When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
There are 39.5 million personal injury cases that require medical treatment in the United States each year. If you have become a part of this statistic, then you may be wondering whether or not you should seek legal help for your troubles.
If you are on the fence about hiring a personal injury lawyer, then there are a few things you can take into consideration. If any of these statements apply to you, then hiring an attorney is likely a good decision.
You Have a Serious Traumatic Injury or Permanent Disability
If you have sustained a serious injury or permanent disability, then filing a personal injury lawsuit is a must. Hiring an attorney for your lawsuit is the best way to make sure you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Some injuries will require you to receive ongoing or lifetime care or limit your ability to work. A lawyer can help you to determine your need for recurring compensation.
Also, if you are injured or disabled, then you may not be able to put enough effort into working on a legal case. Hiring a lawyer allows you to focus on your health and recovery while all of the legal disputes are taken care of by a professional.
You Aren't Sure How to Deal With Insurance
One of the most difficult aspects of dealing with a personal injury case is working with insurance companies. Insurance adjusters can be incredibly hard to work with. Oftentimes, their definition of a "fair settlement" is not the same as yours.
In other cases, insurance companies will try to get out of paying you at all. If an insurance company acts in bad faith, then they may attempt to do things such as drag out your claim, so your statute of limitations expires and you run out of time to file a lawsuit in the first place.
A personal injury attorney is armed with the legal expertise to negotiate with insurance companies. They can ensure that you do not get tricked or underpaid when negotiating your settlement.
You Are Being Blamed for Part or All of Your Injuries
Even if the other party's insurance accepts liability, they still may try to place some of the blame on you. For example, they may say that you were speeding at the time of your car accident or you illegally crossed the street before your bicycle accident. Discover more about cases such as this one on websites like Alpha Accident Lawyers.
A personal injury lawyer will make sure that there is a thorough investigation to determine the fault of the accident. They can gather all of the legal evidence to prove that you are not to be blamed.
Liability Is Unclear
On the other hand, if liability is truly unclear, then you should seek legal representation immediately. If you believe that someone else is at fault, then it is your responsibility to come up with the evidence to prove them guilty. Sometimes this can be difficult as you need to acquire things such as police reports, medical records, and traffic camera footage.
Lawyers have easier access to all of this information and can therefore gather it and use it to prove you innocent.
You Want a Larger Settlement
Settlements tend to be higher when a lawyer is involved with the case. Filing a personal injury lawsuit on your own is possible, but you may not have the legal expertise to get the settlement you need.
Your attorney will know all of the tips and tricks for maximizing your settlement. They will ensure you do not settle for anything less than you deserve.
Your Case May Need to Go to Trial
Only a small percentage of cases go to trial, but it is important to have a lawyer if yours does. Representing yourself in court can be challenging to say the least. Your personal injury lawyer has the experience to represent you in front of a judge.
How to Find the Best Lawyer
Once you have decided to hire a personal injury attorney, then you need to find the best one for your needs. Here are just a few things you need to do when searching for a lawyer.
Ask for Recommendations
If any of your friends or family have gone through a personal injury lawsuit themselves, then they may have lawyers to recommend. Ask them about their experiences with the lawyers they used and whether or not they can recommend them to you.
When talking to friends and family about their experience, make sure you keep in mind the types of personal injury cases they were dealing with. If it is very different from yours, then you may not be able to get a good idea of how the lawyer would represent your own case.
Look Online
The internet is one of the best places to find experienced lawyers. Search for lawyers in your area who have experience in cases similar to yours. Make sure to check their reviews and their success rates.
Consult Lawyers You Already Know
If you personally know a lawyer, then you may be able to ask them to represent you. If they know you personally, then they might be more invested in your case. Once again, make sure that they have experience in the type of case you are dealing with.
If they don't, they may still be able to refer you to another lawyer who may be better equipped to handle your case.
Find Your Personal Injury Lawyer Today
When in doubt, it is never a bad idea to consult with a personal injury lawyer. Navigating the legal process can be difficult, but an experienced attorney can make it a little easier.
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