You have been injured in Kentucky—perhaps permanently disabled—because of someone else’s actions or inaction. You find yourself with a mountain of associated medical and physical therapy bills, and there is no end in sight. The accident was not your fault, and yet you are paying for it, not only financially, but physically. What should you do?
You should see a Kentucky personal injury lawyer to determine if you have a valid personal injury case. If you do, you will be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and many other expenses resulting from the accident. Following is information from the American Bar Association that may answer some of the questions you have.
What Are the Characteristics of a Personal Injury Case?
- You have suffered injury to your person or property.
- Someone else caused the injury.
The injury does not always have to be physical; if you had the expectation of harm, as in an intentional sort of assault, you don’t have to show evidence of actual physical harm. You may also bring suit if someone:
- Invaded your privacy,
- Attacked your reputation, or
- Intentionally caused you emotional distress.
What Happens at Your Legal Consultation
You should take whatever documents may be relevant to your claim. The more information you are able to provide to your lawyer, the easier it will be to determine the potential for a successful claim. Any of the following documents would be helpful:
- Police reports;
- Copies of medical reports from hospitals and doctors who treated you after the injury;
- Insurance information for the person who injured you; and
- Photographs of your injuries and of the accident scene.
If you don’t have these documents, however, your lawyer will be able to get them.
Once the lawyer has reviewed your case and determined that your claim is valid, he or she will gather all the information about the claim. Considerations include:
- The extent of your injuries, including pain and suffering, disability, and disfigurement;
- The cost of your medical treatment—now and in the future; and
- Lost wages.
Your lawyer will then calculate a figure for damages and send it to the insurance company of the person who injured you. If the insurer considers the claim to be valid, it may be settled out of court.
How Your Lawyer Gets Paid
Personal injury attorneys usually work on a contingency basis—that is, they are paid only if you win your case, and it will be a percentage of the monies recovered. You sign a retainer agreement in the lawyer’s office clarifying the financial details. If you lose your case, you will still probably have to pay the following:
- Court filing fees;
- Investigators’ fees;
- Court reporter fees;
- Medical expert fees; and
- Expenses of obtaining medical records and reports.
At any rate, it makes sense to have an initial consultation with a personal injury attorney in Louisville. It doesn’t cost anything but your time, and it could solve the financial problems caused by your injury.
If someone has caused harm to you or your family, and you believe you may have a personal injury case in Kentucky, contact the experienced Louisville personal injury attorneys at Gray and White Law. Call us at 502-210-8942 or toll free at 888-450-4456 and set up a FREE, no-obligation, confidential consultation.