Suffering an injury can be difficult to overcome. Beyond the physical challenges an injury poses, a personal injury often presents many financial problems, as well. Recovering compensation from the liable party can be essential to getting your life back on track after getting hurt.
At Pacific West Injury Law, our team of personal injury lawyers knows the challenges you face as a personal injury victim and will work diligently to get you the compensation you need after an accident. Contact us today by phone or through our online contact form to get started with a free case review.
Figuring Out Who Is Liable for Your Damages
Before you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party, you must first determine who is at fault for the accident that caused your injury. In some cases, assessing liability is simple. Unfortunately, though, determining liability is often far more complicated.
When you hire an experienced personal injury lawyer, they will investigate the cause of your injury and help determine who is liable so that you can begin the process of collecting compensation.
Breaking Down a Personal Injury Lawsuit
There are many steps in the process of filing a personal injury lawsuit. Trying to deal with everything on your own can be a challenge, especially when you are also dealing with an injury. When you hire a personal injury lawyer, they will take over your case completely and go through all the necessary steps to get you the money you deserve.
During your lawyer’s investigation into who is liable for your damages, they will also gather evidence to support your claim. They will then assess your damages and calculate the worth of your claim. The next step will be to file your personal injury lawsuit with the court. After that, the pretrial process begins. Steps in the pretrial process include:
- Discovery
- Depositions
- Mediation
Discovery
During the discovery process, both sides will exchange all the evidence they have uncovered concerning the case. Discovery is essential to ensuring a fair trial. The aim of discovery is to ensure that one side does not have an unfair advantage over the other by having access to evidence of which the other side is unaware.
By sharing evidence, both sides can examine every detail and build their case accordingly.
Depositions
At the conclusion of the discovery phase, depositions are given. Depositions are recorded testimonies from witnesses and parties involved in the incident that caused the injury. These testimonies are recorded outside the courtroom and may be used at trial.
Mediation
Mediation is the final stage of the pretrial process. During mediation, both sides will meet with a mediator, who will attempt to help the two parties reach a settlement agreement and avoid a courtroom trial.
Throughout every stage of the pretrial process, your lawyer will be in negotiation, with the lawyers from the other side, attempting to negotiate a fair settlement deal. If a deal can be reached, your case will end, and you’ll be able to collect the agreed-upon compensation. On the other hand, if your case does not settle by the end of mediation, you will have to go to court.
File Your Personal Injury Lawsuit on Time
Nevada law gives injury victims two years from the date of their accident to file a lawsuit against the liable party. While it is essential that you are mindful of this statute of limitations, you also must be aware that there are many exceptions to this two-year rule.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to file after the two years have passed or find that, in reality, you only have a few months to file a lawsuit. By hiring a personal injury attorney soon after your accident, you can ensure your lawsuit is filed on time.
Damages You Can Seek After a Personal Injury
After suffering a personal injury, you will likely be eligible to recover a wide range of damages. There are three main categories into which all damages fall.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are any losses you suffer that impact your financial situation. Common economic damages include:
- Lost income
- Lowered earning ability
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Home or vehicle modifications needed to accommodate a disability
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are all of the other losses that result from your personal injury. Common non-economic damages include:
- Permanent disability
- Decreased quality of life
- Scarring and other disfigurements
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Punitive Damages
In a small percentage of personal injury cases, punitive damages may be available. Unlike the compensatory damages listed above, punitive damages are not a form of repayment for losses suffered by the accident victim. Instead, punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault party for their actions.
Punitive damages are only awarded in cases where the liable party was criminally negligent in their actions or inaction.
Personal Injury Lawyers Get Paid for Results
Many attorneys charge their clients high hourly rates, regardless of the outcome of their legal proceedings. However, this is not the case with personal injury attorneys. Instead of charging you based on the time they spend on your case, personal injury lawyers charge based on results.
When you hire a personal injury lawyer, you will agree to pay them a fixed percentage of the money you recover from the liable party. This is the only fee that your lawyer will collect for their services. Failing to get your compensation means your lawyer doesn’t get paid.
Because the more you get means the more your lawyer receives, you can feel confident that they will work hard to get you as much money for your injury as possible.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in Spring Valley Today
At Pacific West Injury Law, we are dedicated to ensuring that all injury victims have access to experienced legal representation. We will do everything in our power to get you the money you need to move forward after an injury. Contact us through our online contact form or by giving us a call today to schedule a free case review.
