Getting injured because of someone else’s mistake can be overwhelming. Medical bills, missed work, and the physical pain you’re dealing with can make everything feel like too much. And when it comes to dealing with legal issues? That can be a whole other level of stress.
That’s where a personal injury attorney comes in to help you put your life back together. At Sotiriou Wilmowski, we understand that a personal injury can turn your life upside down.
Our job is to make sure you don’t have to face the insurance companies, legal processes, and endless paperwork alone. We’re here to guide you, fight for your rights, and help you get the compensation you deserve.
For immediate assistance with your matter, schedule a free case evaluation with our personal injury lawyer at Sotiriou Wilmowski. Call 314-925-1000 or fill out our contact form today.
A personal injury case arises when someone is injured due to another person’s negligence or harmful actions. In simple terms, it’s a legal way to seek compensation for physical, emotional, or financial harm you’ve suffered.
If someone else’s careless or wrongful actions caused your injury, you might have a personal injury case. But, as you can imagine, there are quite a few situations in which you may get injured. This begs the question, “What kind of cases do personal injury lawyers handle?”
Here are some of the most common types:
- Car accidents: These are one of the most frequent personal injury cases. If someone else caused the accident due to reckless driving, speeding, or distracted driving, you might be eligible to recover damages for medical costs, car repairs, and other expenses.
- Truck accidents: Truck accidents often lead to serious injuries, and cases can get complex, involving trucking companies, drivers, and insurance providers. Personal injury lawyers can help navigate these challenges to build a strong case for you.
- Motorcycle accidents: Motorcycle riders are especially vulnerable on the road. When accidents occur due to another driver’s negligence, a personal injury lawyer can help injured riders seek compensation for their injuries and damages.
- Slip and fall: Property owners must maintain safe premises. In fact, it’s their duty to do so. When they breach that duty, and you’re injured due to a hazardous condition—like a wet floor or broken handrail—pursuing a slip and fall case can help hold them accountable.
- Dog bites: Being bitten by a dog can cause serious injuries, both physical and emotional. If the dog’s owner fails to control their pet, you might be able to seek compensation to cover medical treatment and other damages.
- Construction accidents: Construction sites can be dangerous, and accidents happen even with safety measures in place. When injuries occur, workers may have grounds for a personal injury case, especially if someone other than their employer was responsible.
- Wrongful death: When someone loses their life due to another’s negligence, the surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death case. This type of case seeks compensation for loss of support, funeral expenses, and emotional suffering.
With 35 combined years of experience, Deme Sotiriou and Tom Wilmowski have successfully obtained multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts for their clients in numerous personal injury cases.
When someone is injured, they may consider hiring a personal injury attorney. But it’s tough to make that decision without understanding what exactly personal injury lawyers do.
The role of a personal injury lawyer is to be your advocate and guide throughout the legal process, making sure you’re treated fairly and have a better chance at getting the compensation you deserve. Here’s a closer look at how a personal injury lawyer supports you:
- Providing free consultation: Many personal injury lawyers, including Deme Sotiriou and Tom Wilmowski, offer a free initial consultation. This is an opportunity for you to communicate with a lawyer, share the details of your case, and get some professional guidance—all without any commitment or cost.
- Case investigation: The next step after the consultation is to gather all the details of your case. This includes collecting evidence, talking to witnesses, reviewing accident reports, and working with experts if needed.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: Insurance companies often try to settle quickly and for as little as possible. They are backed by experienced adjusters who may attempt to undervalue your claim. A personal injury lawyer negotiates directly with the insurance company, fighting for a fair settlement that truly reflects the extent of your injuries and losses.
- Determining the value of your claim: Putting a dollar amount on pain, suffering, and long-term impacts is anything but easy. A personal injury lawyer knows how to assess the full value of your claim, taking into account not only immediate expenses but also future costs and impacts on your life.
- Handling the legal paperwork: Personal injury cases involve a lot of paperwork, deadlines, and legal documentation. By working with an attorney, you can rest assured that all necessary paperwork will be filed accurately and on time, preventing costly mistakes that could affect the outcome of your case.
- Representing you in court (if needed): While most personal injury cases are resolved through settlement, some may end up going to court. This may happen when a fair agreement can’t be reached. When you have a personal injury attorney, they will represent you in court, presenting a strong case to a judge or jury.
