Personal injury cases are challenging; not only do you have to cope with medical issues, but you also have financial damages that impact your life. As if that’s not enough, most personal injury victims are also faced with emotional distress that hinders their ability to carry out everyday tasks. As a result, a personal injury can be life-altering. What’s more, filing a claim to receive fair compensation for your devastating experience can be stressful. You can’t be sure if your lawsuit will be accepted, and, of course, you dread a less than fair outcome such as an insultingly low settlement offer.
Fortunately, with the help of Lamber Goodnow Injury Lawyers, you can rest assured that a legal expert in the field will handle your claim. In addition, knowing these ten facts about personal injury claims will ensure you understand your rights and what to expect from the process of claiming.
Personal Injury Covers A Broad Spectrum Of Cases
While personal injury claims are most commonly associated with car accidents and other types of road accidents such as motorcycle and truck accidents, personal injury law covers a pretty broad spectrum of injury cases. These include dog bites, work-related injuries, defective products, property owner negligence, medical malpractice, and wrongful death, to mention only a few. In addition, the broad category covers injuries that are the direct result of another party’s negligence.
Never Accept The First Settlement Offer
Unfortunately, it is standard practice for insurance companies and the legal representatives of accused party’s to offer a low settlement first. This is an attempt to accept liability without actually having to pay the total value of the claim. In many instances, personal injury victims accept the first low offer in the false belief that they may not be able to negotiate a higher and more fair amount. However, you are legally entitled to reject the first offer, and you really should.
An Experienced Lawyer Is Necessary
Some personal injury victims assume that their injuries are blatant and severe enough to prove their claim is relevant. However, the negligent party will have their own legal representation, and because you do not have much legal knowledge, you could be left at a loss simply because you do not have a lawyer. Therefore, instead of considering self-representation, you should find an expert lawyer, as you can include your legal fees in your claim. What’s more, the best personal injury lawyer out there only receive payment after securing your settlement or winning your case. Therefore, if you don’t win your case with the help of an expert lawyer, you might not have to pay any legal fees anyways.
Claiming Future Financial Damages
Of course, you probably already know which immediate financial damages you can claim, such as medical bills and lost income, to mention only a couple. However, you may not be aware that you can also claim future financial damages. For example, perhaps the injury has left you unable to earn an income indefinitely, or possibly your medical treatment will be an ongoing long-term cost. Your injury lawyer will calculate the value of your case with consideration to future financial damages that stem from the injury.
A Good Lawyer Requires A Good Team
There are tons of legal practitioners out there, all practicing in various areas of the law. While some law firms have lawyers operating in various fields, other law firms only manage one area of the law. Therefore, it will be best to opt for a personal injury law firm instead of a personal injury lawyer working for a general law firm. This is because an expert lawyer requires an expert team to assist with the case in various ways.
Every Personal Injury Case Is Unique
There’s no doubt that every personal injury case out there is unique, even if some of the specifics seem similar to other cases on paper. For this reason, you should consider opting for a personal injury lawyer that specializes even further into the field. For example, if a dog has attacked you, you should consider a personal injury law firm specializing in dog attacks.
Patience Pays Off
Some personal injury cases can take significantly longer than others, although most lawsuits can be pretty time-consuming. As a result, you will need to practice patience to avoid settling too soon. Mainly if your case includes pain and suffering damages, your case may take longer as this type of damage can be tricky to validate.
A Trial Is Not Always Necessary
Your case might go to trial, although this will depend on various aspects. For example, if your final offer still does not suffice or the negligent party denies the claims altogether, your case will go to trial. However, there are numerous instances in which personal injury cases can be settled out of court. And in most cases, it’s easier for the victim when there is no trial involved.
All Evidence Is Important
When filing your personal injury claim, it is crucial to hand over as much evidence as possible. Even if you feel some evidence is not all that relevant, you should still hand it to your lawyer to strengthen your case. Any evidence about your case is essential, not just the major things such as medical reports. Even witness statements and personal testimonies are crucial pieces of evidence that can ensure you receive fair compensation.
Lawyers Aren’t All Paid The Same Way
Before you move forward with any legal practitioner, you should first determine their method of payment. For example, some lawyers will insist on upfront fees per consultation, while others will only get paid after settling the case. What’s more, some lawyers do not receive payment unless they win the case. So be sure to determine how your lawyer will be paid, as this is an essential detail. Personal injury cases can be daunting and time-consuming. However, with the right lawyer and enough evidence, you will receive compensation for the experience to cover your damages.