A personal injury lawyer helps you get fair compensation after someone else’s negligence caused your injury. They investigate your case, deal with insurance companies, and fight for money to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, so you can focus on getting better.
If you were recently hurt in an accident, you probably have a lot of questions. Here is everything you need to know.
Here’s what you’ll learn on this page:
- Exactly what a personal injury lawyer does, step by step.
- The types of cases personal injury attorneys handle.
- What compensation you may be able to recover.
- How personal injury lawyers charge (and why it costs nothing upfront).
- When you should hire an attorney, and when it is less urgent.
- How long a case typically takes to resolve.
- What makes the Law Offices of Eric Richman the right choice.
What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Actually Do?
Here is a step-by-step look at what a personal injury attorney does from start to finish:
| Step | What Happens |
| Step 1: Free Case Evaluation | You meet with the attorney at no cost. They listen to what happened, ask questions, and tell you honestly whether you have a valid claim. |
| Step 2: Investigate Your Case | Your lawyer gathers evidence to support your claim. This typically includes:
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| Step 3: Identify Who Is at Fault | Proving negligence is the foundation of any personal injury case. Your lawyer determines who caused the accident and whether multiple parties share responsibility. |
| Step 4: Calculate the Full Value of Your Damages | Your lawyer adds up everything you have lost and will lose. This includes both current and future costs:
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| Step 5: Negotiate with Insurance Companies | Insurance companies are focused on paying as little as possible. Your lawyer handles all communication with insurers, challenges lowball offers, and pushes for a fair settlement. |
| Step 6: File a Lawsuit If Necessary | If the insurer will not offer fair compensation, your lawyer files a formal lawsuit in court on your behalf. |
| Step 7: Represent You at Trial | If your case goes to trial, your lawyer presents your case to a judge or jury and argues on your behalf. Throughout every step, your attorney keeps you informed about what is happening and what to expect. |
What Types of Cases Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Handle?
Personal injury lawyers represent people who were hurt because of someone else’s carelessness. Here are the most common types of cases:
| Type of Case | Common Examples |
| Car accidents | Rear-end collisions, distracted driving, DUI crashes. |
| Slip and fall | Wet floors, cracked sidewalks, icy walkways. |
| Construction accidents | Scaffold falls, equipment injuries, electrocution. |
| Truck accidents | Commercial vehicle crashes, overloaded trucks. |
| Pedestrian and bicycle accidents | Hit by a car while walking or cycling. |
| Rideshare accidents | Injuries in an Uber or Lyft vehicle. |
| Wrongful death | Fatal accidents caused by another person’s negligence. |
| Premises liability | Injuries on someone else’s property. |
| Crime victim injuries | Physical harm resulting from an assault or violent crime on someone else’s property. |
If your injury was caused by another person, a company, or a property owner, you may have a case worth pursuing.
What Compensation Can I Recover?
A personal injury lawyer works to recover money for losses including:
- Past and future medical bills.
- Lost wages and income.
- Reduced ability to earn in the future.
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress and mental anguish.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Property damage.
The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, and how the accident has affected your life. An attorney can give you a realistic estimate during your free consultation.
Do I Have to Pay a Personal Injury Lawyer Upfront?
No. Most personal injury attorneys, including the Law Offices of Eric Richman, work on a contingency fee basis. Here is how it works:
| What This Means | Details |
| No upfront costs | You pay nothing to get started. |
| No fees unless you win | If there is no recovery, you owe nothing. |
| Fees come from your settlement | Attorney fees are deducted from what you win. |
This arrangement makes experienced legal representation accessible to anyone, regardless of their financial situation.
When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Not every injury requires a lawyer, but you should strongly consider calling one if any of these apply to your situation:
- Your injuries are serious or require ongoing medical care.
- The other party is denying fault
- An insurance company has contacted you for a statement.
- You received a settlement offer that seems too low.
- Multiple people or businesses may be responsible.
- You are unsure whether you have a case.
The sooner you contact an attorney, the better. Evidence fades, witnesses move on, and in New York, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of injury. Waiting too long can permanently cost you your right to file.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take?
The honest answer is that there is no reliable way to predict how long a personal injury case will take. Every case is different, and timelines can vary dramatically depending on the severity of your injuries, the complexity of the facts, how the insurance company responds, whether your case needs to go to trial, court scheduling, and many other factors that are simply impossible to anticipate at the outset.
At the Law Offices of Eric Richman, we believe you deserve realistic guidance from day one. We always try to manage expectations. We will never promise a fast resolution just to win your business. What we will promise is that we will pursue your case as diligently and efficiently as possible, and we will keep you informed every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is the difference between a personal injury lawyer and a criminal lawyer?
A personal injury lawyer handles civil cases where an injured person seeks financial compensation from a negligent party. A criminal lawyer represents someone charged with a crime by the government. The two types of cases are entirely separate.
Can I handle a personal injury claim on my own?
You can, but people who work with an attorney typically receive significantly higher settlements than those who negotiate alone. Insurance companies have professional adjusters and lawyers working to minimize what they pay. Having an experienced attorney on your side levels the playing field.
We recently were retained by an individual who was lied to by an insurance company. The client was told the incorrect amount of insurance coverage. We found more coverage and alleged unethical conduct on behalf of the car insurance company.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
In New York, you may still be able to recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. New York follows comparative negligence rules, meaning your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. An attorney can evaluate your specific situation and explain your options.
How do I know if I have a personal injury case?
The simplest way to find out is to call for a free consultation. An experienced attorney will listen to what happened and give you an honest assessment. There is no obligation and no cost to ask.
Get a Free Consultation Today
If you or someone you love was hurt because of someone else’s negligence, you deserve to understand your options.
The Law Offices of Eric Richman offers free, no-obligation consultations and takes all personal injury cases on a contingency basis, meaning there is no financial risk to reaching out. Call us at (212) 688-3965 or toll-free at (800) 801-9655. You can also request a free consultation online.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. It should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with a licensed attorney. Laws, fee structures, and regulations vary by state and change frequently. The information on this page may not reflect the most current legal developments. Always speak directly with a qualified attorney about your specific situation before making any legal decisions.