When you have suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, it is natural to wonder if you need a personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies make handling the claim and legal system complicated and overwhelming, so hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer can make a significant difference in your case.
There is no such thing as a sure outcome in a personal injury case, and oftentimes, your compensation depends on many factors outside your control. No matter how much you may deserve it, you must work hard to receive the money you deserve.
However, you do not have the time or knowledge to do this work yourself. Instead, you need someone who knows the intimate details of the legal process and how to fight on your behalf. Hire a personal injury attorney for your case as soon as possible.
Although there are no guarantees in any personal injury case, it is almost certain that you will have a far better chance of getting more money in your claim when you have legal help.
A Mississippi personal injury lawyer can present your case in the most compelling way possible, protect your rights, and advocate on your behalf. An attorney will also level the playing field when you deal with the insurance company and fight for you to get every dollar you deserve.
You Must Know How to Seek Personal Injury Compensation
Most people are unfamiliar with the specifics of the legal process. They may know they can make someone else pay for their injuries, but they still need to understand how to do so.
Hopefully, this is the first time you have had to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit, so you will certainly not know all the rules. Even if you did, you may still have to learn the specifics of the legal system and how they may relate to you.
A personal injury attorney will explain how to seek a settlement check or award for your injuries. They will also advise you of the most effective possible path in your case because every personal injury is different.
You may need to deal with a difficult insurance company, or the claim may involve a large corporate defendant (which means your compensation may increase), so they may fight harder.
Your personal injury lawyer will explain what you can expect as part of the legal process. They will also respond to you and answer any questions about your case.
You Must Learn Who Caused Your Accident
Several parties may share blame for your injury, and a different defendant may bear liability than you initially thought.
In addition, you want a defendant with the assets and insurance coverage necessary to pay for your injuries in full.
A working employee of a company may have caused your injuries, which makes their employer liable. Your personal injury attorney will investigate your accident and cast as wide of a net as possible to get you financial compensation for your injuries.
You Must Prove Liability to Win Your Case
Proof and evidence, not your word, are the only things that can put you in a position to receive a settlement check for your injuries. The evidence must point to one conclusion – someone else did something wrong that caused your injuries.
Negligence is the legal concept that controls your case, and you must demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that someone else acted unreasonably under the circumstances.
However, you need someone who knows how to investigate and build a case working on your behalf because there is little that you can accomplish yourself, especially after you have suffered a serious personal injury.
Your personal injury lawyer may use several sources to construct the case you need to win. They can interview witnesses in some cases, whereas other personal injury cases may require a more in-depth investigation.
Your personal injury attorney may need to work with specific experts because your case requires an opinion to help establish liability. The one consistent theme among all personal injury cases is that you need to hire a personal injury attorney shortly after your accident so they can investigate your case as soon as possible.
You Need to Know the Value of Your Case
One of the most important tasks a personal injury attorney will perform for you is helping you learn the value of your claim before filing it.
You only have one chance to get it right when filing a personal injury claim. If you settle your claim for too little, you leave money on the table that you cannot get later. At the same time, the insurance company will always look to poke holes in your case, especially regarding the damages you claim.
Depending on the complexity and value of your case, your personal injury lawyer may even work with expert witnesses to learn the exact value of your claim. Estimating damages is undoubtedly something you can only do with help, especially when unfamiliar with many main concepts in personal injury compensation.
Your personal injury settlement check may consist of damages for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Embarrassment and humiliation
- Emotional distress
If your loved one died in an accident, your family has suffered a personal injury, and you can file a wrongful death claim. Your family needs to learn the exact value of the deceased person’s life, adding considerable value to the case.
When you hire a personal injury attorney for your case, you can qualify for a significant punitive damages award. Even though these damages are rare in most personal injury cases, a jury can award them to you if you win a trial.
You will only stand any chance of successfully filing a lawsuit with the help of a personal injury attorney.
