If you or a loved one sustains an injury in an accident caused by another party’s negligence, a personal injury claim may be an option for securing compensation for your losses. Lake Crystal, Minnesota, residents can discuss their cases with one of our attorneys to learn how personal injury law works and how to value a potential claim.
The attorneys at Knutson + Casey have a reputation for providing the power of a big city law firm with a small business atmosphere. We believe in close communication with clients and maximizing recovery by exploring all available options after an accident. The first step in securing compensation for your losses after an injury is determining which parties bear liability for your accident.
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The plaintiff with a personal injury claim must identify the party or parties he or she deems responsible for the claimed incident. The plaintiff’s attorney will draft an initial complaint and file it with the court. The defendant receives the complaint and has the option of responding. Most personal injury claims end at the negotiating table. It’s usually in the best interests of both parties to settle out of court instead of managing a protracted litigation battle, but when it’s necessary, our attorneys have the experience to handle both settlements and court cases.
If settlement negotiations fail or the defendant rejects liability for the elements of the complaint, the case proceeds to trial. The plaintiff will need to prove that the defendant was negligent to succeed with the case. This requires proving the defendant owed a duty of care, failed to uphold that duty of care, and directly caused the plaintiff’s damages. The plaintiff must also provide proof of the extent of those damages.
Personal injury claims can result from car accidents, defective products, sports, interpersonal violence, and countless other possible situations. Plaintiffs in personal injury cases generally pursue two types of damages: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages include:
In addition to these economic damages, non-economic damages seek to repay the plaintiff’s physical pain, emotional suffering, and psychological anguish following a personal injury. Different courts use varying methods to calculate pain and suffering damages. Some courts may award compensation per day until the plaintiff reaches maximum possible recovery while others award a lump sum based on the plaintiff’s medical expenses.
You may think you have an open-and-shut personal injury lawsuit and can handle it yourself, but you’ll quickly discover how challenging it can be to meet the court’s filing requirements and uncover all the various avenues of compensation available while recovering from an injury. Hiring an experienced Lake Crystal personal injury lawyer will allow you to focus on recovery. An attorney is also likely to secure more compensation for your claim than you could have on your own.
The personal injury attorneys at Knutson + Casey offer free case evaluations to potential new clients. If you believe you have a personal injury claim in Crystal Lake, Minnesota, we can help you determine your options for legal recourse against a negligent party. Contact us today to schedule a case evaluation.