Facts About Personal Injury Cases and How A Lawyer Can Help
Were you injured in an accident, such as a motor vehicle crash or slip and fall? Are you concerned about the impact on your finances, health, and life as a whole? If so, you need to learn more about your legal rights. You may be able to file a personal injury claim against the negligent party - such as the other driver - with the goal of receiving compensation for your injuries and other damages.
There’s a lot to know about personal injury cases and how a lawyer can help, so keep reading.
There Are Many Types of Personal Injury Cases
Many people think about nothing more than motor vehicle accidents when it comes to personal injury cases, but there are many other types that are just as common. A personal injury case can result from anything that causes harm as the result of another party's negligence.
If you suffer any type of injury, you may be in a position to file a personal injury case. Consulting with a lawyer will help you better understand if you have a case and what to do next.
Insurance Companies Don’t Have Your Best Interests in Mind
Don’t assume that an insurance company has your best interests in mind, as they’ll always do what is best for them. And what’s best is trying to get you to settle for less compensation than you deserve.
Many people fall into this trap because they think they can trust their personal insurance agent. If you accept the first offer you receive, it’s likely that you are leaving a lot of money on the table that is rightfully owed to you.
There are Laws that Govern Personal Injury Cases
Every state has its own set of laws that govern personal injury cases, so you need to become familiar with these if you think you have a claim. For example, you only have so much time to file a claim and you need to follow a distinct process for putting the wheels in motion.
Consulting with an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer will allow you to better understand the laws that will govern your particular case.
You Can Obtain Compensation for Many Things
You can obtain compensation for many things, including but not limited to medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, and loss of earnings. For example, if you are no longer able to work as a result of your injuries, you can seek compensation based on what you could reasonably expect to earn in the future.
Also, in a wrongful death case, other types of compensation come into play, such as those for a funeral and burial.
No Two Personal Injury Cases are the Same
Even if the details of two personal injury cases appear to be the same, once you dig deeper you’ll find that there are many differences. A unique approach to your case is critical, as it helps you seek compensation based on the circumstances of your accident and injuries.
An experienced personal injury lawyer understands the importance of collecting all of the necessary information and then implementing a strategy that positions you to obtain as much compensation as possible.
Personal Injury Cases Can Take a Long Time
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could start a personal injury case today, receive compensation tomorrow, and never think about it again? Well, that’s not likely to happen, with these types of cases having the potential to drag on for many years.
Depending on the complexity of your case, it’s not out of the question that it will take a year or longer to settle out of court or go to trial. You must be in it for the long haul, as you never know what’ll come next.
Personal Injury Cases can go to Trial
When most people think about a personal injury case, a trial is what comes to mind. They envision themselves in a courtroom, with their legal team proving to the jury that they should receive compensation for their injuries and other damages.
Not all personal injury cases go to trial, but many of them do. This can be a stressful process, packed full of tension that eventually peaks when a final verdict is given. In some cases, a trial is the best way to obtain the biggest settlement.
Personal Injury Cases can Settle Out of Court
But just as some personal injury cases go to trial, it’s not out of the question for them to settle outside of court, such as through mediation or arbitration. There are many benefits of an out of court settlement, such as a less stressful and time-consuming process.
Furthermore, it gives your legal team more control, as they don’t have to take into consideration the judge or jury. Instead, they hash out the details with the other side, all with hopes of reaching a final agreement before heading to trial.
Evidence is Critical to Your Success
It goes without saying that you want to win your case, however, this doesn’t happen by mistake. It takes a lot of hard work to come out on top, which is why you consult with a personal injury lawyer.
Evidence that backs up your claim can go a long way in helping you win your case. In addition to what you can provide, your lawyer will rely on a team of experts to help collect evidence, such as by visiting the accident scene and consulting with experts.
Time is of the Essence
You don’t have as long as you want to file a personal injury claim. There are statutes of limitation that must be taken into consideration. For example, some states only give you one year to file a personal injury claim. If you don’t do so within that time frame, you’re not able to proceed.
