Did you know that personal injury lawyers were almost unheard of before the 1970s? There weren’t a lot of personal injury cases from the 1900s until the 70s. Whether that’s due to amazing safety standards or people were not aware of their rights is up for debate.
That all changed in the 1970s. This is when personal injury lawyers started advertising their services. It’s a welcome change as it gave people the help they need to manage the effect of an accident. The ads also made it easier for them to look for “personal injury lawyers near me.”
That’s good news for the 31 million people who end up in emergency rooms every year. Their injuries are serious enough to be debilitating, like broken bones. Many patients also come in with life-threatening injuries.
Not everyone hurt from an accident needs or wants a personal accident lawyer. There are many reasons for this. For some, their injuries are minor and not worth the effort. Others might be unaware. Then there are those who are still recovering from the accident. It’s your job as a loved one to try and get them the best representation. The question now is when to get a personal injury lawyer. Here are some situations when you need their expertise.
The Best Time is Now
You should look for a personal injury law attorney as soon as you can. You don’t need to hire one immediately. But you do need to talk to them about your loved one’s situation and their options. It will also give the lawyer time to investigate the case. They can also start gathering evidence for a claim. This is important as it improves their chances of securing compensation.
Insurance Claims Can Be Tricky
Filing an insurance claim because of an accident isn’t a straightforward process. Your insurance company won’t make it easy on you. Expect representatives from the other party’s insurance provider to make an overture. You need an expert to determine if their offer is commensurate to the injuries inflicted.
It’s why the second best time to get a personal injury lawyer is right before filing a claim. At the very least, hire someone to work on your behalf. Do this before meeting with the adjusters of your own insurance provider.
Don’t become surprised an insurance company will reduce its own financial liabilities. They’ll do this by trying to get you to admit that you’re also at fault for the incident. Any settlement they’ll offer will also be lower than what you deserve. A personal injury attorney Florida knows how to deal with insurance reps. They’ll work to safeguard your interest. You and your loved one will have a better chance of getting proper compensation if you work with a legal expert.
You’re Being Stone Walled
You need a personal injury law attorney when the insurance company denies your claim. You should also secure representation when you’re getting the runaround.
It’s distasteful but an insurance company will look at you as a pushover if you don’t have a lawyer at your side. They’ll take it as a sign that it’s open season to bully you into dropping your claim. Or they will pressure you to accept a much lower amount for your troubles.
Hiring a lawyer at this stage will tell them that you’re determined to stand up for your rights. The company will think twice about making an onerous offer. They know a lawyer understands what is due to you. A personal injury attorney also knows if the denial’s done in in bad faith. In this case, you can even demand more compensation.
There’s a good chance an insurance company will continue to deny your claim. Your lawyer knows what steps you should take next. They’ll also tell you if you can start legal action against the policyholder for extra damages.
Time is Crucial in Injury Cases
There is a statute of limitations for personal injury cases. The length of time differs per state. It’s understandable if your loved one doesn’t want to deal with claims and lawyers while they’re recovering. But you can help ensure that they don’t wait too long.
There are also time frames to consider with accident injury cases. For example, the effect of an accident might have manifested at a later time. When will the statute of limitations start? Will it be from the time of the accident or when you discovered the injury? Medical malpractice lawsuits run in a different time frame. So does a case against a federal entity.
The Tables Turned Against You
There are cases when the person who caused the accident sued the one who got injured. It sounds crazy but some believe it’s the best defense they have. They’ll try to get ahead and claim that you or your loved one was the reason for the accident.
An expert personal accident lawyer will help clear up this situation. They will also help you file a counterclaim. This is when you file for damages against the individual who sued you. It’s not unusual. Most accidental injury lawsuits are rife with claims and counterclaims.
Protecting Your Right to Compensation
A trustworthy lawyer will work hard to defend your interest. That’s something we at Warner and Warner guarantee to give you. Our law firm has the best trial attorneys in the City Beautiful. It’s our goal to help people get justice and the proper compensation. Our lawyers have the expertise and experience to make it happen. We specialize in personal injury cases, medical malpractice, and nursing home neglect. We also take on vehicular accidents and wrongful death lawsuits. Why not give us a ring at 321-450-7928? You can also email us at info@warnerandwarner.com for inquiries.
