6 Emerging Trends in Personal Injury Cases
The personal injury industry is a multi-billion dollar legal sector. Accidents have become commonplace in American society. People go to work, malls, or parties and return with negligence-triggered injuries.
“However, the sector constantly evolves, and if you want to get the most out of your personal injury claims, you must familiarize yourself with these changes. These new trends affect virtually every aspect of personal injury claims,” says injury attorney Peter Friedman of Friedman Schuman Layser.
This article discusses six emerging trends in the personal injury legal sector:
Emerging Trend One: More Deployment of Technological Tools
Advancements in technology affect every aspect of life. Personal injury law firms have also used technological tools to ease their work.
They now rely on technology-generated data to back up their claims. For instance, they can use a smartwatch or fitness tracker to understand their client’s level of physical fitness and include it in their evidence.
Similarly, video evidence, such as security cameras and dashcams, are becoming increasingly common in personal injury claims. You can now take photos and videos of an accident scene with your mobile phone to serve as evidence.
Emerging Trend Two: More Attention on Mental Health
Before now, the legal system used to trivialize the impact of mental health on personal injury victims. The focus was mainly on physical injuries and damages. However, victims also suffer emotional distress, depression, and anxiety.
Thus, you should include mental health issues in your claim. However, since it is a non-economic claim, you need a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who will liaise with a healthcare professional to help you determine the accurate value of your loss. When you give an unrealistic figure, you reduce your chances of favorable consideration.
Emerging Trend Three: Increased Concentration on Head Injuries
Fortunately, head injuries, like concussions and other traumatic brain injuries, are getting the deserved attention. Many stakeholders and concerned persons are waking up to the long-term consequences of these injuries.
For instance, victims with head injuries may suffer from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and other severe conditions. It would be unfair to remain silent on these conditions when making a personal injury claim. The medical issues are complex, and thus, victims should get adequate compensation to treat themselves.
Emerging Trend Four: Increased Adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolutions (ADRs)
Over 95 percent of personal injury claims end out of court. To spice things up, more stakeholders are increasingly adopting alternative dispute resolution approaches such as arbitration and mediation. If the endpoint of every claim is compensation, players can decide to take an honorable and peaceful path.
Alternative dispute resolutions are often economical, quicker, and less hostile. When you adopt a collaborative approach, the outcome is always favorable to all parties. This approach will also protect your mental health and help you quickly close that chapter of your life.
Emerging Trend Five: More Attention on Distracted Driving
Although technology has numerous advantages, it also has a handful of negatives. Advancements in technology have mainly contributed to more road accidents. People feel easily distracted behind the wheel.
For instance, drivers now press their smartphones, reply to emails, check messages, and text friends when driving, jeopardizing the safety of other road users. To claim distracted driving, you need technology to prove your point. For example, you need dashcam footage and smartphone records to establish liability.
Technology has helped establish liability in distracted driving cases. If you prove that the driver was negligent, you increase your chances of recouping your losses.
Emerging Trend Six: More Advocacy for Injured Kids
More advocates are speaking up for kids who sustain injuries in accidents. In most injury circumstances, children are vulnerable. The long-term effects of these injuries can be unimaginable.
Since these children cannot institute legal claims alone, someone needs to speak up for them. The issues are complex and require the assistance of an outstanding personal injury attorney for the desired outcome. If you see a child in a vulnerable accident condition, try offering them timely legal assistance.
Final Thoughts
These emerging trends reflect the direction our society is headed. The personal injury industry must prepare for more changes. Maximize opportunities when you blend these trends into your profession.
A personal injury attorney who understands these trends will be better able to handle claims arising from them. The ultimate aim is to know how to help clients recover maximum compensation under these emerging conditions.
