Personal Injury 360

It is easy to feel as though you are all alone following a slip and fall, car wreck, or any other personal injury accident in Alabama. Any injuries you sustain will affect you in unique ways, and your path to recovery can differ even from others involved in the same crash. That dynamic can lead some individuals to question whether an attorney’s assistance could make a significant difference, that’s why we recommend hiring a Huntsville personal injury lawyer.

While a personal injury attorney in Huntsville, AL cannot make your injuries heal faster or erase the pain and suffering your accident caused, their help can still be valuable. Enlisting a lawyer familiar with the legal needs of accident victims will likely help you access compensation and other resources far more quickly than relying on your efforts alone.

How A Knowledgeable Personal Injury Attorney Assists Injury Victims

Just as every injury accident is different, your legal needs are likely to vary from the needs of others as well. However, in the following six ways, attorneys who assist injury victims generally:

1. Advise Victims Of Their Legal Rights

Before you can take any legal action after an accident, you must know what actions you have to choose from. And that includes understanding the benefits and potential drawbacks of each option available to you. For example, while you may have the right to sue an at-fault party, you’ll also need to ascertain the likelihood of success and potential recovery before filing a claim.

An experienced attorney can provide you with that essential information, allowing you to make an informed decision about your rights and regain control over a situation where you may otherwise feel powerless.

2. Speak With Insurance Companies And Others

Insurance companies, their attorneys, and any other individuals connected to the accident will all try to determine what happened and who is at fault. In doing so, it’s likely that you will be contacted by several individuals and interviewed about the incident. You may even be asked to provide documents, like your medical and phone records.

Deciding how to respond to these various requests can be stressful, especially as your answers could affect your legal rights. However, when you retain an attorney, they can speak on your behalf. Not only does that reduce the stress of receiving these messages, but it also eliminates the risk that you will say or do something that could ruin your claim.

3. Valuate Your Claim

An injury accident can come with unexpected costs and expenses beyond medical bills and lost wages. You are entitled to damages for these and all other losses you experience because of the other person’s negligent behavior. Your attorney will advise you of all the different ways your accident affected you and the amount of damages you should pursue.

It is essential to obtain that kind of information before you file a claim or seek a settlement, as it will prevent you from resolving your case for too little, leaving losses and expenses for you to cover. You can be confident you are seeking the damages you should receive and need to begin rebuilding your life.

4. Investigate Your Personal Injury Claim And Gather Evidence

If the other party in your accident denies responsibility, you must prove their liability before obtaining compensation. That requires presenting evidence and witness testimony that proves the accident is more likely than not the other person’s fault. 

Experienced personal injury attorneys know the types of evidence injury victims need to prove their cases, as well as where to obtain it and how to preserve it for future use. Gaining and using such evidence can take the average person weeks or longer to learn and employ, which is why most victims find legal services beneficial.

5. Negotiate A Fair Settlement

In many personal injury cases, it is common for the victim and the at-fault party to seek a settlement. These agreements offer victims quick and guaranteed compensation while avoiding the uncertainties of trial. Even the party liable for damages may also benefit from a settlement, as the amount they pay could end up being less than what a judge or jury might order at trial.

Be that as it may, settlements are only beneficial to you, as a victim, if they fairly compensate you. You may need to negotiate with the other party to achieve the most favorable terms. And doing so can be stressful, especially if you are trying to deal with another lawyer or professional. 

Your attorney can address these negotiations on your behalf, freeing you to focus on other matters.

6. Handle Your Injury Claim From Start To Finish

If you cannot settle your claim, you will need to turn to the courts for justice. If you choose to handle your affairs yourself, you are held to the same standards as a licensed attorney. The court will expect you to know relevant deadlines, how to draft motions to the court, and how to present evidence at trial. 

When you have an attorney representing you, these and other tasks involved in advancing your cause fall on their shoulders, not yours. From filing your claim within the statute of limitations to making a closing argument to the judge or jury, personal injury lawyers know how to advance their clients’ rights.

A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Be Essential To A Strong Case

Ultimately, there is no law that outright requires you to hire a personal injury attorney following an accident. You could attempt to get compensation through a settlement or trial on your own. However, it is essential to recognize the many skills and breadth of knowledge that an attorney can bring to your case. 

