6 Ways A Lawyer Can Help You With Your Injury Claim

Posted on November 1, 2024 by Personal Injury 360

It is easy to feel as though you are all alone following a slip and fall, car wreck, or any other personal injury accident in Alabama. Any injuries you sustain will affect you in unique ways, and your path to recovery can differ even from others involved in the same crash. That dynamic can lead some individuals to question whether an attorney’s assistance could make a significant difference, that’s why we recommend hiring a Huntsville personal injury lawyer.

While a personal injury attorney in Huntsville, AL cannot make your injuries heal faster or erase the pain and suffering your accident caused, their help can still be valuable. Enlisting a lawyer familiar with the legal needs of accident victims will likely help you access compensation and other resources far more quickly than relying on your efforts alone.

How A Knowledgeable Personal Injury Attorney Assists Injury Victims

Just as every injury accident is different, your legal needs are likely to vary from the needs of others as well. However, in the following six ways, attorneys who assist injury victims generally:

1. Advise Victims Of Their Legal Rights

Before you can take any legal action after an accident, you must know what actions you have to choose from. And that includes understanding the benefits and potential drawbacks of each option available to you. For example, while you may have the right to sue an at-fault party, you’ll also need to ascertain the likelihood of success and potential recovery before filing a claim.

An experienced attorney can provide you with that essential information, allowing you to make an informed decision about your rights and regain control over a situation where you may otherwise feel powerless.

2. Speak With Insurance Companies And Others

Insurance companies, their attorneys, and any other individuals connected to the accident will all try to determine what happened and who is at fault. In doing so, it’s likely that you will be contacted by several individuals and interviewed about the incident. You may even be asked to provide documents, like your medical and phone records.

Deciding how to respond to these various requests can be stressful, especially as your answers could affect your legal rights. However, when you retain an attorney, they can speak on your behalf. Not only does that reduce the stress of receiving these messages, but it also eliminates the risk that you will say or do something that could ruin your claim.

3. Valuate Your Claim

An injury accident can come with unexpected costs and expenses beyond medical bills and lost wages. You are entitled to damages for these and all other losses you experience because of the other person’s negligent behavior. Your attorney will advise you of all the different ways your accident affected you and the amount of damages you should pursue.

It is essential to obtain that kind of information before you file a claim or seek a settlement, as it will prevent you from resolving your case for too little, leaving losses and expenses for you to cover. You can be confident you are seeking the damages you should receive and need to begin rebuilding your life.

4. Investigate Your Personal Injury Claim And Gather Evidence

If the other party in your accident denies responsibility, you must prove their liability before obtaining compensation. That requires presenting evidence and witness testimony that proves the accident is more likely than not the other person’s fault. 

Experienced personal injury attorneys know the types of evidence injury victims need to prove their cases, as well as where to obtain it and how to preserve it for future use. Gaining and using such evidence can take the average person weeks or longer to learn and employ, which is why most victims find legal services beneficial.

5. Negotiate A Fair Settlement

In many personal injury cases, it is common for the victim and the at-fault party to seek a settlement. These agreements offer victims quick and guaranteed compensation while avoiding the uncertainties of trial. Even the party liable for damages may also benefit from a settlement, as the amount they pay could end up being less than what a judge or jury might order at trial.

Be that as it may, settlements are only beneficial to you, as a victim, if they fairly compensate you. You may need to negotiate with the other party to achieve the most favorable terms. And doing so can be stressful, especially if you are trying to deal with another lawyer or professional. 

Your attorney can address these negotiations on your behalf, freeing you to focus on other matters.

6. Handle Your Injury Claim From Start To Finish

If you cannot settle your claim, you will need to turn to the courts for justice. If you choose to handle your affairs yourself, you are held to the same standards as a licensed attorney. The court will expect you to know relevant deadlines, how to draft motions to the court, and how to present evidence at trial. 

When you have an attorney representing you, these and other tasks involved in advancing your cause fall on their shoulders, not yours. From filing your claim within the statute of limitations to making a closing argument to the judge or jury, personal injury lawyers know how to advance their clients’ rights.

A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Be Essential To A Strong Case

Ultimately, there is no law that outright requires you to hire a personal injury attorney following an accident. You could attempt to get compensation through a settlement or trial on your own. However, it is essential to recognize the many skills and breadth of knowledge that an attorney can bring to your case. 

From helping you understand your injuries and rights to helping you negotiate a fair deal, your attorney can alleviate significant amounts of stress. You will also benefit from having a personal injury lawyer on your side if negotiations break down and court proceedings are necessary.