“When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?” It’s a question you often hear from an accident victim who is unsure whether they should hire a lawyer to help with their case.
The short answer: As soon as possible. The primary reason why you need to get a lawyer as quickly as possible is that you have a limitation to beat. Each state has a specified amount of time when you can file a personal injury claim to recover money from the negligent party.
When you fail to make it on time, you lose your legal rights for compensation. Aside from the statute of limitations, there are many more reasons why you need to hire an attorney immediately.
This blog post outlines some of the most common scenarios when an accident victim must find and hire an experienced personal injury attorney.
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ToggleHow Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help You?
Hiring a personal injury lawyer poses various benefits, especially if you want to pursue a personal injury claim.- Case Investigation. When you hire a personal injury lawyer, they can help you investigate your case to build a strong claim. They will gather evidence and consult with other professionals to determine who is ultimately responsible for the accident.
- Evidence Recovery. A personal injury lawyer will also help recover substantial evidence from the accident scene. This can help you in your case and may help you receive a higher settlement or award for damages.
- Damage Assessment. A personal injury lawyer will also be able to assess the damages that you have sustained as a result of an accident. This can include economic and non-economic losses such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.
- Legal Representation. A personal injury lawyer will also provide you with legal representation throughout the entire process. This includes processing all communication with the insurance companies and representing you in court if necessary.
When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
As mentioned in the previous sections, a personal injury lawyer can help you more than you can imagine. We listed some of the most common instances when you must hire a personal injury attorney.When You Sustained Serious Injuries
Suppose you sustained severe bodily injury or a loved one died due to a catastrophic accident. In that case, hiring a personal injury lawyer should be your utmost priority. They can help you understand the specific legal details of your case and what appropriate step you must take. Most personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation to assess your case in most instances. A lawyer can help identify the proper amount of recoverable compensation based on your sustained damages. It is always highly advisable to confer with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. Ultimately, if you want to pursue and file a personal injury lawsuit, hiring a legal practitioner is the best way to proceed.When You Are Unsure if Compensation Is Available
Compensation is a complicated topic. Many accident victims are unsure if they are eligible to receive any compensation. A personal injury attorney can help you recognize the different types of compensation available in your case. Generally, all accident victims are entitled to receive two forms of compensation: economic and non-economic. Economic damages refer to recoverable compensation due to a direct monetary loss. In contrast, non-economic damages refer to compensation not directly related to monetary loss. A personal injury lawyer can help estimate your recoverable damages accurately. They will look at your incurred medical expenses, property damage, and other economic and non-economic damages (i.e., pain and suffering damages). They can help you file and process your personal injury claims to ensure maximum compensation and protect you from manipulative insurance companies.When the Accident Incurred Substantial Medical Costs
In cases where the accident incurs substantial medical costs, hiring a personal injury lawyer is essential. A lawyer will help you identify all the liable parties and seek compensation from them. Injuries sustained from medical malpractice are costly and leave you with hefty financial burdens. In these cases, it is recommended to consult with a personal injury lawyer and explore the various legal options available to you. A lawyer can also negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf to reach a fair settlement. Suppose you cannot come to a similar term with the insurance company. In that case, your lawyer can take your case to court on your behalf.When You Do Not Know the Value of Your Injury Claim
If you are confused and in doubt about the value of your injury claim, then a personal injury lawyer can help estimate your actual case value. An experienced personal injury lawyer can usually determine what fair compensation in your case is. Your lawyer can give you an accurate figure by assessing all the facts recovered from your case. In many cases, a victim’s recoverable damage is primarily made up of their incurred medical bills and other medical-related expenses.When an Insurance Company Is Acting in Bad Faith
