If you were injured in a car accident, slip and fall, or other type of personal injury incident, you may wind up filing a claim with the insurance company to seek compensation for your property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. However, this process can be complicated, and you may be able to benefit from having the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.
This article will look at when it makes sense to hire a lawyer, how attorneys can strengthen your insurance claim, and what advantages you gain by having legal representation on your side.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help When Filing an Insurance Claim
When you have been injured, your time and focus are rightfully on your recovery. You may be coordinating multiple medical appointments and trying to arrange your return to work with your employer. You are likely in a vulnerable state, which is what insurance companies want. They hope that they can get you to agree to a minimal settlement or to drop your claim altogether so they can save money.
Insurance companies have teams of adjusters, investigators, and lawyers that protect their interests. You will want to have someone who is actively protecting your interests. A personal injury lawyer can investigate your case, gather evidence, file your insurance claim, and negotiate a settlement on your behalf.
A personal injury attorney can help protect your rights during the claims process. They know the tactics insurance companies play, such as trying to elicit statements to later use against you, or getting you to sign broad medical release forms to blame an injury on a former accident. They know how to avoid these common pitfalls and hold insurance companies accountable.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis and typically offer a free consultation, so you can learn more about how they can help without any cost or risk to you. A lawyer can explain your legal rights and options for pursuing a personal injury claim. If they don’t feel they can win your case or that they won’t be able to help, they will be unlikely to take your case since they stand to complete work on it with no guarantee of payment.
When It Might Be Okay to Go It Alone
There are some times when you may prefer to handle your case on your own, such as:
- Your claim is for property damage only.
- You were not seriously injured.
- You did not sustain substantial financial losses.
- The insurance company has treated you fairly and offered you a fair settlement.
- You have experience working with insurance laws and negotiating a fair claim.
Even if the above are true, handling a personal injury claim can still be a long and tedious process, so you only want to try to handle the claim on your own if you have the time to devote to the case.
Signs You Really Need a Personal Injury Lawyer
In contrast, there are some times that indicate you are in need of a personal injury attorney, such as:
- You suffered a serious injury in a car accident – Florida is typically a no-fault state for car accidents. Motorists can receive benefits under their Personal Injury Protection (PIP) plan for a percentage of their medical benefits and lost wages. However, you can file a third-party claim for the full extent of your damages if you suffered a serious injury, as defined by Florida law.
- You suffered a permanent injury – If you suffered spinal cord injuries, paralysis, or any other permanent injury, you should hire a lawyer. Your claim may involve medical experts and economists who will need to provide insight as to the long-term impact of your claim so you can seek compensation for future medical expenses, the loss of your long-term earning capacity, and other substantial damages.
- You are being blamed for the accident – If the other party is blaming you for the accident, this could threaten your personal assets, as well as limit your ability to recover fair compensation for your losses.
- Multiple parties are involved in the process – If you are injured in a truck accident or other accident that involves multiple parties, you may need an attorney. The parties might try to blame others for the accident, making it more difficult for you to obtain the compensation you deserve.
- The insurance company is acting in bad faith – If the insurance company is refusing to investigate, has issued blanket denials, or is requesting the same information repeatedly, you might need an attorney to enforce the insurance contract.
If these legal complexities are involved in your case, retain the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers has been a fixture of the legal community for decades. We want to help protect your rights, and we will be honest with you about whether your situation calls for a personal injury lawyer or not. Contact or call us today at (813) 223-6200 for a free, no-obligation consultation.