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

Along for the Ride: Passenger Rights in Vehicle Accidents

Although we are aware of the risks, driving is just a routine activity many of us do automatically, like brushing our teeth or grabbing a cup of coffee. We climb in the car intent on the destination or lost in thought, which is why automobile accidents are so jarring. Even a mild fender bender seems to stop everything in its tracks, instantly negating the importance of everything we were thinking or saying. Whether the situation results in serious injuries or none at all, it demands immediate attention. Passersby jockey to catch a glimpse of something interesting; police officers fill out reports; tow trucks haul away damaged cars. Sometimes, there aren’t even minor injuries, but, obviously, not everyone is so lucky. Trusting ourselves is one thing. Trusting someone else is entirely different. Every time someone gets into a passenger seat or the back seat, they're trusting that the driver will get to the destination safely. Some passengers are happy not to have the responsibility of driving; others have a hard time giving up control. Regardless of your feelings, where does that leave you if you're injured in a vehicle accident? The accident certainly wasn't your fault, so what exactly are your rights as a passenger? Recovering for injuries suffered as a passenger in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident is really a claim against an insurance company rather than against the driver himself. Passengers can file a claim under the bodily injury or liability insurance coverage of the driver or owner of any vehicle responsible for causing the accident. If that is insufficient, there may be coverage available under uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist policies. Injured passengers are also allowed to file a claim under their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and/or Medical Payments (Med Pay) policies. With all these funding possibilities, passengers should be able to secure compensation for their damages, though in no instance are they allowed to collect any more than the total value of their claim. Many passengers are initially reluctant to seek compensation for damages because the driver is a close friend. It’s important to note that in most situations, the driver will not even know of the claim because it will be settled by lawyers and insurance companies before it gets to trial. The strain on any personal relationships should be minimal unless the insurance company does not act in good faith to resolve the claim and it must be litigated instead. Even at that time and although the driver will be named in the lawsuit, the true conflict is between the driver’s insurance company and the passenger. There are special rules that apply when the passenger is related to the driver and shares the same household. In most of these cases, the passenger is barred from collecting under the driver’s liability policy because he or she is an “insured person” and such persons are not permitted to file a liability claim against their own liability policy. A claim can still be brought against other drivers who are at fault for the accident. Read also: TIPS TO KEEP YOUR KIDS SAFE IN A CAR The seat next to the driver has a reputation for being the most dangerous one in the car, even having been referred to as “the death seat.” Of course, it is more common to have one passenger than several, so the front seat is occupied more frequently than the rear seats. There is also some truth to the idea that in a crash a front seat passenger has nothing to stop him or her from being ejected through the window, whereas the driver has the steering wheel. Or, at least, that used to be the prevailing line of thought. The last few decades have brought about major advances in safety that have reduced the probability of being seriously injured while riding in the front seat. Seat belts, airbags, and crumple zones equally benefit drivers and front-seat riders. According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, adults over age 55 were more likely to die in a crash while seated in the back than in the front – even if they were wearing seat belts. The study found that adults in the rear were more likely than adults in the front to sustain chest injuries, and there was some evidence of an elevated risk of head and neck injuries for restrained women seated in the rear compared with the front. The IIHS also recently performed front-overlap crash tests of seven small SUVs and found that certain models may have a big gap in safety between drivers and their passengers. The seven models received good ratings after the front driver's side corner of the vehicle hit a barrier at 40 miles per hour, but only one model – the 2016 Hyundai Tucson -- rated as good when the same test was performed on the front passenger side. While three models received acceptable ratings and two models received marginal ratings, the 2015 Toyota RAV4 was rated as poor. The IIHS suspected that the difference was partly due to a greater emphasis on the vehicle frame and structure for the driver's side, but there is no excuse for inferior passenger protection. Read also: How To Shop For A Car With Your Teen Driver? If you were a passenger in a vehicle involved in a collision and were seriously injured as a result, or if you lost someone you love in such an accident, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who can examine the circumstances of your case and advise you of your rights. Personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay them unless there is a settlement or verdict in your favor. Passengers with serious injuries are entitled to appropriate and thorough medical care for their physical, emotional, and psychological injuries suffered as a result of the accident, as well as full compensation for their pain and suffering, mental anguish, property damage, and lost wages. It is also critical that you at least consult with an attorney before speaking with an insurance company investigator or adjuster. Their job is to spend as little money as possible while quickly settling a large number of claims, and they are well-trained in the fine art of getting you to make statements that can come back to haunt you later. Since you are bound by what you say, it is often wise to let an attorney speak for you.

Why Would I Need A Lawyer If I’m Not Guilty?

