Being injured in an accident can be a life-altering experience for victims and their families. You should hire a personal injury lawyer whenever you are injured in an accident that involves negligence or wrongdoing. A personal injury lawyer is there to help you get compensated for your injuries and protect your best interests against insurance companies and corporations.
No two personal injury cases are alike, but there are often common reasons why accident victims seek the help of qualified personal injury attorneys.
Liability for the Accident Is Being Disputed
When it’s unclear who is responsible for the accident, an attorney can assist in investigating the accident, gathering evidence, establishing fault, and developing a legal strategy. The attorney thoroughly investigates how your injury occurred and who is responsible. Accident victims must prove that the other party’s negligence, errors, or wrongdoing caused the victim’s injuries. If the other party disputes liability, contact a personal injury attorney immediately.
A common tactic used by insurance companies and defense lawyers is to blame the victim for the cause of the injuries sustained. For example, the insurance company might claim that you exceeded the speed limit or accuse you of texting while driving.
Whenever an insurance provider or other party claims that your action contributed to the reason you were injured, contact a personal injury attorney immediately. Do not discuss your claim with anyone without legal representation, as those statements could be used against you during a trial.
Many Parties Are Involved in the Accident
The legal process can become complex if many parties, such as other drivers, companies, or government entities, are involved in the accident. Medical malpractice claims, construction accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, and product liability claims generally involve several parties. A personal injury lawyer can navigate these complexities and determine liability for each party involved.
Long-Term or Permanent Disabilities Were Sustained
Consult a personal injury attorney if you’ve been injured and need hospital care, surgery, or long-term medical treatment. If your injury is disabling and the result of a defective product, you may need lifelong medical care preventing you from ever working again.
Due to your disability or impairment, you will incur and be entitled to future damages. An attorney can retain medical, financial, and economic experts to assist in placing an accurate value on your future damages. This will help to ensure you receive the most compensation for your injury claim.
Insurance Company Challenges
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts to claimants. The insurance company for the other party is not interested in compensating you for your injuries and damages. Some insurance companies act in bad faith when dealing with personal injury victims.
Some examples of ways in which insurance companies may act in bad faith include the following:
- Failing to investigate a claim
- Refusing to pay a valid claim
- Raising false allegations of comparative negligence
- Misrepresenting the terms of the insurance policy
- Intentionally misleading a victim about the victim’s legal rights
- Requiring unnecessary and burdensome paperwork to process a claim
- Causing unnecessary delays
- Using overly aggressive methods to pressure victims to accept an unfair settlement offer
Skilled personal injury lawyers know the “bad faith” tactics used by insurance companies and understand the laws related to personal injury claims. If you get push back from the at-fault party’s insurance company or your own insurance company, a lawyer can negotiate on your behalf and ensure you receive a fair settlement.
Time Is Limited to Bring a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Personal injury claims have a statute of limitations. If you wait too long to pursue your claim, you may lose your right to recover damages. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you meet deadlines and file the necessary paperwork promptly.
Your Personal Injury Accident Involves a Government Entity
Pursuing a claim against a government entity for a personal injury claim is much more challenging than the average injury claim. Governments enjoy certain protections from liability. However, there are exceptions. You often have shorter deadlines to pursue a claim against a government entity than a private individual. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to help you navigate these timelines.
You Don’t Know the Value of Your Personal Injury Claim
When you are injured due to another person’s negligence or wrongdoing, you are entitled to compensation for the damages you incur. These damages can include financial losses, medical expenses, compensation for pain and suffering, loss of wages, and damages to your property. However, calculating a value for your personal injury claim can be challenging without the help of a skilled personal injury lawyer.
Economic damages can include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Travel expenses
- Vehicle repairs
- Personal care
- In-home health care
Damages can also include compensation for pain and suffering, although calculating this is much more difficult. Several factors impact the value of pain and suffering damages. An experienced personal injury attorney understands how to use the facts of the case to prove the value of your pain and suffering damages.
You’re Not Being Compensated for Lost Wages
Many Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck and not being able to work is one of the biggest factors in personal injury cases. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be out of work for weeks, if not months. Your success in obtaining compensation for lost wages depends on several factors.
If you are injured while on the job, your next move is to file for worker’s compensation benefits. If you are unable to work due to an injury caused by a third party, you may have a personal injury claim. Ideally, the at-fault party’s insurance company will cover your lost wages, but not always.
Losing wages can be life-changing. Don’t delay enlisting the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer to recovery the money you’re owed.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Fort Walton Beach
If you were injured in a personal injury accident, contact Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today with our Fort Walton Beach personal injury lawyers.
