When you or someone you love is physically injured and emotionally traumatized due to the actions of another person or company, the last thing you need to worry about is the expenses related to your injuries. Medical bills, loss of work time, and damage to personal property can be very expenses and bills add up quickly. The stress of facing these high and unexpected expenses can add to the trauma of the injury.
Personal injury law allows people who have been injured to seek payment for damages from the person or company that injured them. For many, the ability to seek legal action is the only thing that will save them financially and mentally following a bad injury.
For example, auto accidents are a significant source of injuries, property damage, and even death. When you are in a car wreck that someone else caused due to their negligence or reckless driving, you may be facing significant medical bills for yourself, as well as anyone else that was in the vehicle. If you vehicle is totaled in the accident, you may also be looking at a loss of daily transportation, which directly impacts your life, your ability to work, and your ability to care for yourself and others.
If someone in your vehicle is killed in the accident, you are also dealing with the added expenses of a funeral and burial costs. Additionally, the emotional and mental trauma of the incident will be compounded by the grief of losing someone you love.
While auto accidents are commonly thought of when referring to personal injury law, there are a wide range of situations that may require a personal injury lawyer to represent you and ensure you get the justice you deserve for the situation. Construction accidents, animal attacks, and medical malpractice are all other common situations that call for a lawyer.
Depending on the situation, you may be hesitant to contact a lawyer. You may think your insurance company will wort it out or that you and the personal that caused the accident can come to an agreement. However, the more you attempt to settle on your own, the harder it will be down the road to get the settlement you need to cover your expenses.
Insurance companies will do whatever they can to pay out as little as possible for the incident. It is important to never deal directly with the insurance company when injured in any kind of accident or situation. Personal injury lawyers understand the laws pertaining to your situation, and they will ensure that the insurance companies pay what you are owed, opposed to what they can get away with.
Everything you say directly to an insurance agent, the police, or the other people involved can be used against you later if your case goes to trial. The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to contact a lawyer as soon as you are able to, and to not speak with anything about the accident until you can. Your personal injury lawyer will represent you to everyone that needs information about the incident in question.
Any kind of injury or accident can lead to ongoing mental and emotional trauma including anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. While you may feel pressure to settle your case quickly, it is important to make sure that your long-term needs will be met. Seek the help you need and get accurate diagnosis for both your physical and psychological injuries.
If a couple months after the accident you start experiencing depression or anxiety, you cannot go back and negotiate a new settlement. This can cause problems with work and your ability to manage your day-to-day life. That is why it is so important to allow your lawyer to represent you to the best or their ability and not allow yourself to be pressured into an agreement.