5 Things You’re Better Off Leaving to a Personal Injury Lawyer

Seeking compensation for injuries after an accident can be a complicated process and as such, it is important that you do not make any decisions without being fully aware of all of your rights. A lawyer can help you understand your rights as well as assist you in handling all aspects of your case.

Are you on the fence about whether to consult a lawyer about your case? Below are five aspects of personal injury law that are typically best handled by a personal injury lawyer.

1. Calculating the Value of an Accident Claim

Accident victims who handle their own claims may look only at short-term costs, such as unpaid medical bills or lost wages. A lawyer who is familiar with the law may be able to identify various heads of damages which can includes long-term costs for medical care, income, pain and suffering, housekeeping needs, and many others items given the permanence of your injuries.

A lawyer can use his or her training and case experience to determine what damages may be included in a claim. Typically speaking, this results in a claim with a higher value.

It is best to consult a lawyer as soon as you can after your accident so that you can begin the process of putting together a claim. There are often strict time limits and deadlines that must be met in order to avoid delays or disqualification in receiving compensation or benefits. A lawyer will also help you with an early investigation of the circumstances surrounding the accident. He or she will make sure that it is documented well and proper records are kept right from the start — it will be very helpful to have these later on.

2. Talking to the Insurance Companies

Insurance companies protect their bottom line by paying the least amount in benefits or damages as possible. This business tactic means it is important to watch what you say when speaking with an insurance adjuster or representative. An out-of-context statement can undermine or undervalue a claim.

A personal injury lawyer can offer personalized instruction on how best to communicate with the involved insurance companies. In some cases, a lawyer may facilitate all conversations with insurers.

3. Deciphering Complicated Laws

Laws and statutes are written in complicated language and often employ terms unfamiliar to the general public. A personal injury lawyer can decipher the meaning behind various local, provincial, and national laws.

In addition to understanding the meaning of various injury laws and the claims process, a lawyer can make sense of legal precedence and how it will impact your own case. This skill will be difficult to replicate on your own.

4. Determining and Proving Liability

A personal injury lawyer has the resources and experience to investigate a case and determine all liable parties. In some cases, this is much more complex than it appears on the surface. For example, in a car accident, a negligent driver who is speeding and rear-ends your vehicle may not be the only liable party — an auto manufacturer or mechanic could share the blame if faulty brakes also played a role.

5. Initiating a Personal Injury Lawsuit

A lawyer can initiate an injury lawsuit if an insurance settlement proves unfair or insufficient. This may require arguing a case in a courtroom setting — an experience that can be intimidating and overwhelming for an injured victim. More often than not, a lawyer will always obtain a higher settlement than an unrepresented victim.

Why You Should Contact Preszler Injury Lawyers After an Accident

Some tasks are best left to a trained professional. This includes handling a complex, high-stakes personal injury case. Minor injuries — such as scrapes and bruises incurred in a fender-bender that resolve in a few days — typically do not require a lawyer’s intervention. However, dealing with all the paperwork involved in an Accident Benefits claim often requires the direction of a lawyer. A personal injury lawyer is also needed for all cases involving more severe injuries and complicated legal matters.

Were you recently injured in an accident in Ontario? Before you take action, schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer at Preszler Injury Lawyers — call 1-800-JUSTICE® or complete this evaluation form.