When You Should Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured, it can be daunting to figure out what your next move should be. Right when you need to be focused on healing and recovering, you find that you are fighting with the insurance company or worrying about bills accumulating. It’s an unfair situation and the system seems designed to make it even more difficult to get your life back on track.
Your health and your family’s financial security are at stake. That’s why you should turn to an experienced Ohio personal injury lawyer. We handle cases involving:
- Car collisions,
- Medical malpractice and pharmaceutical error,
- Injuries caused by a fall,
- Assault or battery,
- Pet-related injuries,
- Defamation.
If you’re like most people, you’ve never hired a lawyer before. It’s easy to doubt whether an attorney could help in your case or if you qualify. Maybe you think it’s better to wait to see what happens or just try to handle it yourself. Don’t make this mistake. Here are some clear guidelines about when you really should rely on an Akron personal injury lawyer.
…When You Were Involved in a Serious Car Accident.
If you were a driver or passenger who was involved in a serious crash, you should have a skilled attorney to defend your interests. Collisions that have resulted in death, severe injury, or damage are complicated and the stakes are extremely high for everyone involved. These cases are best handled by a professional who will ensure that you are compensated fairly.
…When Evidence is Time Sensitive.
Time is a big concern in Ohio because there is a strict statute of limitations for personal injury claims. After two years, you will not be able to request compensation. Your personal injury case will have the best results if a reliable lawyer assists you from the very beginning of the process.
- First, an attorney will likely launch an independent investigation to identify fault and liability.
- Then, he or she will collect evidence, such as witness statements, pictures, video footage, and ‘black box’ data from the cars involved. This type of evidence won’t be available forever. If the lawyer doesn’t get it right away, you may not be able to go back and collect it when your case looks shaky.
- Next, the attorney will make sure that everyone involved in the accident gets proper medical attention. Having injuries diagnosed right away and treated correctly over time is the best health practice and provides key documented support for your case. Not all injuries are felt or recognized immediately, and some get worse later on, but waiting to see a doctor could delay or complicate legal proceedings.
- Finally, a lawyer will continue to collect information about related medical expenses, property damage, and lost income as your case moves forward.
…When You Are Not at Fault.
When you or a family member is the victim of an accident, injured at work, or hurt by some act of negligence, it can feel overwhelmingly unfair. Unfortunately, as a case moves forward, blame can be shifted onto those who are not at fault. Insurance companies often try to get people to make statements or sign documents that conflict with the facts and inaccurately identify who is at fault. This can be devastating – both financially and legally – if the strategy is successful. It can also ruin your case.
If there are multiple parties involved in the accident, and even if you are partially liable, you have the right to compensation in Ohio. Injuries, death, or damages caused by someone else should be compensated adequately by the party at fault. An experienced personal injury lawyer protects you throughout the proceedings, ensures that get you the right medical care, and works to get a fair settlement.
…When the Insurance Company Fights the Facts.
Adjusters and lawyers employed by insurance agencies work to get the best deal for their company. Essentially, they aren’t interested in being fair with someone who files a claim. The at-fault driver or party is defended by lawyers within the insurance company. Plus, insurance adjusters aim to pay out the minimum on any claim or settlement.
Often, the insurance company will dispute a personal injury claim. At this point, you would need expert witnesses, doctors, and accident reconstruction specialists to verify the facts. Without this support organized by your lawyer, the insurance company can get away with paying less or not at all. Legal representation includes presenting solid support for your claim and handling negotiations with the insurance agency.
…When You Have Medical Bills Piling Up.
It can be tempting to believe the insurance representative who tells you that ‘everything will be taken care of.’ But when you have bills for doctor visits, appointments with medical specialists, therapy, and medication accumulating, there is no time to waste. Not only will insurance avoid paying medical bills, but they will eventually get turned over to collections agencies and hurt your credit rating. If you wait too long, expenses that may have been covered by your health insurance will no longer be accepted.
Personal injury attorneys should be involved as soon as possible to record your medical expenses and help document the pain and suffering resulting from the accident. Proper documentation will be key to successfully getting reimbursed and compensated for all health-related issues.
…When You Are Unable to Work.
An accident, fall, medical mistake, or assault – for example – can result in physical limitations, pain, and psychological trauma. Any one of these issues can make it difficult or impossible to do your job. Lost wages will quickly impact your ability to cover medical expenses and continue life as you did before. Plus, your health problems may have a long-term on your ability to work.
Serious concerns about disability and lost income should be discussed with a personal injury attorney. Proper legal protection following an accident includes securing a stable financial future.
…When You Are Unsure How Much a Claim is Worth.
Most people don’t know what they are entitled to if they have been injured in an accident. Insurance coverage is confusing and insurance adjusters purposefully make lowball offers. Personal injury lawyers have the experience to accurately estimate claims. They know the ‘ins and outs’ of insurance law and coverage requirements which helps determine a fair settlement or decide to take a case to court. An attorney also has the power to negotiate with insurance companies to ensure that you get the fairest deal possible.
Review the Stages of a Personal Injury Case.
Is It Time for You to Consult With a Personal Injury Attorney?
Don’t wait. Take the necessary steps to protect your interests. Consult with an Ohio personal injury lawyer before contacting an insurance company and before signing away your legal right to fair compensation. Call us at 330-535-6650 or online.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we only represent consumers. We fight for regular people who have been seriously hurt in accidents. We fight for people who are being crushed by overwhelming debt and need a fresh start. We fight for individuals and families. Never businesses. Never insurance companies. We are loyal to the consumer.
