Category: blog

When most people go to work, they don't expect to get hurt. Unfortunately, it's not always up to them.

Personal injury incidents happen all the time. In fact, there's a workplace injury every seven seconds.

As you can expect, you're going to need solid personal injury lawyers if you intend to get the appropriate amount of compensation.

Not sure where to start? Don't worry, we got you covered.

Let's take a look at everything you need to know about why hiring an experienced legal professional is the best course of action after a personal injury.

Negotiation

It's not often that people want to pay for something. This is especially true if someone else is telling them that they have to pay.

When you're seeking compensation after a workplace injury, the responsible party is going to do everything they can to make sure they pay as little as possible. This even means going as far as avoiding paying anything at all.

But, a competent attorney can use their negotiation skills to get as much money from your employer as possible. 

Additionally, your attorney will prevent your employer or their legal representatives from trying to convince you that they're not to blame or that your injuries are too insignificant to pursue damages for.

Their Compensation Depends on Yours

Since your lawyer will take a cut of the amount you win from your settlement, it's in their best interest to secure the largest amount possible.

The convenience of avoiding upfront fees will allow you to focus on your recovery after your incident. Additionally, many legal professionals will take the necessary legal fees out of your settlement, as well.

Depending on the case, some attorneys may take a significant chunk out of the money that you win. The alternative, however, is attempting to negotiate yourself, which is never a viable option for most people. 

Handling The Discovery Phase

So, you've decided to seek compensation for your workplace injury. As you should, as this amount can occasionally be awarded in millions.

But, what happens when your employer refuses to pay? Or even worse, they claim that they're not at fault for what happened to you?

From here, it'll need to be proven that their negligence is what resulted in your injuries. As you can expect, this isn't the easiest task, and most people will have no idea where to start.

During the discovery phase, it's up to you and your attorney to gather the appropriate information for your claim. The better the supporting evidence, the more likely you'll come out on top.

Your attorney will know exactly what to look for in order to give you the best chance possible of securing a claim. Depending on the situation, they'll be able to gather evidence like:

  • Security camera footage
  • Eyewitness testimony
  • An official statement from the defending party that affirms or denies the claim
  • Other situational evidence that is relevant to the case

Without an attorney, you're on your own when it comes to acquiring this information. 

Reduced Stress

As previously mentioned, a quality legal professional will do everything they can to make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve.

Foregoing this burden is sure to maximize your quality of life during the negotiation/investigation process. This can be an invaluable occurrence if your injuries are particularly debilitating.

Furthermore, increased stress will only lead to a longer recovery and could potentially cause further complications when it comes to your health. These can include:

  • Depression/anxiety
  • Weight gain
  • Mood swings
  • Insomnia or altered sleep patterns

These symptoms in combination with the injuries from your accident could have long-lasting effects on your body and mood. So, it's best to let your attorney handle as many responsibilities as you can.

Capability to Go to Trial

As previously mentioned, people aren't always so quick to be compliant when it comes to personal injury cases. This becomes increasingly true with the higher amount of compensation that you seek.

But, an experienced attorney can handle stubborn employers by going to trial and letting a judge decide.

It's also important to understand that the other side (especially owners of large businesses) is going to come with a solid legal team. That's why finding the right legal professional is so important. 

With adequate representation in the courtroom, you stand a fighting chance against those who are in the way of your compensation. 

What to Look For in An Attorney

Experience and competency are the most important attributes to consider. This isn't to say, however, that an attorney who's only been practicing for five years couldn't handle your case.

An attorney who has won a large number of cases that are similar to yours would be a solid choice when making your decision. Since not every case can be settled out of court, the number of times they've got to trial is also a factor that you should keep in mind.

Lastly, firms with a solid team have more resources to handle cases than practices with only a handful of people working, meaning they can work more efficiently for you.

Finding the Right Personal Injury Lawyers Can Seem Difficult

But it doesn't have to be.

With the above information about personal injury lawyers in mind, you'll be well on your way to a great fit.

Have a personal injury case you need legal assistance with? Feel free to get in touch with us and see what we can do for you.

The revenue for the personal injury lawyer and attorney industry is set to reach $35 billion by the end of 2019.

This is because more people are standing up for themselves and going for the compensation they are entitled to. However, there are still many who do not pursue legal action even though they could have won a lot in damages.

If you have been in an accident but are unsure if you should reach out to a lawyer, then these are the main signs that you should.

