If you are injured because of a slip and fall on your neighbor’s path because of a rain-slickened walkway or if you get bitten by an unleashed dog at a park, should you seek assistance from a personal injury lawyer? Is it worth hiring a personal injury attorney? Why can’t the injured victim just call up the defendant’s insurers and settle the case by himself? There is no question that the victim is at liberty to speak to the insurer and try to settle the claim without an attorney, but if you want to obtain the maximum compensation possible and avoid the hassles of dealing with an insurer yourself, it is highly recommended that you hire a personal injury lawyer. What if you have personal injury questions? Who are you going to ask if not an experienced personal injury lawyer?
Here are some reasons why you should hire an experienced personal injury lawyer:
1. Experience.
Not all personal injury claims result in compensation and if you have no experience, you can spend an enormous amount of money and time only to find out that your case had no merits in the first place. On the other hand, experienced lawyers can assess your case and quickly determine its merits, which can save you time and the expense of preparing for a lawsuit.
2. No upfront fees.
What most people do not realize is that many personal injury lawyers have no upfront fees. They work on a contingency basis; this means that they only get paid if you win the case. You only pay for administrative fees and that includes fees for getting medical records from doctors and the costs for filing the case.
3. Avoid the legal complexities.
When filing a personal injury case, not only are there deadlines that need to be met but the right forms and correct terminology have to be used or it is possible that the case may be rejected. Experienced personal injury attorneys know exactly what to say and do, which paperwork to file, and are fully aware of the deadlines. This is one of the biggest benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer.
4. Lawyers have a team.
The majority of personal injury cases require a great deal of documentation, collection of evidence, speaking to doctors, and obtaining police reports. Lawyers usually have a team of workers, each of whom is specialized to deal with these matters so that the deadline for filing a case is not missed.
5. Staying calm.
Filing a personal injury claim can be associated with anxiety, anger, irritability, and constant frustration. The legal system in the country is fraught with bureaucracy and dealing with people in the court system is not easy. You will constantly be asked to speak to someone else and more often than not, maybe kept waiting for weeks or months. Or you may impulsively say something negative or abusive to the court clerk or the insurer and this can lead to rejection of your case. On the other hand, working with lawyers will allow you to bypass this major headache as they know exactly what to do, what to say, how to say it, and how to approach people in a positive manner.
6. Negotiations.
The majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court, but if you are not an attorney, you may not know how to negotiate. Experienced attorneys know how to negotiate with insurers to get the maximum compensation that you deserve. If you deal directly with the insurer, rest assured that you are likely to only get the bare minimum compensation, if anything, for your injuries.
7. Getting the facts.
Lawyers know how to approach personal injury cases and what facts to collect. They know what types of letters to write to doctors and potential witnesses. They can easily find the facts of the case, which is essential in any personal injury case.
8. Dealing with insurers.
People in the insurance industry can be some of the most difficult people to deal with – at times, it seems like they were trained to be difficult. The entire insurance industry is geared towards not paying out compensation, questioning the validity of claims, or paying out the bare minimum compensation. On the other hand, lawyers know exactly how insurers work and their tactics. Also, an experienced lawyer will not be afraid to take the insurer to trial.
9. Court representation.
If you have difficulty getting compensation from the insurer or the insurer is not willing to pay your medical bills, then a trial may be necessary. However, the best person to represent you in court is an experienced lawyer. Going to the trial phase of the lawsuit requires a lot of pre-trial work, preparing the witnesses, presenting the records, asking medical experts to vouch for your medical condition, and so on. There is a protocol that has to be followed in court and there is no one better than an experienced lawyer to navigate that process.
10. Review the defendant’s claim.
If there is a question about liability in case of an injury, a lawyer can review the defendant’s claims and determine if he or she is telling the truth. Lawyers work with several specialists who can help analyze the case and determine who is at fault.
11. Help get you medical treatment.
A personal injury lawyer will not only help you with the case but will also ensure that you get the best medical treatment available. Personal injury lawyers work with medical specialists all the time and will ensure that you are seen and managed promptly and with care. This doctor can also serve as a witness if the case goes to trial.
12. The maximum settlement.
Finally, one of the best reasons to hire a personal injury lawyer is that you can rest assured that he or she will get you the maximum compensation you deserve. For example, if you have suffered a serious injury, the lawyer will not only get you compensated for all the current medical bills but also for any future healthcare costs, including pain and suffering. This is a very important consideration and it does not always get the thought it deserves.
Conclusion
If you have been injured and wish to file a lawsuit, the best recommendation is to first consult with a personal injury lawyer. Most lawyers offer a free initial consultation to not only determine the merits of your case but also to determine if your case is worth pursuing. At this consultation, you are free to ask any questions and you are likely to have all kinds of personal injury questions. This encounter will also allow you to determine if the lawyer is the right person for your case. Is it worth hiring a personal injury attorney? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.