When to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
So you’ve been injured in an accident—now what? You no doubt have a lot on your mind, including adjusting to the limitations of your injury, managing any pain you’re in, and paying your medical bills. These are all major concerns, and some of them may be life altering. But as you think through what comes next after an accident, one aspect that should not be neglected is the possibility of hiring a personal injury attorney.
A personal injury attorney can help you reclaim compensation for your loss. But you don’t want to waste your time pursuing a case where there is none. And yet, at the same time, you shouldn’t let an opportunity slip through your fingers just because you’re unsure of whether or not to act.
Let’s explore the conditions that should be met for you to hire a personal injury attorney and pursue damages.
How Severe Was Your Injury?
At times, it’s possible to achieve a settlement in a personal injury case without involving lawyers at all. If that’s a possibility in your case, it’s something you might want to consider to avoid paying legal expenses. Decide whether you have the time and energy to work through the legal and insurance claims on your own. A few factors that might indicate the need for an attorney’s involvement:
● Long term pain lasting more than a few days
● A hospitalization
● Surgery, therapy, orthopedics, or chiropractic work
● Rehabilitation
● Significant associated expenses
In any of these instances, it’s helpful to have an attorney on your side because they will be able to help you get the most value out of your claim. The amount of your reward could increase significantly thanks to having the assistance of a professional.
Is Insurance Covering Your Expenses Adequately?
One of the worst things that can happen after you suffer a personal injury and undergo a lot of medical procedures is for the insurance company to refuse you coverage. It’s literally adding insult to injury, and unfortunately, many laypeople are completely unprepared for how to fight this all too common battle.
There are a lot of ways through which insurance companies may try to avoid taking responsibility for your medical bills after an injury. They might delay your claims process, refusing to pay the bills by their due date, causing you additional stress and heartache. They might claim liability where it doesn’t exist, blaming you for your accident. They might try to lowball you, offering you much less than they really ought to be paying under the circumstances.
Personal injury attorneys are experienced with these tactics and can help you get the money to which you are entitled. At the first sign of trouble from your insurance company, consider involving a lawyer.
Is There a Liability Dispute?
Of course, when you’re considering the question of whether to take a personal injury case to court, you need to examine whether there is any dispute as to who was at fault in the accident. Start by asking yourself—do I sincerely believe this was someone else’s fault? Was my injury the result of negligence on the part of someone else, whether it be a property owner or manager, a medical practitioner, a fellow driver, a dog owner, or someone else?
If you do believe your injury is someone else’s fault, the next question is: does the liable party deny their responsibility? They may be fully aware of their own fault and willing to make financial amends without involving lawyers. However, if they deny responsibility, that’s a time to get a lawyer involved. Proving legal fault when one party won’t admit to it is a complicated process, and there’s a standard of evidence that must be met. Your attorney will understand this process and will be prepared to go to work for you.
A personal injury can be a life changing setback, and it’s a hard thing to live through regardless of severity. Working with a personal injury attorney, such as the members of the team at Schwaner Injury Law in Chicago or your local personal injury law firm, can help you recover the damages that will get you back on track. Don’t hesitate to give them a call and find out what they can do to help you.
