Following an accident, plenty of individuals concentrate on recovering from their injuries and neglect to think of the future monetary effects. That’s just because healing is of the utmost importance, but financial considerations need to be taken into account from the off.
When filing a lawsuit against the party that caused your injury, it is important to act quickly. You must take action before the statute of limitations expires and, if you aren’t considering finances, then you may find that you missed the boat.
The sooner you contact a lawyer, the better. Insurance companies are determined to protect their bottom line, and that means offering low settlements to injured parties that don’t reflect the true value of their claim. Here’s how a personal injury lawyer can help you maximize the compensation you’re entitled to receive.
1. A lawyer can accurately calculate the value of your claim
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Many injury victims fail to properly calculate the value of their claim. They don’t know all the factors that go into making that determination. A personal injury lawyer will evaluate your case fully to see what types of compensation you’re entitled to receive.
- Medical expenses. Your attorney will look at all of your hospital bills, visits to specialists, rehab costs, medications, and future treatment needs, including long-term physical therapy. This will help them get all of your injury-related medical costs covered in your settlement rather than just including the bills you have in hand.
- Lost income. If you’ve missed work, your lawyer will calculate your lost wages and lost employment benefits, including 401(k) contributions and bonuses. They’ll also estimate future lost earning capacity if your injury makes it hard or impossible for you to work long-term.
- Pain and suffering. Some injury claims qualify for pain and suffering. You need a lawyer to evaluate your case to see if these damages apply and then provide supporting evidence.
- Future financial impact. Many serious injuries create long-term expenses. A lawyer will evaluate your need for ongoing medical care and physical limitations when determining the value of your case.
Injury settlement amounts vary significantly based on a variety of factors, so having a lawyer to sort it all out is critical.
2. A lawyer knows how to strengthen your case
Left on your own to negotiate your settlement, there’s a good chance you won’t instinctively know how to present your case to the insurance adjuster. It’s not a straightforward matter of giving them your medical documentation and hoping for the best. You actually need to present the right evidence in the right way, and on your own, you might not even collect all the strongest evidence. For instance, a lawyer can get expert witness testimony, surveillance footage, and other documentation that supports your claim that you might not even know you need.
A lawyer will know exactly how to organize and present your medical records to establish a direct connection between the accident and your injuries. Most importantly, they’ll identify all responsible parties and conduct an investigation to find additional sources of compensation.
3. A lawyer will negotiate aggressively
Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators, and so are experienced attorneys. Personal injury attorneys understand the specific tactics insurance adjusters use to deny and minimize payouts. They won’t let you accept a lowball settlement offer. They’ll negotiate aggressively to get you the compensation you deserve.
4. A lawyer will fight for all possible damages
Personal injury cases often qualify for damages beyond medical bills and lost wages. For instance, it’s possible to get compensated for emotional distress like anxiety, depression, trauma, and other psychological harm. Some injuries qualify for lost earning capacity and in-home caregiving costs.
5. A lawyer will negotiate your medical bills
Many people don’t realize that attorneys will often work directly with hospitals and healthcare providers to reduce an injured party’s medical bills. Healthcare providers often seek reimbursement from settlement proceeds through liens so the lower you can get your bills, the better. The fewer medical bills you need to pay, the more of your settlement you’ll get to keep.
6. A lawyer will prepare your case for trial
Insurance adjusters are more likely to pay a fair settlement when they know an attorney is prepared to go to trial. When you work with a trial-ready personal injury lawyer, you don’t have to worry about being short-changed during negotiations. A good lawyer will negotiate until the insurance company makes a fair offer, and if they don’t budge, they’ll take your case to trial.
Legal representation makes a big difference
Recovering fair compensation after an injury is easier with a personal injury attorney. While every case is different, having experienced legal representation can increase the amount of money you ultimately take home.