From helping you understand your injuries and rights to helping you negotiate a fair deal, your attorney can alleviate significant amounts of stress. You will also benefit from having a personal injury lawyer on your side if negotiations break down and court proceedings are necessary.

Car crashes happen remarkably frequently in Kansas City, Missouri, with a significant number of them resulting in either serious injuries or death. In 2020, Missouri State Highway Patrol recorded over 500 fatalities, 97 of which occurred in the Kansas City area alone – accounting for nearly 20 percent of the state’s total.

As any Kansas City car accident attorney will attest to, motor vehicle accidents — regardless of their severity — occur as the result of at least one or more contributing factors. 

Though each collision may involve a different combination of those factors, some of the circumstances that increase the chance of a collision taking place in Kansas City arise far more frequently than others.

10 Common Factors Behind Car Crashes In Kansas City

Any of the ten conditions below will increase the chances of a motor vehicle crash happening in Kansas City:

1. Drunk Driving

Alcohol consumption dulls the senses and impairs a driver’s judgment behind the wheel, causing them to be more likely to misread a situation and respond inappropriately to what is going on around them. 

With that being said, alcohol consumption is a leading contributing factor to car accident injuries and fatal crashes across the country, and Missouri is, of course, no exception. 

In 2019, over 14,000 individuals were arrested for driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. That same year, 235 individuals throughout Kansas City and the state lost their lives in wrecks involving drunk drivers.  

2. Impaired Driving

Besides alcohol, substances like marijuana, illegal drugs, and even prescription medications can affect your judgment and diminish your reflexes to varying extents. For example, certain drugs and substances known as depressants slow down your ability to think and react, making it more challenging for you to respond to a situation on the road safely.

You cannot conflate the legality of possessing and using a substance with your ability to use that substance while driving. Even though it may be legal for you to consume or possess some of them, it remains illegal to operate a vehicle while impaired by them.

3. Driving While Drowsy

Drivers do not always appreciate the importance of sleeping well before getting behind the wheel. When you are tired, you are prone to moments of inattentiveness and can easily miss other motorists or people crossing through the roadway. In addition, your reflexes are slowed, meaning you are less likely to respond to such hazards and dangers in time to avoid a collision.

4. Distracted Driving

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that, of the total number of traffic fatalities that occurred nationwide during 2021, 3,522 were attributable to distracted driving. 

Though the use of a cell phone to check or send messages is perhaps the most common example of distracted driving, other activities — such as eating or applying makeup — can have a similarly dangerous effect when done while driving.

All of these behaviors take your focus, attention, or hands away from the tasks involved with safe driving, thus making collisions more likely.

5. Speeding

Choosing to disobey the speed limit for any reason means taking on the increased risk of colliding with another vehicle. The faster you choose to go, the less time you give yourself to notice other cars entering your line of sight and the longer it will take your vehicle to come to a stop safely.

Furthermore, your vehicle’s steering wheel and brakes respond differently at drastically high speeds than they do at those under the speed limit. As such, failing to account for these different handling characteristics can increase the likelihood that you lose control of your vehicle and crash.

6. Right-of-Way Violations

Intersections are a prime location for accidents whenever the rules of the road are not obeyed. Right-of-way laws in Missouri inform drivers which vehicle is permitted to proceed before others when two or more of them reach the same spot while traveling in opposite directions. Forgoing these laws is another common circumstance that leads to collisions, especially in busy, traffic-congested areas like Kansas City.

7. Improper Lane Changes

The act of changing lanes on a highway also represents another opportunity for crashes to occur. Most highway accidents take place because drivers do not check their blind spots for other vehicles before changing lanes, though collisions are also likely if a driver switches lanes suddenly without first signaling their intention.

8. Inadequate Vehicle Maintenance

Failing to keep up with basic vehicle maintenance can make your car unsafe on the road. Inspect your tires and brakes regularly and replace them — along with any other worn parts — whenever necessary. You do not want these parts to fail in a moment when you need to stop suddenly or make an aggressive maneuver to avoid a collision. 

9. Poor Road Design and Lighting

Even the roads you drive on can play a significant role in determining whether a collision takes place, especially at night. Poorly lit roads that do not have clear markings can confuse and distract drivers, causing them to unintentionally make sudden and unsafe movements as they attempt to comply with traffic laws on that particular roadway.

