In the aftermath of an injury, it is easy to get swept up in the medical care, the recovery process, and the emotionally draining energy. With everything going on, the idea of working with an attorney or navigating your medical expenses and bills seems too overwhelming.
However, personal injury attorneys are meant to make the process easier and help you along— not create more work to bog you down. Here is why hiring a personal injury attorney is worth it to recover after a personal injury.
The Cliff Notes: Key Takeaways From This Post
We laid out reasons why hiring a personal injury attorney is worth it; however, here are the key bullet points if you are in a rush:
- A personal injury attorney can help understand the full impact of a case which extends beyond medical bills and can include monetary, psychological and physical impacts to an individual and their loved ones.
- Personal injury cases qualify under various parts of the law such as premises liability, defective products, insurance disputes and workplace injuries among many others.
- An attorney’s expertise is beneficial as they are knowledgeable in resolving cases pre-litigation, preparing for trial and providing thorough pre-trial preparations.
- Calling an attorney soon after an incident occurs is recommended for best results.
Attorneys Can Help You Understand the Full Impact of Your Case
Most people have a flat number that they work with to develop their cases. They want another person or company to cover their medical bills or other expenses that they don’t feel like they deserve to pay. However, your case actually extends beyond these costs. A personal injury attorney can guide you through the process to realize your true cost as a result of the accident. A few of these costs include:
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- Monetary impact: what damage to your home, car, or body are you seeking compensation for?
- Loss of wages and inability to work: what income did you lose (either temporarily or permanently) as a result of the damage or injury?
- Psychological impact: how are you affected mentally by the injury or damage? What remaining trauma (like PTSD) has stuck with you?
- Physical impact: how has the injury changed your life? How will the damage impact you physically in the future?
- Impact on family or loved ones: how have the lives of your loved ones changed or been affected by the accident?
As you can see, this extends well beyond medical bills. An injury caused by a negligent party means you have to take time off work. Even if you return to work, you may need physical therapy that lasts for years. Furthermore, there are lifestyle changes related to the injury if your significant other has to return to work (also increasing the cost of childcare) and sell the car to buy one that accommodates your injury. These costs add up. A personal injury attorney will walk you through the various impact types to make sure your expenses are fully covered.
An Attorney Can Advise You on Moving Forward With Your Case
Personal injury cases tend to be far-reaching, and you may not realize that your case qualifies under this part of the law. A few case types that qualify for personal injury damage include:
- Premises Liability
- Defective Products
- Insurance Disputes
- Workplace Injuries
- Car Collisions
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Whiplash Injury
- Dog Bites
- Soft Tissue Injuries
According to the CDC, there are more than 30.8 million emergency room visits caused by unintended injuries each year. Accidents happen, but you don’t always have to pay for them.
Even if you are unsure, you can ask an attorney if your case is covered, and if not, what part of the law it falls under. Most personal injury attorneys don’t get paid unless they win a case. This means it isn’t in the best interest of an attorney to take on a case that they don’t specialize in or think they will win. Your personal injury attorney should be honest about your case and clearly explain the fees involved and the likelihood of a trial moving forward.
Most attorneys charge a fee for their services and also bill customers the court fees and other case expenses. However, with the additional damages that you are seeking (like lost wages and emotional impact), the payout is often worth the effort. At Herman and Wells, we earn personal injury payouts for our clients that range from $185,000 to five million dollars. Your case might not be worth that much, but we will fight to get the maximum that you deserve.
Plus, it is better to have a professional on your side fighting for compensation than sitting back and paying your bills and expenses yourself.
A Personal Injury Attorney Applies Their Expertise to the Case
There are many additional benefits to hiring a personal injury attorney for your case. One factor that many of our clients appreciate is the attorney’s desire to resolve a case during mediation. Almost 90 percent of cases don’t go to trial and are resolved pre-litigation. If one of our lawyers can help you reach a settlement agreement without a drawn-out trial, then we’re happy with our work.
In the event that your case does go to trial, you have experienced personal injury attorneys on your side. We are dedicated to providing thorough pre-trial preparations so your case has the best possible chance in court.
Hiring a personal injury attorney gives you the peace of mind of knowing that a professional is taking care of your case — and taking work off of your plate. You don’t have to worry about building a case and navigating the legal system without experience.
When Should You Call a Personal Injury Attorney?
If you have a case against yourself or would like to make a case against someone, call a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The details are still fresh in your mind, which helps us get the ball rolling to help you win.
Schedule a free consultation with Herman and Wells to learn more about your personal injury case.