Been in an accident lately?
You’re probably knee deep in medical bills and dealing with insurance companies while also trying to recover and returning to your normal life. It can be a lot to handle. And here’s the part no one tells you upfront…
It’s actually a mistake most people make waiting too long to seek legal help. A lot of people think they can handle it on their own. That they can just negotiate with the insurance adjuster and get a fair settlement. But the truth is, 95% of personal injury cases settle before trial, and those who hire personal injury lawyers typically receive nearly three times more in payouts.
Crazy, right?
But here’s the thing, and where people get tripped up. Knowing the right time to seek professional help. Not every single car accident, slip and fall, or dog bite requires a lawyer. The truth is, you can probably handle a lot of them on your own.
The problem comes in when you miss a situation that does call for a lawyer. And if you’re new to this whole process, these situations can be easy to miss. Missing those warning signs, of course, can cost you thousands… even millions of dollars.
Working with a St. Louis injury lawyer or another qualified personal injury attorney in your state can be the difference between getting pennies on the dollar versus collecting every last dollar you deserve for your injuries and losses.
Read on to learn the five signs it’s time to contact a personal injury attorney.
What You’ll Learn
- Sign #1: The Insurance Company Is Playing Hardball
- Sign #2: Your Injuries Are Serious or Long-Term
- Sign #3: Liability Isn’t Crystal Clear
- Sign #4: Multiple Parties Are Involved
- Sign #5: The Settlement Offer Seems Way Too Low
Sign #1: The Insurance Company Is Playing Hardball
Here’s something to know about insurance companies…
They are not your friend. The adjuster and the company are out to pay you as little as possible. In fact, it would be great (from their perspective) if they can find some way to not pay you anything at all.
When you’re hit with delaying tactics, claim denials, recorded statement pressure, and other such moves from the insurance company, it’s their way of telling you they are in trouble.
If you’re lucky, the company is hoping you’ll just take their lousy settlement offer and go away. Here’s the secret they don’t want you to know: Insurance companies have armies of lawyers fighting to limit their payouts. They know every trick in the book to reduce your compensation. They will scream you had pre-existing injuries or that you were partially at fault, or your treatment was unnecessary.
You need someone who can call their bluff.
A personal injury lawyer sees these hardball tactics every single day. They know when the insurance company is bluffing and when to stand firm. They also know how to document things so the insurance company can’t wiggle out of paying you the money they owe you.
Sign #2: Your Injuries Are Serious or Long-Term
Minor injuries, bumps, bruises? Not necessarily a good time to get a lawyer.
But what if your injuries are serious. Broken bones, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, injuries requiring surgery, etc. That’s a different ballgame.
And if your injury requires ongoing treatment or results in a permanent disability, it’s another thing entirely.
Why? Because serious injuries = serious money. You’re looking at medical bills that could easily rack up in the hundreds of thousands. Maybe you need physical therapy for months or years. You may not be able to work, or you might have a permanently reduced earning capacity.
Insurance companies know when it comes to serious injuries, these cases can be worth big money. And they’ll fight tooth and nail to keep your payout as low as possible. That means they’ll send their own medical experts to downplay your injuries. They’ll quibble over future medical costs and lost wages.
A personal injury lawyer will fight for the full value of your claim.
Without one, you are going to be outgunned and outmatched.
Sign #3: Liability Isn’t Crystal Clear
Sometimes car accidents are cut and dried. Someone rear ends you, you’re stopped at a red light, etc. But what if the other driver is arguing with you, or there are several vehicles involved, or it happened in a parking lot with no clearly established right-of-way.
Insurance companies live for this kind of mess. Liability (fault) for the accident isn’t clear, so everyone wants to shift blame to someone else.
They’ll do anything they can to argue you were partially responsible for the accident (or it was entirely your fault). In many states, if you are found even partially at fault for the accident, your compensation gets reduced by that percentage. In some states, you can’t recover any damages if you’re found to be more than 50% responsible.
A good personal injury attorney knows how to properly investigate car accidents. They can work with accident reconstruction experts, dig up witness statements, obtain surveillance video, and piece together a rock solid case that proves the other party’s liability.
Sign #4: Multiple Parties Are Involved
Think it’s bad with one defendant? Try multiple.
Multi-party accidents are complex and legally challenging. Each party has their own insurance company and their own lawyers. In some cases, the parties will also point the finger at you to try and avoid taking responsibility.
Common multi-party accident situations include:
- Chain-reaction car accidents
- Construction site injuries
- Product liability claims involving both manufacturers and retailers
- Medical malpractice cases with multiple healthcare providers involved
Navigating these cases without legal assistance is nearly impossible. You need someone who understands how to deal with multiple defendants, coordinate with a number of insurance companies, and who knows how to recover the maximum amount of money from all responsible parties.
Sign #5: The Settlement Offer Seems Way Too Low
Here’s a big ugly secret about initial settlement offers…
They are nearly always lowball offers designed to make you sign away your rights quickly. Insurance companies count on people being in need of money and wanting to accept the first reasonable offer that comes along.
But taking that first offer could be the biggest mistake you make.
Every year in the U.S., 62 million people seek medical attention for injuries. Insurance companies have become really good at minimizing what they pay out in personal injury cases. They know most people don’t understand the true value of their claim. They count on you not knowing about future medical expenses, or pain and suffering, or lost earning capacity.
A good personal injury lawyer can figure out the true value of your case. Not just what you’ve lost, but what you will lose in the future. They will know how to calculate things like future medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
The difference between an insurance company’s initial offer and what your case is truly worth? It can be jaw-dropping.
The Bottom Line
Nobody wants to hire a lawyer. It’s scary to admit something is that serious. It’s also expensive. But waiting too long to seek legal help is one of the biggest mistakes people make after being injured.
Insurance companies have lawyers. The person responsible for your accident probably has a lawyer. Wouldn’t you want to level the playing field?
If any of the five warning signs above apply to your situation, it’s time to at least talk to a personal injury attorney. Most offer free consultations, and nearly all work on a contingency fee basis. That means you only pay if they win money for you.
The clock is ticking on your claim. State law sets time limits on how long you have to file a lawsuit. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to get your claim. Physical evidence can be lost or disappear, and witnesses may no longer remember key details. Your leverage also decreases with each passing day.
Don’t get played by the insurance companies. If you have serious injuries, unclear liability, multiple parties, you’re getting stonewalled, or your settlement offer is insulting, contact a qualified personal injury attorney today. Your future self will thank you.