When Do You Need A Personal Injury Lawyer: A Guide For Accident Victims

Published on: 09 March 2024 Last Updated on: 19 March 2024

Accidents are unexpected and traumatic events that can have far-reaching consequences for those involved.

But if you are involved in a serious accident and it has left you with severe injuries, you might wonder if it would be worth hiring an attorney.

Thus, you would need an injury lawyer in every situation, but there are a few exceptional cases where you might suffer a severe injury. Hence, it might be best to seek legal advice from an experienced personal injury lawyer.

To mitigate your situation, you can contact an injury lawyer in Grand Rapids, as they will be able to give you the best advice.

In this article, you will discover when and where you would need a personal injury lawyer.

When Do You Need A Personal Injury Lawyer?

Many accident victims hire lawyers to assist them and navigate the steps of filing their claims. However, you might need to decide when to hire a lawyer after having an accident or whether you need legal assistance.

Hence, you do not have to meet specific criteria to hire an injury attorney after an accident. Thus, here is a list of situations when you need to hire a personal injury lawyer.

1. When You Have Significant Injuries

In recent days, the number of car accidents has increased to a significant level. The reports published by the WHO claim that the number of annual road traffic deaths has risen to 1.19 million.

If you have experienced a serious injury from a car accident, then you are likely to face hefty medical bills. Thus, you would need an attorney to mitigate this situation.

Hence, the personal injury lawyer will help you fill out the proper forms in order to receive your medical bills covered.

Similarly, auto accidents that produce injuries can warrant legal action against the defendants for compensation. Having legal assistance from the beginning can help you anticipate the best way to proceed after your serious car accident.

2. Your Accident Includes Different Parties

When an accident involves different parties, it becomes complex. Some countries follow a contributory negligence policy that permits insurance companies to assign a percentage of faults to all parties in an accident.

As a result, you need to hire a personal injury attorney to make sure you understand which insurance company to file your claims.

Therefore, car accident attorneys have extensive experience navigating various car accident cases.

Hence, hire an attorney to help you understand the procedure for filing an insurance claim. Moreover, they will communicate on your behalf with the insurance adjuster and all parties involved.

3. No Cooperation From Insurance Company

When you file for a claim with the at-fault party insurance company, you should be provided with payments to cover the accident expense without any issue.

Thus, the insurance company is in the business of incurring money. Moreover, they need to offer more payouts or even deny the claim outright to save money.

However, if the insurance company is not cooperating, you might need an attorney to negotiate for a higher offer and a wrongful claim denial.

4. Planning To Take Legal Actions

If you plan to take legal action against the at-fault driver or their insurance company, you need a personal injury lawyer.

Thus, if the insurance company completely cooperates with your claim, then at-fault driver’s insurance coverage might not be enough to cover your expenses.

On the other hand, you might want to pursue non-economic damages, for instance:

Emotional distress.
Pain and suffering.
Loss of enjoyment of life.

Thus, with the help of a lawsuit, you can seek compensation beyond what you might qualify for through an insurance claim.

Furthermore, you need a professional car accident attorney to guide you through the legal process, present you at the court, and help you gather the right evidence.

5. Difficulty In Compensation Claims

If you have difficulty receiving your claims, a personal injury attorney will help you obtain them.

However, you might feel stressed, traumatized, and overwhelmed when you file your claims or even talk about your accident. Thus, the professional will help you mitigate the situation and maximize your compensation. The attorney will determine for which you are entitled to make claims.

This will make sure that you are not taking advantage of the person held responsible. In return, you are offered a fair amount for your loss and suffering.

Hence, an attorney can take this burden off your shoulders, thereby assisting you move forward.

6. Difficulty In Carrying Out Details

Evidence plays a huge part in personal injury cases. Thus, when you face an injury, you must prove negligence and the duty of care.

However, personal injury lawyers are aware of this and will help you take your time to work with the evidence.

Moreover, in other cases, you can hire a lawyer to work with an accident reconstruction professional to help you establish a strong case.

Therefore, as a part of the investigation process, the lawyer will help you meet the eyewitness, gather surveillance camera feeds, and make sure the desired outcomes are met.

List Of Cases Personal Injury Lawyer Handle

Personal injury lawyer deals with a variety of cases.

