When You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

When you’re injured and need rest and recovery time, hiring a personal injury may be the last thing on your mind. However, deciding whether you’ll need a lawyer is something that you should do early. A personal injury case can take a long time to resolve, and the steps you take at the outset can significantly affect the outcome. But how do you know whether you actually need legal representation? Here are some specific scenarios to help you understand when to hire a personal injury lawyer.

1. The Insurance Company Is Offering a Settlement, And You’re Not Sure If It’s Enough

Insurance companies are just that—companies, with the main goal of protecting their own bottom line. Insurers strategically aim to pay out as little as possible per claim in order to boost their own profits. Not every insurance claim will be undervalued, but many are. When this happens, the insurer is hoping you will be too injured or too inexperienced to dispute it.

In these cases, a personal injury attorney can help you account for the types of damages that are easy to overlook. Examples of this might be your future medical expenses, physical therapy costs, loss of future income, diminished quality of life, and PTSD recovery.

2. Liability Is Disputed or Unclear

Personal injury payouts usually depend upon liability. In legal terms, this means who bears responsibility for your injuries. In cases where you are being blamed, whether in full or in part for the accident, hiring a lawyer is critical. In Virginia, being found even 1% responsible for the accident can bar you from recovering compensation. A lawyer can help gather the evidence needed to prove you bear no liability.

3. Multiple Parties Were Involved

Liability in cases with multiple parties can be complex. You may be dealing with negotiations with multiple insurers, each attempting to reduce their own payouts to you as the injured party. In these cases, accountability is crucial. A lawyer can help with the follow-up on multiple fronts, keeping a record of what each company has promised you and when they will deliver it.

4. The Insurance Company Is Stalling or Acting in Bad Faith

Insurance companies are notorious for delaying payments or even refusing to pay after certain kinds of accidents. They may be attempting to protect profits before a board meeting, might not know the law themselves, or might just be bad actors.

An insurance adjuster might ask seemingly innocent questions like, “How are you feeling?” in the hope that you admit to feeling fine, a statement they can use to justify a reduced payout. Having a lawyer as an intermediary between you and a bad-faith insurance company shields you from these tactics.

5. You Suffered Serious or Long-Term Injuries

A severe injury raises the stakes and makes it especially important to recover the maximum possible settlement. You may be facing long-term costs, changes to your employment or earning potential, and future needs that you cannot fully predict. In some cases, your costs may involve plastic surgery, physical therapy, changes to your home or vehicle, or at-home nursing and healthcare.

These kinds of expenses often involve negotiation with insurers in order to account for the full scope of the harm done, at a time when you are least able to speak for yourself. A personal injury lawyer can help close the gap and ensure that no one takes advantage of you during this vulnerable experience.

6. The Accident Involved a Government Entity

Accidents involving a government entity, like some premises liability cases, government contractor claims, or car accidents involving roadway design flaws, can have unique considerations. There are often special rules for presenting your claim. In Virginia, you must provide written notice of the claim within six months of the accident if it involves a government entity. Thus, speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible is paramount.

What Are the Advantages of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer?

When you need a lawyer, Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-Law can help. Here are a few ways you can benefit from working with us:

• • We can calculate what you’re owed. Our attorneys can calculate the compensation you’re entitled to based on your medical bill expenses, your need for long-term medical care or living assistance, and how your injuries will affect your ability to make a living. For most injury victims, this is their first time making a claim for damages. There may be additional costs that you do not think to include on your own. We’ll make sure none of this gets left by the wayside.
  • We can negotiate on your behalf. Don’t get caught saying something that can reduce your settlement amount. Insurers will take any chance they can get to show that you need less than you deserve after an accident. Our attorneys can insulate you from communicating directly with an insurance adjuster, as well as negotiate for a higher amount. We know what amounts are standard and when you’re being lowballed.
  • We ensure you’re court-ready. Huffman & Huffman knows when and how to take a case to court. We know the rules involved in presenting your case, what kinds of evidence will be compelling, when to settle ahead of time, and when to hold an insurer accountable with a trial.
  • We provide legal representation with no upfront cost. If you’re worried about upfront fees, don’t be. You owe us nothing until we win your case.

The bottom line? Working with our personal injury lawyers gives you the peace of mind that your claim is being handled effectively, and that you have the best chance of receiving the most amount of compensation.

Get in Touch to Schedule a Free, No-Obligation Consultation

Being injured can make it hard to sort through details. Finding someone you can trust, and fast, is essential. Let Huffman & Huffman help. Since 1973, we’ve recovered millions on behalf of our clients. A consultation with us costs nothing and can get your case on the path towards a productive outcome for you and your family after an injury. Fill out a free consultation form online or call us today.