Around 39 million people seek medical help for an injury that leads to a personal injury case each year. Not surprisingly, the industry is worth around $53 billion. A personal injury lawyer plays a critical role in helping judges fully understand the details and complexities of a plaintiff’s case. When someone has been injured due to negligence or wrongdoing, having a qualified personal injury attorney represent them in court can make all the difference in achieving a fair outcome.
Explaining the Facts of the Case
A personal injury case can take around 5-7 months to settle. While less than 5% of cases go to court, one of the most important jobs of a personal injury lawyer is to clearly explain the facts of the case to the judge and/or jury. Personal injury cases often involve very specific details about how the injury occurred, the type and extent of the injuries, the impact on the victim’s life, and negligence on the part of the defendant.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will know how to present these details in a way that helps the judge grasp the key issues and how the law applies. They can weed through complex medical evidence, police reports, expert testimony, and other elements to construct an accurate picture of what happened.
Educating the Court on Relevant Laws
Judges are experts in the law, but they may not have intricate knowledge of the specific personal injury laws that apply in each unique case. Personal injury lawyers have an in-depth understanding of relevant legal codes, precedents, liability rules, and other regulations that may come into play. They use this knowledge to educate the judge on the legal standards and requirements for determining negligence, recklessness, compensation amounts, and other factors.
The judge depends on lawyers to provide this background to render an informed decision.
Humanizing the Plaintiff
There were 1,423 sitting judges in 2023, 68% of them male. Court cases can sometimes feel cold and impersonal, with judges focused on facts and legal technicalities. A good personal injury lawyer ensures the judge sees their client as a whole human being who has undergone real suffering and loss from the accident. Simple yet powerful storytelling helps the judge empathize and grasp the profound impact the injury has had on the plaintiff’s life. Combining the legal expertise with a compelling client narrative makes for a much stronger case.
Responding to the Defense
Personal injury cases are often intensely contested by insurance company lawyers who try to undermine or downplay the plaintiff’s claims. An experienced personal injury lawyer will anticipate the defenses’ legal arguments and strategies, and effectively counter them. By rebutting key points the defense tries to make, they prevent the judge from being swayed by misleading assertions. The lawyer keeps the focus on the most pertinent issues that favor the plaintiff.
Securing a Favorable Settlement
By presenting a persuasive and legally rigorous case before the judge, personal injury lawyers aim to obtain a settlement or jury award that provides the plaintiff with maximum compensation. Their intricate understanding of court procedures, negotiation tactics, and what types of arguments influence judges can help secure a client victory. Having an assertive legal advocate on their side puts plaintiffs in a much stronger position during settlement talks.
The expertise and advocacy of a personal injury lawyer is invaluable for both educating the court and humanizing the plaintiff’s situation. Their skills and knowledge help steer judges toward fairer outcomes that fully account for the harm victims have endured. With so much on the line, their counsel makes all the difference.
