8 Key Signs You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal injury lawyers specialize in representing clients who have not been properly compensated for their injuries, either because of the long-term implications of their injuries, an insurer who refuses to pay, underinsurance, unclear liability, or other complex legal issues.

While accidents are always harrowing, particularly when a person narrowly escapes with their life and suffers grievous injuries, the ensuring legal conundrums that follow can be just as stressful and have long-lasting implications. Swift action through an experienced legal team can help a victim gain justice and financial compensation and focus on what is important: mental and physical recovery.

Not all accidents need to involve the threat of litigation. But if your case presents one of the following signs, chances are that a personal injury lawyer can help you.

1. You Have Been Seriously Hurt

In states where the at-fault party’s insurance is responsible for taking care of your medical costs, smaller injuries and little bumps and bruises are unlikely to hit the policy’s limit. But if an injury is more severe, you could run into the problem of only being compensated for a fraction of what you have to pay to cover the long-term treatment of your injuries, due to the limits of the liable party’s policy.

A personal injury lawyer can help you seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries, so you are not left to deal with mounting and massive medical bills all on your own.

2. Permanent or Long-Term Disability

If your injuries have led to the development of conditions that may require treatment for months or years to come, from chronic pain to disability, then it is likely that you will be facing medical costs for a long period of time. Many insurance policies only cover a limited number of costs in cases where victims continue to be charged for their injuries.

Consulting with a professional can give you a better idea of whether you may be entitled to far greater compensation as a result of your long-term suffering.

3. Accident Caused by Mechanical Failure or Defective Product

If you have reason (and evidence) to believe that your accident was the result of a defective car part or some other product (such as a mobile device catching fire and causing an automobile accident), then it’s critical to contact a legal professional. The process for proving that a company or manufacturer is liable for damages you have accrued due to their mistakes can be quite long, and proper documentation and handling of all evidence is critical to building a strong case.

4. Your Insurer Is Not Paying (Enough)

If you’ve been sent a settlement offer by your insurer or the liable party’s insurer for the damages you’ve suffered, and it’s clear that such a settlement does not even approach the costs you are going to be dealing with as a result of your injuries from the accident, then you are well within your right to consult with a professional, and investigate the possibility of fighting for better compensation.

5. You Are Not Being Paid for Lost Wages

While accidents do happen, many Americans are not financially prepared for the toll of a serious accident, especially one that leaves them incapacitated for weeks or months. During this time, you may not be able to return to work, which could leave you in an even worse financial position due to missing wages.

However, if you have not been held liable for the accident, you are entitled to demand compensation for these lost wages from the other party.

6. The Other Driver Was Inebriated

If drugs or alcohol are involved, then it is likely the other person is automatically liable for the accident. While California is not a no-fault state, it bears mentioning that even no-fault states have exceptions in place for drunk driving. While liability can be easy to prove in a case involving drugs or alcohol, it is important to be swift and seek a legal professional to improve your chances of a favorable outcome and proper compensation.

7. Liability Is Unclear

If, on the other hand, liability is unclear, then a personal injury lawyer can help you protect yourself by gathering the evidence and building a case against your liability, while working to prove the other party’s wrongdoing. Because evidence is key, it is important to find an experienced professional quickly, rather than waiting for weeks after the accident.

8. You Are Facing Substantial Costs

If the only thing you know for sure is that you are going to be facing tremendous medical bills and car repair costs after the accident, then it can certainly pay to contact a legal professional and get in touch with a personal injury expert. It is not going to be easy to pay for the accident, but a personal injury lawyer can help you seek proper compensation.

The alternative may be trying to cover the costs with a mediocre settlement and the help of family and friends, or liens on your property. If you are entitled to compensation, you may be able to cover these substantial costs. If you are not sure, you can still make use of a free consultation to get a professional’s opinion.

Take Swift & Appropriate Action

"Swift and appropriate" is meant to remind readers that rushing through the selection process to find a lawyer is unwise but taking too long can be a problem as well. It is typically better to contact a legal professional early in the aftermath of an accident, than months or even years later.

If you have been in a serious accident and any of the above apply to your case, then take your time selecting a reputable personal injury attorney to help you navigate through the difficult process of receiving proper compensation for your pain and suffering.

Personal injury attorneys often offer free consultation and help their clients through a contingency fee – which means that their fee is deducted from a client’s final settlement, rather than an upfront cost. This helps ensure that clients in dire financial straits after a serious and debilitating accident still stand a chance at receiving help from skilled and experienced personal injury attorneys.