Is There a Difference Between a Personal Injury Lawyer & Car Accident Lawyer?

If you are researching lawyers online, you may be confused by all the different types of attorneys and the various legal services they offer. You may see car accident lawyers, injury lawyers, or personal injury lawyers. Understandably, you might have questions about the differences.

There is no fundamental difference between a personal injury lawyer and a car accident lawyer in terms of training. All lawyers receive the same general training.

The difference comes in terms of focusing on a specific area in practice. So a car accident lawyer is a type of personal injury lawyer who has chosen to focus on a particular area, namely, vehicle accidents.

What Is Personal Injury Law?

Personal injury law is a broad area of the law that includes a variety of accident types, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, defective products, medical malpractice, and more. These cases involve tort law.

Personal injury lawyers represent injured parties who need help recovering money owed to them by the at-fault parties. Personal injury lawyers typically represent the average person against insurance companies and corporations—parties with deeper pockets who will do everything possible to avoid paying.

Insurance companies are notorious for going to great lengths to keep from paying out in a personal injury loss, no matter how clear liability is against their insured. The claim adjuster's main priority is to reduce or eliminate the exposure for their employer.

After all, insurance companies don’t make money by paying out more than they absolutely have to. That is one reason it's so important to find a personal injury lawyer who can build a strong case and fight for you. In many instances, the amount of compensation you receive in a personal injury case is directly linked with your attorney's negotiating skills.

What to Look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer?

What's most important to consider is the type of claim you have and the attorney's experience level you are looking to hire. If you sustained injuries in a car accident, you want an attorney who has prior experience successfully resolving car accident claims. If you have a slip and fall claim, you don't want a personal injury attorney who primarily handles auto accident cases.

Certain types of personal injury cases have different laws and regulations that apply, such as truck accidents or medical malpractice claims. Very few personal injury lawyers will have experience with both types of claims. Federal regulations and state laws govern truck cargo, the number of hours they can drive, and a host of other requirements.

It’s an area of law that requires a lot of experience to learn the nuances. Medical malpractice claims have unique rules and deadlines, knowledge of which can be gained only through experience. Without the right attorney representing you, you run the risk of missing a deadline that could jeopardize your entire case.

Ask Questions When You Meet with an Attorney

According to attorney Wendy Doyle-Palumbo, it's extremely helpful to ask questions about the attorney's expertise and the number of cases they've handled. Have they ever tried a lawsuit in court? If not, that could be problematic for your case, especially if you have a complicated legal issue.

For example, defective product cases can be very complex to resolve. You want an attorney with a proven record of success. If a firm lists on their website that they handle product liability law, but they have never successfully resolved a case, you'll want to look for a different lawyer.

Understandably, meeting with lawyers can be intimidating. However, it's crucial to find the right attorney for your case. Attorneys get these questions every day, so you won't be the first one to ask about their prior experience. Some firms list big wins on their site or mention previous cases in their blogs.

Even if you find information online before meeting with the attorney, you should still ask plenty of questions. Some firms have multiple attorneys, so the case results you are reading about could be wins from another lawyer.

You have every right to find an attorney with whom you feel comfortable and can resolve your current legal needs. It's ok to meet with multiple firms to find the best personal injury attorney whose experience and skill set are the right fit for you.