Joint Injury Claim Information
As a personal injury lawyer Alexandria VA clients trust may tell you, joint injuries can happen to almost anyone; and if someone else’s negligence caused that injury, you may have recourse for compensation. The law firm of Cohen & Cohen is highly experienced in working with accident victims who suffered a joint injury. Our lawyers have negotiated fair settlements for thousands of clients over the last 20 years.
Joint Injuries
When a joint is subjected to an unnatural, forced movement such as a twisting action or harsh impact, it can be damaged. This damage can be temporary or permanent. The extent of the damage is often dependent on how badly the tendons and ligaments were injured.
If you’ve injured a joint in an accident, it’s important to get medical attention right away. Delaying this can further damage your joint and possibly lead to permanent injury. Another benefit is that once you see a medical professional, your injury is documented–which can be beneficial when filing a claim. Proof of injury is in your favor.
Determine Who is At Fault
If you were injured in an accident that was not your fault, it is important to determine who the at-fault party is, whether that’s:
- Your employer if the injury occurred in the process of doing your job
- The owner of the property where the accident occurred
- The manufacturer of a product that caused your injury
Even though the accident was not your fault, you may have to prove that the at-fault individual or company was negligent in their actions which led to your knee injury. If it’s a company that manufactures a product that caused your knee injury, you may have to prove the following:
- They were aware of the potential danger of their product but did not attempt to remedy that danger, or
- They did not adequately warn users that it might cause injury
Settlement or Trial?
An experienced personal injury lawyer in Alexandria VA may first try to negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company. There are advantages to this:
- Your case may be closed much faster, which means you can get on with your life and pay your medical bills as soon as possible.
- An experienced personal injury lawyer Alexandria VA accident victims consistently hire has an excellent chance of negotiating a higher settlement than you might be able to do on your own.
- Juries can be difficult to convince when it comes to personal injury cases. They may have a hard time believing that your joint injury has caused the damages to the extent you claim.
While settlement may be the first avenue a top personal injury lawyer Alexandria VA clients trusts might take, Cohen & Cohen is also prepared to take your matter to court should a settlement agreement be unattainable.
Proving Pain and Suffering as a Result of Your Injury
Because pain and suffering are not necessarily tangible damages, it can be challenging to prove to insurance companies and juries that they exist. Documentation is extremely important. When you hire a personal injury lawyer Alexandria VA accident victims turn to for help, they may ask you to supply the following:
- Your receipts for over-the-counter and prescription medications
- Copies of your medical reports
- Bills and receipts for all of your related medical costs including therapy, x-rays, emergency room fees, ambulance transportation, and surgery
- Proof of your lost wages including W2s, paycheck stubs, and doctors’ letters to your employer to excuse you from work
- Photo documentation of your injuries
Determining the Value of Your Joint Injury Case
An Alexandria VA personal injury lawyer who is as experienced as our attorneys at Cohen & Cohen, may have a fair idea of how much money you could be entitled to, however, there are several factors that can heavily impact the outcome for settlements and damages awarded by a jury. They are:
- The victim’s losses as a result of the joint injury. This includes:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages to date and into the future
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Did the victim have a similar pre-existing injury?
- This can suggest that it caused the current knee injury or made it worse
- The defendant can claim that they are not entirely responsible for the newest injury
- The likelihood that the jury will find the defendant liable for damages.
- This can be contingent on how much evidence your lawyer can present at trial on your behalf.
- The stronger the case, the better your chance at winning a favorable settlement. When meeting with a personal injury lawyer Alexandria VA injury victims trust, he or she may be able to provide you with an honest case evaluation.
Workers Compensation for a Joint Injury
If you have suffered a joint injury while performing your job, you may qualify for workers compensation. In certain professions, joint injuries are quite common; however, if you’ve suffered an injury on-the-job that impedes your ability to work, you may still be entitled to compensation.
Workers compensation coverage can vary by area, so it’s important to verify your eligibility with a personal injury lawyer Alexandria VA employees have hired under similar circumstances.
A Personal Injury Lawyer Alexandria VA is Proud to Call Their Own
Our attorneys at Cohen & Cohen work hard for our clients. If you’re in need of legal help, don’t delay in contacting us. Cohen & Cohen lawyers have extensive experience handling personal injury cases. Call us to set up a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer Alexandria VA is proud to have in the community.
5 Questions to Ask Your Lawyer
What are key questions I should ask when looking for a personal injury lawyer?
