People fall victim to accidents every day, often through no fault of their own. If you’ve been injured in an accident, it can often be difficult to decide whether you should seek legal advice. Frequently accidents result in an individual taking time off work or requiring medical treatment – the costs of which can add up surprisingly quickly.
Legal Advice
If you have been in an accident that was not your fault, chances are you could qualify for compensation. In the majority of cases, personal injury claims are best handled by a specialist like Brown & Crouppen to ensure you get the full compensation you deserve. Here are just a few reasons and circumstances when you should seek legal advice following an accident.
Serious injury accidents
If you’re in an accident that requires medical attention or a stay in hospital, you should definitely engage the services of an injury lawyer to assess your chances of compensation. Minor injury claims can often be handled directly between an insurer and the complainant, but in accidents involving significant injury, you are far better seeking professional representation.
You are being blamed for an accident
It’s human nature to try to avoid blame, and it’s not uncommon for the guilty party (or their insurer) to engage in tactics to try and make you look at fault. Hiring a lawyer with a sound knowledge of personal injury law doesn’t just give you protection against fraudulent accusations of blame; a lawyer will also fight for your rights to compensation and take the responsible party to court if need be.
You have been in an accident caused by negligence
Proving negligence can often be a tricky process and requires gathering and preserving evidence which can later be used in court. An experienced injury lawyer will be skilled in discovering and logging proof which will be crucial in supporting your case against the negligent party.
An insurance company is offering unrealistic compensation
Not all insurance companies are the same; however, the industry does have a bad reputation for trying to settle claims at the lowest price possible. Often a responsible party will accept blame, followed by a quick offer from their insurer.
If you feel the compensation you’re being offered is too low, you should seek legal advice immediately. An injury lawyer will know your legal rights and be able to argue your case far better than you ever could on your own.
You’re unaware of your legal rights or how to negotiate
Most people are fairly ignorant of the law or how to negotiate a settlement – after all, we have no reason to know these things in our everyday lives. Conversely, a skilled injury lawyer, will have in-depth knowledge of your legal rights and be able to assess your chances of a claim. Moreover, they will also know how much compensation you should aim for and be able to negotiate an acceptable figure on your behalf.
Even if you feel the amount being offered by an insurance company seems relatively acceptable, you should still engage a professional to work out your entitlement accurately. Injury lawyers have years of experience, likely dealing with cases very similar to yours. This puts them in the perfect position to argue your case and win the full compensation to which you are entitled.
