Most of us have heard of a personal injury attorneys, but do you know what they do? A personal injury attorney provides legal representation for those involved in personal injury cases. When seeking legal counsel or representation, it’s important that you first find a lawyer who specializes in your type of case. It might seem like just any lawyer could handle your case, but for the best chances of winning, you’ll want to find a lawyer with experience and expertise in your case.
In this blog, we’re taking a closer look at what a personal injury attorney does and what kinds of cases these lawyers typically handle. If you’re in Colorado and believe you’re the victim of a personal injury incident, don’t hesitate to reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer in Denver. The Paul Wilkinson Law Firm is dedicated to defending the rights of anyone involved in a personal injury case.
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WHAT IS A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY?
A personal injury attorney is a professional lawyer who provides legal assistance to someone who has suffered harm or injury as the result of another party’s negligence. The negligent party could be an individual person, a company, a government agency, or any other type of legal entity. Personal injury attorneys work on a variety of cases, but they primarily work in a field of law known as tort law.
WHAT IS TORT LAW?
According to the Legal Information Institute, a tort is an “act or omission that gives rise to injury or harm to another and amounts to a civil wrong for which courts impose liability.” In this context, “harm” references a loss suffered by the individual, and “injury” describes the invasion of your legal rights.
Thus, tort law is a set of laws that guide legislation in these types of cases. While they vary by state, most tort laws are consistent. There are three primary categories for tort law: intentional, negligent, and strict liability torts.
Here’s a brief look at each of these primary categories:
- Intentional torts: when a party causes intentional harm or injury to an individual (ex: physically assaulting someone in a fight).
- Negligent torts: when the harm or injury arises out of neglect or as an accident (ex: being involved in a car accident).
- Strict liability torts: when a defendant is liable for committing an action (ex: creating and selling a defective product).
WHAT KINDS OF CASES DO PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS HANDLE?
In the aftermath of an accident, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Where do I receive the proper medical care? What if I can’t immediately go back to work? How do I deal with my insurance company and what should I tell them? Finding the right lawyer can help you answer all these questions and more. The key is finding the right attorney to represent you for your case.
To see if a personal injury attorney is right for you and your case, here’s a look at the kinds of cases that these attorneys normally handle:
1. Car accidents.
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of personal injury in the United States. In fact, according to Driver Knowledge, there are roughly 6 million car accidents in the United States every year. As a result of these crashes, approximately 90 people lose their lives in car accidents each year.
2. Truck accidents.
The potential for injury is particularly high when there is a crash between a passenger vehicle and a commercial vehicle like a semi-trailer truck. Since commercial vehicles are represented by companies and their teams of lawyers, you’ll want an experienced personal injury attorney in your corner following a truck accident.
3. Bicycle accidents.
Riding a bicycle is an excellent way to get exercise, reduce traffic, and save money on gas and car repairs. However, it can also be dangerous as there are accidents between bicyclists and motor vehicles every day. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), about a third of all bicycle accidents occur when they are struck by a motor vehicle.
4. Pedestrian accidents.
These personal injury cases occur whenever there is an accident between a pedestrian (someone walking near a road) and a motor vehicle or motorcycle. Often, these accidents prove to be the most critical because a pedestrian has little to no protection compared to someone operating a car or motorcycle. Common types of pedestrian accidents include aggressive driving, driving under the influence, or vehicles failing to yield or stop at a crosswalk or stop sign.
5. Bad faith insurance.
What is bad faith? The purpose of an insurance company is to protect yourself and your property by paying out on a claim. However, insurance companies are still for-profit companies, which means that they often try to reduce how much they pay on claims (or avoid paying entirely). If this happens to you, a personal injury attorney can represent you and make sure your insurance company holds up its end of the bargain.
6. Medical malpractice.
Everyone in the healthcare field, especially doctors and nurses, has a responsibility to provide an appropriate level of care. When doctors deviate from best practices or fail to provide the appropriate care, this may be a medical malpractice case. Examples of medical malpractice include misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, misinterpreting lab results, or calling for unnecessary surgeries.
7. Wrongful death.
A wrongful death case is the most extreme type of medical malpractice. This type of personal injury case occurs whenever someone loses their life due to the negligence of another person or entity (such as a company, hospital, or government agency).
CONCLUSION – WHAT KINDS OF CASES DO PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS HANDLE?
If you’re the victim of a personal injury case, the negligent party should be held responsible. By hiring an experienced personal injury attorney, you’ll have the best chance of ensuring that this happens. Additionally, you stand the best chance of receiving the complete financial compensation that your case warrants.
Whether you’re the victim of a car accident, truck accident, pedestrian accident, bad faith insurance, or medical malpractice, a personal injury lawyer can provide critical assistance. They can help you understand your rights, assess your individual case, and if needed, fight for your case in court.
After a personal injury accident, the last thing you should be worried about is how you’ll pay your medical bills or legal fees. However, at the Paul Wilkinson Law Firm, we operate strictly on contingency fees. What does this mean for you? Essentially, it means that we only get paid if we win. That’s how confident we are in our experience and capabilities.
Contact us at the Paul Wilkinson Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your rights, your case, and what we can do for you. Let our team of experienced Denver personal injury attorneys help you on the road to recovery.
The Paul Wilkinson Law Firm is a team of personal injury attorneys in Denver, CO serving victims of car, truck and motorcycle accidents. Each of our lawyers is licensed with the Colorado State Bar (CBA) and specialize in injury law.
We've recovered tens of millions of dollars in personal injury settlements and verdicts for our clients. For 13+ years we've helped thousands of people get back on their feet after experiencing serious injuries. We will take your case to trial and get the maximum settlement possible.
