8 Situations You Need a Personal Injury Attorney For

Many people wonder when it is essential for them to hire a personal injury lawyer after experiencing a personal injury to recover damages from the guilty party. Hiring an attorney in all cases is unnecessary, especially if you did not incur monetary losses in the incident. 

However, there are instances where hiring a personal injury lawyer is inevitable if you want to stand a chance of recovering any compensation. This piece will highlight eight situations where it is necessary to seek the legal services of a lawyer. 

The Harm Will Stop You from Working

Sometimes, you may sustain severe injuries that prevent you from returning to work. It may mean you cannot work as productive as before the harm, or it precludes you from working altogether. 

Economic damages are one main category of compensation you may get in a personal injury claim. Economic damages compensate you for financial losses, factoring in present and possible future losses. 

Decreased earning capacity is a central part of economic damages. Contacting a personal injury attorney is crucial if the dollar figure of this category is high. Legal experts will liaise with outstanding experts to accurately evaluate your damages to demand fair compensation. 

After accepting a settlement offer, you cannot demand additional funds from the at-fault party's insurer again. Hence, it is critical to demand an amount to help you live fruitfully. 

The Insurance Firm Denied Your Claim

Insurance adjusters notoriously undervalue the claims they review. It is unsurprising because they work to defend their employer's interests and reduce their liability. In extreme cases, they deny victims' claims entirely. 

You need a lawyer to help you identify your legal options to respond appropriately to this denial. Well-trained personal injury lawyers understand insurance companies’ tactics in denying claims and how to clip their wings. 

A Third Party Triggered Your Workplace Harm

Most regions have comprehensive workers’ compensation initiatives to help people who sustain injuries in workplace accidents. This compensation covers most workers in the state and gives financial aid, not minding who was guilty of the occurrence. 

However, workers' compensation may not cover your entire loss. For instance, it cannot cater to non-economic damages, like pain and suffering. Depending on your workplace mishap, you may be eligible to file a third-party claim to demand additional financial compensation. 

A personal injury lawyer will help you expertly handle your third-party and workers’ compensation claims. It is dangerous to handle it alone due to the technicalities involved. 

You Want to Seek Compensation from a Government Agency

The government often safeguards itself from lawsuits through sovereign immunity. However, state law empowers individuals to institute particular tort claims against the government. 

You must file a claim against a government agency with an outstanding personal injury attorney because its rules differ from most personal injury matters; they involve stricter timelines. Similarly, the government will probably have a robust legal representation to outsmart you if you lack a solid advocate. 

You Are Unsure of the Person Liable for Your Injury

In a personal injury case, you can only pursue compensation from one liable party. It may be evident in some cases. For instance, it is the other motorist in a two-vehicle crash. 

However, things might be less apparent in some other cases. With a lawyer's guidance, you may find it easier to wade through the possibilities to achieve a favorable result. 

Hence, you need a personal injury lawyer to thoroughly analyze your case and determine the best individual or entity to hold responsible for your injuries. 

You Have Suffered Catastrophic Injury

Generally, the most severe injuries are worth the most in personal injury law. Many of the damages you may recover are based on the harm's effect and will continue to have on your life. 

Catastrophic injury cases are usually complex. Sometimes, you may need the help of experts to determine the value of your damages accurately. 

It is advisable to contact a personal injury attorney if you sustain severe injuries because after accepting compensation, you cannot return to the at-fault party to demand more. Thus, it is wise to work with an attorney who will help you understand the full extent of your losses and negotiate fair compensation on your behalf. 

You Sustained Severe Injuries in a Vehicle Crash

Car mishaps are the most typical personal injury scenarios, but not all car accident cases are identical. While some lead to minor or no property damage, others lead to severe or fatal injuries. 

In addition, state laws on car insurance differ. For instance, 38 states practice “at-fault” systems, which allow accident victims to file claims or lawsuits against the motorists who caused the accident. 

On the other hand, 12 other states practice unique car insurance rules. They adopt a “no-fault” system. In these jurisdictions, drivers can get (likely limited) compensation after a motor vehicle crash regardless of who was liable, often via Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.

The side effect of this system is that accident victims cannot institute a claim against the at-fault motorist unless their harm meets the state's "severe injury" standard. This insurance only compensates individuals for some of their lost earnings and medical costs, neglecting pain and suffering. 

You may need the expertise of a personal injury attorney for accidents with severe injuries. It does not matter if the victim is in an at-fault or no-fault state. Remember that insurance firms are always after their interests. 

Motor vehicle crash claims with severe injuries tend to have high value, and as such, you should not short-change yourself by not hiring a personal injury lawyer to defend your interest. 

You Were the Victim of Medical Malpractice

The purpose of visiting a physician is to feel better, but it ironically ends the other way in some cases. It will be myopic to assume that you will quickly get your deserved compensation when you become a victim of medical malpractice. Due to the wealth of the healthcare sector, be ready to go up against a powerful and authority-supported insurance firm. 

“If you hire a personal injury lawyer, your chances of recovering maximum compensation will surge astronomically,” says Ronald F. Wittmeyer, Jr of the Law Offices of  R.F. Wittmeyer. 

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney for Legal Insights

The abovementioned instances should encourage hiring an attorney for personal injury cases. Fortunately, most personal injury lawyers offer free consultation and charge on a contingency basis. Therefore, it's essential to identify the right attorney in your personal injury legal battle.