Here is a list of some of the most frequent cases we deal with:

During a motor vehicle accident. It can involve a car, boat, motorcycle, and other vehicle.
During a wrongful death. It might be a traumatic situation, but a lawyer will help you receive compensation for many things.
Slip and fall accident.
Birth injuries. This situation can be traumatic for the families, and if it is due to a negligent mistake, then the family is entitled to compensation.
During a dog or animal bite. This accident can be more serious than a person might expect.

Hire A Personal Injury Attorney Today

Thus, we suggest you get an attorney as soon as possible after an accident to ensure that your claim is as strong as possible.

This is because the greater the evidence against the negligent party, the greater the chance of receiving a settlement.

So, appoint a lawyer quickly, as they can help you gather the evidence before it gets lost. Similarly, the lawyer will help you set settlements with an insurance company.

Read Also:

Consider Hiring A Patent Attorney For Your Business

Ankita Tripathy

Ankita Tripathy loves to write about food and the Hallyu Wave in particular. During her free time, she enjoys looking at the sky or reading books while sipping a cup of hot coffee. Her favourite niches are food, music, lifestyle, travel, and Korean Pop music and drama.

View all posts

Can I File Bankruptcy Without an Attorney?

Even though you can legally file bankruptcy with an attorney, there are still some circumstances that will require you to hire like if you are an SEO consultant. Thousands of people are unable to pay off their debts each year, but still not able to afford to hire an attorney properly. Attorney fees and other expenses can pile up pretty quickly. If your situation is not complex, you should be able to go through the process with the help of a lawyer. How does the process work? In order to follow bankruptcy without the assistance of an attorney, you will need to follow several steps including: 1. Figure out if your income meets the Means Test- The Means Test can help you determine whether you qualify to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. There is a test form provided by the federal government where you will have to answer questions regarding your income, debts, and the number of people in your household. If you only own a few assets, haven’t been accused of fraud, and have a household income below your state’s median, you should be able to handle the process on your own. 2. Obtain your credit reports and complete credit counseling- You will then need to obtain your credit reports from all three major credit bureaus. If you do not report a debt, it will not be included or discharged in your bankruptcy. 3. Fill out paperwork- This is probably the most complicated task if you are going to file bankruptcy without an attorney. You will need to download the bankruptcy forms package and complete all forms attached. You can then submit them by mail or in person. 4. Attend 341 meetings- You must attend this meeting even though your creditors will not be present. You will be asked a number of questions regarding your case by the trustee. 5. Complete a personal financial management course- Finally, you will complete a personal financial management instruction course within 45 days of your meeting. Once this has been completed, you will wait to hear from the court regarding whether your debts have been discharged. Filing Without Money To file bankruptcy without an attorney, you will need to at least pay a filing fee for the credit counseling courses. If you do not have the funds for either, you can request a fee waiver or ask the bankruptcy judge to roll the payment into your repayment plan, only if you are filing Chapter 13. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Cases Even though there are some cases where you can file bankruptcy without a lawyer, there are some exceptions that may require you to hire a Houston bankruptcy attorney or another attorney including: If your partnership or corporation is facing bankruptcy, you will need an attorney You can still file bankruptcy without a lawyer if you fail the Means Test since your income is too great, but the process may be more complicated. This is because Chapter 13 cases are more difficult to file than Chapter 7 bankruptcies. Additionally, you will also need to come up with a repayment plan that explains how you plan on repaying your creditors back. While filing bankruptcy without the help of a lawyer may be possible, it may not always be the best route for you to take. It all depends on your individual circumstances. Read Also: Bankruptcy Means Test: Why It Matters? What Is Chapter 7 On Bankruptcy Laws: A Beginner’s Guide Important Things You Need To Know Before Filing For Bankruptcy What are the types of debt that can be discharged in bankruptcy? 5 Common Body Corporate Issues Faced by Strata Management Debunking 7 Notorious Bankruptcy Myths

Can You File A Claim In A Single Car Accident?

