If you get injured in an accident through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. However, don’t expect the person who caused your injuries—or their insurer—to have your best interests at heart. You need someone to advocate for your rights who understands how the legal system works and can competently represent you. Here are seven common reasons people contact a personal injury lawyer for that purpose.
1. They Understand the Relevant Laws
Unless you’re a lawyer yourself, it’s unlikely that you have a firm grasp on tort law and how it affects your claim. A personal injury lawyer will have that knowledge and know how to apply it to your advantage. They’ll be able to advise you on your legal options before you ever set foot in a courtroom.
2. They Have Investigative Teams
Knowing someone injured you and proving it in court are two different things. You need specific evidence and effective presentations to use in court to do the latter. A personal injury lawyer will have an investigative team to develop the required evidence. They can also assist with preparing things like reenactments to demonstrate your case in a courtroom.
3. They’re Experienced Working With Other Lawyers
When someone causes an injury, you can bet that one of their first moves will be securing legal representation. The last thing you want to do is deal with adversarial attorneys independently. Hiring a personal injury lawyer guarantees you can deal with the other party on equal footing.
4. They May Work on Contingency
Another reason people will call a personal injury lawyer is because it typically costs nothing. Many, if not most, personal injury lawyers only charge contingency fees. That means they collect a fixed percentage of any settlement you receive for your injury. If you don’t win, you don’t pay.
5. They’re Experienced Negotiators
Did you know 95% of personal injury cases never end up before a judge? Instead, they end with pretrial settlement agreements. A personal injury lawyer will be an experienced negotiator, helping you get the best settlement possible.
6. They Know How To Handle Insurance Firms
If you’ve ever filed an insurance claim, you should know what a labyrinthian process it can be. A personal injury lawyer will know the insurance claims process inside and out. They can help you navigate it so you don’t have to add stress on top of your injuries.
7. They Understand the Types of Compensation You Qualify For
Finally, a personal injury lawyer will know all the compensation you may qualify for. Injured people often believe that the only compensation they’re due is for medical costs. However, depending on the circumstances of your case, you could seek additional damages. You might receive payment for lost wages, pain and suffering, and necessary rehabilitation costs. You may even seek punitive damages if the other party’s negligence was particularly egregious.
Calling a Personal Injury Lawyer’s a Smart Choice
In the wake of an accident, calling a personal injury lawyer is a smart choice for the above reasons and more. You don’t have to try and navigate the legal process alone, and you have rights you may not be aware of. So, remember this information should you ever suffer an injury and need assistance.