May 12, 2020
In the unfortunate event of an accident, whether from driving, medical negligence, or even a simple slip-and-fall, you should know the necessary steps to take. Before speaking to any insurance company or trying to resolve the issue yourself, it’s important to consult a personal injury lawyer.
A personal injury attorney is trained and experienced in helping you receive the compensation you deserve after an accident. You may think a lawyer is unnecessary for your case, whether you’ve already made an informal agreement with the other party or you believe you have sustained only minor damage.
No matter the size of your case, you should consult with a lawyer to make sure you receive advice and counsel the help you need. We’ve written this blog post to give you some examples of when you should consult a lawyer after an accident.
1. If You’re Unfamiliar With Personal Injury Law
While you may think you have a simple open-and-shut case, there is always room for complication. The other party might decide to hire a lawyer, or the insurance company may not be able to fully support you. By consulting a lawyer, you’re instantly giving yourself a better chance at a more informed and favorable settlement.
According to a poll from Martindale-Nolo Research, 91% of people who had an attorney received a payout, while only 51% of people without an attorney saw a payout. With a personal injury lawyer in your corner, you give yourself the gift of peace of mind by providing yourself more time to focus on the more important matters, your health, your medical treatment, your family, and your work.
2. If You Sustained a Serious Injury or Permanent Disability
Many serious accidents leave victims with long-term injuries or even worse, permanent disabilities. These injuries can greatly affect your ability to perform daily tasks, like taking care of yourself or doing your job. Depending on the severity, they can get worse over time, affecting you for the rest of your life.
Some aches and pains that appear soon after an accident are or can also become more serious injuries if left unchecked. It’s important to keep an eye on how your body feels after the accident. If you’re in a situation where you have debilitating pain or developed a disability due to an accident, then you should consult a personal injury attorney, and a physician.
An experienced lawyer can help you figure out how much your injuries have cost you, and how to make sure the party who caused the accident pays for your medical expenses, damages and injuries.
3. When It’s Difficult to Prove Fault
In many cases, it can be difficult to tell who is at fault for an accident, either due to the circumstances of the accident, or because there are multiple parties involved. In both cases, it’s helpful to have an attorney on your side to make sure you aren’t forced to cover damages for something that’s not your fault.
A lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of dealing with multiple parties and insurance companies. Your lawyer can steer you in the right direction, help you prove fault, and by capturing the evidence necessary to prevail and recover full value for your injury claim.
4. If the Insurance Company is Denying Your Claim
When negotiating with insurance companies, it can be difficult to know everything you need to include when making your claim. These companies know this and are not afraid to use it as a way to deny your claim. An attorney can even the playing field.
A personal injury lawyer can walk you through the best way for the layman to interact with the insurance company, giving you the best possibility of a positive result. Your attorney will always be on your side and give you a fighting chance.
5. Still Unsure if You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Every accident case is unique. Luckily, it’s easy to consult a personal injury attorney who can review your case and provide insightful advice on the best steps to take and move forward. Cravens & Noll has attorneys who are recognized as leaders in the personal injury field.
At Cravens and Noll, we have decades of experience in a wide variety of personal injury cases from auto, trucking and boat accidents to hospital and nursing home negligence. We offer consultation with our talented and proven team of attorneys who will work with your particular situation to provide the best possible representation.
Find out more about our personal injury attorneys here.