Being caught in an accident or any other disadvantageous situation that may leave one injured is very stressful and possibly traumatic. Medical expenses and care, recovery, and grief are suddenly your main priority, and without proper legal representation, you will have to deal with them while also handling the legal process on your own.
Individuals with personal injury claims who hire the services of an injury lawyer can expect their overall experience with the law to be more agreeable. Experienced attorneys are familiar with the law and can help you get the recompense you deserve.
What are the benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer?
Not only will personal injury attorneys help you get compensated for your damages, but they will also take responsibility for handling the paperwork and negotiations. This means that you will avoid many stressful situations while also being able to focus on your physical and mental recovery.
Personal injury attorneys are specialized
The nature of your case will call for the understanding of the specific laws relevant to it in order to prove fault and liability. Personal injury attorneys are legal professionals who dedicate themselves to handling investigations regarding personal injury law.
Protection from insurance company practices
It is not uncommon for an insurance company to take advantage of the general distress to excuse itself from responsibility. It is possible that the victim is made to sign medical waivers, provide statements, or perform other activities that are not in the best interest of all parties. A personal injury lawsuit could be useful if, for instance, your insurance company refused negotiations in good faith with the insurance provider of the other party.
Personal injury attorneys handle insurance company negotiations for their clients. Due to grief, distress, or unfamiliarity with processes, people can be coerced to sign away what is rightfully theirs in regards to injury, damages, and losses compensation. Your lawyer will make sure that you aren’t driven to make a wrong decision when you are vulnerable.
Receive maximum compensation for your claims
You can expect compensation after a personal injury lawsuit if your case gets a settlement. The worth of your injury claim, however, is not easy to estimate without knowledge of how personal injury law works. Non-economic damage, financial losses, psychological impact, and many other factors can determine the end worth of a claim.
Some factors that may be included in a personal injury claim are:
- Medical expenses and treatment
- Fees regarding your health insurance company
- Decreased earning capacity or loss of income including bonuses, commissions, and benefits
- Physical pain, suffering, or general discomfort
- Scars, disfigurement, or other permanent injuries
- Permanent impairment or disability
- Depression, PTSD, or other forms of emotional distress
- Financial losses caused by events related to the accident such as transportation, repairs, emergency expenditures, etc.
Handling of the negotiations
Legal professionals are great negotiators. Normally personal injury attorneys will produce a document known as a demand settlement, on which they will include the evidence that supports your claim and outlines the legal theory for faults and liability. It is your lawyer’s job to fight for you to receive maximum compensation.
When should I hire a personal injury attorney?
You should consider hiring the services of a personal injury attorney whenever you or someone close to you happens to be affected by an accident. A personal injury attorney’s knowledge and expertise make them able to handle all types of injury cases.
Just as it is in cases of accident, injury, and other similar situations, personal injury attorneys are also the right legal professionals to go to when you or someone you know has personal injury claims due to negligence or wrongdoing of a third party.
7 things to consider when hiring a personal injury lawyer
Here are 7 things to consider when hiring a personal injury lawyer:
- Ask for a referral
- Find out who will handle your case
- Meet with the legal team
- Read the retainer agreement
- Don’t go in thinking about guarantees
- Have access to evidence
- Trust your own judgment
1. Ask for a referral
If you happen to know someone who has been in a situation similar to yours, it may be advantageous to reach out and see if they have any advice to give you. Personal injury law firms see an abundance of cases of varying nature and complexity, so having a contact with previous experience can help you know what to expect from your lawyer and better set your expectations.
2. Find out who will handle your case
There may be many lawyers working in personal injury law firms, and it is possible that the first professional you interview will not be the attorney who handles your case. It is very advisable that you schedule an appointment with the lawyer who will represent you as soon as possible, as they will be your legal guide for the duration of your case.
Court cases can take a very long time. One can expect their case to last even more than five years, so if your lawyer is approaching retirement age, it may be necessary to talk with them about what their plans are and what options exist for transferring their work afterward. Remember that it is important to work alongside legal professionals who you can trust.
3. Meet with the legal team
Your first meetings regarding your personal injury claim should be used to build rapport and familiarize yourself with working with experienced attorneys. It is common for lawyers to work with law clerks and legal assistants who will be in charge of handling part of the day-to-day operations, including the more mundane aspects of the handling of your case. Getting acquainted with everyone working on your case is recommended.
Even though it is not too common for a personal injury lawsuit to end up on trial, experienced attorneys are more than ready to take your case through any legal process, which may sometimes mean going through trials or arbitration. Recent experiences in court can outline information that will help you better understand current court processes. This may be particularly important nowadays with the rise of virtual trials.
Learning about recent experiences in trials and arbitrations can also give you an idea of what to expect from your insurance company, as it is possible for insurance companies to be aware of the usual legal practices regarding your claim and change their approach to the case accordingly.
4. Read the retainer agreement
The retainer agreement is the contract you sign with a personal injury law professional. If you are working on a contingency basis, you will not need to pay any amount to your lawyer or the law firm until you get a settlement for your case.
Personal injury attorneys working on a contingency basis earn a percentage of the money you’re compensated with, so it is in their best interest for you to receive maximum compensation. Reading your retainer agreement will allow you to review the contingency fee percentage and negotiate an amount that best accommodates your needs in case the rate offered by your lawyer is not agreeable.
How much does an attorney cost in Quebec?
5. Don’t go in thinking about guarantees
The most important factor to consider after going through an accident should be your recovery. However, the extent of your recovery will be taken into consideration when calculating your compensation and can harm your claims. It is therefore advisable not to take heed to lawyers who offer a particular amount of money when offering their services as if they were working as a salesperson.
6. Access to evidence
Many cases, especially those of higher complexity, will require access to time and resources from several individuals. Medical experts, engineers, private investigators, and many other professionals whose expertise is important for the development of the case may be required to provide their input at some point during the legal process.
It is also possible that documentation from you may be needed in the form of certificates, receipts, account information, or other relevant data. Try to have everything pertinent to the case available for your personal injury claim, as every ounce of evidence matters.
7. Trust your own judgment
Personal injury claims are strenuous experiences and require you to take many decisions in a limited time frame. It is crucial that when looking for counsel you choose the help of individuals who you can trust.
The correct attorney will represent you in more than one way. Not only will they handle your legal representation, but they will also understand the emotional and physical toll the situation takes on you and will be psychologically aligned to your needs.
