Did you get into an accident on someone else’s property? Is your injury caused by someone’s negligence?
If your answer to the questions above is yes, then it may be a good time to call and hire a personal injury lawyer. A personal injury attorney can help you receive maximum compensation for your injuries and damages. Personal injury lawyers are experienced in dealing with insurance companies to get you the coverage that you deserve.
If you’re unsure whether your injury was someone else’s fault or if you have a valid claim, then consultation with a personal injury lawyer can make it all clear for you. To get you started, we have listed a few common situations below, in which you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer.
Do I need a personal injury lawyer?
If you get injured in an accident that is someone else’s fault, then you may feel unsure about proceeding with a claim. Although it is not a requirement to hire a personal injury lawyer to file your claim, an attorney can handle a serious injury case with a much better understanding.
The at-fault party’s insurance company will have a team of experienced lawyers to scrutinize your case. That is why having a lawyer will increase your chances of receiving maximum compensation.
There aren’t any clear-cut rules on hiring a lawyer. However, if you find yourself in one of the following four situations, you should immediately contact a personal injury lawyer:
1. If you suffered a severe injury or permanent disability
If you sustained a severe injury due to an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, then you should hire a personal injury lawyer right away. If the accident left you with a permanent disability, serious illness, or incapability to fend for yourself, then a personal injury attorney can help you receive maximum compensation for your damages.
Life-altering injuries change the course of the affected person’s life and leave them with life-long consequences and bills. That is no time to restrain yourself because you deserve to receive compensation for your pain and suffering.
2. If you’re unsure who is at-fault for the accident
If you were injured in an accident but aren’t sure who is the at-fault party, then consulting with a personal injury attorney can help you understand the situation better. The opposite party will do everything to blame the accident on you. Thus, a personal injury lawyer can help you defend your rights. An experienced personal injury lawyer can come up with a strategy to deal with counter and cross-claims.
3. Involvement of multiple parties
If the accident that caused you injuries involved multiple parties, then consultation with a personal injury attorney can help you defend yourself from the blame and any charges. The opposing parties will have lawyers that will do everything to deflect the blame on you. That’s why hiring a personal injury lawyer will you the best shot at receiving compensation for your injuries.
An experienced lawyer will prove efficient in dealing with multiple parties all at once. They’ll ensure that you have an undeniable case that sets your claim up for success during negotiations or in the court of law.
4. If the insurance company delays or denies your claim
During most personal injury claims, the at-fault party’s insurance company will have a team of lawyers working to weaken your case. They’ll leave no stone unturned to deny or reduce the coverage that they may have to provide you.
Insurance companies are aware that most people don’t understand the legal procedures and complexities of personal injury claims. The companies try to use this to their advantage to make the claimant agree to a small compensation.
They can also delay the processing of your claim to beat you into submission slowly. Without an experienced personal injury lawyer to represent you, they may even deny your claim entirely. If you feel that the insurance company isn’t offering compensation that you deserve or if they are delaying your claim, then hiring a personal injury lawyer will be in your best interest.
Benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney
If you’re still unsure about hiring a personal injury lawyer for your claim, then we’ll help you understand how they can be beneficial for you.
Check out the following benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney explained in detail:
1. They have experience with cases similar to yours
A personal injury lawyer can leverage their experience of dealing with insurance companies to help you win your claim. They have the knowledge of laws and excellent negotiation skills that can secure the highest possible compensation for you.
The insurance company of the at-fault party will do everything in their power to offer you the lowest possible compensation or deny your claim altogether. Insurance companies have experience in exploiting the lack of experience of the claimants. That’s where a personal injury lawyer can step in and defend your rights.
Personal injury lawyers are well versed in gathering evidence and building a strong case that the insurance companies can’t deny. They can ensure that the offered compensation is in your best interests.
2. There’s no up-front fee
Personal injury lawyers offer their services based on a contingency fee. This means that you don’t have to pay your lawyer anything if they don’t win the case for you. You only have to pay your lawyer when they win. Their fee is paid from the settlement that you receive from your claim.
Moreover, most personal injury firms offer a free consultation without any up-front fee. So, even if you don’t want to hire a lawyer, you can still have them assess your case for free.
3. They save you time and peace of mind
After you’ve sustained severe injuries in an accident, it will be very stressful for you to deal with the excruciating process of claiming compensation. By hiring a personal injury lawyer, you can ensure that your case is in safe hands. Meanwhile, you can focus on your recovery and health.
