Justice for Personal Injury Victims: Legal Assistance Available
A personal injury can change your life and leave you struggling with daily tasks. This is a type of injury caused by the negligence of someone else. A good example is a back injury that happens when you slip and fall in a store. You must find someone trustworthy to be by your side as you go after the responsible person. No matter where you live, you’ll find many firms that support victims. Find out more about the legal assistance available to you and why you need help.
What is a Personal Injury?
Personal injuries are those caused by the actions or lack of actions by another person. Car accidents are quite common and can include injuries that happen when someone strikes your vehicle from behind. As a pedestrian, you’re also at risk of suffering injuries when a driver crashes into you. The National Safety Council found that Americans experience 62 million injuries every year and that these incidents cause more than $1.2 billion. These costs include property damage, medical bills, and emotional pain and suffering.
Statute of Limitations
You must speak to an attorney as soon as possible because these cases have a statute of limitations. This limits how long you must file a claim against the responsible party. Many states have a statute of just two years. It begins on the date of the incident. If you were in an accident on May 12, 2023, and decide to file on May 15, 2025, the court can withdraw your case. Your attorney will review the entire case, decide if you should file, and make sure that you file before the statute of limitations passes.
Legal Aid
Most counties in the United States have legal aid offices that offer free advice and help. You can go online to the official website and fill out a form with information about your case. An attorney will contact you and schedule a time for you to come in and get professional help. If one of the attorneys at legal aid decides to work on your case, they will do it pro bono. Though you don’t need to pay for the service, legal aid doesn’t offer as much help as a paid attorney does.
Paid Attorneys
An alternative to legal aid is a paid attorney. Look for a personal injury law firm that has attorneys experienced in personal injury claims. You will usually receive a free consultation, which lets you quickly get advice without paying a dime. Many firms will also work on contingency. Instead of paying a retainer to cover their costs, the attorney agrees to take your case and only get paid if you get paid. Other firms allow you to work out payment plans to cover the fees you face or pay after you settle the case.
Personal Injury Laws
Another reason to work with a paid attorney is that they can help you understand personal injury laws in your state. In addition to the statute of limitations, most states require that you identify the responsible person or party. In the case of a car accident, you may file a lawsuit against the driver. For incidents that happen in a store or business, you may need to file against an insurer rather than a specific person. States often have laws about how much you can request of the responsible party for both economic damages, such as medical bills and noneconomic damages that you cannot document.
Get Assistance for Personal Injuries
Personal injuries can range from broken bones and concussions to comas and even death. Though some victims are lucky and recover within a few days or weeks, others have injuries that affect them for years. They can no longer do the work they did before and need to find ways to pay for their medical bills. Legal assistance supports you as you decide what to do next and after you file against another person. Look for a personal injury attorney today who can help you file a case and get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
