Things You Need to Know Before Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

If you’re considering suing someone for personal injury, you must understand that the process can be complicated. Even if the case looks cut-and-dried to you, the claim depends on many factors, not just your word. At the same time, the opposing counsel will probably put up a fierce fight. It gets even more complicated when suing a company with deep pockets and a robust legal team.

This blog will explain everything you need to know before initiating your claim. You’ll learn the importance of lawyering early on in the process, how the attorney you hire will help, and, most importantly, what to expect. Let’s begin.

First of All, Are You Eligible for Personal Injury Compensation?

In Texas, even if you’re partly to blame for the accident, you can still get compensated, as long as your share of the blame is not more than 50%. Personal injury attorney Brandon Kinard of KGS Law PLLC can shed more light on the matter, so consider getting in touch. But even so, how would you determine your percentage of blame? It’s best to talk to a personal injury lawyer because they can determine if you’ll be held accountable based on the testimony that you give them. So don’t lie to your attorney; even when you believe something could potentially incriminate you, it’s best to be honest with them. Your lawyer is on your side; their job is to prove that the defendant behaved negligently, leading to your ordeal.

Types of Personal Injury Lawsuits

All this begs the question: when should you seek the services of a lawyer? Here’s what you should know:

Car Accidents

Imagine driving down the I-35 corridor, and someone randomly rams into your car. You did nothing wrong. You were probably following traffic rules—sticking to the speed limit, all buckled up and focused on the road. But the other driver may have been flouting these rules; maybe they were intoxicated, dozed off, or took their eyes off the highway for a second. Either way, a personal injury lawsuit allows you to be compensated for your losses.

Workplace Accidents

You may be eligible for restitution if you got into an accident at work that wasn’t your fault. However, it all depends on several factors, such as whether you were following workplace safety protocol and the nature of your job. Were you working full-time, temporarily, or were you a contractor?

Slip and Fall

The thought of losing balance and tripping over your basket at the grocery store may seem embarrassing, but it could be the basis of a lawsuit if there was no sign warning you of the wet floor and you suffered injuries.

Medical Malpractice

In case you were misdiagnosed, given the wrong prescription, or suffered injuries from surgical errors and medication mistakes, you may also be eligible for compensation. Recently, a Cook County jury awarded a mother and her son $20 million after it was proven that staff at Advocate Christ Hospital failed to perform an emergency C-section in time, causing her son to suffer severe brain injury.

Product Liability

You can also sue a company that sells a defective product that causes injury. One notable case concluded recently when 3M agreed to pay military personnel $6 billion after filing lawsuits against the company, alleging that defective earplugs failed to protect them from hearing damage during service.

How to Find the Right Lawyer for Your Suit 

If it’s not clear by now, you’re better off filing your suit with the guidance of an experienced lawyer. Do everything by the book. This does not mean working with your friend’s lawyer, who mostly handles criminal cases—you need a lawyer specializing in personal injury. If you suffered harm in a truck accident, hire a professional who has dealt with these cases before. The same goes for all types of personal injury we’ve discussed.

Conclusion

So start by asking your friends and family: Has anyone worked with a personal injury lawyer before? Your business attorney may have connections with experienced personal injury attorneys. If this doesn’t work, it’s time to do some detective work. Type the following terms into your search browser: “Personal injury lawyer near me,” and you’ll probably find a page full of potential candidates. Don’t be scared of scheduling multiple consultations—finding the right lawyer for your case may take several meetings.