An insurance provider has to act in good faith when handling your claim. Unfortunately, some insurance companies try to lowball accident victims or delay payout by conducting an unreasonable investigation. Personal injury attorneys will hold such an insurance company accountable and take appropriate legal action against them. In many personal injury cases, it’s common for a victim to receive a settlement offer from an insurance company that is much lower than they deserve. For this reason, it’s generally not advised to accept a settlement offer without seeking advice from your attorney.When the Other Party Alleges That You Are Partly to Blame for the Accident
All states in the United States follow a variation of comparative negligence law. If you contributed more than 50% to the accident, you could not recover compensation in some states. The comparative negligence law is usually encountered when resolving vehicular accident cases. Personal injury lawyers can help you build a case to prove that the other party’s fully liable for the accident.When the Liable Party Is Uninsured
If the negligent defendant does not have insurance or their insurance is not enough to fully compensate you, then hiring a personal injury lawyer becomes critical. If the at-fault party doesn’t have auto accident insurance, settling out of court is not an option. Because of this, you will have to file a personal injury claim against the negligent party to recover compensation from them.When Your Case Involves Complicated Areas of Law
Suppose your case involves complicated areas of personal injury laws, such as product liability, truck accidents, or Uber accidents. In this case, finding and hiring a personal injury lawyer is necessary. You need help interpreting the laws surrounding your case and how you can use them to prove the at-fault party’s negligence. An experienced lawyer will help you navigate the complex rules and submit your claim to the court.When Your Insurance Claim Was Denied
If your insurance claim was denied after the car accident, hiring a lawyer to help you fight for your legal rights is vital. A personal injury attorney can assist you in recovering and preserving compelling evidence to appeal with the insurance provider, asking them to pay out on the denied claim. It’s crucial not to accept any settlement offer from insurance companies until consulting with your lawyer. They could be lowballing your settlement or trying to buy time. To ensure that you will receive a fair settlement for your injuries, seek the assistance of a lawyer.When the Statute of Limitations Is Approaching
Every personal injury case in America is bound by a statute of limitations. This statute is the time frame in which you have to file a personal injury claim. In most states, this period is two years from the date of the accident. If you wait too long to take legal action, you could lose your chance to recover compensation. A personal injury lawyer knows this. They can help you complete the necessary paperwork to ensure that you will attain the justice you deserve.When Multiple Parties Are Involved
In some cases, multiple parties could be responsible for your accident. This scenario is usually encountered in commercial truck accident cases, product liability cases, and car accident cases involving more than two cars. Each party will have its own insurance company. They will likely try to avoid responsibility. Because of this, you will play an endless game of pointing fingers. A qualified attorney can help you with the legal process of determining who is the at-fault party and if there is any shared fault in the case.When Your Claim Involves a Government Entity
You must follow different local statutes and procedures when filing a personal injury claim against a government entity. Suing the government is entirely different from suing another private party. You need an attorney knowledgeable in this area of law to ensure that your case is handled correctly. Hiring a personal injury lawyer is essential since the laws surrounding personal injuries caused by a government entity can be complicated. Moreover, it would be best to have an aggressive lawyer who can stand up against anyone, even against a public figure.When You Have Suffered Significant Pain and Suffering
When you claim compensation for your injuries, it’s not only about economic damages. In wrongful death cases, accident victims and their spouses are entitled to claim compensation for non-economic damage. Non-economic damages include compensation for:- physical pain
- emotional suffering
- mental anguish
- loss of consortium
Our Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Is Always Ready to Help You
Worldwide, countless victims are suffering from severe injuries after catastrophic accidents. Whether they faced motor vehicle accidents, survived medical malpractice incidents, or numerous other fatal accidents, they must attain justice for their injuries. If you are in this dire situation, you need all the help you can find. Giordano Law Offices Personal Injury & Employment Lawyers is an established and renowned personal injury law firm in New York. We assisted numerous personal injury clients in the past and helped them achieve the justice they deserve. We have extensive experience helping clients recover the best amount of compensation they deserve and helped get back on their feet. We can do the same for you too! Call us now at (646) 760-3848 for a free consultation. You can also use our online contact form to reach our legal team.Related Posts
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