While it isn’t unusual for potential clients to ask, “Do I really need a lawyer to help with my personal injury claim?” the fact is that not having experienced legal representation could hurt you and those you love in the long run.
As experienced personal injury lawyers, we understand how these situations occur, and the devastating consequences they can have on the people involved.
You have a window of opportunity to get the compensation you need after an injury occurs, and failing to take the appropriate actions could threaten your physical health and financial security, both now and in the years to come.
How An Attorney Can Help When Injuries Occur?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 31 million people are seen in hospital emergency rooms as the result of personal injuries each year in the United States. These injuries prove fatal for as many as 130,000 victims.
Among the most common causes listed by the CDC for these injuries include motor vehicle crashes, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, slips, trips, and falls, being struck by or against an object, and sports and recreational injuries. The most common types of injuries suffered include:
- Muscle and tendon strains, sprains, and tears
- Broken bones and multiple fractures
- Serious cuts and lacerations
- Damage to internal organs and internal bleeding
- Back and neck injuries, including herniated discs and damage to the spinal cord
- Head injuries, including concussion and traumatic brain injuries
All of the above require ongoing medical care and treatment, often including physical rehabilitation. They can also prevent you from working or performing even simple tasks on your job, either on a temporary or permanent basis.
Hiring a lawyer to represent you in an accident claim can help ensure you get the care you need, preventing complications that can be potentially life-threatening. A lawyer can also help work to ensure that if your injuries result in lingering disabilities, you and your loved ones will be provided for.
Negotiating With The Insurance Company After An Accident
In the aftermath of an accident, you may be approached by the insurance company for the at-fault party, requesting a statement and looking to settle your claim. It is important to remember that these companies are in business to make money, and that one of the main ways for them to do that is by either denying or lowballing claims. Among the ways these companies may attempt to do that include:
- Disputing or downplaying the extent of your injuries
- Minimizing the amount of medical expenses and lost wages you have incurred
- Failing to include future medical expenses and lost income in your settlement amount
- Using statements you make to blame you for the accident and either deny your claim or reduce the amount you are entitled to receive
Before making any statements or signing any documents, it is important to speak with an experienced attorney first. In addition to helping you avoid mistakes that could cost you money, we can deal with the insurer on your behalf, so you can rest easy and focus on your recovery.
Rather than simply relying on the insurance adjuster’s appraisal, we conduct our own investigations, collecting evidence in support of your claim. This gives us an edge in negotiations, and helps to reach the best possible outcome in your case.
Filing A Personal Injury Lawsuit
In cases where your insurance claim is denied or an appropriate settlement amount cannot be reached, it may be to your benefit to file a personal injury lawsuit through the Tennessee court system instead. We can help guide you throughout this process, taking care of all the details so you can focus on regaining your health.
Steps we may take in support of your claim include:
- Filing the appropriate court documents: This includes your complaint alleging the details of your accident, the legal basis for your claim, and the amount of compensation you are seeking.
- Gathering evidence in support of your case: This includes police reports, witness statements, photos and video evidence from the accident scene, and testimony from accident reconstruction experts. We also gather evidence in support of your damages, including lost wages and statements from your doctor about your condition and your prognosis for recovery.
- Making motions and appearing at hearings on your behalf: Depending on the circumstances involved, we may be able to make a motion for summary judgment, which could allow the case to be resolved without having to go to court.
- Attending mediation: Mediation sessions with the attorney for the at-fault party is another way in which settlements can often be reached;
Presenting your case at trial: In the event a settlement cannot be reached, your case will go to trial, where we will present a convincing argument on your behalf before the judge or jury.
An additional advantage to filing a personal injury lawsuit in Nashville is that you may seek compensation for the pain, suffering, and mental anguish you endured as the result of your accident and injuries, as well as punitive damages meant to punish the at-fault party for particularly reckless or negligent conduct in exceptional cases.
Since we handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis, you pay nothing unless we get compensation for you.