The process of filing a personal injury claim can be complicated and taxing. It requires a lot of time and energy to gather medical records, police reports, and continuously communicating with the insurance adjuster.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will handle your case with the utmost care and professionalism. They’ll also ensure that it gets expedited. Settlement processes can take very long, and you can run the risk of having to pay all the expensive medical costs yourself.
Insurance companies do everything to delay the claim to pressure you into submission for a smaller compensation. An experienced lawyer will be aware of these tactics and would know how to deal with them head-on. They’ll have years of experience dealing with similar cases and will be prepared to avoid any setbacks.
4. They know investigators who can prove your case
A personal injury lawyer will use all resources available to them to build a strong case for you. Since personal injury lawyers have worked on similar cases for many years, they become acquainted with investigators. Their investigators can help prove your case when it comes to liability, insurance, or assets.
5. They are professional and offer objectivity
After you’ve been in an accident that left you with severe injuries, it can difficult to think objectively. Your pain and suffering may lead you to make decisions that may not be in your best interest. Therefore, hiring a personal injury lawyer would ensure that your case is dealt with professionally and objectively.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will be qualified to gather facts and evidence to support your claim. They’ll have more clarity on your case than what your emotional trauma may be hindering you from seeing. A personal injury lawyer will fight for your rights and bring you the compensation that you deserve. They will not let their emotions blur their judgment because they aren’t directly affected by your injury.
Your personal injury lawyer will also be more methodical and convincing during negotiations. Their experience will provide your case with additional weight.
6. They’ll identify alternative methods of resolution
When insurance adjusters refuse to offer a fair settlement for your injury claim, an experienced lawyer would be able to identify alternative solutions. They’ll be able to judge whether your case needs alternative resolution methods to save you from being denied the compensation that you deserve.
Your personal injury lawyer will save you a lot of time and emotional distress by their willingness to use mediation and arbitration methods. They’ll even take your case to court when they can fight for your rightful claim.
7. They have experience dealing with other lawyers
Most people aren’t aware of this, but personal factors such as divorce, bankruptcy, criminal charges, etc., all have an impact on your personal injury case. Personal injury lawyers are aware of this, and they can work in association with your attorneys to reach a solution that is in your best interest.
If your personal injury case isn’t settled during negotiations and goes to court, then your lawyer can handle the cross-claims and investigation from the insurance company’s lawyers. They’ll be able to scrutinize the evidence produced by the defendant party in court. Moreover, they can come up with convincing counter-arguments to strengthen your case further.
8. They are well versed in the process of personal injury claims
Personal injury lawyers are qualified in the field. They have years of experience with the ins and outs of personal injury cases and law. They can tell you all your options and help you decide the one in your best interest.
Claiming personal injury compensation can be a long and tormenting process, especially if you’re not familiar with the process. A lawyer will be well versed in all the steps and procedures. Additionally, if the insurance company denies your claim, then you’ll need your lawyer to fight your case in court. A personal injury lawyer will be well qualified to advise you on your options based on your particular situation.
9. They can help you secure a higher settlement
Statistically, claims that are processed by personal injury attorneys secure a higher settlement when compared to claims filed by the individual. This stat remains true even when the fee of the attorney is subtracted from the compensation amount.
When you file a personal injury claim, your main goal is to receive maximum compensation. When you hire a personal injury lawyer, you ensure that it happens. An experienced attorney will deal with the complexities of your case proficiently.
The other party’s insurance company will try to push you to accept lower compensation. An experienced lawyer will make sure that you don’t settle for an amount that is even a dollar less than what you deserve. They’ll use all the strategies to make the adjuster offer compensation that is in your best interest.
10. They can represent you in court
If the insurance company refuses to pay compensation and denies your claim, then the only option left would be to take your case to court. Although you are not required to hire a personal injury attorney to represent you, it can work in your best interest. Even if you think your claim is substantially convincing, the lawyers of the opponent party can turn the case against you in court.
Therefore, when you hire a personal injury lawyer, it will level the playing field. Moreover, a personal injury attorney will be able to prove your case much more convincingly. They’ll use various legal strategies to ensure that you receive all possible compensation for your injuries, pain, and suffering.
There are several benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer, as discussed above. At the very least, you should consider consulting with a lawyer about your case. The consultation is mostly offered for free.
Conclusion
Not sure whether you have a legitimate personal injury case? Visit our website here to find out.