Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer? 9 Reasons When You Should

What Distinguishes PI Lawyers From Other Attorneys?

Most people assume that all lawyers can handle any form of legal claim provided they have admission to the bar. Well, a lawyer, just like most professionals such as doctors, decides a specific specialty, which they specialize in for most of their career.

A personal injury attorney offers legal services to individuals who suffer an injury due to another person’s negligence. The assumption of negligence may also be on a company, government agency, or any other entity. If you suspect that your injury may have been due to apparent laxity, then seeking advice from a PI lawyer should be your next move.

Signs You Need a PI Lawyer 

If you’re wondering what signs should prompt you to hire an injury attorney, then this article has the answers for you. Consider these ten tell-tale signs.

1. If You Have Suffered Grave Injuries 

Have you been involved in a nasty accident that left you seriously hurt? If you weren’t at fault during the accident, then you ought to consider hiring a personal accident attorney. In States where “at-fault” insurance policies are applied, less severe injuries may not hit the insurance provider’s policy limit.

If the bruises are minimal, it won’t make sense to follow up with a lawyer. However, where more severe injuries are evident, there may be long-term treatment needs, which may be expensive. PI lawyers can help you seek compensation in such cases where damages are overwhelming.

2. In-Case the Accident Leads to Long-Term Disability

Most personal injury cases involve individuals whose livelihoods change forever after an accident. If you have had to undergo treatment for months or years after an accident, then you might need to hire a personal accident lawyer. This is because you’ll need long-term medical care.

Permanent injuries also mean that you may never resume a productive life after such an accident. Many insurance policies only consider a limited extent of cost in case of such injuries. As such, you need a seasoned PI lawyer to guide you on how to claim for long-term suffering.

3. In Case You Encounter a Rogue Insurance Company 

Insurance companies have come under the spotlight for being reluctant to pay claims. When an at-fault accident happens, the insurance company covering the “at fault“ car should be willing to make the necessary compensation for claims made. However, most times, these firms will want to lower their payout as much as possible.

When the specific insurance firm begins to play delay tactics with your compensation, a bodily injury lawyer is your answer. You may also consider an attorney for injury in a case where the compensation plan proposed by the insurance company is unfair in your assessment.

At other times, you may not know whether the deal is fair or not. In such cases, an experienced PI lawyer will help you determine if the compensation is adequate.

4. You are Not Getting Compensation for Lost Wages 

An accident has the potential of turning your life around. Most people who suffer serious injuries attributed to negligence also experience unprecedented financial difficulties. Part of the negative consequences of an accident is lost income or wages.

When an accident denies you an active income due to resultant immobility or incapacity, the negligent party has the responsibility to compensate you. The compensation should be to ensure that you return to the same financial situation you were before the accident.

As such, any attempt to abscond such responsibility justifies the involvement of a PI lawyer in the process.  You may consider the report by a personal injury doctor with a confirmation of the damaging effects of the accident as a justification for making a claim.

5. You Have Proof of Financial Losses Due to an Accident 

Car repair costs and other expenses incurred after an accident should not be on you. However, you may decide to undertake such repairs even before making claims primarily if you depend on your car for routine activities. But this does not mean that you don’t deserve compensation for these expenses.

As long as you weren’t at fault, then you deserve reimbursement for the expenses. Personal injury lawyers have the knowledge and capacity in such cases. A PI lawyer can negotiate with insurance adjusters and ensure that you get a fair deal out of the settlement.

6. Where Liability Is Unclear 

Some circumstances may complicate your injury claim. Such scenarios include instances where there are multiple parties involved in the case making liability unclear.  When various parties are part of an accident-related situation, the process of determining liability can be complicated.

In cases of an accident that involves multiple injured individuals, it may be hard to navigate the compensation process. When an accident occurs, but there is uncertainty on who is culpable, you may find it worth considering the advice of a PI lawyer. Such lawyers have the experience and exposure on such legal matters, which makes it worthwhile to consult a PI lawyer.

7. If the Other Driver Was Inebriated

The matter of liability can be challenging to deal with, where you must prove that the other party was at fault. However, such issues are straightforward in cases where you have proof that the other driver was under the influence of alcohol or other substances. Even in no-fault states, the handling of DUI cases has certain exceptions that favor the victim.

It will help to consider a PI lawyer if you want to get a favorable outcome out of the case. Personal injury lawyers handle many cases related to drunk driving. You’ll be in safe hands as long as you settle for a reliable and experienced attorney.

8. If Mechanical Failures or a Defective Product Caused the Injury

Do you have a reason or evidence to believe that the accident was a result of a mechanical failure in a car part? If the accident was also a result of defective products such as mobile devices, then you may have cause to claim for compensation.

In case of accidents caused by manufacturer’s failures or defective products, you may need to consider the insights of a PI injury lawyer. The process of determining that such a company or manufacturer is liable may require specific legal interpretations, which may be complicated.

You need a personal injury lawyer to advise you on the extent of liability on the manufacturers or dealers. An injury lawyer can also play a critical role in ensuring that you get the compensation that can supplement the cost of such injuries. The process of establishing liability requires documentation and compilation of critical evidence, which is only possible when dealing with a professional lawyer.

9. You Have Been Exposed to Toxic Substances

Exposure to toxic substances may cause health complications. Most times, such exposure may be due to industrial waste in the air, water, or soil. In such cases, you deserve compensation for the impact on your health and wellness.

Most cases related to toxic exposure may be hard to determine legally, given the complexity in establishing liability. You might need testimonies from experts and scientific analysis to affirm legal responsibility. Such requirements may be hard to fulfill for an ordinary citizen.

You might need the input of a personal injury lawyer during such instances. With such legal support, you’ll be able to get fair compensation for your injuries. Most cases related to exposure to toxic substances may require a seasoned personal injury attorney who can argue your case and guarantee you a reimbursement.

Have You Been Injured in an Accident?

A personal injury can cause you untold suffering as you deal with the negative physical, mental, and financial implications. During such instances, hiring a reliable PI attorney can help you get fair compensation for the injuries. You’ll also need immediate medical attention from an injury doctor.

Are you looking for an experienced doctor to help you recover after an accident or an injury? Call 1-800-897-8400 today to find a trusted physician near you.