When Do You Really Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you’ve been hurt in an accident, it can be hard to know which injuries warrant contacting a personal injury lawyer. Not every case requires an attorney—but personal injury lawyers can help accident victims in a wide variety of situations get fair compensation for their injuries and suffering.
Whether you’ve been injured in a Denver car accident, were attacked by a dog or have lost a loved one to wrongful death, it’s a good idea to have someone help you navigate complex insurance companies and make sure you’re treated fairly. Here’s what you need to know about when to hire a personal injury lawyer explained by our Colorado legal team.
1. When Facing Statute of Limitations
Depending on the type of accident a victim suffered, there could be a statute of limitations to bring a claim against the responsible party. In other words, victims have a limited time to get compensation for their losses due to the accident. When facing a statute of limitations, it can feel overwhelming to try and collect evidence, build a case and file a claim, all while trying to recover from injuries and support the family. In these cases, it’s best to work with an experienced personal injury attorney who can do all these things on your behalf before the deadline.
In Colorado, victims have three years to bring a car accident claim from the time the accident occurs. In many other personal injury cases related to general negligence, the statute of limitations is typically two years from when the accident happened. However, there are scenarios that could change the timeframe, including if the accident involved a victim who was a minor at the time. Working with a personal injury lawyer can help you get through the legal system quickly, so you don’t miss the chance to claim the financial support you need.
2. When Victims Are Being Intimated By Insurance Adjusters
Although you may think insurance companies are on your side, many accident victims face the unfortunate situation of unfair claim settlements. Adjusters value your case at the bare minimum and will try to get you to accept an amount that doesn’t fairly represent all the losses you have suffered due to the accident.
When you’re being intimidated by the insurance company to accept a settlement, a personal injury lawyer can help. They have experience dealing with insurance adjusters and know your rights as a victim. They’ll help you build a strong case, which then makes it more likely that you’ll get the settlement you deserve.
3. When Damages Are Complex
Some personal injury cases are straightforward. They may involve medical costs and property damage that have a clear value you can claim. However, what if victims experience pain and suffering? In catastrophic injury cases, a person may no longer be able to enjoy hobbies or have permanent disfigurements that have deep emotional effects on an accident victim. A victim may also experience anxiety and PTSD after a traumatic injury. How do you value these types of damages? A personal injury attorney has the answers.
In many cases, a victim’s pain and suffering could be the worst injury after an accident. It’s important to include these things in your claim to receive the full value for all your damages. When your losses are more complex than a simple medical bill, it may be time to consider contacting a personal injury lawyer to help you.
4. When You Need Legal Advocacy and Guidance
Bringing a personal injury claim on your own can be overwhelming. You have to fill out forms, collect witness statements, deal with reluctant insurance companies, file the claim and navigate the legal system without having any experience. In the end, it’s easy to inadvertently make a mistake or miss some details that could cost you your case.
Personal injury attorneys offer guidance and support throughout the legal process. They understand the claims system and have been through the courts before. They can take the legal burden off your shoulders while you heal from your injuries and spend time with your family.
5. When You Should Receive a Larger Settlement
In many cases, you could receive a larger settlement than what is offered to you. Most people don’t know how much their claims are actually worth—but a personal injury lawyer does. A 1999 study shows that individuals can receive settlements 3.5 times larger with legal assistance than without. Attorneys work hard to establish your injuries’ worth to get you the biggest settlement possible. In many cases, personal injury lawyers work on contingency, meaning if they don’t win your case, you don’t pay any money.
If you know you’re being low-balled but don’t know how to move forward, it’s time to contact an experienced attorney. They will include all your losses in the claim and can advise you on whether to settle or take the responsible party to court for fair compensation for your injuries. If you do go to court, your lawyer will present the case on your behalf and fight for your rights.
Contact Our Colorado Personal Injury Lawyers
If you’re ready to work with a professional team of personal injury attorneys in Colorado, the lawyers at Bachus & Schanker are ready to help. We have a robust team of attorneys and support staff who will quickly get to work on your case to get you monetary payment that fairly represents your damages, including pain and suffering. Call us today for a free and confidential case evaluation and to learn how we can work with you to make your case a success.
