When Should You Get a Personal Injury Attorney?

Within a single year, the US experienced 55.4 injuries and 200,955 preventable deaths. These accidents lead to $1,158.4 billion in costs. Despite how often accidents happen, not many people know when to hire a personal injury attorney.

Hiring a lawyer can help you fight for compensation after an accident. You won't have to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses on your own.

Not sure if you need to hire a lawyer? Read on to discover the signs it's time to request legal services today!

You're Overwhelmed

First, it helps to recognize the different types of personal injury cases to determine if you need a lawyer. Personal injury lawyers often handle cases like:

• Intentional torts (assault and battery)
• Premise liability (slip and falls)
• Defamation (libel and slander)
• Medical malpractice (surgical errors, medication mistakes, etc.)
• Animal attacks
• Construction accidents
• Auto accidents (car, bike, truck, Uber/Lyft, motorcycle, etc.)
• Product liability (consumer products, medications, drugs, food, etc.)
• Elderly abuse and neglect
• Wrongful death

Each type of personal injury case can involve different laws and procedures, which can feel overwhelming if you lack experience. If this is your first time handling a personal injury case, hire a lawyer. You can learn from their experience handling similar cases to make informed decisions regarding your case.

With their help, you can determine potential outcomes for your case based on your legal options. Then, you can maintain realistic expectations and make a decision based on your goals.

Without help, however, you could make a costly mistake that can hurt your ability to fight for compensation.

If one of these situations sounds familiar, consider hiring a lawyer right away. Make sure they specialize in your type of personal injury case.

You Sustained Injuries

About 24.8 million Americans have to visit a physician due to accidental injuries each year. Another 24.2 million Americans visit an ER due to their injuries instead. If you sustained injuries after an accident, you could find yourself out of work for some time.

Those lost wages will begin to stack up as you heal.

Your injuries could have a long-term effect on your health, mobility, and quality of life, too.

If you sustained serious injuries due to someone else's neglect or negligence, consider hiring a lawyer. An experienced personal injury lawyer can prove the other party was at fault. Then, you can fight to receive compensation for your losses.

In the meantime, make sure to visit a physician to determine the full extent of your injuries. Schedule follow-up appointments, too. Otherwise, opposing counsel might argue there was a gap in your treatment plan.

A gap in your treatment plan might make it easier for a lawyer to argue your injuries aren't as severe as you initially claimed.

Make sure to carefully calculate all expenses relevant to the accident. Financial damages are higher in cases that lead to severe injuries. Documenting your medical expenses can ensure you receive reimbursement.

Talking to a lawyer can also help you determine the full extent of your losses. In addition to your existing medical bills, they'll consider your:

• Future medical expenses
• Medications
• Surgeries
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Lost quality of life

You might struggle to calculate these losses if you lack the necessary experience. As a result, you might unintentionally leave money on the table during your personal injury settlement process.

Don't rush to settle without consulting a lawyer first. They'll make sure you maximize your claim.

You can visit alphaaccidentlawyers.com to learn more.

Insurance Company Negotiations

The insurance company might try to stall paying off your claim. They might try to get you to speak out of turn, too. For example, you might say something that potentially indicates you were at fault for the accident.

You might lose your chance to fight for a personal injury settlement as a result.

Some insurance companies even act in bad faith. For example, they might:

• Cause unnecessary delays
• Change the terms of the policy
• Deny paying a valid victim
• Pressure victims into accepting unfair offers
• Fail to investigate the claim
• Provide misleading information
• Require unnecessary documentation

The insurance company won't consider your best interests during the settlement process. Instead, they might expect you to accept a lowball offer, especially if you want to put the situation behind you. Before accepting their offer, consult a personal injury attorney.

Remember, your attorney will take the time to calculate your losses. They'll know the best way to navigate stall tactics from the insurance company, too.

With help from an experienced lawyer, you won't have to navigate this unfamiliar terrain alone.

You're Blamed

The other party involved in the accident might try to blame you for what happened.

Remember, even the insurance company will try to take something you say out of context.

Immediately after an accident, avoid small talk. Avoid apologizing for what happened, too (which is viewed as an admission of fault). Instead, consult a lawyer right away.

A lawyer can protect you from counter- and cross-claims. They'll protect your best interests.

Otherwise, you might have to pay for someone else's medical bills and property damage.

In some states, your compensation can get reduced under comparative fault laws. A jury might assign you a percentage of fault for the accident. You'll only receive a percentage of your potential winnings as a result.

Contact a personal injury attorney, whether or not you were at fault for the accident.

Hire a Personal Injury Attorney for Your Case Today

Don't try to handle a personal injury lawsuit alone. Instead, consult an experienced personal injury attorney. They can help you navigate these unfamiliar situations while keeping your best interests in mind.

With their help, you can fight for compensation instead of paying for your losses out of pocket.

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