1. A Personal Injury Lawyer can Help if Your Injury is Severe

For all the people you hear complaining about their pains there are often far more who keep it to themselves.

Most people do not want to be seen as weak or be a burden on other people. So, they ignore their issues and try to move on.

This counts for both physical and mental damage. Some people who have been in car accidents become terrified of driving and are unable to commute to work.

If your injury has reduced your ability to work or live, then you need to speak up and get help.

2. The Injury is Permanent

If something happened that was not your fault and changed your life forever then it is very likely you can successfully make a claim.

It does not have to be something serious or life-threatening. For example, if an accident leaves you unable to fully extend your finger then that still affects your quality of life.

If what happened to you is irreversible then a personal accident lawyer may be the way to go.

3. The Cause was Because of Something Faulty

The reason we have regulatory bodies is to ensure a minimum standard of safety in the products we buy.

Sometimes, companies overlook certain defects or faults and hope nothing will go wrong. Other times, they use low-quality parts that get past inspections but do not last very long.

If your injury is caused by something like a car bumper falling off or a machine not working correctly then the company who made it could be liable.

4. There is Evidence You Were Not at Fault

Dashcams have become more popular over the years for this exact reason. Before, car accident claims relied on witness accounts and inferred evidence from crash experts.

But with a dashcam, you can use the footage to prove your innocence and guarantee compensation.

If you have videos, texts, or reliable witnesses who can testify on your behalf, you will have a solid case.

5. There Were Multiple People Involved

When the accident just happened to you or involved one other person, then things are usually straightforward.

However, when many people were affected, you never know who is going to claim what. In these situations, you may find yourself being sued for your role in the damages caused even if you are suing someone else entirely.

These situations are complicated and messy; a personal injury lawyer can help protect you from cases against you and even countersue if the evidence allows it.

6. It Happened a While Ago

Sometimes after going through something traumatizing we need to take time off to recover physically and mentally.

In these situations, the last thing we want to do is deal with legal proceedings when all we want is to get better.

However, because of the statute of limitations, you only have a specific period of time where you can legally file a claim. Depending on the state, this can be anywhere from one year to six years.

Look up the duration of the statute of limitations in the state where the accident occurred. You may be running out of time to get the compensation you deserve.

7. You Are Worse Off Because of Treatment You Received Afterwards

Let's say an accident was your fault and required you to go to the hospital. While being treated something happens which causes your condition to get worse or creates a new problem altogether.

Medical negligence can and does happen. While you cannot sue someone for a small mistake, you can certainly make a claim if they were lazy or missed essential steps in your care.

In these instances, you are in a strong position to make a claim for damages to help cover your medical bills and any other problems that arose because of it.

8. Had Someone Else Been Drinking?

One of the leading causes of accidents comes from excessive drinking.

If you suffered an injury because someone else was intoxicated, then there is already a strong chance you can successfully make a claim. Of course, for this to work, you need to be able to prove the person was drunk or rely on witness testimonies to support you.

9. You are Having Trouble Collecting Money from Your Insurance

Receiving money from insurance companies is like trying to draw blood from a stone.

Despite existing to cover you if something happens, most of the time the company will do everything possible not to pay. Many insurance companies have expert lawyers and teams dedicated to finding loopholes not to pay.

Personal injury lawyers also know the law and are adept at dealing with insurance companies. They can help by going through your contract and finding iron-tight reasons you are entitled to compensation.

10. You are Already Low on Cash

Many personal accident lawyers offer a 'no win no fee' contract and even provide free consultations. If you decide not to use a lawyer, you will still need to pay to file with the courts, pay administration costs, as well as any other expenses like expert witnesses or finding information.

In these instances, the lawyer will only take the case if they think they can win. That means they are willing to spend their own time and money on your case.

Having a lawyer on your side means you have someone in your corner who is fighting for you and also driven to get compensation as well. If they win, sure, you pay them a fee, but then all of your expenses will likely be covered as part of the win.

If Possible Hire Right from the Start

Many things happen after you suffer an injury and as mentioned above, legal proceedings can be the last thing you want to deal with.

If you hire a personal injury lawyer right away, you can take time to recover while also knowing the legal stuff is being taken care of too.

Equally, the lawyer will know exactly what evidence and witnesses the case will require. These are all much easier to gather the closer to the incident.

If these reasons resonate with you, check out our personal injury services and see what we can do for you.