The Role of a South Jordan Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or someone has been injured in a car accident, workplace, or construction site, a South Jordan personal injury lawyer may be able to help.
What Do Personal Injury Attorneys Do?
A personal injury attorney specializes in filing personal injury lawsuits against negligent businesses or individuals on behalf of injured parties to recover compensation or damages.
A personal injury case occurs when a person suffers bodily, emotional, or reputational injury resulting from the negligence or carelessness of another person. Car and truck accidents, dog bites, slip-and-fall accidents, and product liability are all examples of personal injury cases.
In personal injury cases, the plaintiff bears the burden of proof. Given this, it’s critical to employ the services of a personal injury lawyer with a track record of obtaining settlements or winning jury trials.
When to Get a Personal Injury Lawyer?
The best time to get a personal injury lawyer is immediately after your accident. No matter the cause of your injury, whether it was caused by a car accident, dog attack, or workplace accident, you can obtain financial compensation for your physical, financial, and emotional losses by filing a claim for damages in a civil court. In Utah, ski resorts can also be held legally liable for injuries or deaths that result from the negligence of the resort, which is good to know since South Jordan is located near several.
However, in this state, you have four years from the date of your injury to sue for damages. But, this time frame may vary depending on the nature of your case and your losses. For example, a wrongful death claim for the death of a loved one has a two-year statute of limitations.
It is possible to file a personal injury lawsuit without the help of an attorney. However, self-representation carries lower chances of success because of the complexities of personal injury lawsuits and civil law and court procedures. As such, you might need to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer in South Jordan UT as soon as possible after your accident.
How South Jordan, Utah, Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
Contrary to popular belief, hiring an experienced South Jordan personal injury lawyer has many advantages. In addition to their trial experience and knowledge of all aspects of the legal process, personal injury attorneys are well-informed about personal injury law and other areas of law that might apply to your case.
Although the causes of your injuries may differ, most personal injury claims revolve around the legal concept of negligence. To establish negligence, you must show that someone or some organization failed to meet their basic “duty of care” in that situation, and a personal injury lawyer can do this for you. For instance, if you sustained injuries in a drunk driving accident, the courts will almost certainly rule that the driver was negligent and should have avoided drinking.
What Evidence is Needed for a Personal Injury Claim?
To establish fault, your lawyers will review the evidence available. The evidence could include photographs of the accident, witness statements, police reports, and expert witness testimony.
A medical record of the accident victim is also vital evidence in a personal injury claim. It would establish the extent of their injuries. However, medical records can also form the basis for pain and suffering and be a strong indicator of the amount of compensation that would be demanded.
After going through the evidence, your law firm will write a letter to the insurance company of the person at fault, showing them facts why you deserve maximum compensation. If the law firm believes that the insurance company is not making a fair offer, the South Jordan personal injury attorneys may proceed to take the case to trial.
Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer in South Jordan
Doing your homework before hiring a South Jordan lawyer or law firm is always a good idea. Every state has a disciplinary body that keeps track of attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints.
During your consultation, you can learn essential information about the law firm or lawyer by asking the following questions:
How many years has the lawyer been practicing law?
Has the attorney handled any other cases similar to yours?
Is the injury lawyer available to handle your case?
Are the lawyer’s fees structured on an hourly or flat fee basis?
Can the lawyer provide an estimate of the cost of your case?
Should I Accept Personal Injury Settlement Offers?
After an injury or accident, it’s tempting to accept a settlement. Settlement money can help pay bills until you recover and return to work. Insurance adjusters know you might be financially strapped and stressed – so they take advantage of your circumstances and offer a quick, low, and unfair settlement. Such an offer may be below your actual damages, and you could give up your right to seek maximum compensation for all damages.
Speak with car accident lawyers to determine the value of your damages and learn more about your legal options.
What Damages Can a South Jordan Personal Injury Firm Help you Recover?
Damages paid for personal injuries can either be punitive or compensatory. Compensatory damages refer to the money the at-fault party pays for economic and non-economic damages they have caused you through the accident.
The court usually gives punitive damages to punish the offender and deter future offenders. With the help of experienced lawyers from a good South Jordan law firm, you may be able to recover punitive and compensatory damages from the person liable for your accident.
Compensatory damages from your personal injury lawsuit may come in the following ways:
- Occupational and physical therapy
- Lost wages, bonuses, and benefits lost in the past and the future
- Medical bills, including medical exams, doctor’s visits, prescriptions, and procedures
- Medical expenses for future complications
- Suffering and pain (physical and emotional)
- Lost wages,
- Wrongful death
- Damage to property
- In-home disability care
Speak with an accident lawyer about your case to determine damages you may be entitled to.
Can an Individual Appeal a Personal Injury Case?
Although most personal injury cases settle, some end up in court. That means a jury verdict would decide the amount of compensation an injured plaintiff deserves. However, sometimes, the case gets dismissed, or the jury never gets to see some of the plaintiff’s evidence. If the plaintiff losses, they can appeal.
Even if the plaintiff wins the case, the other side can appeal and prolong the whole process. It’s not uncommon that a personal injury case lasts for several years, from filing the personal injury claim to receiving compensation awarded at the end of the trial. Whatever happens, going through appeals on your own is not advisable without the help of a skilled personal injury attorney in South Jordan UT.
How Are Personal Injury Settlements Paid Out?
In most South Jordan personal injury cases, the at-fault party’s insurance company pays for the damages. When the person at fault is not insured, they may have to pay out of pocket.
Accident Attorneys of America: Your South Jordan Personal Injury Attorneys in
Personal injury cases are complicated. However, receiving the maximum compensation for your case is not impossible. America’s accident attorneys may be able to offer you the assistance you need. We believe that our clients should never be forced to accept an unfair settlement. Providing legal assistance at every step of the way is our top priority.
Reach out to us and schedule your free consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I Still Get a Lawyer for an Accident That Was My Fault?
Yes, it would be best if you still got a lawyer. In addition to investigating the extent of your fault, an experienced truck accident lawyer will negotiate with your insurance company to resolve the claim.
What Is the Most Common Injury in a Truck Accident?
The most common injuries in a truck accident are spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, head and neck injuries, and broken bones.
A truck or even a semi-truck accident can cause fatal and life-long injuries. For your medical expenses to be adequately covered, ensure that you wait until the end of the anticipated recovery period before settling your truck accident case.
