Personal injury claims are all unique, encompassing a range of situations and accident types. Maybe you were hurt when you slipped and fell at work, or you were in an accident on the way home. If you’ve suffered a serious injury, it’s best to consider working with a personal injury attorney who can help you address your claim. Finding the right injury lawyer may make the difference between recovery and devastating financial loss. Here, you’ll learn what to think about when choosing an attorney.
Area of Focus
When choosing an injury lawyer, it’s important to find a firm that focuses primarily on personal injury law. An attorney should have substantial experience in the field so they fully understand the tactics and strategies involved in an injury case. An experienced lawyer may have proven his or her integrity among insurers, which means they won’t have to work as hard to achieve the desired result.
Level of Experience
In selecting an injury attorney, an evaluation of their past experience will tell you whether they can handle your claim. A lawyer with an insurance defense history will be able to offer valuable insights because they know how insurers evaluate and handle cases. Injury attorneys have litigation experience from the insurance company’s perspective, which may make all the difference in your case.
Fees and Billing
A personal injury attorney usually works on what’s known as a contingency fee basis. In such an arrangement, you’ll only pay if the case results in a financial recovery via a verdict or settlement. While an attorney’s fees shouldn’t be the sole determining factor in your hiring decision, it’s important to learn the firm’s fee and billing structures before making a selection.
Preliminary Consultations
Most local injury lawyers, including those with the firm of Abels and Annes, PC offer free initial consultations to prospective clients. Take advantage of that offer by interviewing multiple attorneys before making a decision. It’s essential to comparison shop, but it’s equally vital to choose a lawyer in a timely manner so you don’t lose important evidence or fall outside the statute of limitations.
Understanding Your Rights and Responsibilities
It’s important to understand your rights during a personal injury case, but you’ll have to learn about your responsibilities as well. You’ll have to seek all necessary medical treatment and follow your doctor’s orders, as your well-being and health are the most crucial factors.
Getting Ready for the Claim
Gather all relevant documents, including the accident report, your medical records, pictures of the accident scene and property damage, your insurance policy, and an outline of your accident-related income losses. Be sure to submit all medical bills to your insurer and keep your attorney updated as to your treatment status. Honesty is the best policy here; after all, your lawyer can only help you as much as you allow them to.
In Closing
No matter how minor an accident may seem at first, it may carry lifelong consequences, especially if you’re not able to return to work right away. While some injury cases can be handled outside the courtroom, many are more complex than they seem. Insurers stay in business by minimizing payouts, which means they’ll do whatever it takes to shift the blame onto you. Injury attorneys know the tactics insurance adjusters use, and they’ll use that knowledge to help you attain a fair settlement. Don’t fight the insurance company alone; call an experienced injury lawyer for help and advice.
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