You should hire a personal injury lawyer if you have severe injuries after an accident or if the insurance company disputes or denies your claim. Ideally, you should hire a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. The earlier you start working with a lawyer, the more time your attorney may have to investigate and prepare your claim.
You can talk to a Chicago personal injury lawyer at Postman Law if you have more questions about the specifics of hiring an attorney.
Signs You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
Below are some signs that you should speak to a personal injury attorney about your case. No matter what stage of the injury recovery process you are at, a knowledgeable team member from Postman Law can assist you.
You Have Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries that require extensive and extended medical treatment significantly increase the complexity of injury claims. Severe injuries generate high medical bills, ongoing costs, and reductions in your earning capacity that a lawyer can calculate. Insurance companies will most likely attempt to minimize the extent of your injuries, as well.
The Insurance Company Denied Your Claim
Insurance companies are big businesses trying to make money, so they will look for any chance to undervalue or deny your claim and get out of paying. They may also use stalling and delays to demoralize you and get you to accept a lowball settlement. Another common power play is denying your claim without a valid reason. An attorney can fight against these practices.
There Are Liability Disputes
A common strategy for insurers is to shift blame back on the injured party. They may claim you contributed to your injuries or that their insured party is not responsible. A lawyer can gather evidence like medical documentation, surveillance footage, and eyewitness testimony to push back attempts to shift liability.
There Are Multiple At-Fault Parties
Many injuries are the result of multiple parties’ negligence, not just one. Managing claims with multiple litigants requires cataloging which losses are the fault of which party. If multiple parties are involved, such as in a multi-car pileup, financial recovery can mean making multiple claims, which will require coordinating insurance activity.
You Have a Complex Case
An experienced lawyer can best navigate complex cases like medical malpractice or product liability. The structure of these cases requires substantial amounts of evidence and expert witnesses, and court cases can drag on for several months if not years.
You Cannot Work Due to Your Injuries
Your injuries might interfere with your ability to work and earn a living. You may have to change to a lower-paying career or stop working entirely. You could reclaim the value of your lost work income or reduced lifetime earning capacity, but you’ll need detailed records of your income and projected earnings. A lawyer can help calculate these losses by working with vocational experts.
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How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Many of our clients at Postman Law are hesitant to hire a lawyer because they are worried about the cost. After all, if you can’t pay for your injury losses, how are you supposed to pay for an attorney’s services?
The good news is that most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means they take their attorney fee out of the final settlement. When the insurance company cuts you a settlement check, your lawyer will automatically deduct a percentage as their fee before giving the rest to you.
The benefit of this arrangement is that you only pay legal fees if you win your case. You can secure a lawyer without worrying about upfront payment. Your lawyer will also be incentivized to pursue the maximum settlement on your behalf.
Time Limit for Hiring a Lawyer
Every state has a law that limits the amount of time you have to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against a liable party. This law is called the statute of limitations, and it’s different depending on where you are. For example, Minnesota generally gives you six years from the injury date. Ohio, in contrast, only gives you two years.
These time limits are incredibly strict and have few exceptions. Even if you’re just one day late, you’ll forever lose your chance to recover financial compensation. The best option is to start as early as possible by talking to an attorney. A team member from Postman Law can initiate your claim quickly and expedite timelines.
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Contact Postman Law to Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer
Do you have further questions about when to hire a personal injury lawyer? If so, contact our team at Postman Law to schedule a case evaluation. Consultations are free, and we only take a fee if we win, so there is no risk to getting in touch.