Why Should I Hire A Lawyer After An Accident
Hiring a lawyer is the only way to successfully file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against any entity. A lawyer can gather evidence, file the lawsuit, and negotiate a settlement. One of the most stressful parts of any lawsuit is hearing from the insurance company and the responsible party. A victim and their family may believe they are getting a good deal when they are not, or they do not know how to navigate a personal injury case.
Ask a lawyer to sit down with the family and explain what should happen now that the lawsuit is filed. A lawyer can be with the family to settle, sign papers, or help in the courtroom. The family can turn to the lawyer as much as they need to until the lawsuit is resolved. This is especially important because the lawyer can show the family how to make informed decisions regarding settlements or going to court.
Personal Injury Attorney Washington Dc
There are few things that can disrupt your life as much as an accident involving injuries. Even a moderate accident can mean hospitalization, doctor appointments, physical therapy, lost wages, and a disruption to your life routine. If youve been injured in an accident due to someone elses negligence, you should receive compensation for your bills, your missed work, and your pain and suffering. In Washington, D.C., the law firm of Balkin Law Group can represent you in your pursuit of compensation. Their thorough and aggressive style has resulted in millions of dollars in awards and settlements. Call them today for a free consultation.
Contact Us Now To Speak With A Washington Dc Personal Injury Attorney
Our free consultation will help you understand what to expect moving forward after a Washington DC injury, which can be extremely confusing and overwhelming to understand on your own. During your free consultation, we will be able to go through the many specifics of your accident, such as the cause, the steps you have already taken, the impacts on your life, and how we can help you move forward. This free consultation is an invaluable way for victims to understand that they are not alone and that there is a path forward to get the money they deserve. You do not deserve to take on the stress and emotional burden of your legal case, especially as you are working to get your life back on track after this challenging experience. Your top priority should be your recovery, and we will be happy to fight for the compensation you deserve as you get the care you need.
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The Importance Of Working With A Washington Dc Personal Injury Lawyer
Since the personal injury claims process is relatively straightforward when working with insurers, many people believe that they do not need to work with a personal injury attorney to get fair compensation. Unfortunately, the process is designed to be as seamless as possible for a victim so that they dont realize how important a lawyer is for a fair outcome. Victims cant be expected to comprehensively manage their own personal injury claim while they are trying to get the rest of their lives back on track, and the unfortunate outcome is often a victim accepting a settlement that barely covers their medical bills, let alone the many other damages they have suffered because of the at-fault partys negligence or recklessness. The following are a few of the many benefits of working with a Washington DC personal injury attorney every step of the way:
How To Determine Liability In Accident Cases
Determining legal responsibility, which is known as liability, can be complicated. Most automobile accidents occur due to some degree of careless behavior, liability is generally determined by a basic so-called rule of carelessness. It says that if one person is not as careless as the other, the less careless driver must pay at least part of the damages suffered by the more careful one. This rule plus one or more of the following propositions is used to help determine legal responsibility in an accident:
- The injured party was not where he or she was supposed to be or was involved in an activity that could have been responsible for the accident.
- The person who did cause the accident might not be liable because there was no duty to look out for the injured person.
- The injured person was also careless. Therefore, compensation may be reduced.
- The negligent party caused an accident while working for someone else.
- That employer may also be held responsible.
- The accident took place on dangerous meaning poorly built or maintained property.
- The accident was caused by a defective product. The manufacturer/seller may be held liable even if the injured person is unaware who caused the defect or how it happened.
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How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer
Unfortunately, far too many people who have been injured hesitate before contacting an attorney because theyre worried about the expense. Many of the best personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, which removes a lot of financial obstacles standing between you and the legal expertise you deserve. Working on contingency means that you do not need to pay your lawyer anything unless and unless you win your case. Your fee will take the form of an agreed-on percentage of the compensation you receive. This is usually between 25 and 40 percent.
The exact percentage you will owe your lawyer depends on the specifics of your case and how much legal work it requires. One of the biggest factors in setting your fee percentage is whether or not you have to take your case to court. Your fee percentage will be lower if you and your lawyer can secure the compensation youre looking for through a negotiated settlement instead of going to trial.
