When you suffer injury in a car accident, slip and fall, or another incident, one of your first steps is to file an injury claim with the appropriate insurance company. A personal injury lawyer can help streamline the process by reviewing your claim, compiling evidence, and representing your best interests in settlement negotiations.
An Attorney Can Protect Your Rights Throughout Your Injury Claim
Your attorney can take on all aspects of your claim while you recover from your injuries. Their job includes the following tasks:
Establishing Fault for Your Accident
The basis of your injury insurance claim is proving fault. You may know that the other driver ran a red light, for example, but you must be able to prove it to the other driver’s insurance company if you wish to receive a settlement.
Some claims are more complicated. For example, if you slip and fall at a business establishment, the fault may lie with the property owner. The business leasing the premises may also hold responsibility. Each company should have their own liability insurance carrier. If an insurance carrier does not believe their client is liable for your injuries, it can be difficult to file a claim, let alone achieve a settlement.
Injury lawyers know how to meet the burden of proof necessary to establish fault in a personal injury claim. They can review your accident details and help you identify the liable party.
Gathering Evidence to Prove Your Claim
Evidence is the cornerstone of your injury insurance claim. To establish a valid claim, the evidence must show that the responsible party was careless or reckless, and their careless or reckless actions directly caused your injuries and losses.
A personal injury attorney may use any of the following evidence to establish your insurance claim:
- Photos and videos of the accident scene
- The accident or incident report
- Medical records
- Traffic citations
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony
- Accident reconstruction
Determining Your Economic and Non-Economic Damages
In addition to establishing responsibility, your evidence must show that you suffered actual losses because of the liable party’s carelessness. These losses may include economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical bills for past and future care
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
Negotiating a Settlement With the Insurance Company
Negotiating with insurance representatives can be especially frustrating when you are recovering from an injury. Your injury attorney can handle the negotiations while you take the time you need to heal.
Insurance companies may use various tactics to reduce or eliminate their client’s liability. Some may offer lowball settlements. Others may try to shift the blame for your injuries or claim that you were fully or partially responsible for what happened.
An injury attorney will recognize these strategies and know how to counter them. They can handle the phone calls, emails, and letters from insurance carriers. They will negotiate for the best possible settlement for your injuries, even against carriers.
Helping You Understand the Entirety of the Legal Process
Injury insurance claims can be difficult at the best of times. While some insurance companies may go out of their way to explain the claim process, it can still be confusing. In that event, you could overlook important information and nuances.
A personal injury attorney can explain the insurance claim process as you go along, so you always understand where your case stands. They will make sure that you meet the filing requirements, including claim forms and evidence submission. An attorney can also hold the insurance company accountable if they do not meet their legal obligations.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit Within the Statute of Limitations
Your attorney may file a personal injury lawsuit while negotiating a settlement with the insurance company.
It’s important that you reach out to a firm sooner rather than later. The state enforces a statute of limitations that restricts how much time you have to sue the other party for your losses.
Your case could qualify for exceptions to the deadline. Still, if you’re too late to file your lawsuit, you may no longer have the right to hold the other party accountable for your damages.
Call Our Firm for a Free Consultation Regarding Your Injury Insurance Claim
If you or someone you love suffered injuries due to someone else’s careless or reckless behavior, you can benefit from working with an injury attorney on our team. We will listen to your story and review your case. If we take your case, we can help you gather evidence and negotiate a fair settlement for your injury insurance claim.
Contact Shulman & Hill today at 866-528-3139 for your free case review. We also take cases on contingency, so we only get paid if and when we secure compensation on your behalf.