Many people attempt to handle personal injury lawsuits without legal representation simply because they do not fully understand the role of personal injury attorneys. Insurance adjusters often make matters worse by misleading victims into believing they don’t need an attorney.
“However, when you understand the roles of a personal injury attorney, you will see the need to involve them in your claims process. Beyond helping you file your claim, they provide various services throughout your case. When you need evidence to support your claim, you can easily collaborate with them,” says personal injury attorney Kerry Schuman of Friedman Schuman Layser.
This short piece sheds light on the core roles of personal injury attorneys:
Collating and Assessing Proof
The preliminary stage of every personal injury case entails prompt collation of evidence. Your evidence’s type and potency will determine your case’s direction. You must be quick with this process because you do not want adulterated evidence.
You often need an attorney to help you gather and collate evidence for your case, especially when the evidence is not readily available at the incident scene. After analyzing the situation, they may bring in a private investigator for a witness statement.
You also need police reports, medical records, photographs, or videos to bolster your claim. You must not joke with the foundational stage of your case because if you fail to do what is needed, your case will probably hit the rock.
Stick to a reputable law firm. Fortunately, you do not need to bother yourself about any fees. Most personal injury law firms bear the initial charges and will eventually take a pre-agreed percentage after winning the case.
Protecting Your Rights
Another crucial role of personal injury attorneys is protecting their client’s legal rights. Most victims find it problematic to exercise their rights after an accident, and insurers complicate this problem by intimidating them into accepting low-ball offers.
However, involving an attorney in your case is advisable if you do not want to lose these rights cheaply. You need someone who understands the law to help uphold your fundamental rights. They can hold all concerned parties accountable on your behalf.
When an insurer or defendant discovers you have no legal representative, they devise exploitative tendencies. They know you have a limited understanding of the law, and they can easily manipulate you.
Thus, anytime an insurer advises you against engaging an attorney, you should be cautious of dealing with them. They want you to feel comfortable with them and allow them to shortchange you easily.
Enlightening You on Legal Proceedings
Legal proceedings are complex for non-legal persons. More so, every state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Thus, you don’t have all the time to understand the legal system in your jurisdiction.
A well-trained personal injury attorney knows how the law applies to your case. They will consider the peculiarities of your case based on the law and precedents. They are always realistic in their analysis and will help you make an informed decision.
They will outline the strengths and weaknesses of your case. You should trust their guidance because they prioritize your interests at all times. When you are dissatisfied with any decision, explain your fears to them so they can enlighten you.
Never discuss anything or offer a statement to the opposing team without your lawyer’s involvement. Even if they pressure you to start the proceedings in your attorney’s absence, you must affirmatively tell them you cannot do anything in your lawyer’s absence.
Enhancing Damage Evaluation
Without an attorney’s involvement in your case, you will probably focus on the immediate issues. For instance, you may only focus on lost earnings, immediate medical bills, and vehicle repairs or damages. However, such compensation demand is inadequate and grossly poor.
A personal injury attorney will thoroughly evaluate all damages to understand the immediate and long-term impact. Full scope will help them determine the adequate amount to demand from the at-fault party. For instance, if the accident confines you to a wheelchair, they will demand compensation to adjust your home to your new lifestyle and ongoing medical care.
Most of the time, lawyers will involve professionals like actuaries and economists to understand the long-term consequences of an injury fully. As a layperson, you will not know when to involve such individuals.
Concluding Remarks
You need legal assistance when involved in a personal injury accident if you do not want to cheat yourself. This piece shows that personal injury attorneys perform incredible roles for their clients. You can trust their ability to handle the legal proceedings while you heal.
They help handle the legal burden so you can concentrate on healing. More so, they will uphold your rights and demand maximum compensation for your losses.
