When you’re injured, whether in a car accident, a slip and fall accident, or some other way due to someone else’s negligence, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Between dealing with the pain, doctor visits, looming medical bills, and a personal injury claim, the whole situation can be daunting.
It’s common for injured victims to hesitate before reaching out for legal help, thinking they can handle it themselves or waiting until their recovery is underway. However, getting support from a personal injury lawyer early on can help you focus on healing while the legal details are handled. A lawyer can even help hold off medical bill collectors and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, so you’re not overwhelmed while trying to recover.
5 Signs You Should Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer
So, how do you know when it’s time to call a lawyer? Here are five signs you should consult a personal injury lawyer after your accident.
1. You’ve suffered serious injuries
If your injuries are severe, long-lasting, or life-altering, you absolutely need a personal injury lawyer on your side. Significant injuries often come with high medical expenses, long recovery times, and potential loss of income due to time off work to recover or the inability to work in your current position anymore due to sudden disability. When injuries require extended treatment or rehabilitation, the settlement you receive must cover future expenses as well. A personal injury attorney can ensure that you receive fair compensation for these impacts, including ongoing medical care, lost wages, and any permanent disability or pain and suffering you endure.
2. The insurance company offers a low settlement
Insurance companies are in the business of minimizing payouts. If you’ve received a settlement offer that doesn’t cover your medical bills, lost wages, or other expenses, it’s a clear sign you need legal advice. Insurance adjusters are trained to offer as little as possible in hopes that injured parties will settle quickly, often before the full extent of their injuries is even known. A personal injury lawyer can evaluate the settlement offer and, if necessary, negotiate for a fairer amount to ensure you aren’t left in financial distress after your recovery.
3. Liability is disputed
If there is any disagreement about who is at fault for the accident, it’s critical to consult a personal injury lawyer. Liability disputes can be complicated, especially when multiple parties are involved, or if the other party is trying to shift the blame onto you. Your lawyer will investigate the circumstances of the accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case to prove liability. Without legal representation, you risk having your claim reduced or denied, especially if the other side has its own legal team.
4. You’re unsure of the value of your claim
Injuries come with many costs, both immediate and long-term. Beyond medical bills, there can be lost wages, future medical needs, therapy, and other recovery expenses. Determining the full value of a personal injury claim is not straightforward, and insurance companies are unlikely to offer compensation for the complete picture unless they are forced to. A personal injury lawyer will assess all the damages—both economic and non-economic—so that your claim reflects the true cost of your injuries.
5. You need help dealing with medical bills and debt collectors
Medical debt can pile up quickly after an injury, and bill collectors are relentless in their pursuit of payment. Even if you have insurance, it’s not uncommon for claims to be denied or for there to be a gap between what’s covered and what you owe. A personal injury lawyer can help negotiate with medical providers and insurance companies to reduce or defer payments while your case is ongoing. They may even be able to arrange for medical care to be provided on a lien basis, meaning that payments are delayed until after your settlement or trial.
Dealing with the aftermath of an injury is difficult enough without having to worry about insurance adjusters, medical bills, or legal deadlines. If you’re facing any of the situations listed above, consulting with a personal injury lawyer can help you focus on what matters most—your recovery.
Contact a personal injury lawyer today!
An accident lawyer can help you recover a full and fair settlement for the injuries you sustained in an accident caused by the negligence of another with no up-front costs to you. We know the sneaky strategies used by insurance companies to get injured people to agree to settlements far below what they are worth. Our clients typically end up with a settlement or jury award that is five to ten times larger than they could have negotiated on their own. We have been representing injured people injured in Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. Contact the experienced and hard-working personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Mount Vernon, WA today for a FREE consultation!
