A personal injury lawyer helps victims who have been intentionally or accidentally hurt. A lawyer can help a victim recover damages through settlement negotiations or court proceedings. In order to maximize the chance of recovery, a plaintiff should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an injury occurs. Most states have a statute of limitations which limits the amount of time a potential plaintiff has to file a lawsuit when an injury occurs. After the statute of limitations expires, a personal injury lawyer may be not be able to help a plaintiff. A personal injury lawyer is also known as a negligence attorney.