Some may think that lawyers are not required in Connecticut for a personal injury case. Indeed, some victims are able to settle their cases and receive compensation without hiring one.
However, such cases are a minority. They usually involve clear-cut situations where the at-fault party is undeniable, like a car accident caught on tape on Route 44 or Route 8, or settlements that favor the insurance companies.
Thus, before handling a personal injury case without the help of Connecticut personal injury lawyers, one must first understand the risks.
Victims Will Be Unable to Maximize Compensation or Settlement
A personal injury case involves negotiations between the parties involved and their respective insurance companies. The latter will often offer an amount to victims to avoid a trial or further negotiations.
However, this amount is often unfair to victims because insurance companies will try to pay the smallest but still enticing amount they can, regardless of whether it is sufficient to compensate for the victims’ injuries or not.
If a victim wants to avoid being taken advantage of by such companies, it is best to have a personal injury lawyer.
The lawyer can conduct an independent investigation that will explore the extent of the accident’s damages, the faults of the involved parties, and other specifics of the accident. During the investigation, they may also collect pieces of evidence that will support their client’s case.
They can then use the results of their investigation and the collected evidence to determine the amount that will best compensate the victim. If the insurance company’s offer is less than the said amount, they can advise their client to push for further negotiations or a trial where they can fight for fairer compensation.
An example of a good legal team being able to maximize a victim’s compensation is the case of Juan “Mikey” Cruz. He was awarded $100 million in his case against Phillips Lighting North America, also known as Signify North America, after a work-related accident left him paralyzed and dealing with other severe injuries.
Laws and Legal Jargon May Overwhelm the Victim
As a personal injury case progresses, discussions become more technical. Involved parties, especially those with lawyers, will look into and employ all possible personal injury laws in Connecticut that will favor their side.
When it gets to that point, a victim with no experience with the law may get overwhelmed by the technicalities and legal jargon. They may also be unable to determine which personal injury laws best apply to their situation.
On the other hand, lawyers will not be so easily intimidated. They will not only guide the victim through the legalities of the personal injury case but also be able to put up the best legal defense and approach.
Statutes of Limitations Are Easy to Miss Without a Personal Injury Lawyer
Statutes of limitations are regarded as the deadlines for filing cases. They are crucial, as failure to file within the period may disqualify the victim from receiving compensation, even when they deserve it.
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Connecticut is usually two years after the injury was incurred. That may seem like a sufficient amount of time, but it can be more complicated than that.
Firstly, it may not be enough time if the victim is still recuperating from their injuries and dealing with the case at the same time. They will have too little time to deal with the paperwork and collect evidence unless they compromise their recovery.
Secondly, the two-year limitation may not apply to all cases. For instance, product liability cases can be filed within three, instead of two, years after the injury but not more than ten years since the victim last had the product.
Lastly, there may be extraordinary cases, such as underage status or late discovery of injury, that may affect the statute of limitations. Thus, it is best to have a lawyer, as they will be able to determine the “deadline” for your claim.
They are also best able to defend it should the time of your filing be questioned. Additionally, they can collect the evidence and deal with the paperwork while you are recuperating, so you will not have to sacrifice your recovery.
