Even if you want to settle a personal injury case out of court, negotiating with the insurance adjuster yourself is not a wise decision. Even if they seem friendly, they don’t have your best interests at heart, and they aim to convince you to take a lower compensation. Here are some scenarios wherein hiring a personal injury attorney is the best decision.
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You have suffered a serious injury or a permanent disability
There is no room for guesswork about your health or when a lifetime of suffering is on the line. If you sustained severe injuries that could lead to a temporary or permanent disability, the more reason you should consider hiring a Waukegan personal injury attorney to help you get the maximum amount of compensation possible.
Otherwise, you may be stuck with a lifetime of hefty medical bills, pain, suffering, and stress for you and your family. A personal injury attorney can ascertain that your compensation accounts for your medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and other non-economic damages.
You are not sure who is liable.
At times, you may not be sure who is at fault for an accident you were involved in. For instance, it may be difficult to establish liability in car accidents involving several vehicles or a chain crash on a highway. You should be very careful in such cases since the other party may try to blame you for the injuries and damages. You should seek an attorney to establish fault, protect your rights, interests and defend yourself against any counterclaims.
Several parties are involved.
If involved in an accident that involves several parties, a personal injury lawyer is your best chance to avoid being stuck with a bill that is not yours to offset. When the case involves several insurance companies, each will be working towards minimizing their burden. An experienced personal injury attorney is toughened in dealing with several insurance companies at once and developing a case that will maximize your settlement.
The insurance company has denied your claim.
Insurance companies have experienced adjusters and lawyers who know that many personal injury victims do not understand their rights and the complicated laws associated with personal injury claims. They may try all ways to deny your claim if they notice you do not have a lawyer representing you. That is why it is vital to seek legal representation.
The insurance company has delayed your claim.
Another tactic insurance companies use is delaying claims. Your tight financial situation and piling medical bills may push you into accepting a fraction of the settlement amount your claim is worth, only to realize you were duped later. If an insurance company is delaying your claim, seek legal counsel immediately before the statute of limitations expires on your case.
conclusion
No one ever expects to hire a personal injury attorney at some point, but accidents happen, and circumstances force people to. No two accidents or injuries are similar, and their circumstances may be unique; therefore, engaging a personal injury attorney is advisable.
