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7 Benefits of Working With Local Personal Injury Lawyers

by Joe Gamez | Jan 21, 2022 | Personal Injury |

After an accident, you may think you an outside law firm will effectively fight on your behalf. But before you make any call, understand “personal injury lawyers near me”, meaning, in the Houston and San Antonio areas, can provide real benefits that out-of-state attorneys cannot match. To sum, their knowledge of local laws and legal proceedings can help navigate your case to a more successful resolution.

7 Benefits of Working With Local Personal Injury Lawyers Near Me in Houston and San Antonio

1. Knowledge of State Laws

Personal injury laws differ from state to state. Hiring a local legal team ensures your case is handled in accordance with Texas laws. For instance, Houston and San Antonio personal injury victims may be eligible for compensation based on economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.

Economic damages are typically comprised of lost wages, medical and hospital expenses, and property damage. They’re fairly straightforward to prove and can also include loss of earning capacity. If you’re unable to return to work or can only complete lower-paying work after an accident, you may be able to recover the difference between the money you now make and what you expected to make before the accident.

Additional Damages

Non-economic damages are those not directly connected to a specific economic loss and are, therefore, more difficult to prove. Examples include compensation for inconvenience, scarring, mental anguish, and pain and suffering. Your lawyer may need the professional opinions of economists or others to help establish non-economic damage claims.

Punitive damages are designed to deter similar conduct from a defendant in the future. They essentially “punish” a person for poor behaviors and are imposed in only the most egregious cases.

More Local Laws

Your lawyer must also understand that, unlike many other states, Texas generally does not limit the damages that can be awarded in personal injury states. One exception is in medical malpractice cases, in which non-economic damages are capped at $250,000 per defendant and $500,000 overall.

Every state also implements a statute of limitations that defines the time a person has to file a particular legal action. In Texas, the statute of limitations on most personal injury claims is two years. The clock usually starts running on the date of the accident, but in some cases, the statute doesn’t begin until after the victim discovered they had an injury.

2. Concerned With Reputation

Reputation is important to any business, but it’s especially key in the practice of law. Some lawyers and firms are held in higher regard by court staff, judges, and other attorneys because their work ethics are well-known. In other words, a personal injury lawyer ingratiated in the local community has worked with countless people. This makes it easy for you to speak to others and understand the attorney who will represent you.

Local attorneys are also more likely to maintain their positive image when working in the “home court.” For you, this means they will prepare a strategic approach intended to protect you and your family. Attorneys from several hundred miles away rarely have this incentive because they’re unlikely to ever appear in a Houston or San Antonio court again.

3. Convenient to Meet

Just as you need easy access to your doctor, you likewise need the ability to meet with your lawyer in person. This is a professional with whom you want to effectively communicate and establish a positive relationship.

Hiring “personal injury lawyers near me”, that is, in your area, allows you to do both. You can easily schedule face-to-face meetings when necessary and get to know the person working for you. Local lawyers also eliminate the need for expensive and time-consuming trips that can drain your energy after a painful accident.

4. Easily Gather Evidence

An attorney based several hours away is at a real disadvantage when the time comes to gather evidence. They have to rely on technology like email and Zoom meetings to collect police reports, retrieve photos, and speak to witnesses.

That’s right. People who saw your accident happen can provide crucial evidence for your case. But your attorney must work quickly to garner their testimonies before memories start to fade. A local attorney familiar with the area will have the resources necessary to track down and speak to witnesses, thereby strengthening the case you present.

5. Established Relationships Within the Community

You might imagine your attorney toiling over a desk all day and night. And while attorneys do indeed put in long office hours, the best also understand the need to network within the community. They therefore build solid relationships with professionals like law enforcement, insurance adjusters, and health care providers.

This effort can benefit your case in a variety of ways. To illustrate, a local team of lawyers knows who to ask for reliable and credible testimony. Well-connected attorneys can also ask their network for help collecting evidence and building an air-tight case. In a similar vein, local attorneys know who to avoid in the community – that is, those who have proven unreliable or unhelpful.

6. Knowledge of the Courtroom

It’s true that most personal injury cases settle out of court. But this is not to say every case follows the same path, and some do in fact go before a judge. If this proves true with your case, you will need help navigating the subtle nuances found inside every courtroom. A local attorney is invaluable in this instance. They’ve likely taken previous cases to court and know how to proceed in a professional manner that will paint your case in a favorable light.

Personal injury lawyers near me understand the unspoken rules of local courts. This is not knowledge an outsider can quickly obtain. This means a far-away lawyer may inadvertently offend the judge and damage your case by lacking important local insight. To illustrate, a non-local attorney might dress too flashy or behave too arrogantly – acts that can instantly earn the judge’s displeasure.

Acknowledging Local Rules

Court rules can be more rigorous than simply demanding that counsel and others dress appropriately. Rules can in fact range from getting a hearing on the calendar to understanding who must appear at that hearing. With the vast number of courts in this country, and each imposing its own rules, it’s simply impossible for one lawyer to know them all. But a local attorney is practiced with the courts in your area and can ensure your best chances for success.

7. Familiarity with Local Judges and Opposing Counsel

Let’s return to the notion of judges for a moment. We’ve already established that each has his or her own preferences. This extends to liking a certain argument style as well, a style that can only be learned by appearing before that particular judge. Every case has its own weaknesses and strengths. Familiarity with the judge helps a local attorney meaningfully argue on your behalf.

Local attorneys also know lawyers on the other side of the aisle. These relationships can lead to successful negotiations and settlements even after a court case is already underway.

If you’ve been in a personal injury accident, it’s imperative that you contact a team of local attorneys. They know state laws, understand local courtroom rules, and abide by the preferences of local judges. Just as important, they will work to maintain the reputations they’ve fought so hard to establish. Schedule your consultation with a team whose local history dates back to 1973 – call Gamez Law Firm today.