If you or someone in your family has been injured in an accident, you should contact a personal injury lawyer. The harm caused may be either physical or mental – it still qualifies as a personal injury.
Question: What if my injuries are minor?
One of the biggest reasons that many people don’t contact a personal injury lawyer right away is that they feel that their injuries are not serious enough to warrant legal action. The problem with this type of reasoning is that you may not really know the full extent of your injuries immediately following the accident; they may not be as minor as you think, or may get worse if you over-exert yourself.
Some injuries don’t manifest right away, but contacting a personal injury lawyer immediately after an accident is in your best interest. A lawyer can give you advice on keeping track of your medical bills and records, counselling appointments, and all of the details that affect your case.
Question: What steps will my lawyer take?
Your personal injury lawyer will negotiate on your behalf when insurance companies and lawyers for the at-fault party might try to bully you or wear you down. Lawyers deal with thousands of these cases and know what’s fair, and know how to advocate for the best possible result for you. They understand the fine print, and have handled the insurance forms before.
There are so many laws and statutes that the average person is not aware of. You might be entitled to compensation you don’t even know about. If you try to settle matters without legal representation, you may be disadvantaged, especially if the other party has a lawyer.
Question: What information will I have to share with my lawyer?
When you meet for an initial consultation, your lawyer will want to get as many details from you as possible. They will want to know about the nature and extent of your injuries, including any medical records you might have related to your post-accident injuries, and financial information such as income and employment records. They will want to know about your medical expenses to date, and what future medical expenses are anticipated. They will also want to know about any pre-existing injuries, or any previous accidents you were involved in.
By sharing the details of your case in confidence with your lawyer, they will be prepared for what a defence lawyer may try to use against you, and are better armed to help you achieve appropriate compensation for your injuries. Your lawyer can advise you on how to communicate with the other parties involved, and can support you when those parties challenge your case’s validity.
At the very least, it is a good idea to meet with a personal injury lawyer to discuss the details of your case to see what can be done. Even if you do not proceed with a lawsuit or a claim for accident benefits, you will have the knowledge to get through the circumstance. By contacting a personal injury lawyer, you will be on your way to understanding your rights, and you’ll be better equipped to fight for them.