You Need Someone to Communicate with the Insurance Company
Your case will almost always involve an insurance company with a say in how your legal process goes.
Insurance companies will present you with huge challenges, especially when you want money from them. They have trained adjusters who will serve the needs of their employer at every step of the way. Insurance adjusters will protect their employer’s interests at your expense. You need someone who can stand up to the insurance company and show they are serious about protecting your rights.
Insurance companies know what they are doing and want to save money in any way they can, whether they pressure you or get you to misplace trust in them. Leave the communication to a personal injury attorney who knows how to speak to an insurance company and always represents your interests.
A Personal Injury Lawyer Is a Negotiator and Fighter
You need someone in your corner who knows how to get insurance companies to raise their offer.
Proving liability is only the initial step in your personal injury case; you must arrive at the proper settlement that pays you a fair amount for the full extent of your injuries. You do not get there immediately after filing your claim or even after the insurance company offers you some money.
Insurance companies often try to minimize their payout or deny claims altogether, causing you to go through a painstaking negotiation.
With a lawyer by your side, you can level the playing field and have someone fighting for your rights.
Your personal injury attorney knows how the insurance company tries to settle cases because they see these tactics every single day. When you receive a low settlement offer, your attorney will advise you to say no and keep fighting, putting pressure on the insurance company to offer you more money.
You Need to Have a Seasoned Courtroom Litigator
Saying no to a low settlement offer does not automatically get insurance companies to raise their settlement offer, but they will respond to a risk to their interests.
When dealing with you alone, insurance companies will not see this threat on the horizon. The specific thing they fear is a tough litigator who can make them pay dearly in court by taking the case to a jury.
Insurance companies constantly complain about litigation; they know that court cases raise business costs because they must pay their defense attorney.
Plus, if there is one thing that an insurance company is afraid of, it is a jury. Even though both sides have quite a bit of unpredictability when a case goes to a jury, insurance companies fear excessive jury verdicts. However, this is a risk that they take when they leave you with no choice but to go to trial in your case.
Insurance companies know a tough litigator who can make them pay when they see one. They will fear you when you hire a personal injury lawyer, especially one with a track record of winning large verdicts for their clients.
Experienced attorneys understand personal injury laws and will fight tirelessly to protect your rights. They will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult with experts to build a strong case on your behalf. Your lawyer will know how to negotiate effectively to ensure you receive a fair settlement.
When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Attorney for My Case?
You do not want to worry about the details of your legal case in any way for a moment. You are already stressed enough about your health and finances without having to deal with assembling a case and dealing with an insurance company. Besides, building the case you need to win takes time, including gathering evidence and estimating your damages.
There is only so much that you can worry about at once, and the only control you can exert over an often unpredictable legal process is hiring a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Even though you must reach the point of maximum medical improvement before filing your claim or lawsuit, you should prepare for when you get to that point.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Attorney Cost Me?
A personal injury lawyer costs you no money out of pocket. There are no upfront payments or hourly bills you need to keep up with to get legal help.
Personal injury lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they win your case. This arrangement benefits you by eliminating the financial risk of hiring a lawyer. You do not have to worry about upfront fees or hourly rates – your attorney will only receive payment if they successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
By working on a contingency fee basis, personal injury lawyers demonstrate their confidence in their ability to win your case. They invest their time, resources, and experience to build a strong claim and negotiate with the insurance companies to secure a fair settlement. If your attorney does not win your case, you do not owe them anything.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney for Best Results
Hiring a personal injury lawyer also offers peace of mind during stressful times. Handling the legal system and dealing with insurance companies can be overwhelming, especially when you are trying to recover from your injuries. Your attorney will care for your case’s legal aspects, allowing you to focus on your physical and emotional healing.
Having an attorney by your side is key to having the best possible outcome for your case. With their experience and guidance, they will work hard to maximize your compensation and provide the support you need during this challenging time.
Do not hesitate to contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your case and find out how they can help you.