If you choose to hire a lawyer, they will be working on your behalf, handling the legal aspects so you can focus on your recovery and enjoy the peace of mind.
At Sotiriou Wilmowski, we aim to simplify each step of the personal injury claims process. We want our clients to know exactly what’s happening and why. Here’s how we guide you through it:
1. Initial Consultation
We start with a free, no-obligation consultation. This is a chance for you to tell us what happened, ask questions, and get a sense of your legal options. We’ll go over the details of your case, explain the process, and discuss the type of compensation you might be eligible for.
2. Case Investigation
Once you decide to move forward, we dive into investigating your claim. This means gathering as much evidence as possible to support your case. We’ll collect medical records, accident reports, photos, videos, and witness statements.
3. Demand Package and Negotiation
With a solid case in hand, we put together a demand package—a detailed document that outlines the extent of your injuries, the damages you’ve suffered, and the compensation you’re seeking. We submit this to the at-fault party’s insurance company and begin the negotiation process.
4. Settlement or Litigation
Most personal injury cases settle before going to court, which saves time and cost. If we reach a fair settlement, we’ll walk you through the terms, ensuring you understand everything. But if the insurance company refuses to offer an acceptable amount, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court. At trial, we present evidence, call witnesses, and make a compelling case for your right to compensation.
5. Resolution and Compensation
After a successful settlement or court decision, we’ll finalize the case and help you receive your compensation. This might cover medical expenses, loss of income, and other damages. We aim to resolve your case with as little stress on you as possible so that you can focus on recovery.
In a personal injury claim, damages (or compensation) are categorized to cover the different ways an injury impacts your life. Each of these categories addresses a different part of your injury’s impact on your life, aiming to restore what was lost as fully as possible. Here are the main categories, along with examples for each:
1. Economic Damages
Economic damages are meant to compensate for the financial losses you’ve suffered due to your injury.
- Medical expenses (hospital bills, surgery costs, rehabilitation)
- Lost wages (income lost while recovering)
- Future medical care (ongoing treatment, therapy, or medical needs)
- Loss of earning capacity (reduced ability to work in the future)
- Property damage (repair or replacement of personal property, like a damaged vehicle)
2. Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for the more intangible impacts of an injury, which are harder to quantify but no less real.
- Pain and suffering (physical pain and discomfort)
- Emotional distress (anxiety, depression, trauma from the accident)
- Loss of enjoyment (loss of ability to enjoy daily activities or hobbies)
- Loss of companionship (impact on relationships with family or loved ones)
3. Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are less common and are awarded to punish the at-fault party if their actions were particularly reckless or malicious. These are meant to deter similar conduct in the future and are above and beyond the actual harm suffered.
With so many personal injury lawyers out there, finding someone you can trust to handle your case might seem like a daunting task. However, a few key factors can help you find a lawyer who’s not only skilled but also the right fit for your needs.
- Look for relevant experience in personal injury law: Ask about their experience handling cases similar to yours. A lawyer who has previously handled your type of injury claim will understand the nuances and potential challenges, giving you a stronger chance at success.
- Check reviews and testimonials: Client reviews can give you insight into a lawyer’s reputation and past results. Look for testimonials on the lawyer’s website, Google, or legal directories.
- Pay attention to the communication style: During your initial consultation, pay attention to how they explain things. Do they answer your questions directly? Do they make legal terms understandable? A good lawyer will keep you in the loop, answer your questions promptly, and make you feel comfortable.
- Evaluate their resources and support team: Complex cases often require significant resources, including access to investigators, medical experts, and support staff. Ask if the firm has these resources available. A well-equipped law firm can build a more thorough case and handle any challenges that come up along the way.
- Discuss fees and payment structure: Most personal injury lawyers charge clients on a contingency fee basis and only get paid if they help their client win. Make sure you understand their fee structure and any additional costs that might come up, like court fees or expert witness fees.
- Look for a personal connection: Trust your instincts. You’ll be working closely with this lawyer, so it’s important to feel comfortable and confident in their support. Look for someone who listens to your concerns, respects your goals, and makes you feel like a priority.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to finding a lawyer who has the skills, experience, and personality that suit your case and your needs.
With over 35 years of combined legal experience in personal injury law, our team at Sotiriou Wilmowski can assist you in your journey toward recovery and fair compensation. Schedule a free case evaluation by calling 314-925-1000 or filling out our contact form today.