Besides reducing the upfront expense of obtaining representation, the contingency basis also has the advantage of introducing a strong motivational factor to your lawyers work. Their pay depends on how effectively they advocate for you, so they will be committed to doing their best.
Get Help From A Personal Injury Lawyer In Washington Dc Today
After a wreck, your injuries can leave you feeling completely overwhelmed. When youre dealing with physical and emotional recovery, a possible change in your employment, and expensive medical bills, the last thing you want to think about is the stressful, confusing legal process.
Ben Crump is a Washington DC personal injury attorney who understands how much his clients go through in the aftermath of a car accident. If youre ready to focus on your own health and leave the negotiations up to an expert, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at for help understanding your options.
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Damages In Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury lawyers seek damages on behalf of their clients. The amount of damages that theyll pursue is proportionate to the severity of the injuries sustained by the victim. Personal injury attorneys divide damages into two major categories, economic and noneconomic, with a third type of damages, punitive damages, rarely being awarded.
Should I File A Lawsuit For My Injury
If youre questioning whether or not you have a case, the following are important to consider.
- Did the event result in injury?
- Did you seek or require medical attention?
- Are you liable for any part of the injury?
- Was law enforcement present at the scene?
- Do you or the at-fault party have insurance coverage?
Your answers to these questions and further details will help an attorney assess if you have a valid injury case from the standpoint of the law.
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What Are The Elements Of A Personal Injury Lawsuit
Personal injury lawsuits fall under the legal doctrine of tort laws, which allow aggrieved parties to bring civil suits against wrongdoers to recover financial compensation to pay for the damages suffered. There are four key elements in personal injury lawsuits:
- Duty – The law requires parties take certain steps to prevent foreseeable accidents and injuries
- Breach – One party fails to live up to its legal obligations
- Cause – As a result of negligence, someone suffers an injury
- Damages – The victim’s losses, for which he or she is entitled to recovery
For the plaintiff’s personal injury lawsuit to succeed, he or she must prove all four elements by a preponderance of the evidence. Unlike criminal cases, which rely on proving a case beyond a reasonable doubt, civil cases need only show the defendant was more likely than not at fault for the plaintiff’s injury.
No matter how liable, negligent parties rarely take responsibly for their actions and contest almost every element of a case at every turn. A qualified Washington, DC personal injury lawyer should have the experience and resources necessary to compel defendants into properly compensating injured victims as expediently as possible.
What are the steps in a personal injury lawsuit?
Do I Have A Personal Injury Claim
If you were injured because of another persons negligence, you may have a personal injury claim against that party. Negligence is a legal standard that means the party responsible for your injury failed to behave as a reasonably prudent person would under the same circumstances. There are four specific elements that the plaintiff must establish to show that the defendant was negligent:
The defendant owed the plaintiff a reasonable duty of care. This means the defendant owed an obligation to the plaintiff recognized by law. For example, a doctor owes a duty of care to treat his or her patient according to the standards of the medical profession. This duty is often defined by the relationship that exists between the plaintiff and defendant.
The defendant breached the duty of care. A breach refers to a failure to uphold the duty of care by some act or omission. That failure is typically the result of negligence, but it could also be because of recklessness or intentional wrongdoing. The question of breach is almost always the most contested element of a personal injury lawsuit.
The breach caused injury to the plaintiff. This element requires the plaintiff to show that the breach actually caused injury to the plaintiff. If the defendant was negligent but did not cause harm to the plaintiff, this element fails.
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How Much Does A Personal Injury Lawyer Cost
Theres a misconception that a personal injury lawyer costs too much money and that you cant afford one. Washington Law Center is different. We do not get paid upfront and we dont charge you unreasonable fees before any work has been done. Unless we get you compensated in your personal injury case, there are no lawyer fees.
Video transcript: How Much Does A Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY ASHTON DENNIS: The question is often asked, How much does an attorney cost? And theres a misconception in that an attorney costs way too much and you cant afford one. Were different. We do not get paid up front. We do not take a deposit. We do not take a retainer. We dont ask for your credit card information. We simply are paid based on the value and money earned on your case. So if theres no recovery, then there are no attorneys fees. Its as simple as that.
