No one starts their day expecting to get seriously hurt, but, unfortunately, it happens all the time. Whether you were injured in a car accident, on the job, or as the result of medical malpractice, your life might be forever changed due to someone else’s negligence or ill intent.
Even a minor accident can be scary, and the legal issues that follow an accident add even more stress. A personal injury attorney is there to lift that weight off your shoulders and help you get through the confusing process of filing a personal injury claim.
Is it time for you to hire a personal injury lawyer? If you identify with any of the following five criteria, then it is highly recommended that you get a lawyer on your case.
Liability Isn’t Clear-cut
Trying to prove who is liable for a personal injury isn’t always cut-and-dry. If an at-fault driver was clearly under the influence while driving, then liability is obvious. However, there are many cases where liability is debatable.
Proving liability depends on the evidence you have on hand. But how do you get it, and where do you get it from? This is something a personal injury lawyer can assist you with, but you need to act quickly to gather your evidence and form your case.
You Weren’t at Fault for Your Serious Injury
There are many incidences that can lead to a serious personal injury, from a car accident to a construction site accident. There are three major components that constitute a personal injury claim: the victim suffered losses and damages because of an at-faulty party, the at-fault party owes a duty of care to the victim, and the at-fault party breached that duty of care.
You will need to prove that your injuries have resulted in damages and losses. The damages can include lost wages, medical bills, incidental costs (such as having to rent a car), and the cost to repair damaged property.
You Became Permanently Disabled
If your injuries require months or years of treatment and resulted in you becoming permanently disabled, you should consider seeking out a personal injury attorney. Personal injuries often involve steep medical bills and the victim needing to take a lot of time off from work.
If someone else is at-fault for your personal injury that has led to you likely being permanently disabled, you have grounds to file a claim. Your personal injury attorney can work in conjunction with all insurance companies involved to get you the maximum payout for your damages.
Lost Wages Aren’t Being Compensated
Most people are dependent on their earned income, so being unable to work is a major type of collateral damage when it comes to personal injury claims. You might spend weeks or months off from work, unable to earn your usual wages.
If you’ve been injured on the job, consider filing for workers’ compensation benefits. Two-thirds of your wages should be paid out in the claim as well as medical care costs. If you’re unable to work due to another party, their insurer should cover your lost wages. In most cases, a settlement can be reached out of court, but if terms cannot be reached, the case might need to go to trial.
Your Insurance Provider Isn’t Fully Covering the Damages
Insurance companies often present a lot of challenges when it comes to getting a fair settlement. If you live in a state where the at-fault party’s insurance carrier is responsible for covering your medical bills, smaller injuries might not meet their policy limits.
Insurance companies know how to work all the loopholes, and they might find ways to avoid paying the cost for your recovery. A personal injury lawyer will know the loopholes insurers try to bury in their fine print and can help you negotiate a fair settlement.
One of the broadest spectrums of law is personal injury. There is an incredible variety of personal injury types, and each case presents its own unique challenges. Hiring a personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the process and get the compensation you deserve.