Car accidents can be complex and stressful situations, but what happens when you're involved in a single-car accident? Can you file a claim in such cases? The short answer is yes, you can often file a claim in a single-car accident, but the process and outcome will depend on various factors, including the circumstances of the accident, the type of insurance you have, and the applicable laws in your jurisdiction. Here, we want to explore the ins and outs of filing a claim in a single-car accident. Determining Liability The first step in filing a claim for a single-car accident is to determine liability. Liability refers to who is legally responsible for the accident. In a typical two-car accident, liability is usually assigned to one of the drivers involved. In a single-car accident, you are essentially claiming that your own actions or external factors caused the accident. Liability can be established in various ways: Negligence: If you were negligent in your actions, such as speeding, running a red light, or texting while driving, your own negligence may be the cause of the accident. Mechanical Failure: If a mechanical failure in your vehicle, such as brake failure, caused the accident, you may have a claim against the vehicle manufacturer or a maintenance provider in the form of a product liability claim. Road Conditions: Poor road conditions, such as potholes, poorly marked construction zones, or lack of proper signage, can lead to accidents, and you may have a claim against the responsible government agency. Wildlife or Weather: If an animal darted in front of your car, or adverse weather conditions caused the accident, you may have a claim if it can be shown that you reacted reasonably given the circumstances. Insurance Coverage The ability to file a claim for a single-car accident largely depends on the type of insurance coverage you have. There are several types of insurance coverage that may come into play: Liability Insurance: This covers damages and injuries you cause to others. If you were at fault in a single-car accident, your liability insurance may cover damages to others involved or their property. Comprehensive Insurance: This coverage typically includes damages to your vehicle resulting from non-collision events, such as hitting an animal or damage from natural disasters. If your single-car accident was caused by an event covered by your comprehensive insurance, you may be able to file a claim. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage can apply to a single-car accident if the responsible party is uninsured or underinsured or if you are the victim of a hit-and-run. Gathering Evidence To strengthen your claim in a single-car accident, it's crucial to gather evidence. This may include: Witness Statements: If there were any witnesses to the accident, obtain their contact information and statements about what they observed. Police Report: If the police were called to the scene, a police report will be generated. This report can be valuable in documenting the accident and its cause. Photos and Videos: Take pictures and videos of the accident spot, including your vehicle’s damage, the road situation, and any relatable traffic signals or road signs. Maintenance Records: If mechanical failure is a potential cause of the accident, provide maintenance records to show that your vehicle was in good working order. Medical Records: If you sustained injuries, keep records of medical treatment and expenses related to the accident. Filing A Claim Once you’ve determined liability and gathered the necessary evidence, it’s time to file a claim with your insurance agency. Be prepared to provide detailed information about the accident, including the date, time, location, and any relevant circumstances. Your insurance company will investigate the claim and, depending on the circumstances, may approve it. Possible Challenges As mentioned by the Chicago car accident lawyers at Smith LaCien LLP, a claim for a single-car accident can be more challenging than in two-car accidents because there's no other driver's insurance to turn to. You may encounter several challenges: Policy Limitations: Your policy may have limitations on the types of single-car accidents it covers. Read your policy carefully to understand the extent of your coverage. Deductibles: You may have to pay a deductible before your insurance coverage kicks in. Make sure you understand your policy's deductible requirements. Coverage Denial: Insurance companies may deny a claim if they believe the accident was the result of intentional or reckless behavior or if the event is not covered by your policy. Disputes: If your claim is denied or you're unhappy with the insurance company's offer, you may need to engage in negotiations or, in some cases, consider legal action. Legal Considerations If your single-car accident claim is denied, or if you believe you're not being treated fairly by your insurance company, you may need to seek legal counsel. An attorney experienced in personal injury and insurance claims can provide guidance on how to proceed and help you understand your legal rights. Filing a claim in a single-car accident is possible, but the outcome depends on various factors, including liability, insurance coverage, and the circumstances of the accident. If you find yourself in such a situation, it's essential to act promptly, gather evidence, and understand the terms of your insurance policy. Additionally, consider consulting with legal experts to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation for any damages or injuries resulting from the accident. Read Also: Why It’s So Important To Hire A Lawyer After A Fatal Car Accident Car Accidents From Hitting Florida’s Wildlife Car Accidents in California- What Does the Law Say?

