Many personal injury cases do not go to court. Negotiations are instead used to settle with the defending insurance provider.
Personal injury attorneys are experts at fighting the insurance companies on your behalf. They can help you level the playing field and get your deserved compensation. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider hiring a personal injury attorney for your case:
Representation in Court
People who have suffered injuries due to the negligent actions of others have a right to seek compensation for their losses. A personal injury attorney can represent their interests and help them get the maximum compensation possible.
They can assist in gathering medical and financial records to support your claim. They can also prepare interrogatories and depositions to ask you questions under oath about the incident.
They can provide detailed liability analysis, which involves reviewing relevant statutes, case law, and legal precedents to establish a valid rationale for pursuing a claim against the responsible parties. They can also calculate your damages, including lost wages, property harm, and discomfort and suffering. This is an essential step in maximizing the value of your settlement.
Negotiation
Your attorney will gather details on your accident and how those injuries have affected your life. This will help them build a strong case and frame your demand, including all economic damages that are not financial, such as emotional hardship and pain, are non-economic damages.
Insurance companies will use many tactics to convince you that your claim is worth less than it is, and a skilled personal injury attorney can level the playing field with effective negotiations. Studies show that claimants with attorneys typically receive settlements that are more than three times larger than those without representation.
Personal injury lawyers can also assist you with resolving your case quickly by avoiding unnecessary litigation. They will communicate effectively with you throughout the process and promptly request any necessary documentation to avoid delays.
Detailed Liability Analysis
A personal injury attorney knows how to properly analyze your case and determine whether there are sufficient grounds for a lawsuit. They can help you interview witnesses or corporate representatives, comb through documents, build and strengthen your claims, and draft settlement demands that substantiate the worth of your legal claim.
Insurance companies are known to nickel and dime whenever possible, attempting to save their company money while leaving you with less than your accident deserves. Hiring a professional Bakersfield personal injury attorney to represent you will level the playing field against these insurance companies, leaving you with a higher chance of receiving a high compensation payout. This will also ensure that your interests are represented in court. A good lawyer will fight for you and take your case to trial if necessary.
Expert Witnesses
Depending on the case, expert witnesses can significantly change the outcome of a trial. Expert witness testimony is based on facts and data rather than conjecture or personal perception. However, the expert must have sufficient knowledge and skill in a particular field or discipline to offer an opinion within that expertise.
For example, a psychologist could be an expert witness in a domestic violence case. During the trial, the jury might want to know why an abused victim stayed with their abuser despite being beaten and threatened with death. The expert would provide their professional opinion to help the jury understand the situation.
An attorney will also be able to calculate the value of your claim by calculating your financial losses and non-economic damages. When negotiating with insurance representatives who often try to reduce your claim value, this is important.
Timely Filing
All personal injury cases are subject to statutes of limitations with strict deadlines for filing. If you do not file your lawsuit before the deadline expires, it could play right into the defendant’s hands. They will then try to offer you a lowball amount well below what your case is worth.
During your initial consultation, the attorney will consider your medical records to help determine how much your injuries are worth in terms of future expenses and losses in income. They will also help you find doctors who can treat your injuries and serve as expert witnesses if necessary.
Experienced attorneys can put more pressure on the insurance company to settle a claim quickly and for a fair amount. This is why claimants with lawyers tend to receive larger settlements overall.