When you’ve been hurt as a result of someone else’s negligence, recovering from the accident can be harder than you might imagine. You’re left to physically and emotionally heal from the injuries and trauma, but the aftermath doesn’t stop there. Many also suffer financially which places an undue amount of stress on them. Too much stress, as you know can slow down the healing process and put you at risk for other health issues.
Believe it or not, sometimes the best way to get through the healing process is to roll up your sleeves and get the “dirty work” out of the way. The sooner you file your insurance claim and/or personal injury suit, the faster you may see financial relief which equates to a decline in stress levels. When you’re less stressed, your mind and body can channel all their energy to helping you recuperate from the inside out.
Personal Injury Cases Are Complex
You may be anxious to get through the process of filing a claim and getting compensated for your injuries and accident-related costs, however, personal injury cases can be very complicated. Insurance companies, in many cases, don’t want to shell out thousands of dollars if they don’t have to, and as such may try to lowball an offer or look for loopholes with your claims process.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
With the clock ticking on your statute of limitations, many who suffer from injuries end up calling on personal injury legal experts like Steven J Schwartzapfel to guide them through the process. There is a lot of competition out there, and who you choose can have a significant impact on your claim or suit’s success. Therefore, you’ll want to keep these criteria in mind:
Exclusively Practices Personal Injury
There are a lot of laws and rules that pertain to personal injury. The laws also vary by state. If you want the best chance of getting compensated, it is imperative to work with an attorney whose experience and background are in personal injury law. Law offices that practice too many areas can only have basic knowledge and may not be able to go toe to toe with high-powered insurance attorneys during settlements or at trial.
Someone Who’s Been to Trial
Although the hope is that you can reach a settlement with your insurance company, there are instances in which the parties cannot agree and it has to be settled in court. You’ll want an attorney who has experience taking these cases to court as there are a lot of steps involved. Be sure to ask about their litigation success rate.
Sufficient Resources
Personal injury cases sometimes require a lot of upfront cash in order to process. Since most legal experts tend to offer services on a contingency fee, you’ll want to make sure they have the necessary capital and resources to complete the process. This not only means having enough cash to cover the cost of filing fees and experts, but the knowing the right medical experts and specialists to engage to back up your claims. You may ask during a consultation how the attorney intends to fund your case and which professional resources they have access to.
A Good Reputation
You should most certainly look to find an attorney who has a good track record with their clients. This should not be judged solely on wins and losses, but also on their ability to keep their clients happy. A reputable lawyer will have no problem with providing you with references to speak with. However, if their firm is really popular you may also be able to find reports about them on the internet.
Compassion
Personality and character go a long way in connecting with clients. As you sit in your consultation do you get a good vibe from the attorney? Are they asking you questions, making sure you understand the process and trying to reduce your stress (without overpromising)? If so, this lawyer may be worth hiring.
There is a lot to deal with when you’ve suffered significant injuries in an accident. If it has resulted in things such as lost wages, pain, and suffering, high medical bills, or the like, you should get help. All of this financial stress will only impede your healing process and make matters worse. A personal injury lawyer is the best trained professional to help you get through it so that you can focus on what matters most – recovering from your injuries.