Car accident victims in Miami have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person who caused them harm. The primary purpose of this lawsuit is to recover monetary compensation for his or her injuries. Personal injury attorneys representing accident victims have an obligation to aggressively pursue all compensation that a client is entitled to recover. There are three ways that personal injury lawyers can make sure that they are doing everything in their power to maximize a client’s recovery.
1. Investigate the accident thoroughly
What makes a personal injury lawsuit successful? Success is typically measured by the settlement or award an attorney is able to secure for his or her client. A prompt and thorough investigation is essential to this success.
An investigation should begin with a review of the accident with the client. It is important to have the client explain, in his or her own words, what happened, and why. An attorney should take this opportunity to listen, take notes, and identify potential issues. Follow up questions can help to clear up discrepancies and map out the next steps of the investigative process.
Once the initial meeting with the client has concluded, the attorney can move on to more in-depth and detailed investigative tactics. These should include:
- Visiting the scene of the accident
- Reviewing photographs or video footage of the incident
- Requesting copies of police, insurance, and medical reports
- Interviewing all witnesses, including law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel
- Analyzing road conditions, weather reports, and/or other external factors that may have contributed to the accident, and
- Reviewing statements made by the defendant and/or their insurer to identify possible issues.
A thorough investigation will directly support subsequent legal research. Identifying all possible causes of the accident will allow the attorney to search for appropriate legal strategy and techniques.
2. Establish close relationships with area experts
Attorneys are well-versed in the law, but may not have a firm grasp on important issues that affect the success of a case. It is crucial for all attorneys to network and establish relationships with various experts.
Experts can help to serve two very important purposes in a personal injury case:
- Provide informed information and insight about technical aspects of a case; and
- Provide assistance in determining the appropriate value of damages.
At the very least, attorneys should be able to contact the following experts at a moment’s notice:
- Medical expert
- Appraiser
- Accident recreationist
- Mental health expert
- Disability expert
- Health and safety expert
- Construction expert
- Chemical expert, and
- Vocational expert.
Attorneys who regularly handle specific types of cases should seek out experts who can regularly offer helpful insight and assistance.
3. Sharpen negotiating tactics and skills
Most personal injury matters will settle privately before the parties have to go to court. As a result, it is crucial for personal injury lawyers to have exceptional negotiating skills. Today, many law schools even offer introductory and immersive courses in negotiation. These can offer a great baseline of knowledge that attorneys can build upon throughout their careers.
Personal injury attorneys, in particular, should enroll in continuing education courses that focus on negotiating tactics. Take advantage of seminars, role-playing scenarios, and any other opportunities that can help to develop these important skills. Many bar associations and legal organizations also offer opportunities for attorneys to practice their skills with their peers. The bottom line is that understanding the best techniques and practicing regularly will help to secure the best possible results for clients. For guidance and to protect your rights, be sure to hire a lawyer experienced in personal injury cases.
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Boris Lavent is an attorney and founder of Lavent Law, a premier personal injury defense firm in Miami, Florida. Mr. Lavent is a graduate of top-ranked University of Chicago School of Law and is a leading advocate for accident victims across Miami-Dade County. Get more information by visiting https://www.laventlaw.com.