This is why it’s important to quickly consult with a personal injury lawyer. They understand the timeline, and will do whatever it takes to ensure that they don’t miss an important deadline.
It’s Hard to Find Time When You’re Injured
When you suffer an injury in an accident, you turn a lot of your time and energy toward your health and making a recovery. This makes it more difficult to fight for your legal rights, as you don’t feel up to it.
Even though this is true, you should do your best to quickly consult with a lawyer. Once you have the foundation in place, they’ll take over the process, thus ensuring that you don’t have to do any of the heavy lifting on your own.
A Personal Injury Lawyer can Help
It’s possible to seek compensation for your injuries and accident-related damages without the help of a personal injury lawyer. However, when you do this, you’re taking on a lot of stress and responsibility.
Not to mention the fact that you don’t fully understand your legal rights, which could result in missing out on money you otherwise could have received. A personal injury lawyer can step in, assess your situation, and ensure that you don’t make any mistakes.
Find a Lawyer with Experience
When seeking the assistance of a personal injury lawyer, focus primarily on experience and success. For instance, if you were injured in a car-truck accident, find an attorney who has won similar cases in the past. The same holds true if you were injured in a slip and fall or bicycle accident.
An experienced lawyer is one who knows what to do, when to do it, and how to maximize the compensation you receive.
Find a Lawyer with Time in their Schedule
Personal injury lawyers are extremely busy. Before you sign on to work with one of these professionals, make sure they have the time in their schedule. You don’t want your case to get pushed to the bottom of the barrel, as you won’t get the service you deserve.
This is something that many people overlook, which results in future trouble. Talk about it upfront with your legal team to ensure that you are on the same page.
A Personal Injury Lawyer Should Work on a Contingent Fee Basis
Don’t hire a personal injury lawyer who charges a flat fee for their service. Most of them work on a contingent fee basis, and that’s exactly what you want.
What this means is simple: they only receive a payment if they win your case. For example, if they have a 30 percent contingent fee and win $100k, your attorney will receive $30k. With this arrangement, you never have to worry about paying for services out of pocket.
A Lawyer can Assess Your Case
It’s natural to have concerns about your case. For instance, you may be unsure of whether you are even in a position to file a personal injury lawsuit.
A personal injury lawyer only takes cases they believe they can win. This is why most of them offer a free consultation. This gives them the opportunity to assess your case, decide if it’s worth pursuing, and then provide you with information on how to proceed should you have the desire to do so.
A Lawyer can Guide You
Many people shy away from a personal injury claim because they don’t know what they are doing. Furthermore, they’re afraid of making a mistake or simply wasting their time. This is where a lawyer can really help.
They’re available to answer your questions, provide guidance, and ensure that you feel good about every step in the process. Tip: choose a personal injury lawyer who is compassionate, as this makes it easier for you to communicate with them.
A Lawyer can Answer Your Questions
Do I really have a case? What type of compensation can I expect? What will my insurance company say? What do you need from me? You’ll have many questions as you inch toward a personal injury claim. Your lawyer can answer all of them, thus putting your mind at ease.
If you consult with a lawyer who doesn’t want to answer your questions and address your concerns, it’s best to find someone who will. This is critical to the process.
A Lawyer will Maximize Your Compensation
Sure, you could seek compensation on your own, such as by dealing directly with your insurance company and agent. But if you do this, there will always be doubts in the back of your mind about whether you made the right decision.
A lawyer is skilled at maximizing your compensation. Not only is this important to you, but the more money you’re awarded the more money your attorney receives (thanks to the contingent fee basis).
A Lawyer will Give You Peace of Mind
You have enough going on during this challenging time. The last thing you need is concerns about whether you’re making the right decisions regarding your personal injury claim.
A lawyer will give you peace of mind, thus allowing you to sit back and let the process unfold. While you have to play your part, you can rely on your legal team to do most of the work on your behalf. And even if they need something from you, they’ll provide the necessary guidance.