Many believe that getting a lawyer when they are falsely accused of a crime would only mean that they are combating it. Yes, you are fighting! Not in any shape or form does it prove that you are guilty; it just means that you are adamant about proving your innocence. Plus, you are willing to understand your own right and lawfully act upon it. After all, when you are not guilty, why shouldn’t you take some legal help and get your innocence proved rightfully. The job of getting out as a free man without any punishment or accusation latched to your personal record. What Are The Perils Of Being Charged As Guilty Here are some of the perils of being charged as guilty and why you should get a lawyer as soon as possible. If you are not proven innocent rightfully, or you simply plead for innocence. The crime will go on your personal record. This will cause nuisance later in your life when you wish to get admitted to a prominent college or job when they see this in your record. You might be arrested, and the law might reject your plea for bail. In this case, you will be stuck in prison until the hearing. According to an atlanta criminal lawyer, the worst that can happen is the opposite party getting enough evidence against you, and the jury decides a punishment for the crime you haven’t even committed. Do Not Get Scared - Get A Lawyer The above excerpt was not supposed to scare you but give you concrete proof of why you should absolutely contact a criminal lawyer. 1. They Can Teach You Your Rights Lawyers are not just here to prove your innocence; they are here to teach your fundamental constitutional rights. It is only through learning these rights that you will be a little less scared about the whole situation. When you know your rights and you have a legal backbone supporting you, proving your innocence gets easier. 2. They Will Prevent You From Taking Wrong Decision Have you ever wondered why the condemned always asks for a lawyer before an interrogation? This is because the cops are going to drill you with questions. It will scare you and confuse it. While you are at it, they might use your words against you. So, it is always better to have a criminal lawyer with you. Some of the Atlanta criminal lawyers have the best track record in objecting clients to speaking out of line in an interrogation. This is a very crucial step, and we would advise to never sit for interrogation without a criminal lawyer. Especially if you are accused of a crime, you didn’t commit. 3. They Can Charge For A Bail You should be able to charge for bail and not stay inside the prison after arrest. The time and date of the hearing are never guaranteed, and you shouldn’t have to be trapped inside the cell. A good criminal lawyer will be able to plea for your bail and get it. 4. They Can Talk To Witnesses From Other Side You are not allowed to talk to the witnesses or victims, but that doesn’t mean your lawyer shouldn’t be either. This can make some of the people. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): If you are still a little confused about the whole thing, then we would suggest that you get your information straight. Here are two of the most frequently asked questions answered by an Atlanta criminal lawyer. 1. What Are The Times When I Should Have My Lawyer With Me? Ans. Technically every time you are answering questions to someone in law and order. They shouldn’t be able to use your words against you, and a good criminal lawyer should be able to ensure that. 2. Can A Criminal Lawyer Actually Prove My Innocence? Ans. Yes, definitely! If you are willing to help them and they have a good track record, they will be able to collect all the right evidence and investigate the crime to prove your innocence. Read Also: Golden Rules To Establish A Well-Settled Law FirmPros & Cons Of Hiring A Worker’s Compensation LawyerFiling A Personal Injury Lawsuit In South Carolina: Here Are 7 Things You Should Know

Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Chicago

Have you been injured in a car accident in Chicago? If so, it is important to know what your legal rights are. This blog post will go over the steps that need to be taken when filing a personal injury claim in Chicago. Seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident Immediately after the accident, it is important to seek medical attention. This will ensure that you receive the necessary treatment for your injuries and have documentation of your injuries if you need to file a personal injury claim. Keep in mind that minor injuries can translate into serious problems if not treated properly. Gather evidence at the scene of the accident If you can, gather evidence at the scene of the accident. This includes taking pictures of the scene and collecting witness statements. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be. Having evidence will also help speed up the process of settling your claim. Contact a personal injury lawyer If you have been injured in an accident, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Chicago as soon as possible. A personal injury lawyer will advise you on what steps need to be taken next and will represent you during the legal process. Here are other reasons for including an attorney; Fight for fair compensation- You deserve to be compensated for your injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney will help you fight to get what you deserve in compensation, whether it is through negotiation or litigation if necessary. Be protected- Skilled lawyers are committed to protecting our clients' rights under Illinois law. Go for attorneys who take pride in their work ethic and performance standards when representing accident victims throughout Chicago and surrounding areas Protect your interests- You should not have to deal with insurance companies on your own after an automobile accident. This can lead to confusion regarding information that needs to be submitted along with claims which could ultimately slow down the process of settling your claim. It's important that someone knowledgeable about dealing with car accidents step in and ensure that everything is done in a timely fashion so that your life can get back to normalcy as soon as possible. File a police report It is also important to file a police report after an accident. This will provide documentation of the accident and can help when filing a personal injury claim. Wait for the insurance company's offer The insurance company will likely reach out to you after the accident in order to get your side of the story and try to settle the claim quickly. However, it is best to wait until you have spoken with a personal injury lawyer before accepting any offers from the insurance company. Filing a personal injury claim in Chicago can be confusing and overwhelming. That's why it's important to have an experienced lawyer on your side who will guide you through the process and fight for your rights. The lawyers will review your case and advise you on what steps to take next. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, and they'll work hard to get you the money that you deserve. Read Also: Personal Injury Attorneys Denver How to Find a Personal Injury Attorney On Any Budget Learn How Personal Injury Claims Are Resolved in 5 Steps

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