6 Ways a Lawyer Can Help You with Your Personal Injury Claim

Hiring an experienced lawyer to help with your insurance claim process can make a massive difference in easing stress, recovering optimal compensation, and getting the best outcome for your situation. With tort lawsuits typically lasting 23 months, you need someone to hold your hand for the duration. 

A personal injury attorney has the specialized legal knowledge and negotiating skills to maximize your claim and get the funds you deserve, which will be on average around $31,000. 

Read on to learn 6 ways a talented personal injury attorney can significantly assist with your case and add value to your life going forward.

Filing Your Personal Injury Claim Properly

One of the most important things a personal injury lawyer can do is make sure your claim is filed properly and on time. There are strict statutes of limitations on personal injury claims that require them to be filed within a certain timeframe after the incident occurs. 

In Illinois, for example, the statute of limitations is two years. A personal injury attorney in Chicago knows these rules and deadlines so they can get the process started quickly. They can also handle complicated paperwork and ensure everything is filled out accurately.  

Proving Liability and Fault

Proving liability and fault is crucial for getting compensation, but it can get legally complicated. A qualified personal injury attorney has the expertise to investigate what happened, gather evidence, interview witnesses, demonstrate negligence, and build a convincing argument that someone else is responsible for your injuries and losses. Having a lawyer make a strong liability case on your behalf greatly improves your odds of a favorable settlement or court award.

Estimating the Full Value of Damages

You deserve full compensation for all accident-related losses, but putting a number on things like pain and suffering or loss of future income can be tricky. Personal injury lawyers have extensive experience calculating the short and long-term monetary impacts of different types of injuries. They can thoroughly quantify medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, emotional distress, reduced quality of life, and more when presenting a demand to the insurance company.   

Negotiating a Settlement

Seasoned personal injury attorneys know how to negotiate effectively with insurance carriers. They deal with these companies every day, so they understand common tactics adjusters use and have sophisticated negotiation skills to counter them. A lawyer intimately familiar with insurance claim processes can get inside an adjuster’s head, anticipate their moves, and negotiate aggressively on your behalf to get you the maximum settlement appropriate for your situation.  

Taking the Case to Trial

If a fair settlement can’t be reached through negotiation, having a talented trial lawyer on your side levels the playing field. Only around 4% of injury cases go to trial, but your attorney will not hesitate to litigate if it’s in your best interests. Personal injury law specialists know how to effectively argue cases before judges and juries to show the full impact of the negligent party’s actions. If negotiation fails, they have the litigation experience and tenacity to fight for full financial compensation through trial.

Managing the Legal Process of Your Personal Injury Case

Dealing with a personal injury case while trying to recover from an accident can get extremely stressful and time-consuming. Hiring a lawyer lifts those burdens so you can focus more energy on your health and family. 

Having an experienced professional overseeing all legal and administrative requirements reduces headaches and frustration, so don’t try and manage the burden on your own. Professional help is out there.