Why you might hesitate to contact a personal injury attorney after an accident in Palm Beach County is understandable.
“Do I need legal representation if I wasn’t injured?” or “the insurance company will handle it for me, right?” are questions you might ask yourself.
No doubt you’ll ask yourself, “Aren’t attorneys expensive?”
In each case, the answer is: that it depends.
The benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney in Palm Beach County are undeniable, regardless of whether you were injured. A personal injury attorney with experience understands the legal process and is knowledgeable about the best path toward resolving the case. However, the decision to seek legal representation ultimately rests with you.
It may be a good idea to hire a personal injury attorney if you are injured personally and are filing a personal injury claim. The benefits of hiring an attorney are numerous, and you will be dealing with a professional throughout this process. The following are seven reasons why you should hire a personal injury attorney in Palm Beach County.
1. You Suffered an Injury from an Accident
In motor vehicle accidents, serious injuries are common. These conditions may even be the norm for crashes occurring at high speeds. If you’ve been injured, a personal injury attorney can be invaluable in getting the compensation you deserve.
You can get the most out of your injury claim or lawsuit by hiring a personal injury attorney in Palm Beach County. You should seek legal representation if you suffered any of the following injuries due to your accident.
- Pain and suffering
- Temporary disability
- Permanent disability
- Serious injury
Getting well after an injury caused by someone else’s negligence is more important than fighting for fair compensation if you are suffering from one. So let an attorney fight for you.
2. The Personal Injury Claim Process
A personal injury claim or lawsuit requires a great deal of work understanding the process, bringing the suit, knowing the applicable laws and rules, gathering information from law enforcement, collecting medical records, tracking liens on health insurance, and negotiating a fair settlement offer. Unfortunately, an injured person typically does not have the time or ability to handle all (or even some) of these aspects of a claim.
3. No Up-front Costs or Fees
Attorney fees are usually paid out of the settlement, so you don’t have to pay anything unless you receive compensation. You may not have to pay up-front fees when you hire an attorney to handle your claim. A personal injury attorney can give you a competitive edge over the big insurance companies when everything is considered. As a result, even after legal fees, Bodden & Bennett Law Group gets you more money than you would if you handled everything yourself.
4. Going to Trial
Approximately one in twenty personal injury cases are litigated in court, according to The Law Dictionary. If you are the victim of a personal injury and you feel the settlement offered is too low or if the other party refuses to settle, your attorney will represent you in court. A lawyer can be a great asset in court and can help you get the settlement you deserve.
Self-representation in a court of law can be a daunting task. Should the need arise, Bodden and Bennett Law Group can represent you in a Palm Beach County court of law.
5. Liability is Unclear
A lawyer can help you determine who the negligent party is — who is responsible for the accident.
It is your responsibility to prove your innocence if liability is unclear. Your injuries must be proven to be the result of someone else’s negligence for you to succeed.
As an example, to prove your case in a car accident, you must collect, organize, and present police records, accident photos, accident reports, medical records, and eyewitness statements.
To have a legitimate case, you must prove that the negligent party was responsible for your injuries.
If you were partially at fault for the accident-or totally at fault-you should undoubtedly seek legal advice.
6. Negotiating with the Insurance Company
It is notoriously difficult to work with insurance adjusters. However, experienced attorneys who know how to persuade and negotiate can help.
If you have been injured, your goal is to fight for maximum compensation. For example, let’s say you have significant medical bills, property damage, or pain and suffering. When that is the case, you must do everything you can to maximize your compensation fairly.
Insurers will do everything they can to limit your offer if you are injured. However, there is no doubt that their definition of a “fair settlement” is rarely the same as yours.
You will almost certainly lose to an insurance adjuster if you attempt to handle the claim on your own. They are familiar with the law. When a low-ball offer isn’t in your best interest, they can trick you into thinking it is.
By negotiating effectively, your attorney will level the playing field for you and prove that your case has genuine merit.
7. Claimants With Legal Representation Usually Receive Larger Settlements
As explained, claimants who are not trained negotiators may not be able to reach the best outcome for their case on their own. On the other hand, claimants who hire a personal injury attorney tend to receive larger settlements.
Using a lawyer to represent claimants resulted in 40% higher settlements, according to the Insurance Research Council.
Take a moment to consider it. Attorneys who know all the tricks and strategies understand what levers to pull for the best result.
It is similar to learning how to drive for the first time if you attempt to manage a personal injury case on your own. You may experience bumps in the road if you’ve never done it before.
The Bodden & Bennett Law Group can help you if you have been injured in an accident. Our firm is here to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or call (561) 806-5229. If you have suffered a personal injury in Palm Beach County, we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
