People have many questions when they are injured due to the negligence of a person or corporation. The first question that comes to mind is whether to hire an attorney or not.
Most people like to handle the claim process themselves to save money, but an insurance company will have an attorney to evaluate the claim. Also, severe cases benefit from the attorney’s expertise and experience. So, hire an attorney depending on the severity of the injury and the kind of accident you’ve met with.
In general, personal injury cases include different kinds of situations and accidents. They are a car accident, bitten by the neighbor’s dog, slip and fall, and more. In such cases, you can claim against the fault party legally.
For the best personal injury attorney in Rockford, Illinois, you must consider visiting Fisk & Monteleone Ltd law firm. They have over 55 years of experience in providing justice to personal injury victims. Also, they offer free consultations to their clients.
The following is some important information that will help you to make sure whether you need to hire a personal injury attorney or not.
Managing the case yourself
It is essential to make sure that you can handle your case because attempting first and then hiring an attorney later can make the situation more complicated. Not every injury needs an attorney. If you have enough time to deal with the claim and the injury is not severe, you may try to make a settlement yourself outside the court of law.
If you are in doubt, contact a professional lawyer and discuss to know whether you need an attorney or not.
The following are some examples where you can handle the case without a lawyer:
- Minor or no injuries
- You reside in the no-fault state
- If you received the maximum amount already
- You are sure that you can negotiate with the insurer
- You have good knowledge of law and settlements
When do you need to hire a lawyer?
Generally, the victim of general negligence or a car accident may not have the skills, knowledge, and experience to negotiate with the insurance provider. One of the main reasons for hiring an attorney is having insurance. Do you believe it? Most insurance companies offer as less amount as possible to generate more profits. Here are few situations that a professional attorney can help you with:
Injury severity
If you have pain that lasts for a few days or months and needs medical care like surgery, chiropractic work, physical therapy, hospitalization, rehabilitation, orthopedics, or cosmetic surgery, then it’s time to consult a professional personal injury attorney. A well-experienced legal representative helps to get good value for the past and future medical bills.
Minor injuries can become major issues
If the injuries turned out severe than expected by you and your healthcare providers, and you received a settlement offer, you can’t do in such situations as you have to clear everything, including future claims that arise because of accidents when you make a settlement. A personal injury lawyer can advise you when you have to accept the offer.
Entitle to sufferings and pain damages
Pain, suffering, and distress damages are considered if the case goes into trial. A settlement is incomplete without these damages. A professional attorney can explain to you all damages that you can entitle to, and even the injuries seem to be minor. Also, he or she talks on behalf of you to get a better settlement.
The insurance company is refusing to offer a fair settlement
Sometimes, insurance companies will use tactics to avoid the claims of the victims. Some of those tactics are delay in the process, offering low amounts, refusing to make payment and others. An experienced attorney is well aware of these tactics and handles such tactics with his/her knowledge and experience. By this, an attorney can help in getting a fair offer.
If the insurer disputes the liability of the insured sum
The insurance company tries to dispute the liability – even if the accident is caused by another person’s negligence. A company often makes the people consider that their claim is worth or the claim is not valid. In such a case, you have to take support from a personal injury lawyer. An attorney may gather information and evidence to prove the liability.
A plaintiff has to get larger settlements
According to the study conducted in 1999 by IRC (insurance research council), an average person has to get a settlement more than 3 1/2 times with legal assistance compared to without it.
In the settlement, this makes a great difference. Your situation becomes more complicated during the following cases:
- If the liable person and you both don’t have insurance or the insurer refuse to pay it
- If a dog bite makes you ill and costs thousands of dollars
- If your neighbor doesn’t take responsibility
From the above examples, it is clear that a personal injury case can get complicated easily. If you had an accident and injured, or unable to deal with the insurer or other private party, talk to a professional attorney immediately to represent you.
What a personal injury attorney will do?
A personal injury attorney specializes in tort law, which involves carelessness, accidents, and negligence. If you are injured intentionally by someone, then the case doesn’t cover under tort law, it is a criminal case. You hurt physically or someone spoiled your reputation, a personal injury attorney can help you to recover your losses.
An attorney can support you and advise you on the case by investigating the case, researching the laws, filing complaints, arguing the case on behalf of you at the court, or negotiating the settlement. They work with shreds of evidence, examine the reports, get the medical records, and past, present, and future losses, and other issues. The goal of a personal injury attorney is to help you to get justice, better recovery, and a fair settlement.
Whether you or your loved one is injured because of other’s negligence acts, choose the best personal injury attorney and fix your appointment today to get advice.