Following an injury is often when people have the least amount of resources. They may be out of a job. They may need to pay medical expenses and just keep food on the table. We let you focus on the things you need to for your family, and well focus on your case, on your specific claim, so that you dont have to.
Unless we get you compensated, there are no attorneys fees. So, give us a call early, maybe following the injury, and wed be more than happy to get going.
Do I Need An Injury Lawyer
Unfortunately, the carelessness of another person is the cause of the majority of accidents. While these accidents are rarely caused on purpose, victims should never be left holding the bill. After an accident, victims often face a complicated road to recovery as they rehabilitate injuries and fight for the money they are owed. The majority of serious accidents happen so quickly that it is difficult for those involved to make sense of the chain of events. A lawyer can often act as a support to victims and helping them figure out who was responsible for causing the accident and who is responsible for covering the cost of damages.
If youve suffered severe injuries in an accident, you know all too well the hit that your finances take. Shouldering the burden of medical bills as well as taking time off of work causes undue stress to many accident victims. In the wake of an accident, many victims believe that it will be simpler to try to secure a settlement without involving lawyers. Unfortunately, insurance companies tend to offer a more modest settlement to accident victims that dont have legal representation.
Money and expense is a huge concern for accident victims when considering if they should hire an attorney. Fortunately, most injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which ensures that accident victims do not pay unless they receive a settlement. Seeking an injury lawyer will not be the cause of additional financial pressure.
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Contact Balkin Law Group Injury Lawyers Llp For A Free Consultation Today
Knowing where to turn after a serious personal injury in the District of Columbia can be overwhelming, which is why it is so essential to partner with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Our law firm offers a free consultation for injury victims so we can discuss the specifics of their unique accident and give them peace of mind about how we can help them move forward. We encourage you to take advantage of this initial call as soon as possible so we can start working on your case immediately.
The days and weeks after an accident can be overwhelming as you endure the pain and suffering of your injury as you attempt to deal with the many responsibilities and obligations that come with this situation: your health, repairs after a car accident, managing your job as lost wages pile up alongside your medical bills insurance companies leverage this anxiety to reach a low settlement as quickly as possible. When you are represented by the DC personal injury lawyers at our law firm, you can focus on what matters most while we take on the legal aspects of your accident. You deserve rest, quiet, and support as you prioritize your recovery, and we are here to help.
Personal Injury Lawyer Dc Personal Injury Lawyer Washington Dc
If youve landed on this page, odds are you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic personal injury, and you need help from a personal injury lawyer DC residents have turned to for decades. The decision you make in selecting the right lawyer for your case is imperative, and we encourage you to do your homework before selecting a personal injury attorney. Here are 5 things to know about our firm:
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Personal Injury Laws Can Vary In Different States
State laws vary on how negligence is determined in accident cases. In some states, compensation is based solely on the other persons amount of fault. In most states, an injured person will not recover anything if his or her carelessness was 50% or more responsible for the accident. If you have been involved in a personal injury accident, it is best to be sure of the specific laws governing the area you were in at the time of the accident. To learn more about the personal injury laws in your area, visit one of the following pages:
What Types Of Injury Cases Do We Handle
Not all personal injury cases in Washington, DC, are the same. Depending on the severity of your injuries, the complexity of the accident, and the losses you had suffered, you need skilled legal representation who has faced all types of injury cases.
The Washington, DC personal injury attorneys at Regan Zambri Long has successfully handled medical malpractice, catastrophic injuries, car accidents, product liability, and much more.
Car Accidents
A car accident can be a life-changing and stressful experience. Although a car crash may be a simple miscalculation on the part of one individual, many times, it comes down to driver error. Either texting while driving, getting behind the wheel after a few drinks, or fatigued driving, if an at-fault driver seriously injures you, you deserve justice.
Remember that dealing with the insurance company is never an easy task, and it’s best to have a car accident attorney by your side to help you through the process. We represent people who suffer injuries due to car accidents, bike accidents, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents.
Don’t go through the justice system yourself when our DC personal injury attorney is willing to assist. Similarly, don’t accept a settlement from the insurance company before talking to a Washington, DC car accident attorney.
Truck Accidents
Metro Accidents
Wrongful Death Cases
Product Liability
Medical Malpractice
Workers’ Compensation
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