Suppose you’ve been involved in a personal injury incident, such as a car accident, a medical malpractice situation, a slip and fall injury at a retailer, or even encountered a harmful defective product. In this case, you might not know what to expect when pursuing compensation for your injury. While there’s no doubt that you are primarily aware of the costs that have occurred from the injury, such as medical bills as the most apparent damage, you may be unaware of the actual value of your case.
It is best to approach your legal claim of compensation by first consulting an injury lawyer. An expert lawyer will determine the actual value of your case and help guide you through the process of claiming while also ensuring that you are treated fairly. With that said, here are some vital personal injury facts that you should know before making a claim.
Personal Injury Law Is There To Protect You
There’s no doubt that you have a lot to contend with after experiencing a personal injury, from medical bills to lost income and even emotional distress. Not to mention the sudden upheaval of your regular daily routine that is now interrupted by your physical injury and the restrictions it imposes on your everyday life. You may be feeling as though claiming will be a daunting process. However, personal injury law protects the victims of personal injury and puts the negligent party to justice. For this reason, you must rest assured that the law will be on your side.
Lawyering Up Will Ensure You Receive More Compensation
General personal injury law statistics show that victims who seek compensation without the help of an expert lawyer tend to receive significantly less compensation than those who hire an injury lawyer. Unfortunately, this is due to a few specific factors. Without a lawyer, you won’t have any accurate means of calculating your damages. You might also be unaware of damages that you are entitled to. And you may have difficulty proving your damages. Therefore, you should hire a lawyer regardless of the specifics of your case.
It’s Better Not To Wait
Timeframes restrict all legal proceedings. And even if you have two years to file a claim, waiting can put your case in jeopardy. Instead of pushing off your claim for too long, you should consult a lawyer as soon as possible. This action will ensure the courts view your incident as severe and urgent. In addition, over time, evidence can become lost and misplaced, further jeopardizing your case’s outcome. The timeframe for claims will vary according to state and region, so it’s best not to wait and file as soon as possible.
It Won’t Cost You Anything To Start The Process
You might think that consulting a lawyer and starting the process of filing a claim will set you back financially. However, this is a common misconception. Your first legal consultation is usually free. In addition, you might only have to pay your lawyer after you receive your compensation payout. This means the process could cost you nothing at all because your legal fees are included as damages. However, some lawyers do receive payment before the case’s outcome, so be sure to determine this element when consulting your lawyer.
Don’t Sign Anything Without Your Lawyers Approval
Suppose you have already contacted the company or individual responsible for your injury before consulting a lawyer. If you are presented with any documentation before you have consulted your lawyer, you should not sign anything. Furthermore, you should not sign anything without first consulting your lawyer to evaluate the paperwork and ensure your best interests are maintained.
There Are Two Ways The Claim Can Go
There are two main ways a personal injury claim can go. First, you may be presented with a settlement offer. A settlement is the responsible party’s effort at avoiding a potentially damaging court battle. If you are offered a settlement, let your lawyer assess the amount and advise your next step. In some cases, the settlement amount can be negotiated, and the first offer will generally be below a fair amount. On the other hand, the claim will go to court if a settlement cannot be reached. In this case, your injury lawyer will represent you in court, and a judge will determine the compensation total. In most cases, a jury award is higher than a pre-trial offer settlement. Therefore, you should not be concerned if your lawyer advises that the claim goes to court due to an unfairly low settlement offer.
Personal Injury Cases Can Be Timely
Most legal battles can be exceptionally time-consuming. And this is true for personal injury cases as well. After consulting your lawyer, you will have to wait until your lawyer can contact the responsible party and start the process. Your lawyer will also need time to compile your case. In addition, if the claim goes to court, you might have to wait for some time to receive a court date. For this reason, you must be patient and trust the process of a personal injury case.
Recovering your damages after a personal injury can be quite taxing on your emotions. You may be feeling as though the case will only see an end in the far future. However, you must trust your injury lawyer as they have your best interests at heart. You will need to be patient and know what to expect. If you are in doubt at any point, you should consult your lawyer. In addition, you should also avoid contact with the responsible party at all costs. Instead, they should deal only with your lawyer. Because you are recovering from an injury and facing various challenges, it’s best to focus on your recovery and leave all the legalities to your lawyer. In addition to avoiding contact, you should also avoid posting on social media about the incident, as the responsible party can use elements of social media posts against you. Therefore, avoid social media until an outcome has been reached.
