When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve sustained an injury in an accident, you may wonder if hiring a personal injury lawyer is necessary. As an injured victim, you can pursue compensation for your injury-related losses.

Even so, you must prove the negligent actions of the at-fault party. You may also face resistance from the at-fault party’s insurer, who can play down or reject your personal injury claim.

You should, therefore, work with a legal professional to protect your interests after an accident. A personal injury attorney can explain your rights and the steps you can take to obtain compensation from the negligent party.

When to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

Seek legal representation if you’ve suffered an injury in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence.

There are several signs to look out for that may indicate the need for legal representation.

Here are some key factors to consider:

You’ve Suffered Serious or Long-Term Injuries

If your injuries are severe or have long-term consequences that impact your daily life, you should seek the guidance of a personal injury lawyer. A severe injury translates to hefty medical expenses, missed work, permanent disability, and inability to maintain old relationships.

An experienced personal injury attorney understands the impact of long-term injuries, allowing them to protect your rights. They can gather various sources of evidence, including medical records, to prove the extent of your injuries and fight for maximum compensation for your losses.

The Insurance Company Denied Your Claim

When dealing with injuries, facing denial from an insurance company can be frustrating. A personal injury attorney understands the tactics insurance companies use to deny claims and can develop a strategic plan to challenge the denial.

They can negotiate with insurance adjusters and, if necessary, take your case to court. Many accidents are time-sensitive. A personal injury lawyer will work to ensure compliance with these timelines.

The Insurer Is Pressuring You to Settle Quickly

An insurer may make a settlement offer immediately after your accident, hoping you’ll accept it without objections. If the insurance company pressures you to settle quickly, it’s a red flag that they may not have your best interests at heart.

A personal injury lawyer can help understand the value of your case and ensure that you are not taken advantage of during the settlement process.

You’re Unsure of The Value of Your Case

Your ability to recover from injury-related losses depends on the settlement you obtain from your personal injury claim. You’re also less likely to accept a low settlement offer if you understand the actual value of your damages.

An experienced personal injury attorney can help determine the actual value of your case and fight for fair compensation on your behalf.

There’s a Possibility of Going to Court

If your case is headed towards litigation, having a personal injury lawyer by your side can make a difference. They can gather evidence, argue before a judge or jury, and fight for a fair settlement value for your losses.

You’re Missing Work or Losing Income

If your injuries have caused you to miss work or resulted in a loss of income, a personal injury lawyer can help recover compensation for these financial losses.

A personal injury lawyer can gather the following documents to support your lost income claim:

• Pay stubs
• Tax returns
• Bank statements
• Letter from your employer
• Invoices 
• Profit and loss statements

A personal injury attorney will fight for compensation for salary, tips, bonuses, commissions, and vacation time you’d have earned had it not been for the injury.

You’re Feeling Overwhelmed by Paperwork

You’ll likely be overwhelmed by the paperwork from insurance companies, medical bills, and legal documents. A personal injury lawyer can step in to alleviate your burden.

They can help gather all the necessary documents, fill out forms correctly, and adhere to the applicable deadlines. A personal injury lawyer can take up the responsibility, allowing you to focus on your recovery instead of drowning in paperwork.

Additionally, a personal injury lawyer can review any settlement offers or legal documents on your behalf to ensure that your rights are protected. Their experience allows them to spot discrepancies or unfair clauses you may have overlooked, saving you from pitfalls.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve sustained an injury in an accident, the cost considerations of hiring an attorney can put you off. Injured victims with strong claims will likely find legal representation even without investing a dime.

Here are the factors that influence the cost of hiring a personal injury attorney:

• Contingency Fee Percentage: The most common fee structure for personal injury lawyers is a contingency fee, where the lawyer only gets paid if they win the case. This fee percentage can vary depending on the lawyer’s experience, state law, and the nature of the case.
• Case Complexity: The complexity of a personal injury case can significantly impact the cost of hiring a lawyer. Cases that require extensive research, expert witnesses, or multiple defendants can be more time-consuming and costly to litigate. This complexity can result in higher legal fees and expenses.
• Geographic Location: The location where the personal injury case is being litigated can also affect the cost of hiring a lawyer. In more urban areas or regions with a higher cost of living, lawyers may charge higher hourly rates or contingency fee percentages. Additionally, different states’ specific laws and regulations can impact the legal strategies and resources required for a successful case.
• Law Firm’s Experience and Reputation: The experience and reputation of the personal injury lawyer you choose can influence the cost of their services. An established personal injury lawyer with a successful track record may command higher fees due to their experience and credibility. 
• Out-of-Pocket Expenses: In addition to attorney fees, clients may be responsible for out-of-pocket expenses related to their personal injury case. These expenses can include court filing fees, expert witness fees, medical records retrieval costs, and travel expenses. You should discuss potential out-of-pocket expenses with a personal injury lawyer upfront to avoid any surprises during the legal process.

