4 Ways Technology is Changing the Business of Personal Injury

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Personal injury deals with the rights of individuals who have suffered harm due to the actions or negligence of others. At first glance, these cases may seem straightforward. However, personal injury is a constantly evolving field that many find challenging to handle.

That said, emerging technology significantly shapes how the law investigates and resolves personal injury cases. For instance, machine learning continues to pave the way for more automated and comprehensive approaches to gathering evidence. As such, lawyers must stay updated on the latest tech trends to identify new, revolutionary ways to handle litigations. Read below to know more.

 

4 Ways Technology Is Changing the Business of Personal Injury

Suppose you or a loved one plans to file a personal injury case. In that case, it's essential to learn about systems that improve the accuracy and efficiency of legal procedures.

 

1. Digital communication and social media

Emerging digital communication technology has become critical to personal injury cases. Social media, email, and text messages can provide valuable information. Relevant personnel can investigate all parties' activities before and after personal injuries to solidify evidence or challenge the credibility of the opposing side.

Take Zimmerman v. Weis Markets, Inc., for example. Rane Zimmerman filed a case against Weis Markets after he allegedly suffered from an injury while operating a forklift at the latter's warehouse. Investigators found through Zimmerman's social media that he was performing bike stunts during the incident—which caused the injuries—resulting in his loss.

Digital communication tech has made gathering evidence more efficient and cost-effective. Courts may order parties to surrender their log-in information, providing access to private posts and conversations. However, the disadvantage is that courts and lawyers may take information out of context, which may lead to unfair judgments.

 

2. Electronic medical records

Gone are the days when investigators had to wait for parcels and emails to obtain health information. The same goes for physically traveling to health institutions. Nowadays, lawyers can easily access relevant data using electronic medical records and strengthen the evidence in their cases. Proving or disproving plaintiffs has become easier, making judicial processes more efficient and less resource intensive.

A great example of this is the Estate of McCall v. United States 2014 case. Michelle McCall was an Air Force dependent who died at a military clinic due to blood loss after delivering her son. McCall's medical records proved medical negligence on the clinic's part as it showed that she suffered from high blood pressure and preeclampsia, resulting in her estate's victory.

As mentioned, electronic medical records enable courts and other parties to access medical information quickly and accurately as evidence. However, concerns about privacy, security, and potential errors have increased. These issues become more pronounced since health institutions and medical practitioners with direct access to these data can theoretically manipulate them.

 

3. 3D printing and biomechanical engineering

Visualizing injuries and their causes is now simpler and more accurate using 3D printing and biomechanical engineering technology. Some cases leverage them to create models of injured bones, joints, and limbs for analysis and demonstrate the extent of injuries. It can also simulate accidents to analyze and show how injuries occur in a more visual approach.

This tech is a potential use case for cases involving motor accidents causing cervical spine injuries and severe herniation. 3D-printed anatomical models may explain the complex injury to jurors, enabling a more straightforward litigation process for all parties involved.

The primary advantage of these visualization tactics is their ability to provide accurate and detailed information about injuries, especially for lay people with no in-depth knowledge of anatomy. But the cost and complexity are often an issue, so not all courts can afford such technology.

 

4. Artificial intelligence and predictive analysis

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-powered tech is also changing the legal landscape. It has become instrumental in how lawyers gain insights into their cases by analyzing historical data to identify patterns. It's also become a valuable tool for reviewing large volumes of data efficiently and accurately, which is vital in cases where time is critical.

A revolutionary application of AI in law is the Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions (COMPAS), which uses predictive analysis to assess risks. It analyzes a defendant's criminal history, demographics, and questionnaire responses. It then determines the likelihood of future criminal behavior and influences sentencing, probation, and parole decisions.

Like other use cases, AI has proven valuable in making processes more efficient via automation. It helps save time and resources that traditional analysis methods may take up. Even so, AI-powered systems in the legal system, including COMPAS, have been controversial due to concerns about their accuracy and fairness.

 

The Future of Tech in Personal Injury Law

The evolution of tech has transformed how the legal system processes information and will continue to do so as newer systems emerge. As such, staying updated with the latest tech advancements can help enough to make our best. Lawyers can learn about new methods of gathering and presenting evidence, which may be instrumental to winning a future case.

Ultimately, the impact of tech on personal injury law is complex. While these systems serve distinct, undeniable benefits to legal cases, it's also crucial to be aware of their shortcomings to avoid errors, inaccuracies, and misjudgments that can alter innocent people's lives. So, personal injury lawyers must stay informed and flexible to serve their clients better and achieve successful outcomes.

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