Navigating the aftermath of an injury can be a nightmare. Personal injury claims can be complex and confusing. Trying to heal and advocate for yourself can be very stressful. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this experience alone. When you retain a personal injury attorney, you’ll gain a skilled advocate who will represent you in court. Your attorney will also help you secure the payout you need and allow you to focus on more important things – like getting your life back to normal.
In this blog, we’ll discuss when to retain a personal injury attorney and what to expect once you do.
When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
Deciding when to hire a personal injury attorney is confusing for most people. Many accident victims don’t know when hiring an attorney is appropriate or which situations warrant it. In reality, it’s essential to hire an attorney if you have an injury and need compensation for an accident.
With that in mind, here are a few situations in which we recommend hiring a personal injury lawyer:
You suffered a car accident
If you’ve been in a car accident, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for damages. Damages include but are not limited to injuries, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
While insurance companies should pay settlements quickly, many may try to lowball payouts or avoid paying altogether. In these cases, a personal injury attorney can help advocate on your behalf and ensure you get the settlement you need to recover.
You experienced a hit-and-run
Hit-and-run accidents are common in Florida and other states. If you experienced a hit-and-run, you might be unable to track down the other driver. Fortunately, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company.
A personal injury attorney can help you navigate this complex process and get the payout you need to pay for your damages.
You were in an accident with an uninsured driver
In 2019, about 12.6% of all motorists on the road were uninsured. If you were involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance, you’ll need to file a claim against your insurance company.
This process can be complex, though, so hiring a personal injury attorney to help is essential.
You suffered a slip-and-fall accident
After slip and fall accidents, you’ll need to prove that the property owner was at fault. This can be challenging. In cases like these, hiring a personal injury attorney is essential.
In addition to investigating the accident, a personal injury attorney will be able to gather the evidence you need to prove that the property owner was negligent and is thus at fault.
You’ll also need a personal injury attorney if the accident occurs on commercial property.
This is especially true if you’re in the state of Florida, which has special laws protecting injured individuals’ rights.
What to Expect When You Retain a Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve never worked with a lawyer before, the process can feel foreign. To retain a personal injury attorney, you can expect the following steps:
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Contact an experienced personal injury firm
First, you must initiate a discussion and present the facts to an intake specialist. This process is critical to determine whether you have a case and to help find the ideal attorney to assist you.
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Attorney Consultation
After the conversation with the intake specialist, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with the personal injury attorney.
During this meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to present the details of your case, ask the attorney questions, and discuss the strengths and weak points of your claim.
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Case Evaluation
Once the attorney reviews the facts you presented during your consultation, they’ll review them to evaluate the case’s viability.
During this process, the attorney will consider various factors, including liability, damages, and the likelihood that the case will be successful.
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Agreement and Contract
If the attorney you’ve met agrees to take on your case, you’ll enter into a formal agreement.
Both parties will sign a contract that includes details like the attorney’s contingency fees, the scope of representation, and other essential terms. Once the agreement is complete, you’ve officially retained an attorney.
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Information Gathering
Once retained, your attorney will gather as much information and evidence related to your case as possible.
Examples of evidence may include medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and other documentation that can support your claim.
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Negotiations and Settlement
Many attorneys avoid going to court whenever possible. In most cases, the attorney will attempt to negotiate a fair settlement with the responsible party or their insurance company.
As they work on this process, the attorney will advocate for your rights and aim to secure the best possible outcome.
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Litigation
Ultimately, your case will either be settled through negotiation or, if necessary, decided by a court.
If settling outside of court is impossible, your case may have to move to litigation. If this happens, the attorney will file a lawsuit and represent you in the legal proceedings.
While many people dread the idea of their case going to court, it can be an essential part of the process.
Once your attorney resolves the matter, they’ll assist you in collecting any awarded compensation or settlement.
Ward & Barnes: Your Reliable Pensacola Personal Injury Lawyer
If you need to retain a personal injury attorney, you deserve to work with a team you can count on.
Here at Ward & Barnes, we provide reliable accident representation for people in and around Pensacola, Florida.
Whether your injury resulted from an accident, car crash, or slip-and-fall accident, our team of lawyers will help represent you and ensure you get the settlement you deserve.
Contact us today to learn more about our team or how we can help you after an accident.