When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
If someone’s act of negligence causes you harm/injury you would want to seek justice at all costs. This could be injuries from a car accident, slip and fall, medical malpractice, dog bite, workplace accident, etc. Undoubtedly, dealing with post-accident trauma and related economic challenges can be very stressful and daunting. While thinking of how to heal fast and regain your strength, you may also be considering ways to protect your legal rights.
These conflicting thoughts can affect your recovery rate and even push you further into mental stress. But you aren’t to be blamed. Most accident victims don’t know the next right step to take after an accident. They struggle with important decisions like whether to involve an attorney or handle things themselves. When and how to hire such experienced and dedicated personal injury lawyers can even become a challenge.
So, we are here to reduce your burden of thoughts, as we take you through when to hire a personal injury lawyer.
When a Third Party’s Negligence Causes You Harm?
Personal injuries occur when a third person’s fault/negligence causes you physical/emotional injury or financial losses. That is, you suffered the above damages due to the actions or inactions of an at-fault. Causes of personal injury include auto accidents, workplace accidents, medical malpractice, animal bites, slip and fall and more.
For example, if you are injured due to a slip and fall at business premises caused by a splash of water on the floor, you can sue the company for negligence. Quickly talk to a lawyer about the way forward.
Note: If you in any way contributed to the accident you may be unable to successfully claim a personal insurance compensation.
When Proving Liability becomes Difficult?
The only way to win a personal injury case is to provide evidence that proves the offender is liable for your injury. But not all personal injury cases have clear-cut liability. Some need more investigation and evidence gathering. In such cases, a lawyer will help you gather evidence.
Personal injury lawyers have legal expertise and years of experience to help uncover hidden facts. They can speak to eyewitnesses, analyze footage from security cameras, and assess the accident scene, to gather enough evidence for your case. Hiring an attorney makes it easier to prove that the at-fault is liable for your injury.
When Your Insurance Company is Denying Your Claims?
Dealing with insurance companies after an accident can be overwhelming. These insurance companies can rely on just a clause in their terms and condition to deny your claim. As business entities, they use all measures possible to reduce claim payouts or outrightly deny your claim. If you face any of such situations, hire a lawyer. Lawyers are great negotiators and work in the interest of their clients. The one you hire can use his/her negotiation skills to get you better compensation.
When Offered Lower Compensation?
As stated above, insurers always try to beat down claim amounts and try to offer victims less than they deserve. The at-fault can also try the same means during personal out-of-court negotiations. This won’t happen if you have an attorney. Compensation payments are required to commensurate the losses suffered by the victim. Anything below that is cheating and an injustice. This cannot happen to you if you have a lawyer. Your lawyer can negotiate the best compensation on your behalf and ensure that you receive every cent of it.
Types of Personal Injury Damages
Before filing a personal injury suit, here are some damages you can sue for.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damage is when the victim(s) seek monetary compensation from the at-fault. Under it, you can sue for economic benefits, non-economic benefits, or both. You need strong evidence when filing for compensatory damages. You may also need strong legal representation to be successful.
Economic damage is when you sue the offender for financial compensation for all losses resulting from the injury. It may include direct costs and other losses including medical costs, lost wages, loss of future income, etc.
Non-economic damages cater to physical, emotional, psychological, etc. damages. These aren’t measurable making it very difficult to calculate such damages. Therefore, the severity of the injury, current and future financial losses, state laws, etc. become determining factors. With the help of a lawyer, victims can receive reasonable claims.
Punitive Damages
Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages seek to punish the offender. As such, it requires that you prove beyond doubt that the offender deliberately caused the accident. If found guilty, the offender can receive a prison sentence, monetary fine, or both.
Conclusion
Nothing stops you from representing yourself in a personal injury case. At least it can save you money and bag whatever claim you get. However, considering the technicalities, evidence gathering, skills, expertise, and stress involved, it’s best to hire a professional. You need a legal representative when insurers prove to be difficult when proving liability becomes difficult or been offered lower compensation than you deserve.
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