How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth

Understanding the potential value of your personal injury claim allows you to decide if it’s worth pursuing.

Here are the key factors that determine the value of a personal injury claim:

Severity of the Injury

The more severe the injury, the higher the potential compensation you may be entitled to. Severe injuries often result in extensive medical bills, ongoing treatment costs, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.

Severe injuries have a significant impact on your daily life and future. These injuries can lead to long-term disabilities, chronic pain, emotional distress, and even permanent impairment.

From traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries to severe burns and amputations, the severity of your injury directly correlates to the potential value of your personal injury claim.

 A personal injury attorney understands the potential impact of severe injuries and will fight for a fair settlement of these losses.

Shared Liability

Shared liability refers to multiple parties sharing responsibility for the accident or injury. If you’re partly responsible for the accident, your degree of fault can affect your settlement value. The compensation you receive may be reduced based on your degree of responsibility for the accident.

For example, if you were involved in a car accident where you were found to be 20 percent at fault and the other driver 80 percent at fault, your compensation may be reduced by 20 percent to account for your share of the responsibility.

A personal injury attorney understands shared fault laws and can protect your interests in the allocation. They can use evidence to challenge insurers who may use shared fault to minimize their financial liability.

Availability of Evidence

Different sources of evidence to support your case can make a substantial difference when negotiating with insurance companies or presenting your case in court.

Evidence can come in various forms, including medical records, accident scene photos, witness statements, and expert opinions. Medical records documenting your injuries and treatment are essential in proving the extent of your damages.

Photos of the accident scene can help recreate the events that led to your injury, while witness statements can support your perspective of the crash. Expert opinions, such as those from medical professionals or accident reconstruction specialists, can add credibility to your claim.

A personal injury attorney can gather relevant sources of evidence that can lead to a strong claim against the at-fault party.

Insurance Coverage of the At-fault Party

If the at-fault party has limited insurance coverage, it can restrict the settlement value you can obtain for your losses.

A personal injury attorney can support you in initiating an insurance claim with your insurer where the at-fault party is uninsured or underinsured. Your underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage can cover the injury-related losses.

Alternatively, a personal injury lawyer can initiate a lawsuit to obtain a court order that compels you to pay for injury-related expenses.

Duration of Recovery Period

The length of your recovery period also influences the value of your personal injury claim. An injured victim who sustains an injury that requires a few weeks before full recovery may receive a lower settlement value compared with someone with permanent disability.

Recovery that takes years translates to hefty medical bills, emotional anguish, and out-of-pocket expenses. It can also mean the inability to resume work or enjoy activities you previously enjoyed before the injury.

A personal injury attorney can use evidence to demonstrate the impact of a lengthy recovery period and fight for a fair settlement for these losses.

Compensation for Personal Injury

You can file a personal injury claim or lawsuit to obtain compensation for your losses.

Some of the damages you can pursue in a personal injury claim include:

• Medical Expenses: These damages include current medical bills and future medical costs related to your injury.
• Lost Income: If your injury has caused you to miss work or affected your ability to earn a living, you may be entitled to compensation for past and future lost income.
• Out-of-pocket Expenses: You may also be compensated for various losses, including over-the-counter medications, medical supplies, transportation to medical appointments, and other costs related to your injury.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional pain from the injury. Pain and suffering are non-economic damages that can vary based on the severity of the injury.
• Emotional Anguish: Mental and emotional distress caused by the injury can impact your overall well-being and quality of life. You can pursue mental anguish if the events leading to the injury were traumatic.
• Loss of Companionship: In cases where the injury has affected relationships with loved ones, you can seek compensation for the loss of companionship.
• Reduced Quality of Life: If your injury has resulted in a diminished quality of life or loss of enjoyment in activities you once loved, you can pursue these damages.
• Permanent Disability: Compensation for long-term or permanent disabilities resulting from the injury can impact your ability to work and carry out daily activities.
• Punitive Damages: In some cases where the at-fault party’s actions were particularly egregious or intentional, but only in certain jurisdictions, punitive damages may punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.

A personal injury lawyer can help establish the types and value of damages applicable to your claim.

Let a Personal Injury Lawyer Fight for What You Deserve

You may not work for an extended period after being injured in an accident. If you’re fortunate, you may resume duty but work at a reduced capacity. The inability to work after an injury can strain your finances, leading to unpaid bills.

Although you’re entitled to compensation for lost earnings, the at-fault party’s insurer can make a low settlement offer that doesn’t cover your losses. You, therefore, deserve representation from a personal injury attorney who’ll fight for your rights.

A personal injury attorney will review the facts of the case, establish the applicable damages, and work to maximize your settlement value.

Get in touch with a personal injury lawyer for legal support.