When to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
After you have been injured in an accident, whether a car collision, motorcycle or bicycle crash, a slip and fall, or any other personal injury mishap, you may be questioning if you should hire a personal injury attorney. You should ask yourself several questions before making a decision. After answering these questions, you should have a better idea as to whether or not you should hire an attorney.
One thing for sure, if you have suffered serious bodily injuries because of someone else’s carelessness, consulting with a personal injury attorney is a good idea. A personal injury lawsuit requires specialized skill and training. If your personal injury claim is highly complex, a thorough knowledge of the legal system is crucial and having an experienced personal injury lawyer in your corner right away will be valuable.
Below are some scenarios that would undoubtedly benefit from the assistance of an experienced attorney. Even if your case does not fall within any of the following categories, you have nothing to lose by consulting with an attorney in your area, and reputable personal injury attorneys will offer potential clients a free and confidential consultation to discuss their case.
Did you Suffer Long-Term or Permanently Disabling Injuries?
If your accident resulted in serious injuries that required hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation, chiropractic work, orthopedic specialists or cosmetic surgery, you should have your case evaluated by a personal injury attorney. Moreover, the value of your claim can be significantly increased when it involves substantial past and/or future medical expenses. An experienced attorney can estimate the potential value of your injuries as well as evaluate the liability claims and potential defenses.
How Severe Your Injuries Are?
There are many factors that impact the amount of compensation you receive. The most significant is the severity of your injuries. Most insurance companies calculate the value of your claim on the severity of your injuries, the amount of your medical bills, and the length of your recovery. As the value of your claim increases, it is very possible that you would reach the policy limits of the at-fault party’s insurance policy. If this were to happen, the insurance carrier may compensate you a portion of what your claim is worth. This is a perfect example of the situation where hiring a personal injury attorney will help to make sure you receive the total amount of compensation you deserve.
Are Your Injuries Caused by Someone Else or by Multiple Parties?
If your accident was caused by another individual’s negligence or involved multiple parties where liability may not be clear, you should consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Establishing legal fault would involve applying certain standards to the evidence which needs to be gathered and preserved. You should also consult with an attorney when the accident may have been partially your fault, because the attorney can protect you against counterclaims by the other parties involved in the accident.
Is the Insurance Company Refusing to Pay, Disputing Liability, or Engaging in Bad-Faith Tactics?
Insurance companies certainly have plenty of money and legal resources to employ tactics that minimize your settlement or deny it completely. Therefore, when dealing with the at-fault party’s insurance company (or sometimes even your own carrier), having a personal injury attorney in your corner will ensure that they are playing fair from the start.
If you have had an accident and are now dealing with any of the scenarios discussed above, contact Kenison Law today for a free consultation or through our website: https://www.kenisonlaw.com/.