The best time to hire a personal injury lawyer is quickly after the accident. Enlisting the help of experienced legal professionals can help you meet critical filing deadlines, preserve evidence, and protect your right to compensation for the harm you've suffered.
At O'Connor, Acciani & Levy, we know how important it is to seek legal help as soon as possible following an accident. We have seen the damaging effects of delays in seeking legal representation, and we want to help you avoid them.
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How Do I Know When To Hire A Personal Injury Attorney?
Anytime you have been injured in an accident caused by someone else's negligence or recklessness, you should consider hiring a personal injury attorney. Accidents they can help you recover compensation for include:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Medical malpractice incidents
- Product liability cases
The severity of your injuries in these accidents should not determine when you call a lawyer. Anytime you have suffered harm or losses due to someone else's negligent, reckless, or careless behaviors, you should seek the help of an attorney to hold them financially responsible for your injuries.
What Can A Lawyer Help Me With After An Accident?
A lawyer will prove invaluable in the fight for compensation. They can help:
- Guide you through the legal process: Being involved in an accident is overwhelming, especially if you have never been in this situation. A lawyer can provide comprehensive and compassionate guidance to alleviate the overall stress of filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
- Investigate the accident: A lawyer proves instrumental in helping you gather strong evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and medical records, to support your compensation claim.
- Negotiations: Receiving a fair settlement offer isn't always easy, especially when dealing with uncooperative insurance companies. A personal injury attorney can use effective negotiation tactics to combat the insurer's justifications for diminished or denied compensation.
- Trial representation: When the other party's unwillingness to settle gets in the way of your right to compensation, a personal injury attorney can represent you in court. They have the experience to build a strong case and argue for maximum compensation before a judge or jury.
- Meeting critical filing deadlines: There will be strict deadlines to pursue compensation after an accident. When injuries keep you from being able to perform basic tasks, let alone navigate the challenging legal process, you can rely on your attorney to ensure all necessary paperwork is filed on time.
These benefits start when you hire a personal injury law firm to assist with your accident case. The longer you wait to take advantage of the legal resources available, the more likely it is that you will miss out on critical opportunities to maximize your compensation and protect your rights.
What Happens If I Don't Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer Right After the Accident?
Those who try to handle their claim or lawsuit alone may run into obstacles such as:
- Delayed or denied compensation: Without proper legal representation, insurance companies may take advantage of your inexperience and offer less than you deserve or deny your claim altogether.
- Difficulty gathering evidence: As time passes, gathering strong evidence to support your case becomes more challenging. This could weaken your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries.
- Diminished settlement award: A lack of legal knowledge makes it hard to know what compensation you are entitled to. This could leave you with a settlement that won't be enough to cover your accident-related expenses.
- Increased stress and burden: Navigating the legal system alone while also recovering from injuries can leave you feeling overwhelmed and stressed. This can worsen your physical and emotional injuries while adding increased financial burdens.
No matter how straightforward your case may seem, not hiring a lawyer can cause unnecessary stress, delays in receiving compensation, and even result in a less favorable outcome.
Let experienced personal injury attorneys, like the ones at O'Connor, Acciani & Levy, assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.
What Compensation Can a Lawyer Fight For?
Depending on the type of accident, the severity of your injuries, and the resulting losses, a lawyer can help you fight for economic and non-economic damages such as:
- Current and future medical expenses: Accident-related expenses don't end when you leave the hospital. You may need ongoing treatments, medication, therapy, and medical devices to recover from your injuries. A lawyer can advocate for these costs to be covered in your settlement or verdict.
- Lost wages and future earning capacity: If your injuries prevent you from working, a personal injury attorney can help recover lost wages and any potential future income you may have lost due to long-term or permanent disabilities.
- Pain and suffering: Accidents can cause emotional distress, mental anguish, and decreased quality of life. A lawyer can fight for compensation for these non-economic damages that are more challenging to quantify but equally important to helping you recover from a traumatic accident.
- Property damage: Personal injury lawyers can help you recover the cost of repairs or replacements for any property lost due to someone else's negligence.
- Out-of-pocket expenses: Accident injuries can leave you with all sorts of transportation, renovation, and other out-of-pocket costs. These expenses can add up quickly, and a lawyer can help fight for these costs to be included in your settlement or verdict.
