While not every mishap requires a lawyer, there are some cases which will. These include accidents where you may have sustained permanent or serious injury. In such a scenario, a talented attorney can make a world of difference and can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Since no two accidents are the same, how do you decide whether your situation requires a lawyer or not? Well, here are some scenarios in which the services of a personal injury lawyer can prove invaluable. Let’s take a look.
1. Your Injury Is Serious Or Permanent
In cases where you were permanently disabled or seriously injured in a mishap, you certainly need an attorney. Serious and permanent injuries can cause suffering, pain, and ongoing bills. Some common serious or permanent injuries include but aren’t limited to:
- Significant disfigurement
- Permanent loss of an organ
- Inability to move or use certain limbs or body parts
- Loss of fetus
- Amputation
- Fatality
- Brain injury
If the accident has led to a permanent disability or an injury requiring long-term care as suggested from the list above, the services of a lawyer could be your only way to avert severe, long-lasting financial burden.
2. Multiple Parties Are Involved
Assigning fault in an accident involving multiple parties is rarely straightforward. Consequently, without a lawyer representing you, there’s a good chance you may lose your case. Some examples of accidents involving multiple parties include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Plane accidents
- Defective products
- Poor medical treatment from the same doctor across multiple patients
If you’ve experienced any of the above, it’s a good idea to consider hiring an experienced attorney. They’ll be able to handle multiple insurance carriers and get you the compensation that’s yours.
Assigning fault in an accident involving multiple parties is rarely straightforward.
3. You’re A Victim Of Medical Negligence
Have you suffered damage due to medical negligence? If so, it’s important to see legal advice as soon as possible.
The law dictates these types of claims should be made within a specific time period. You’ll need to seek advice from your lawyer about when to inform the doctor, hospital, or provider in question about the claim. Medical negligence can be in the form of:
- Misdiagnosis of a disease, injury or illness
- Failure to inform patient of surgery risks
- Complications at birth where the doctor didn’t take action to prevent an injury
- Short cuts in anesthetic preparation
These are just some that can occur. Overall, a medical negligence claim tends to be complex, technical, and long-drawn-out, so hiring an attorney is a necessity.
4. You Suffered A Workplace Injury
A workplace injury can be quite overwhelming or even fatal. Generally, lifestyle changes are required, and medical bills may strain your finances. Some workplace injuries include:
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Injuries from objects that have fallen or toppled over
- Injuries from trips or slips
- Stress-related injuries
- Mental fatigue or physical injuries
- Injuries involving hazardous materials
Typically, in a workplace injury claim, you need to address two fronts: your employer and your insurance company. While your employer may be likely to deny their liability to avoid paying the compensatory damages, your insurance carrier may try to avoid responsibility by paying as little compensation as possible.
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So how can make you the best of a bad situation? Consulting an experienced personal injury attorney after a workplace injury is a good starting point. They’ll be able to advocate your case and get you the best results possible.
5. You Want An Out-Of-Court Settlement
Do you want to settle the case out of court but believe the offer made by the other party is far less than you deserve?
In cases like this, you can try negotiating more compensation with the insurance company in question—but these companies tend to play hardball. They may use aggressive tactics and technical jargon to confuse you into agreeing to something you may not understand or want.
Hiring a lawyer to help you understand your situation with out-of-court settlements can give you the edge you need to win. People who hire lawyers win five to seven times more out-of-court compensation cases than those who don’t.
Conclusion
As you can see, dealing with a personal injury claim by yourself is anything but easy. While you may be able to win by representing yourself, a personal injury lawyer can help ensure you get nothing less than what you deserve. They can also take the stress of the legal process off your shoulders.
