There may be 30- or 90-day filing deadlines for filing certain benefits, so you need an experienced legal team that understands these deadlines and can assist in meeting them.
Injury can cost thousands – sometimes millions – in treatment and lost income costs, and it is crucial that these are taken into account when valuing a claim’s value. A personal injury lawyer can ensure this occurs during their evaluation of your claim’s value.
1. You Have Severe Injuries
Personal injury law recognizes certain injuries as more severe than others; these are known as catastrophic injuries and can have lasting repercussions that interfere with living the life you want. If you have suffered one, speaking to a lawyer will help you secure justice and compensation on your behalf.
Even if your injuries appear minor at first, consulting with a personal injury attorney could still be worthwhile. Even minor conditions like neck strain or broken bones could worsen without proper medical attention and lead to costly bills later.
Accidents often involve multiple parties, and it may be challenging to ascertain who should bear responsibility. Consulting a lawyer will make this task much simpler, and can file claims against all applicable entities including government bodies responsible for road conditions or traffic signals, medical malpractice cases or construction accidents that require time-intensive legal expertise and knowledge of multiple fields.
2. You’re Feeling Pressured by the Insurance Company
Even if your injuries are minor, insurance companies may still attempt to take advantage of you. They might ask you to state that they’re alright, or assert that your pain has nothing to do with what caused the incident.
Personal injury lawyers can help you understand the process and protect your legal rights during this process, and negotiate with insurers on your behalf for an equitable settlement that adequately compensates you for expenses and losses incurred as a result of an injury claim.
Your initial consultation should include information about their fee structure, expenses management practices and general approach to cases. Your lawyer should assess your case to assess if they think it could be taken on. No obligation exists after this meeting and follow-up appointments may be scheduled if needed – they should make this clear so you feel secure moving forward with the case.
3. You’re Considering a Settlement Offer
Insurance companies typically make settlement offers before taking cases to trial in an effort to cut legal expenses and avert jury verdicts, yet this may not always be in your best interests.
An experienced personal injury attorney can quickly evaluate and negotiate the true value of your claim and secure you a higher settlement amount, by carefully documenting expenses such as future medical treatment, lost earning capacity and pain and suffering.
Personal injury attorneys will make sure the settlement you accept covers all current and foreseeable costs, while it’s also important to note that accepting it prevents you from sueing for more money if your injuries worsen or additional expenses arise.
If you are unhappy with the settlement offer, your attorney can prepare a court complaint on your behalf that contains detailed arguments in support of your case’s value and compensation you deserve. Once filed, responsible parties or insurers will have 30 days from its filing to respond.
4. You’ve Been Injured by a Defective Product
Car seats that fail to latch correctly or toaster that catches on fire can lead to serious injuries; manufacturers, distributors and retailers may all be held liable in an incident like this one. A personal injury lawyer can help identify those responsible and file claims on your behalf.
Document as much of the incident as you can by taking photos of the product, your injuries and the scene of where the accident took place. Also collect contact info from any witnesses who might provide statements about what they witnessed.
Avoid speaking directly to manufacturers or insurance companies as much as possible; their goal is to settle for as little compensation as possible and they could use your words against you in court. Seek medical treatment immediately following an injury, even if symptoms seem minor; this will support recovery and create invaluable medical records that could later strengthen your case.
