Do I Need A Personal Injury Attorney?
Whether you have been in a car accident, were injured as a pedestrian, or suffered any other type of personal injury due to another person’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation. Often, people trust the insurance company to figure out compensation for them, and they forgo a personal injury attorney entirely.
However, there are many things to consider and familiarity with personal injury laws when handling a personal injury case. In fact, it’s worth having a personal injury attorney if any of the following apply to your situation.
You’ve Suffered Serious Injuries
It’s worth pursuing a settlement if you’ve suffered any injuries that led to medical bills, or time off work or may have lasting effects. Simply accepting what the insurance company offers may not gain you enough compensation to cover your medical bills in full.
Plus, you may miss out on other damages, such as pain and suffering and emotional distress. Always bear in mind that insurance companies have some of the best lawyers on their teams and will try to pay you the minimum.
You Were Not Fully At Fault
It may not always be obvious who was at fault for an accident. The insurance company of the defendant may try to put the blame on you or downplay their client’s negligence to pay you less. When this happens, it’s up to you to provide proof that the defendant had a duty of care to you and breached this duty. However, it can be difficult to know how to gather and present proof that strengthens your case.
Furthermore, it’s common for multiple parties to play a role in an accident. For instance, in a truck accident, the driver, trucking company, maintenance team, and shipping company could all be liable. With a knowledgeable personal injury attorney, you can bring a claim against all these parties. You may even be able to gain significant compensation if you were partially at fault.
The Defendant Could Pay You More
The insurance company can payout up to the maximum of the defendant’s policy limit. For instance, drivers in Louisiana are required to have what’s called 15/30/25 liability limits: $15,000 for the bodily injury of one person, $30,000 for the bodily injury of more than one person, and $25,000 for vehicle or property damage.
If the defendant’s insurance company is offering less than this, but your damages are more serious, you definitely need a personal injury attorney to improve your settlement.
You Have No Legal Experience
If you have legal experience, you may be able to negotiate a settlement without the support of a personal injury attorney. If you lack knowledge of the law, though, you’ll gain a better outcome if you seek proper legal representation. You are both more likely to receive compensation and more likely to receive a higher amount with an experienced personal injury attorney.
One study found that plaintiffs who had a lawyer received a payout 91 percent of the time and received an average of $77,600. In contrast, those without a lawyer only received a payout 51 percent of the time and received an average of $17,600.
The Insurance Company Has Denied Your Claim
You may have already tried to gain compensation without legal representation, only for the insurance company to deny your claim. You still have a chance to claim for damages — you just need an attorney on your case.
A legal team can investigate the accident to determine who was at fault, including acquiring information that would be difficult for you to obtain. If the insurance company continues to refuse to pay or offers a settlement that you consider to be too low, your personal injury attorney can go to trial for you.
It’s important to note that there’s no risk when you work with a personal injury attorney. A lawyer will be able to tell you if you have a case that’s worth pursuing — and you won’t pay anything until you’ve received your damages. Since your lawyer only receives a percentage of your compensation, there’s no risk of losing money.
Receive The Right Representation From A Personal Injury Attorney
To gain the maximum compensation, you need to work with an attorney who is well-versed in the New Orleans personal injury laws that relate to your case. At the Law Offices of Chip Forstall, we’ll assign you an attorney who has ample experience representing clients with your type of personal injury. We’ll then create a strategy for your claim, taking the specifics of your case into account, and work for the best outcome.
