Technology is Impacting Personal Injury Cases
How Do Personal Injury Cases Work? Understanding the Process?
When a person is injured because of someone else’s negligence, it is prudent to file a personal injury case. This process begins with a consultation with an attorney, who weighs the merits of the case and decides whether to take it. Ideally, the injured party will have gotten medical attention and gathered as much evidence as possible to bolster the case. After deciding to sign on, the attorney will begin gathering evidence in earnest. With enough solid evidence, most personal injury cases can be settled without a trial. However, if a settlement can’t be reached, a jury trial will typically take place. During both the information gathering phase and the trial itself, modern technology can be a boon to the attorneys and their clients.
The Role of Technology in Evidence Collection in Different Types of Personal Injury Cases
The job of the attorney is to craft a strong case, based on evidence, to win his or her client an equitable settlement. It’s a huge job, so is it wise for attorneys to turn to AI and other types of technology to help? You’ve heard stories, no doubt, of attorneys who used AI tools like ChatGPT to file court documents, only to discover that the documents cited cases that didn’t exist. With those cautionary tales in mind, though, there is no denying that AI and other technology can help an attorney make a personal injury case. If an attorney is diligent in fact-checking artificial intelligence, it can be an extremely useful tool. AI algorithms can sort through enormous amounts of data, cross references to prior legal decisions, assisting with analysis, and finding facts and patterns that strengthen the attorneys’ arguments. This technology can even be used to wade through social media accounts to find information about people involved in the incident. All this evidence gathering helps speed up the process, which saves time and money for everyone involved with the case. Of course, AI is not the only technology that is useful for gathering data. Drones can photograph accident scenes, inspect faulty structures, and generally give the attorneys information as though they were “on the scene.” Generating 3D models allows attorneys to recreate an accident in a simulation, to better understand what happened and determine fault.
Advantages of Using Technology in a Personal Injury Trial
Technology isn’t just a data-mining tool to unearth evidence, however. Attorneys who properly utilize modern technology can streamline data and organize evidence in such a way that can help amenable parties come to a settlement. If settling is not in the cards, the organized evidence is extremely useful in helping a jury understand the case. The victor in a court case is generally the one with the most evidence, so attorneys who use every piece of technology available to strengthen their case have a definite advantage. Dashcams, surveillance cameras, smartwatches, fitness devices, smartphones, and other types of technology have all become reliable sources of evidence to bolster a case.
How Technology is Being Used in the Courtroom for Personal Injury Law Cases
If a trial should occur, the technology available to attorneys can make their job easier in the courtroom, too. Simulations, accident reconstructions, and animations all have a significant impact on jurors. Additionally, with the tools at their disposal, attorneys can show medical data like CT scans and X-rays to the jury, rather than relying on describing the injuries. While the law can be somewhat dry, bringing in technological tools can help engage the jury, which is a good way to make the case.
Challenges and Limitations of Technology Use in Personal Injury Cases
Of course, as with any new methodology, today’s technology is not without its challenges when used for personal injury cases. A good attorney will not expect the technology to do the work but will scrupulously examine the evidence to make sure it’s valid. Digital evidence can fall prey to tampering, so it’s important for attorneys to be diligent in ensuring that the evidence is authentic and has been managed through strict protocols to keep it securely stored and preserved. Another challenge is that many legal professionals are not quite up to speed with the latest technology, which can hinder their use of it in the courtroom. It should be stressed that there must be a balance between traditional legal practices and the use of new technology.
Types of Damages in Personal Injury Cases
In the end, the goal is to make sure everyone’s rights are protected. There is much riding on a personal injury case, from compensatory damages to medical expenses to lost wages and the loss of future earnings, and more. It is important to have an experienced attorney on your side in a personal injury case, to make sure the outcome is equitable and you receive the settlement to which you are entitled.
For All Types of Personal Injury Cases, Trust the Law Office of Kent L. Greenberg
Since 1981, the Law Office of Kent L. Greenberg has been successfully assisting clients in the Baltimore County area. Our seasoned professionals work hard to resolve our clients’ legal issues, comprehensively evaluating each case to determine the best strategies for handling each unique situation. From family law to personal injury law to criminal law, we have effectively handled numerous cases in our decades of experience. For those who have been injured due to someone else’s improper actions, we aggressively advocate in and out of the courtroom, bringing to bear our understanding of the laws and protocols specific to Maryland, as well as our significant knowledge and expertise. No matter what your legal issue may be, you can trust the Law Office of Kent L. Greenberg to work to achieve the best possible decision in line with your best interests. If you are looking for legal services in Carroll County, Pikesville, Owings Mills, or Baltimore County, Maryland, contact us through our website to schedule a consultation.