Legal Issues

5 Things to Expect from a Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal injury laws are complicated. And trying to learn their intricacies after being involved in an accident is an uphill task. The previous statement holds true, especially if you’re a resident of Long Island.

You may ask, “Why?” The reason is that Long Island is a very densely populated place in the southeastern part of New York. As of 2020, Long Island had a population of over 8 million, which is a significant portion of the total population in New York. With numbers this high, it’s no surprise that Long Island is prone to accidents.

So, what do you do when you’ve been involved in an accident? The answer is simple. Reach out to one of the experienced Long Island personal injury lawyers and find out how you can file a claim to compensate for your injuries and damages.

This article explains what to expect after hiring a personal lawyer in Long Island. Read on.

Legal Advice

Legal advice comes first due to its importance in a personal injury case. A lawyer will share their knowledge with the victim on a range of topics. They are mentioned below.

  1. The complications of the case.
  2. How much compensation to expect.
  3. How to handle communication with the police, insurance adjusters, and the defendant’s lawyer.
  4. The things to do to strengthen the case.

The advice a lawyer shares is invaluable, as it increases the chances of receiving the requested compensation.

Handle Insurance Adjusters

Insurance companies usually work to increase their profit margins. As such, this is evident in the way they deal with individuals who file claims. They send out insurance adjusters, or claim adjusters, to investigate the accident.

In addition to investigating the accident, the adjuster will also calculate the claim value. Since insurance companies are for-profit organizations, this value won’t be remotely close to what the victim deserves.

This is where a lawyer steps in. They know all the dirty tactics insurance adjusters use and will aggressively counter them. A lawyer won’t rest until a victim’s insurance company proposes a just and deserving claim value.

Access to Expert Witnesses

There are times when the statements of the witness are insufficient. For example, an eyewitness statement may be inadequate to prove that an intoxicated driver was responsible for the victim’s injuries. In instances like this, a lawyer will provide an expert witness. In the above-mentioned example, a lawyer will present a medical professional who will offer their expertise to prove that the defendant was indeed drunk when the accident happened.

Emotional Support

A lawyer offers emotional support indirectly. After an accident, the victim is usually shaken and needs time to recover from their injuries. If the victim was employed, then the loss of wages is another concern. Adding to the pile are insurance adjusters who will be at the victim’s door to propose a low settlement and quickly close the case. All these occurrences have the ability to interfere with a victim’s recovery process.

The role of the lawyer here is important. The lawyer will handle all forms of communication with insurance adjusters, manage all the paperwork involved, and compile evidence to strengthen the case. This takes a massive load off the victim’s shoulders.

Represent the Victim in Court

Most personal injury cases barely make it to court. They’re usually settled via negotiations between the concerned parties.

However, in the event that both parties can’t come to an agreement, the case goes to court to be presented before a judge and jury. The lawyer will have the expertise to make compelling arguments and present collected evidence to prove the victim’s point. The lawyer will also bring in expert witnesses to testify and convince the judge and jury.

Conclusion

A lawyer’s role in any case, not just a personal injury case, is immeasurable. They possess the skill and knowledge to win the most difficult ones. If you were unfortunate enough to be hurt in an accident, consult an attorney as soon as you can to learn how to legally pursue the perpetrators.

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