When you’ve been hurt because of the negligence of someone else, you are entitled to receive money for your injuries. To prove the extent of your injuries, you will need to work with a qualified lawyer who knows the specifics of personal injury law.
Choosing an Attorney to Represent You After an Injury
When it comes to personal injury law, you want to find an attorney who focuses all of his time on personal injury and wrongful death. Hiring an attorney who “dabbles” in all areas of the law is like asking a general family doctor to perform heart surgery. Make sure your attorney has years of experience devoting all of their time to personal injury clients.
Look at the Record of the Attorney You Want to Hire
As you search for an attorney for a personal injury claim, take a good look at the record of each attorney you are considering. Google the lawyer and specifically see what “Google Reviews” or “AVVO” reviews show that his past clients are saying about him. If the website you are reviewing is vague about successful wins or doesn’t have any reviews from previous clients, they may not be very successful in court. On the other hand, if the website has numerous successes and satisfied clients, you are getting closer to a candidate that is good for you. Generally speaking, you want an attorney who has had success in personal injury claims and has the track record to prove it.
The Damages You Can Sue for In a Personal Injury Claim
As the victim in a personal injury lawsuit, you have the right to sue for a number of damages. First, you can sue for the actual cost of your medical treatment because of the injuries. Also, you can sue for lost wages and the cost of replacing any damaged property. These losses are called pecuniary losses, and they are easy to measure and assign a value to. Other losses are more difficult to measure, but you can still receive compensation for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish and a variety of other damages.
Check with the Board of Bar Overseers
As part of your investigation into each attorney you are considering, you can check with the Board of Bar Overseers in Texas. Each state bar keeps a record of all attorneys who are licensed to practice in the state. Any disciplinary action is noted when you look up the attorney and you can find out how long they have been in practice.
If you are hurt and aren’t sure where to turn, it’s time to seek legal help from an attorney that practices personal injury law in your area.