In addition, a road that lacks adequate lighting can make it more difficult for drivers to see potential hazards and obstacles, further increasing the likelihood of an unintentional collision or crash.

10. Weather Conditions

The last condition to be aware of is the weather, which is always creating unique hazards drivers must contend with to drive safely. Kansas City is no stranger to rain, sleet, ice, snow, and fog, any of which can make roads slippery and difficult to navigate. If you do not consider the current weather conditions by slowing down and giving yourself more space between other motorists, you can easily end up involved in a weather-related accident.

Many Crashes Can Be Avoided

Many of the factors above are well within the ability of drivers’ control, which means it is ultimately the decisions that motorists make behind the wheel that plays the largest role in determining whether accidents occur. Reducing the number of crashes in Kansas City, Missouri, is as simple as drivers slowing down and making more careful and considerate choices while out on the road.

Medical malpractice is more common than most people think. Recent studies show that medical errors may account for more than 250,000 deaths per year in the United States. 

If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice in Atlanta, GA, seek legal help. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can explain your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve.

Tips for Finding the Best Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Atlanta

Medical malpractice cases often arise out of complex circumstances. The complexity, combined with tort laws and tort reform, can make it difficult for victims to get the compensation they deserve. 

A good medical malpractice attorney understands how to navigate this process and get results for clients. To get the best outcome, victims need a skilled attorney who understands Georgia tort law and has experience with similar cases. 

Finding a lawyer who is a good fit can be difficult. Here are some tips to help guide you through the process. 

Ask for Referrals 

A trusted referral is one of the best ways to find a good medical malpractice lawyer. If you have worked with lawyers before – for example, a real estate lawyer, a divorce attorney, or an estate planning lawyer – you can ask them for a referral. 

If not, reach out to any family or friends who have dealt with medical malpractice lawyers or who have a trusted attorney you can talk to. 

It’s ideal to create a list of a few lawyers that you can talk to, so getting referrals is a good first step. 

Do Plenty of Research 

Once you get referrals, you can research those lawyers to see whether they’re a good fit for your case. Read about their experience, the types of cases they deal with, and their results. You should also read reviews and client testimonials, as these will tell you a lot. 

If you want additional names, check out professional networks – for example, the Georgia Bar Association or legal directories such as Avvo and Justia – for additional referrals. Make sure that you’re familiar with the specialty area, reviews, and experience of all lawyers on your shortlist. 

For example, Adam Malone, an Atlanta medical malpractice lawyer, is an active member in good standing and has been licensed for 24 years. You can find this information on his Avvo profile. 

Schedule an Initial Consultation

Almost all attorneys offer a free initial consultation. Once you have a short list of Atlanta attorneys who might be a good fit for your case, you should schedule a free consultation with each of them. During this consultation, you’ll want to evaluate their legal skills and determine whether they’re someone you want to work with. 

Here are some questions to ask during this consultation: 

• How does the lawyer charge clients? Most medical malpractice attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they only get paid if your case is successful. It’s important to understand their fee structure and their policy for case expenses. For example, will costs like court fees, court reporters, and expert witnesses be billed to you regardless of whether or not you win the case? You should specifically ask about fee structure, contingency fee percentages, and case expenses. 
• Who will handle your case? At some larger law firms, you’ll meet with a partner, but a newer associate will handle your case. It’s important to understand who will be handling your case and how many lawyers will be working on your case. 
• How will you get case updates? Medical malpractice cases can be long and sometimes move slowly. Communication and case updates are a common source of frustration between attorneys and clients. To avoid that frustration, ask how you will get case updates, how frequently you will get case updates, and who you will contact with questions. It can be helpful to ask if there is an assistant or paralegal who you can contact in addition to the lead attorney. 
• Ask for the lawyer’s opinion of your case. You will learn a lot from hearing what an attorney thinks about a case – including strong points and weak points. This analysis should include a general strategy and plan for getting you the compensation you deserve. The lawyer’s initial analysis of your case should give you a sense of their experience and expertise with your type of case. 

Asking these questions (and any others you may have) can help you get important insights into what working with the lawyer might look like.

Contact an Atlanta Medical Malpractice Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you’ve been a victim of medical negligence in Atlanta, an attorney can help you navigate a complex process and get compensation for all of your losses. Finding the right lawyer will improve your experience and lead to better results.