You may have heard of personal injury cases but may not appreciate how prevalent they are.
According to one source, there are 39.5 million personal injury cases in the United States annually requiring medical assistance. If you’re involved in one, the road to recovery can be as long as it is difficult. In addition to taking time off work for surgery, physiotherapy, and other medical treatments, you may also struggle with your mental health and overall well-being.
While no one wants to experience an injury that could pull the rug from under their feet and change their life in all the wrong ways, personal injuries happen.
What follows is a look at three things about personal injury cases you should know about -- just in case you ever file a claim.
1. Finding the Right Lawyer Matters
Don’t underestimate the importance of finding the right personal injury lawyer. A personal injury case can drag on for a long time, and having an experienced legal professional in your corner can make or break your case. When searching for the help you need, find a personal injury lawyer with hands-on experience helping clients in your shoes. So, if you were injured in a slip-and-fall incident, retain the services of a lawyer with experience in that area.
The right lawyer will have the right experience in the personal injury you’re dealing with, and also have court and settlement talk experience. It’s important to find a lawyer with relevant experience in both areas. Most personal injury cases are settled. So, you need a legal professional who can go toe-to-toe with stubborn insurers. But you also need a lawyer who can build a solid case and represent you in court if settlement talks go nowhere.
2. Getting Insurers to Play Fair Isn’t Always Easy
One reason to hire a personal injury lawyer is that insurance companies often don’t play fair. If you try to negotiate with an insurer independently, the odds are you won’t get a reasonable offer. They’ll likely try to pressure you into accepting an amount far below what you’re entitled to. They’re not in the habit of paying out more than they have to.
But a personal injury lawyer can give you a better chance of getting a reasonable settlement offer. They will consider the extent of your injuries, speak to medical experts, and look at previous cases to determine what amount would be fair. It can be a long road back to normal or a new normal after a personal injury, so you need all the compensation you’re entitled to.
After the insurance company makes settlement offers, your personal injury lawyer will advise you on whether to accept it or not. You’ll make the final decision, but you’ll get advice to help you make an informed decision. Sometimes the best thing is to take a revised offer. But there will be times when the best move is to reject the offers and take the case to court.
3. Compensation Can Cover Various Things
Another thing to know is that compensation can cover a wide range of areas. When your lawyer seeks compensation on your behalf, they can request compensation for things like pain and suffering, medical costs, property damage, and loss of earnings. You may have long-lasting injuries that upend your life, so it's vital to get sufficient compensation.
These are some things to know about personal injury cases. Again, no one wants to experience a personal injury scenario that can alter the trajectory of their life forever. But if the unexpected materializes and you need to file a personal injury claim, knowing what to do will make things easier.