If you’ve ever been in a fender-bender or minor accident before, the process of repairing the damage is fairly easy. You collect driver information, file a police report, and contact your insurance provider to process the claim. Within a few days, the insurance adjuster approves the estimates on necessary repairs, you take your car to the shop, and everything goes back to the way it was. The same isn’t true for accidents that involve injuries.
Too Much at Stake
There’s a lot more at stake for the insurance company and the other driver. Getting an insurance company to cover the cost of a dent, scrape, or ding is one thing. Yet when there is significant damage to the vehicles, medical treatments involved, and a host of other factors involved, the price goes up and insurance companies (and other guilty parties) are so quick to hand over cash. You’re going to have to prove your side without a shadow of a doubt in order to receive the amount you’re legally entitled to. Many drivers who have found themselves in such circumstances have turned to the likes of legal experts like Steven J Schwartzapfel and other expert personal injury attorneys for assistance.
Potential Effects of the Accident
There’s a lot that could happen as a result of your accident, and if you have a case, you’re entitled to be compensated for it. An experienced personal injury lawyer who is well-versed in the laws of the state where you were injured, can help you get what you deserve. Here’s what could be your new reality:
Out of work – your injuries will most likely put you out of commission for awhile. You won’t be able to perform your job and will need to take some time off. If you’re gone for too long or your employer needs to fill your position, it’s also possible you could lose your job permanently.
Ongoing medical care – most significant injuries require repeat visits to the doctor. If you’ve been hurt badly, you may require medical care for weeks or months at a time. This can even include seeing different specialists like a counselor or physical therapist. These visits are not only time-consuming but will start to put a dent in your pocket if insurance doesn’t cover the bills.
Emotional distress – accidents are traumatic and the experiences can bring about feelings of stress, anxiety, and even depression. Not to mention, the stress of trying to get compensated, being out of work, and dealing with increasing financial responsibilities can also cause emotional distress. If you’re wanting to reduce the stress you feel then there are plenty of ways to calm yourself and destress. CBD is one of the most popular methods so you might want to look into making your own CBD gummies — that way you can control the potency of your CBD gummies. Different methods work better for different people, though, so be sure to look into all your options.
Loss of quality of life – if your injuries are long-term or permanent, you have essentially been robbed of your life. You’re still alive, but you’re incapable of doing things you once enjoyed. You can essentially be paid for this if a judge rules it necessary.
How Can an Attorney Help?
Many people steer clear of hiring a personal injury attorney because of the myths or fear of high prices. In all actuality, most attorneys in this field of law will offer their clients contingency. This essentially means that you don’t pay anything to them unless they win the case. It’s also important to point out that attorneys are beneficial for a lot of other reasons:
Help with your claim – as stated above, an insurance company won’t readily want to spend a lot of money on your accident. This is where the assistance of a personal injury lawyer, such as the ones at Powell Law Firm comes in. An attorney will file the claim on your behalf and help you by providing proof of your side of the claim. They will talk with the insurance adjuster and if necessary their attorneys to make sure all paperwork is properly filed.
Settlement assistance – If the insurance company comes back with an offer that you simply can’t accept an attorney may be able to help you with the negotiations so you can get more for your troubles. If you can’t come to an agreement, obviously, they’d help you fight your case in court.
Little accidents may give the illusion that you can handle the matter on your own if you’re ever involved in an accident where you sustain injuries. On the contrary, however, major cases with lots of factors can be more complex to navigate on your own. A personal injury attorney can help you every step of the way. Whether you want to file a claim, get more in a settlement, or take the other party to court, they are trained to help you get the compensation you deserve.