If you are injured at work, in a car accident, or in a public space, you may need the services of a personal injury lawyer to help you get the compensation you are owed because of your injury. Understandably, you want an attorney who understands your case and has a firm grasp of the legal system. This will give you the best chance of having your case resolved promptly.
How Do Personal Injury Lawyers Differ from General Attorneys?
The primary difference between a personal injury lawyer and a general attorney is the type of legal counsel they offer. A personal injury lawyer focuses on tort law. These are the laws that govern how personal injuries are handled. Tort law was created to protect a person if they are the victim of another person’s negligence. In a personal injury case, the primary focus is damages. These damages could be to a person’s property or their body.
A personal injury lawyer will work with a client to gather the evidence before filing an injury claim. Working along with the victim, the lawyer will find evidence to prove that the accident happened and prove who was at fault. In most cases, a personal injury attorney will try to settle a case privately, but they will have the case heard by a judge if that is not possible.
It Is Not Apples to Apples?
A significant mistake that some people make when they have been injured is thinking that a general lawyer can represent them just as well as a personal injury lawyer. The truth is that all lawyers can represent most clients in most circumstances. However, the laws and policies that a criminal lawyer and a personal injury lawyer deal with day in and day out are entirely different.
For example, in criminal law, the burden of proof is on the prosecutor to prove that the defendant is guilty. In tort law, decisions can be made based on the preponderance of the evidence. These are drastically different standards that require different approaches to proving or defending a personal injury case.
Personal injury lawyers are adept at dealing with insurance companies. They know the tricks insurance companies play to avoid paying total compensation. General lawyers may not have this knowledge, which could negatively impact their ability to handle a personal injury case.
Personal injury lawyers are specialized legal professionals. They are a necessary part of the legal system, providing accident victims help and representation.
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.