- End-of-life costs: When accidents result in wrongful death, a personal injury attorney can help the surviving family members seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, and emotional distress.
The longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more challenging it becomes to obtain the maximum compensation for your injuries. Hire a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident to prevent any further delays or obstacles in your pursuit of fair compensation.
What Options For Compensation Can A Personal Injury Attorney Pursue?
There may be multiple avenues for compensation in a personal injury case. An experienced lawyer can help you identify all potential options, which may include one or more of the following:
- Insurance claims: You may be able to recover compensation through insurance claims against Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Bodily Injury Liability (BIL), or Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage. Your lawyer can help you understand how much you may be entitled to.
- Settlement negotiations: It may be possible to negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party or their insurance company without going to court. Your lawyer can help you determine if this is a viable option and assist in securing a fair settlement.
- Civil lawsuits: If negotiations fail, your personal injury attorney can represent you in a civil lawsuit against the at-fault party or parties. They will help gather evidence, build a strong case, and argue for maximum compensation before a judge or jury.
A personal injury Attorney may advise you to go after one or more avenues of compensation to ensure you aren't left with incredible physical, financial, and emotional burdens after an accident.
However, consulting with a lawyer is the only way to know how much compensation you may be entitled to. They can evaluate the details of your case and provide an estimate of what damages you may be able to recover.
How To Choose the Right Personal Injury Lawyer
Trusting a personal injury law firm to help you recover compensation for accident injuries and losses is a big decision. To make sure you are choosing the right attorney for your case, consider asking the following questions:
- What is your experience with personal injury cases? Listen for an answer that includes years of practice in personal injury law and experience handling cases similar to yours.
- What is your success rate in securing compensation for clients? You want a lawyer with a track record of successfully fighting for their clients and obtaining favorable settlements or verdicts.
- Have you handled cases that have gone to trial? While most personal injury cases are settled out of court, choose a lawyer who isn't afraid to go to trial if the other party is unwilling to settle. This shows that they are committed to achieving a favorable outcome in your case, no matter what.
- How do you handle communication with clients? Clear and open communication keeps you actively involved in your case. The more you understand about the status of your claim or lawsuit, the better informed you are to make financially sound legal decisions.
- What fees do you charge? Personal injury attorneys often work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they secure compensation for their clients. Make sure to discuss fees and payment options upfront with your potential lawyer.
Law firms like O'Connor, Acciani, and Levy exemplify these and many other qualities you should look for in a personal injury lawyer. Our firm has centuries of combined legal experience and isn't afraid to take on challenging cases. You have no reason to fight alone.
Schedule a free case evaluation now to learn how we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Common Myths About Hiring A Lawyer
You'll save money by not hiring a lawyer
Legal fees include a lot more than the services a lawyer provides. Court costs and other filing fees mean that you'll have to spend money to pursue compensation no matter what. If you don't know the ins and outs of personal injury law, you may end up paying more than you expected and receiving less than you deserve.
You don't need a lawyer if your injuries are minor
Even seemingly minor injuries can have long-lasting effects that significantly hinder your ability to work, participate in activities, or enjoy life. A personal injury attorney can help you assess the full extent of your injuries and help you recover appropriate compensation for current and future care needs.
Hiring a lawyer takes too long
While every case is different, hiring a personal injury lawyer may actually speed up the process. They have experience handling similar cases and can navigate legal procedures more efficiently than someone without legal expertise.
I don't need a lawyer because I have insurance coverage
Your insurance policy may not be enough to cover the full extent of your damages and losses. A lawyer can help you combat diminished claims and pursue additional compensation when insurance coverage falls short.
Don't Hesitate To Hire Personal Injury Lawyers From O'Connor, Acciani & Levy
If you are wondering when to hire a personal injury lawyer, the answer is simple - as soon as possible. The sooner you seek legal counsel, the sooner you can start building a strong case and pursuing fair compensation for your injuries.
Don't hesitate to contact O'Connor, Acciani & Levy online or at (513) 916-4082 for a free consultation with our personal injury attorneys. Their help will prove invaluable to recovering compensation in a personal injury lawsuit or claim.
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