A: The investigation process of a personal injury lawyer differs from that of a civil litigation lawyer defending a client in that the personal injury lawyer is specifically focused on building a case to prove fault and damages for the injured party. While a defending civil litigator seeks to discredit claims or minimize liability, a personal injury lawyer actively gathers evidence (medical records, accident reports, witness statements) to establish the opposing party’s negligence and substantiate the extent of the client’s injuries and losses, always with the goal of securing compensation.