Top 10 Reasons Why Everybody Over 18 Should Have a Will

Time does not stop for anyone, and life can often bring about unexpected circumstances that no one can ever be fully ready for. No one wants to think about the end of the line, but a little extra work now can help you care for your family even after you’re gone. It can be easy to assume that someone as young as 18 does not need a will. The spontaneity of life can prove this invalid, and also young people have many things that are worth money and could be lost in the shuffle. Every person over the age of 18 should go about the process of getting a will just in case. When the time comes you will want everything to be in order to take the stress off of those already grieving. Look through this list of reasons and see if any apply to you or a young person you know, one is sure to. 1. Young People Have Valuable Possessions Just because a person is barely considered an adult does not mean that they do not have any valuable possessions. You wouldn’t want someone laying claim to something of yours just to sell it. Therefore, it should go to the right person. The amount of money people spend on teenagers or children over the years is increasing. Especially with the growing number of toys and technology that are accessible. Some young adults manage to accumulate a great amount of worth in video games, movies, or even dividends on the internet. 2. Children When a young person passes away, children become orphans. Even if they do not have children now, one needs to predetermine a guardian. This can happen if one creates a will with a correct and legal approach. Choose someone who you know will take the best care of your children. Someone who would be happy to, not someone who would just be stuck with them. There may also be something you would want to leave to them in particular. Something that is special between the two of you, or even an heirloom that was given to you. 3. Leave Less Stress A loved one experiencing a loss may not be able to think clearly enough to deal with all of your affairs. It is never easy to go through a loved one’s things. Others may not know your exact feelings on certain things or people and something important to you could be left out. When someone passes without requests it is common for rifts to form within a family over what should be done. With your direction in hand, there is no argument to be had. Creating a will in many ways transfers the responsibility to a legal entity. This can be helpful for the family member, as they will not be required to go over every detail of the same. You do not know what is going to happen the next moment. If you wish to more on summary probate, please click on the link. 4. People Receive Exactly What You Decided There are certain things that some may argue over who they belong to, even those who take things because they are unrightfully in possession of them. When writing a will, if the worst occurs, all of the important valuables in your life should go to a specific person. It has to be someone you absolutely trust because then that person can divide it among others. Sentimental items can be of huge importance to some. So, it is vital to designate the right things to those you feel would honor them properly. 5. Digital Assets Technology is an integral part of life, especially those of young adults. The option of having digital assets is less thought of when developing a will, but it is now becoming necessary, This includes video games or online money wallets. Without your will these things can be lost forever, locked behind a password only you knew. 6. Separate Beliefs Than Parents If you want a specific arrangement dealing with your funeral or burial, it can be vital to state it; otherwise, those responsible may not know. For instance, if donating your body to science is what you prefer, it is not likely to happen unless you specifically state it. Religious beliefs can also come into play for certain burial procedures, such as cremation or donating organs. 7. Sentimental Value Leaving possessions to the proper people can be helpful for sentimental belongings that would be monumental. Sometimes a dear gift to a close friend can mean a lot and help them bear the situation as well. Much of dealing with loss is carrying pieces of the person with you. This can actually be done. You would want sentimental items like photographs and such to be thrown away. It may look like trash to whoever is cleaning the space, but it might be special to someone dealing with the loss of you. 8. Protect Inheritances If you have been left an inheritance, even if you are as young as 18 if you unexpectedly perish there is no clear answer of who will receive the inheritance if you are unmarried. The same goes for deciding the beneficiary of life insurance. It may fall to someone who has never even been involved in their life like an absent father, or estranged family when it should go to a child or other significant person. 9. You Can Always Change Your Mind Wills are official documents that can be altered at any point in a person’s life. With authorized assistance, you can always update it for others who may come into or leave your life. Updating will be important when it comes to new assets as well. You can do it easily with professional assistance. Plus, company like Verhaeghe Law Office can provide all the elaborate explanations of a will and its uses. 10. Always Be Prepared Long life is promised to no one. Writing a will can be challenging and bringing yourself to do it can be depressing. However, preparing your estate is an important responsibility that can help those close to you through the mourning process. Everyone Needs A Will There are many methods of writing a will, and only knowing them will make you successfully convey your final wants. You can include letters with important aspects of your will. This will explain what makes the inheritance and the person special to you. Research examples of wills so you can find the correct format. It may also help you consider the exact types of possessions you need for the layout. Consider all these things and be satisfied knowing, no matter your age, that a will is necessary. Read Also: Top 7 Reasons the Medical Field Will Always Be In Demand Healthcare Jobs That Will Be Most in Demand 2020–2025

When Do You Need A Personal Injury Lawyer: A Guide For Accident Victims