Personal injuries can take many forms and situations but the key is that the injury must have been caused to you by another person due to their negligence. Whether you’ve been harmed from a serious accident, medical malpractice or even a dog bite, you generally have the legal right to recover compensatory damages from the person responsible for your injury. The personal injury attorneys at Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys can help you determine what your rights are.
Generally, personal injury damages may be recovered through either settling the case outside of court or through a formal trial where a jury or judge determines whether the defendant should have to pay for those damages and how much.
Oftentimes, people think their injury could be relatively minor and they do not need a personal injury lawyer, especially if the defendant’s insurance company has offered a personal injury settlement to pay for your medical bills and other damages. The victim may think they have been fairly treated…but have they? And when the victim accepts the offer from the insurance company, they also give up their right to any future personal injury claims that may arise from that injury.
In these Instances You May Wish to Discuss Your Situation with a Personal Injury Attorney
One of the most important decisions you will make is whether or not to hire a personal injury attorney. An initial consultation with an attorney is often given at no charge. Here are a few instances why you may wish to discuss your situation with a personal injury attorney prior to settling even for seemingly minor injuries:
- When a “simple” injury turns into something major down the road. Your personal injury lawyer can help you make sure you get the full damages you deserve, including for possible future medical care and costs. For example, what if your broken leg ends up not setting properly and it causes you to have limited range of motion for the rest of your life?
- Getting a fair and just personal injury settlement. Attorneys are trained negotiators who can help you obtain a rightful settlement so you can heal from your injuries instead of having to endure a long trial.
- Considering your injury very important. By simply hiring a personal injury attorney, this shows the insurance companies and defendants that you take your rights seriously and will position you to get a better personal injury settlement. If you do need to go to court, your attorney will know the rules of civil procedure and can help you to comply.
Simply put, without fully exploring your options with an attorney, you may not realize exactly what you could be giving up. A respectable and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer would advise you to wait until you know the full extent of your injuries and help you determine when it is the right time to settle. Without proper legal guidance, you might not collect critical evidence at the time of the accident, especially when you think the injuries aren”t that significant. Should the injuries turn out to be more serious later on, you might have a hard time proving fault or proving the extent of your damages from the initial accident. A personal injury lawyer can help you to get the right evidence so you are prepared for any contingency. Contact the Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys for your free consultation.
