Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Should I hire a personal injury lawyer? If you were hurt due to another person’s negligence, it may be in your best interests to hire a New Orleans personal injury lawyer. 

A personal injury lawyer can provide you with the resources and tools you need to build a comprehensive case to recover damages owed to you.

Key Times to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal injury attorneys provide legal recommendations to you along the route of filing a claim for the losses another person caused to you. As such, it is critical that you hire this professional if you have substantial injuries and losses due to the negligence of another person. The following are some key times when you should hire a personal injury attorney:

• Significant injuries: If you have injuries that require you to visit a hospital or urgent care center, especially if there is a need for follow-up care or admission, you should hire a legal team to guide you through the process. Your losses are likely far more than just the medical bills you have.
• Liability is questioned: If the other party at fault states they are not responsible, or if liability in the accident is uncertain for any other reason, hiring a legal team is critically important. Your attorney will work to gather information, evidence, and insight from experts to show who is to blame.
• You missed work: If you were unable to go back to work or missed a substantial amount of time at work, hiring a New Orleans workplace accident lawyer may help you obtain more of the compensation owed to you. Determining what your benefits losses were or what your loss of earning capacity is over the long term ensures you do not leave valuable assets unaccounted for in your case.
• Insurance carriers are pushing you: They may want to settle your claim quickly, or they may be looking for a way to reduce the amount of compensation paid by denying portions of your claim. They will do anything they can to reduce the compensation paid.
• The accident involves more than one party: In some cases, there are numerous potential at-fault parties. For example, in a truck accident, the truck driver may be at fault, or in other cases, the trucking company could be held liable as well. 
• Comparative negligence is at play: If you are being held partially at fault for the accident, it could be challenging for you to recover fair compensation. Your attorney can help you to prove what your case is worth and may be able to show you should hold no liability in the case.
• A family member lost their life: In wrongful death cases, the risks are much higher to insurance companies, and they will work even more aggressively to limit what they pay out. These challenging cases warrant the support of an attorney.

These examples are some of the most common reasons to hire a personal injury attorney. Yet, the bottom line is clear. 

If you are owed compensation for your injuries, you cannot trust the insurance company for the at-fault party to treat you fairly or to provide you with fair compensation, but you can depend on your attorney to do this for you.

Types of Cases Personal Injury Lawyers Often Help With

Any time someone else is responsible for the injuries you have, you can hire a personal injury attorney to discuss your case and create a plan for recovering fair damages. Most of the time, this makes sense in situations where you have physical, emotional, and financial loss as a result of the actions or inactions of another person. 

The following are examples of some of the most important types of claim cases that may warrant you taking legal action with the guidance of an attorney.

• Motor vehicle accidents, including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents involving delivery vehicles, semis, or rented trucks
• Medical malpractice cases against doctors, nurses, or hospitals
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bike accidents, which is when a New Orleans bicycle accident lawyer can help
• Premises liability accidents, including swimming pool accidents and dog bites
• Product liability claims, including injuries from dangerous products
• Rideshare accidents involving Uber or Lyft

In each of these cases, your personal injury attorney works to maximize the compensation claim you have by determining all parties at fault and then building a strong case to demonstrate your losses. Because your attorney has experience in these areas, they know how to hold those who hurt you accountable for the losses you have. You do not have to face the insurance company alone.

Other Times You Should Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

No matter what you are facing, your future is on the line. Having a personal injury lawyer to help you maximize your claim could be critical. Some examples of additional times when you should hire an attorney include:

• The statute of limitations is approaching. In Louisiana, you have two years (RS 23:1209) from the date of the accident to take legal action, or you forfeit any right to compensation you have.
• You have permanent losses. Catastrophic injuries, including loss of mobility, hearing, or vision, are life-changing and warrant exceptional legal guidance as you hold those who did this accountable.
• You need a team of professionals to build your case. Your attorney brings expert witnesses, medical records professionals, and accident reconstruction professionals to your case.

Also, note that there is no reason not to hire an attorney. Since your attorney will work on a contingency basis, you do not have to pay anything for their legal services unless they win your case. Without risk, it is clear that having a lawyer makes sense.

Schedule a Free Consultation to Learn More About Your Rights

If you are hurt in a personal injury incident of any type, set up a free consultation with an attorney to discuss your case.

 At Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers, we provide our clients with a no-risk consultation to learn what their cases may offer. Contact us now to get started and hire a personal injury lawyer.