There may be situations in which it may not be financially reasonable to hire a personal injury attorney, such as when injuries are relatively minor or damages do not justify hiring one.
Insurance companies employ large legal teams that use underhanded tactics to reject or reduce the value of claims filed with them. A personal injury lawyer levels the playing field and increases your odds of reaching a satisfactory settlement agreement.
1. You’ve Been Injured
If you have been injured in an accident, it’s vital that you contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Furthermore, document the event by gathering police reports, taking photos, and keeping receipts for expenses like taxi rides to and from doctor visits.
Documenting everything thoroughly will enable your attorney to craft an effective case in your favor.
2. You’ve Been Injured at Work
Major workplace injuries can have severe repercussions, from long-term medical treatment and permanent disability to financial implications for both the injured worker and his/her family.
If you have been injured at work, it’s essential that you report it immediately. Failure to do so could allow your employer to claim that it occurred outside the scope of work and claim they can use this to their advantage.
3. You’ve Been Injured in a Car Accident
If you find yourself involved in a car accident, your first priority should be ensuring everyone’s wellbeing is maintained. Check for injuries and call medical help and the authorities immediately.
Adrenaline may help to cover up pain and symptoms, so make a list of any pains or discomfort you feel before visiting a physician for evaluation. A medical report can also assist in recovering injuries related losses.
Insurance companies will often look for ways to pay out less than what you deserve, which is why having the services of a personal injury lawyer on your side can protect you from this process.
4. You’ve Been Injured in a Truck Accident
After being injured in a truck accident, medical bills and property damages can quickly accumulate. An attorney can help assess their financial impact to make sure that those responsible compensate you appropriately for these losses.
Your first priority should always be your safety, receiving medical treatment for any serious injuries sustained, and engaging a lawyer to handle negotiations with insurance companies to prevent them from taking advantage of you.
5. You’ve Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle injuries can often have lasting repercussions and require medical treatment, so having access to legal representation may help ensure you receive compensation that you’re due.
Insurance companies have the advantage in your case and will do everything possible to deny what is due. A personal injury attorney can level the playing field between themselves and you.
6. You’ve Been Injured in a Drunk Driving Accident
An accident with an impaired driver can transform your life instantly, forcing you to deal with medical professionals, insurance providers and lawyers all at once.
Even in what might seem to be minor accidents, hiring an attorney is wise. Failing to file within the statute of limitations could compromise your right to compensation and it’s vitally important that all injuries and damages be documented correctly.
7. You’ve Been Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident
Personal injury attorneys can help you collect evidence of your accident, such as incident reports and security camera footage. Photographing the scene immediately following your incident also adds credibility to your claim; medical records documenting injuries you sustained will add further evidence supporting it.
Eyewitness testimony can also be instrumental in proving liability. Collect contact details of witnesses and request that they give recorded statements as testimony.
8. You’ve Been Injured in a Wrongful Death Accident
Wrongful death cases often present numerous complex legal challenges, from establishing duty of care to calculating damages. An experienced personal injury lawyer is crucial when representing victims against insurance companies and other parties involved.
Personal injury lawyers understand how to negotiate and fight for maximum compensation, often working on contingency fee basis so as to reduce upfront costs and encourage them to win your case.
9. You’ve Been Injured in a Medical Malpractice Accident
If you have been the victim of medical negligence, it is essential that you contact an experienced attorney as quickly as possible. Insurance companies tend to attempt to pay victims as little as possible in settlement amounts and their definition of fair settlement rarely coincides with yours.
As fraudsters know all too well, their lowball offers often take advantage of your need for money to cover expenses associated with an injury and could lead to you accepting them without question.
10. You’ve Been Injured in a Wrongful Death Accident
If someone in your family died due to another’s negligence, filing a wrongful death claim could be an option for your family. A personal injury lawyer can assist in helping to decide if this route would work in your situation.
An individual alleging wrongful death must demonstrate both causation and damages; damages may include financial losses, pain and suffering and loss of consortium. Some settlements for these wrongful deaths may even be tax-deductible.