If you think that personal injury accidents are rare occurrences, think again. One source notes that the number of doctor visits for injuries comes in at 57.5 million annually, while the number of emergency department visits due to injuries comes in at 40 million annually. While it’s true that not all injuries qualify for a personal injury claim, many of them do. It’s essential to contact a personal injury lawyer if you’re hurt after an accident. The legal professional will assess your situation and let you know if you have grounds for a claim.
One of the worst things you can do is approach an insurer by yourself rather than get help. You’ll be fighting a losing battle since most people don’t understand the process and what to do. It’s a complicated process that you would be foolhardy to pursue without help from a lawyer.
Here are five reasons you should contact a personal injury lawyer after a car accident, slip or fall, product liability, medical malpractice, dog bite, or any other accident that qualifies as a personal injury incident.
1. You Want to Maximize Compensation
One reason to contact a personal injury lawyer is to get as much compensation as possible. Insurance companies often make low-ball offers. But if you don’t know what you don’t know, you won’t be able to negotiate effectively and get the compensation you deserve.
A personal injury lawyer will look at past payouts to other clients in your shoes and ensure the insurer offers an amount that compensates you for lost salary, medical bills, pain and suffering, and ongoing needs.
The last thing you need is to accept a ridiculously low offer and find out it’s not nearly enough after agreeing to it. But that’s exactly what you might experience if you approve a low offer.
2. Understand Your Rights
Another reason to contact a personal injury lawyer is to understand your rights. You need to know what you’re up against, your options, your best course of action, and more.
Personal injury law is complex and can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with it. Speaking to a personal injury lawyer will make things easier since you’ll get answers that help you make informed decisions.
3. Handle Insurance Companies
Remember that it’s never a good idea to deal with an insurer without legal representation. You’ll be at a disadvantage by doing so. Agents at the insurance company know the ropes and will use their expert knowledge to their employer’s advantage and your disadvantage.
If you’d like to avoid the possibility of an insurer denying your claim on weak technicalities, hire a lawyer. The legal representative will ensure the insurance company doesn’t run roughshod over your rights.
4. Prove Liability
Your personal injury claim will be all for naught if you can’t prove liability. A personal injury lawyer will establish fault so you can proceed with a personal injury claim to get compensation. You can count on your lawyer to request the police report, medical records, and other documentation that supports your case.
5. Meet Deadlines
When filing a personal injury claim, you must abide by deadlines. Statutes of limitations come into play. If you wait too long to file a claim or miss other relevant deadlines, getting compensation might be impossible. A personal injury lawyer will ensure deadlines are respected.
If you have a personal injury, hiring a lawyer is a good idea. Going it alone isn’t a winning strategy since there’s too much at stake to take that route. If you contact a personal injury lawyer, they can help guide you through the claims process and increase your chances of getting the compensation you need.
