Knowing when to hire a personal injury lawyer can help relieve the burden of handling your case alone and help you make a more effective decision for your long-term future. If you’re considering a personal injury claim for yourself or a loved one and want to learn more about the timing for hiring a personal injury lawyer, this guide is for you and your family.
Injury-Related Factors to Consider When Evaluating Legal Options
Medical Costs
If your injury case results in substantial medical costs and you’re facing the possibility of going into debt to pay for care, a lawyer will be the best first call to discuss the options. Cases involving substantial medical costs, such as those involving traumatic brain injuries and paralysis, require a proven lawyer with a background in insurance negotiations.
Previous Claim Denial
If the insurance company denies your original personal injury claim, it’s a clear sign you’ll need to hire a personal injury lawyer to fight your case. One of the main reasons to hire an injury attorney is to handle the negotiations and present your case effectively to the insurance firm. When the insurance company adjuster rejects your claim, you can call an injury attorney for a free consultation to review the potential for an appeal.
The lawyer will review the reasons the insurance company gave for denying your original claim and present a legal rebuttal.
The Claim Has Multiple Liable Parties
Multiple liable parties can present a complicated factor in a personal injury claim. Claims involving more than one other party involve numerous insurance policies and require negotiating with different legal entities. Hiring a personal injury lawyer will allow you to identify each party’s role in the injury, with the attorney conducting a comprehensive investigation and assigning a specific level of responsibility based on each party’s actions.
With a personal injury lawyer by your side, you’ll be better able to present the case to the insurance company each party owes you a settlement.
You Are Partly Responsible for the Accident
Pennsylvania operates a modified version of comparative negligence that allows you to claim a proportion of a settlement if you are less than 51% responsible for the claim. However, if you attempt to navigate the filing process without an attorney, the insurance company may try to claim higher responsibility against you, limiting your settlement.
Your lawyer will be your legal advocate and fight back against the insurance company’s suggestions that you played a role in the accident that caused your injuries. This can not only help increase the eventual settlement you receive but also help limit the potential for counterclaims against you from other injured parties.
Unreasonably Low Insurance Company Settlement
If the insurance settlement offer is unreasonably low and doesn’t fully compensate you for your medical costs, speak with an injury lawyer to evaluate the claim’s merit in detail. Insurance companies often attempt to “lowball” a claimant without a lawyer so that they sign an agreement waiving their rights to further compensation. Don’t sign any documentation from the insurance company without first booking a free consultation with an attorney.
The Value Personal Injury Lawyers Can Bring to Your Claim
Beyond their knowledge of Pennsylvania personal injury law and their hands-on experience handling injury cases in the courts, personal injury lawyers can bring the following to your claim:
Anticipation of the other party’s actions
Hiring a personal injury attorney means you’re always one step ahead of the defendant and their insurance firm. Your attorney knows which strategies insurance companies use in defending clients and can help mitigate them.
Knowledge of case value
Multiple factors determine potential case value – factors only truly understood by experienced personal injury lawyers. Your lawyer will help explain the damages due to you and the prospective compensation you can expect from the insurance company.
Courtroom experience
In winning significant settlements, the leading personal injury lawyers harness their experience and reputation in the courts. Insurance companies know the lawyers who often take cases to trial and begin settlement negotiations at a higher rate to minimize the potential of a prolonged case.
Call Jeffrey Penneys for Over 30 Years of Experience in Personal Injury Law
Jeffrey Penneys is a leading advocate for injury victims and their families throughout Pennsylvania. He offers 24/7 services and can respond to your urgent injury case call within minutes. Don’t settle your case without speaking to Jeffrey Penneys first! Call his offices today via (215) 771-0430 and book your free personal injury consultation.