When Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Sept. 4, 2020
If you have suffered injuries because of someone else’s negligence, you must decide if you will hire a personal injury attorney. Though you can choose to represent yourself in court, it is not always the best way to guarantee a fair settlement. There are many different factors to consider when determining whether you need to hire a lawyer. The faster you make this decision, the higher your chances of a successful personal injury claim.
Reasons to hire a personal injury lawyer
A personal injury lawyer handles various cases. These cases include auto accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, slip and falls, and wrongful death. Victims and attorneys must file claims before the two-year statute of limitations runs out. Those who file a claim after the statute of limitations runs out are not eligible to collect damages. Since the clock starts ticking at the time of the accident, victims should quickly decide if they need to hire an attorney.
Long-term care needed
Many personal injury victims suffer injuries so severe that long-term care is necessary. These injuries might require medical care for years or a lifetime. Along with expensive medical bills, the damages can also impact the victim’s earning capacity. When people need long-term care and have diminished earning capacity, they should hire an attorney. An attorney can calculate future expenses, helping clients receive adequate compensation.
Need help establishing fault
Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible for personal injury claims. That can result in companies attempting to place blame on the victim’s shoulders. Pennsylvania follows the modified comparative negligence rule. That means parties can share fault in personal injury cases. However, compensation is reduced based on the percentage of fault. For example, if the insurance company states the victim is 40% to blame, it will reduce the compensation by 40%.
Before accepting responsibility for the accident, victims should hire a personal injury attorney. Attorneys have investigators to evaluate evidence and determine fault. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to assign fault to an innocent victim. A personal injury attorney can help victims get a proper investigation to fight for the money they deserve.
The insurance company denied or delayed claim
Insurance companies sometimes deny or delay valid claims. They do this in hopes that victims will give up and move on from seeking their damages. Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers have experience working with insurance companies and can help clients get claims approved and paid. If companies refuse to pay claims, attorneys can prepare for trial.
Hiring an attorney
Dealing with an injury while trying to get compensation from the insurance company is stressful. You can avoid some of the stress by hiring a personal injury attorney. Your attorney will advocate for your legal rights while you focus on getting better. Along with alleviating the stress, you will increase your odds of receiving fair compensation when you have an attorney by your side.
Contact here for more information from Kim A. Bodnar, Attorney at Law or to schedule a consultation in our office in Pittsburgh.
NOTE: This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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