Our law firm investigates. We talk to witnesses and to the police if necessary, and, when needed, we will do an extensive accident investigation to assure your rights are protected.
* Can you describe the gravity of your accident? Let your attorney tell your story. Whether we are working toward settlement or trial, our lawyers effectively tell your car accident story. We collect the proper elements of our clients' stories, including 911 tapes, photos, police reports, and medical records. We also interview witnesses, including police officers and doctors. We are known for our effective settlement videos that tell our clients' stories.

Cases of Personal Injury

* Accident injuries: If you have been injured in an auto accident or by an auto defect, a motorcycle accident, or a bicycle or pedestrian accident, contact a personal injury lawyer.
* DWI accident victims: Our DWI accident attorneys hold drunk drivers accountable and pursue dram shop claims against bars or restaurants that served too many drinks.
* Catastrophic injuries: When an accident causes traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or any other catastrophic injury, we employ effective settlement videos to show what has happened to your life.
* Wrongful death: If a family member died a wrongful death because of someone else's negligence, get a wrongful death attorney who understands and who can effectively discuss your family’s loss.