When you’re looking for the right Alexandria,VA personal injury lawyer, you want to ask these critical questions so that you hire someone who is experienced, knowledgeable, and has your best interests in mind. You deserve to have qualified legal guidance in your corner so that ultimately you have maximized compensation. When you consider these below questions, you’ll be able to find the best lawyer for your case with full confidence and certainty when you contact a lawyer at Cohen & Cohen.
What experience does the lawyer have with personal injury cases?
While you’re consulting with an Alexandria personal injury lawyer, you want to ensure that they have experience handling cases similar to yours. You can ask about their experience handling cases similar to your own and the outcomes of those cases. This will give you an idea of their success rate and how they approach personal injury cases.
How does the lawyer charge for your services?
Before hiring a personal injury lawyer, you need to ask about their fees and how they charge for their services. Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means they only get paid if they win your case. You’ll want to ask about their percentage fee and if there are any other costs or expenses you will be responsible for.
How does the lawyer communicate with their clients?
Communication is imperative when working with an Alexandria personal injury lawyer. You’ll want to ask how they communicate with their clients and how often you can expect to hear from them. You’ll also want to ask who your point of contact will be and how you can reach them in case of an emergency. A dedicated lawyer will work closely with you on your case and make sure you fully understand all of your legal options in front of you. If you feel that you’re not clicking with a lawyer or they are not taking your case seriously during a consultation, then it’s probably not the right fit for you.
How long will your case take?
While it’s impossible to predict exactly how long your case will take, your personal injury lawyer should be able to give you an estimate based on their experience with similar cases. They should also be able to explain the factors that could affect the timeline of your case, such as the complexity of your case or the availability of witnesses. A qualified lawyer will also fight to make the timeline of the case as short as possible.
How does the lawyer approach settlement negotiations?
Many personal injury cases are settled out of court, and it’s important to ask how your lawyer approaches settlement negotiations. You’ll want to know if they have experience negotiating with insurance companies and if they are willing to take your case to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached. They should be able to answer this question with confidence and be able to come up with a rigid plan when starting out with your case. Contact a lawyer at Cohen & Cohen today.
How To Determine Fault In A Vehicle Collision
Your Alexandria, VA car accident lawyer can walk you through your next steps, and determine who should be held responsible for your injuries. At Cohen & Cohen, we’ve been helping our clients with their car accident and personal injury cases for over 20 years. Now, we’re ready to use our experience to help you.
Figuring out who is at fault in a vehicle collision is important if you want to handle insurance claims and any legal matters after an accident. Knowing how fault is decided can help you deal with the situation more effectively. Here’s a straightforward guide on identifying fault in vehicle collisions, backed by our expertise at Cohen & Cohen.
- Review Police Reports
Police reports are crucial in fault determination. Officers responding to the accident scene will document their observations, statements from drivers, passengers, and witnesses, as well as any violations of traffic laws and citations issued. This report can be instrumental in establishing who was at fault based on objective third-party observations.
- Analyze Traffic Laws
Knowing the relevant traffic laws can significantly aid in determining fault. For example, if one driver was speeding or ran a red light, they will likely be considered at fault. Legal standards such as right of way, traffic signals, and road signage help to clarify responsibilities and can be decisive in fault assessments. Fortunately, your Alexandria car accident lawyer can help you understand the specifics.
- Consult With Witnesses
Witness statements can provide invaluable perspectives on the incident, offering details that the drivers involved might not notice or remember. Independent accounts from people who saw the accident can help corroborate details and establish a clearer picture of the events leading up to the collision.
- Use Accident Reconstruction Experts
For more complex accidents, professionals who specialize in accident reconstruction can be called upon to analyze the collision. These experts use physical evidence from the accident scene, vehicle damage, and sometimes simulation software to reconstruct the sequence of events. Their findings can be compelling evidence in determining fault.
- Assess Vehicle Damage
The location and extent of vehicle damage can tell a lot about how an accident occurred. Examining the damage can help determine the point of impact and the dynamics of the crash. This analysis often complements witness statements and expert reconstructions to build a comprehensive understanding of the incident.
- Evaluate Photographic Evidence
Photos taken at the scene can be critical in supporting claims about how an accident happened. They provide a visual record of the vehicle positions, road conditions, and any obstructions or relevant signage. Such evidence is particularly useful in insurance claims and legal assessments.
Contact Us Today
Understanding who is at fault in a vehicle collision not only influences insurance claims but can also affect legal liability. If you’re involved in an accident, taking proactive steps to document the scene and gather information can be significantly beneficial. At Cohen & Cohen, we’re here to provide guidance and support through these challenging times. Contact us today to get started, and see what an Alexandria car accident lawyer from our office can do for you.
